Trend Trading: The 4 Most Common Indicators (2024)

Trend traders attempt to isolate and extract profit from trends. The method of trend trading tries to capture gains through the analysis of an asset'smomentumin a particular direction; there are multiple ways to do this. Of course, no single technical indicator will punch your ticket to market riches; in addition to analysis, traders also need to be well-versed in risk management and trading psychology. But certain strategies have stood the test of time and remain popular tools for trend traders who are interested in analyzing certain market indicators.

Moving Averages

Moving average is atechnical analysistool that smooths out price data by creating a constantly updatedaverageprice.On a price chart, a moving average creates a single, flat line that effectively eliminates any variations due to random price fluctuations.

Theaverageis taken over a specific period of time–10 days, 20 minutes, 30 weeks, or any time period the trader chooses. For investors and long-term trend followers, the 200-day, 100-day, and 50-day simple moving average are popular choices.

There are several ways to utilize the moving average. The first is to look at the angle of the moving average. If it is mostly moving horizontally for an extended amount of time, then the price isn't trending; it is ranging. A trading range occurs when a security trades between consistent high and low prices for a period such as days, weeks, or months. Many traders use strategies that follow these trading patterns.

If the moving average line is angled up, an uptrend is underway. However, moving averages don't make predictions about the future value of a stock; they simply reveal what the price is doing, on average, over a period of time.

Crossovers are another way to utilize moving averages. By plotting a 200-day and 50-day moving average on your chart, a buy signal occurs when the 50-day crosses above the 200-day. A sell signal occurs when the 50-day drops below the 200-day. The time frames can be altered to suit your individual trading timeframe.

When the price crosses above a moving average, it can also be used as a buy signal, and when the price crosses below a moving average, it can be used as a sell signal.

However, since the price is more volatile than the moving average, this method is prone to more false signals, as the chart above shows.

Moving averages can also provide support or resistance to the price. The chart below shows a 100-day moving average acting as support (i.e., the price bounces off of it).

Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD)

The moving average convergence divergence (MACD)is a kind of oscillating indicator. An oscillating indicator is a technicalanalysis indicatorthat varies over time within a band (above and below a centerline; the MACD fluctuates above and below zero). It is both a trend-following and momentum indicator.

One basic MACD strategy is to look at which side of zero the MACD lines are on in the histogram below the chart. If the MACD lines are above zero for a sustained period of time, the stock is likely trending upwards. Conversely, if the MACD lines are below zero for a sustained period of time, the trend is likely down. Using this strategy, potential buy signals occur when the MACD moves above zero, and potential sell signals when it crosses below zero. Traders frequently pair MACD with support and resistance candlestick charts.

Signal line crossovers can also provide additional buy and sell signals. A MACD has two lines—a fast line and a slow line. A buy signal occurs when the fast line crosses through and above the slow line. A sell signal occurs when the fast line crosses through and below the slow line.

Relative Strength Index (RSI)

The relative strength index (RSI) is another oscillating indicator but its movement is contained between zero and 100 so it provides different information than the MACD.

One way to interpret the RSIis by viewing the price as "overbought"—and due for a correction—when the indicator in the histogram is above 70, and viewingthe price as oversold—and due for a bounce—when the indicator is below 30.

In a strong uptrend, the price will often reach 70 and beyond for sustained periods of time. For downtrends, the price can stay at 30 or below for a long time. While general overbought and oversold levels can be accurate occasionally, they may not provide the most timely signals for trend traders.

An alternative is to buyclose to oversold conditions when the trend is up and place ashort trade near an overbought conditionin a downtrend.

For example, suppose the long-term trend of a stock is up. A buy signal occurs when the RSI moves below 50 and then back above it. Essentially, this means a pullback in price has occurred. So the trader buys once the pullback appears to have ended (according to the RSI) and the trend is resuming. The 50-levels are used because the RSI doesn'ttypically reach 30 in an uptrend unless a potential reversal is underway. A short-trade signal occurs when the trend is down and the RSI moves above 50 and then back below it.

Trendlines or a moving average can help establish the trend directionand in which direction to take trade signals.

On-Balance Volume (OBV)

Volume itself is a valuable indicator, and on-balance volume (OBV) takes a significant amount of volume information and compiles it into a single one-line indicator. The indicator measures cumulativebuying and selling pressure by adding the volume on "up" days and subtracting volume on "down" days.

Ideally, the volume should confirm trends. A rising price should be accompanied by a rising OBV; a falling price should be accompanied by a falling OBV.

The figure below shows the shares ofNetflixInc. (NFLX) trending higher along with OBV. Since OBVdidn't drop below its trendline, it was a good indication that the price was likely to continue trending higher even after the pullbacks.

If OBV is rising and the price isn't, it's likely that the price will follow the OBV in the future and start rising. If the price is rising and OBVis flat-lining or falling, the price may be near a top. If the price is falling and OBV is flat-liningor rising, the price could be nearing a bottom.

The Bottom Line

Indicators can simplify price information, in addition to providing trend trade signals and providing warnings about reversals. Indicators can be used on all time frames, and for the most part, they have variables that can be adjusted to suit each trader's specific preferences. Traders can combine indicator strategies–or come up with their own guidelines–so entry and exit criteria are clearly established for trades. Complementary trend indicators include pairing the MACD and stochastic. Another popular pair is the stochastic oscillatorcombined withthe Average Directional Index(ADX)indicator.

Learning to trade on indicators can be a tricky process. If a particular indicator appeals to you, you may decide to research it further. Most importantly,it's a good idea to test it out before using it to make live trades. For those who have never actively traded before, it's important to know that opening a brokerage account is a necessary first step in order to gain access to the stock market.