You would look for long trades when the Value Line is above the Avg Line. However, you would look for short trades when the Value Line is below the Avg Line. Now we clearly understand how to read MACD and where the signals come from. We may begin developing a few strategies that use these signals. When learning how to read MACD, the MACD Study shows two lines and a histogram of the distance between those two lines.

Traders can use the MACD histogram as a momentum indicator to jump ahead of changes in market sentiment. Essentially, it calculates the difference between an instrument’s 26-day and 12-day exponential moving averages (EMA). In calculating their values, both moving averages use the closing prices of whatever period is measured.

• The MACD and RSI are both trend-following momentum indicators often used in tandem to give analysts and traders a better technical understanding of market conditions.
• A potential buy signal is generated when the MACD (blue line) crosses above the MACD Signal Line (red line).
• When the two MACD lines are above the 0-line, the price can be considered in an uptrend.
• The screenshot below shows the MACD line and the Signal line at the bottom of the chart.
• This shows that the momentum of the downtrend is weakening and could potentially reverse into a bullish trend.
• The orange line (signal line) – the 9-period EMA of the white line (MACD line) – will track the trend of the white line.

The difference line, represented in the chart by the blue bars, is typically presented as a bar chart around the zero line. This bar chart represents the difference between the MACD line and the signal line. A narrowing of the difference line (i.e., when the bars decrease) illustrates the potential for a crossover. The difference line has widened in recent weeks, suggesting a crossover is not imminent. MACD is a momentum oscillator that is generally best employed in trending markets—where prices are trending in a particular direction. If you are considering MACD, you might first consider determining the trend of the market.

Generally, the crossover of the MACD line and the signal line is used as a signal of an impending bullish or bearish trend. The signal line is usually a 9-period EMA of the MACD line. This means that the signal line plots the average of the past 9 periods of the MACD line. It’s meant to smooth out the MACD line and is regarded as the indicator’s “slower” moving average.

Here’s How to Read the MACD Study Indicator

The way EMAs are weighted will favor the most recent data. When the EMA-9 crosses above the MACD(12,26), this is considered a bearish signal. It means the trend in the stock – its magnitude and/or momentum – is starting to shift course. When the MACD(12,26) crosses above the EMA-9, this is considered a bullish signal. This technical indicator is a tool that’s used to identify moving averages that are indicating a new trend, whether it’s bullish or bearish.

• Traders should be aware that the whipsaw effect can be severe in both trending and range-bound markets because relatively small movements can cause the indicator to change directions quickly.
• When the Value Line and the Avg Line cross over, the Diff Swabs cross over from one side of the Zero Line to the other.
• But if you’re a new trader, this might not be easy to spot.
• The MACD’s popularity is largely due to its ability to help quickly spot increasing short-term momentum.

Convergence relates to the two moving averages coming together. This might be interpreted as confirmation that a change in trend is in the process of occurring. A sell signal is given when the signal how to read the macd line or the MACD line crosses below the zero line, and a buy signal is given when either cross above the zero line. The MACD line recently crossed below the zero line, generating a sell signal.

MACD Histogram Squeeze: How to identify explosive breakout trades about to occur

Some traders only pay attention to acceleration – i.e., the signal line crossover (or what’s expressed by the MACD histogram). In this case, the MACD line reacts more quickly to price changes than the signal line. And since the signal line is a moving average of the MACD line, it’s expected to lag. The MACD is calculated by subtracting the value of a long-period exponential moving average (EMA) from a short-period EMA. MACD (moving average convergence/divergence) is a technical indicator of momentum that uses moving averages to determine a trend’s strength. The MACD uses three exponential moving averages (a short term, a long term, and the average difference between the short and long term) to show price momentum.

The MACD and RSI are both trend-following momentum indicators often used in tandem to give analysts and traders a better technical understanding of market conditions. While the MACD measures the relationship between two moving averages, the RSI measures price change in relation to recent price levels. A bullish crossover happens when the MACD line crosses above the signal line signifying an entry point for traders (buy opportunity). Conversely, a bearish crossover occurs when the MACD line crosses below the signal line presenting as an exit point (sell opportunity). Crossovers can last a few days or weeks, depending on the movement’s strength. Because the MACD indicator tracks past pricing data, it falls into the lagging indicator category.

Testimonials appearing on this website may not be representative of other clients or customers and is not a guarantee of future performance or success. I’ve read many blogs suggesting a crossover is a trade entry signal; however, I’m afraid I have to disagree. In a normal MACD study, the Avg Line is set with a default of 9. It is the average of the average convergence or divergence.

What Is Divergence?

After the divergence, the price reversed strongly to the downside and the MACD fell below the 0-line for the first time. This started the new down-trending period with the MACD staying below 0 all the way. When the MACD Line crosses 0, it shows that momentum is changing and potentially a new trend might be starting. When the two EMAs cross at the price chart, the MACD line crosses below 0 as well – I marked the cross with an x and a vertical line.

Further Reading

In yet another bearish sign for the E-mini S&P 500 futures contract, the future made higher lows from Low #1 to Low #2, which again is usually considered positive. Notice in this example how closely the tops and bottoms of the MACD histogram are to the tops of the Nasdaq 100 e-mini future price action. When a stock, future, or currency pair is moving strongly in a direction, the MACD histogram will increase in height.

Swing Trading: The Basics and Various Swing Trading Strategies

Again, double-check the ADX to determine whether a trend is in place and also look at what price is doing before acting. The MACD lines, however, do not have concrete overbought/oversold levels like the RSI and other oscillator studies. That’s to say an investor or trader should focus on the level and direction of the MACD/signal lines compared with preceding price movements in the security at hand, as shown below. MACD is often displayed with a histogram (see the chart below) that graphs the distance between MACD and its signal line. If MACD is above the signal line, the histogram will be above the MACD’s baseline, or zero line.

That represents the orange line below added to the white, MACD line. Stock markets are volatile and can fluctuate significantly in response to company, industry, political, regulatory, market, or economic developments. Investing in stock involves risks, including the loss of principal. As a Forex trader, you can choose from dozens of currency pairs to trade from, but which is the right choice and what are some common pitfalls when… Every Thursday we send out a brand new trading newsletter with trading tips, the chart of the week, and insights into the world of online trading. In this article, we focus on the MACD and the signal line in particular.

This is because prices often demonstrate a few surges or plunges as market participants set off stops to match the supply and demand in the order flow. Secondly, divergence doesn’t forecast all reversals, i.e., it predicts too many reversals that don’t occur and not enough real price reversals. Technical analysis focuses on market action — specifically, volume and price.