Last updated on Mar 15, 2024
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What are divergences?
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How to spot divergences?
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What are the best indicators for divergences?
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How to use divergences in trading?
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What are the limitations of divergences?
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Here’s what else to consider
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Divergences between price and momentum are one of the most powerful signals in technical analysis, as they indicate a potential reversal or continuation of the trend. However, not all divergences are equally reliable, and some indicators are better suited than others to detect them. In this article, you will learn what are the most effective indicators for identifying divergences between price and momentum, and how to use them in your trading strategy.
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- Sarul Saji Msc. Investment and Finance | Queen Mary University of London | CMT Level 1 Cleared
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- Roeya Smadhi 🇹🇳 Research master's student in finance at ISG Tunis 🏛️ | Analyzing Financial Markets for Profitable Investment…
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1 What are divergences?
Divergences occur when the price and an indicator that measures momentum move in opposite directions. This means that the indicator is not confirming the strength or weakness of the price action, and suggests that the trend is losing steam or gaining momentum. There are two types of divergences: regular and hidden. Regular divergences signal a possible trend reversal, while hidden divergences signal a possible trend continuation.
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- Sarul Saji Msc. Investment and Finance | Queen Mary University of London | CMT Level 1 Cleared
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2 most prominent indicators to identifying divergences between price and momentum are- Relative Strength Index (RSI): If the price keeps making new highs but the RSI fails to make new highs (bearish divergence), it might suggest weakening momentum and a potential price reversal.- Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD): A bullish price trend with a declining MACD suggests weakening momentum, potentially foreshadowing a trend reversal.Divergence are great way to identify trend reversals but to enter into a trade you need more confirmations and break of a support or resistance level.
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Two useful tools for spotting differences between price and momentum are the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD). RSI looks at recent price changes to see if a stock is overbought or oversold. If the price moves one way but RSI doesn't follow, it's a sign of divergence. MACD compares two moving averages to find shifts in momentum. When MACD doesn't match price movements, it signals a potential reversal. Also, the Stochastic Oscillator helps by identifying overbought and oversold levels based on recent closing prices. Using these tools together can help traders make better decisions in the market.
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2 How to spot divergences?
To spot divergences, you need to compare the highs and lows of the price and the indicator on a chart. If the price makes a higher high or a lower low, but the indicator makes a lower high or a higher low, you have a regular divergence. If the price makes a lower high or a higher low, but the indicator makes a higher high or a lower low, you have a hidden divergence. You can use trend lines or horizontal lines to connect the peaks and troughs and visualize the divergences more clearly.
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3 What are the best indicators for divergences?
There are many indicators that measure momentum, however some are more sensitive and responsive than others. Indicators that oscillate around a center line or a range, and that reflect the speed and direction of the price movement, are the best for divergences. Popular and effective indicators for divergences include the Relative Strength Index (RSI), Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD), and Stochastic Oscillator. RSI ranges from 0 to 100 and shows how overbought or oversold the price is; divergences with RSI are more reliable when the indicator is above 70 or below 30. MACD consists of two lines: a fast line that is the difference between two moving averages, and a slow line that is a moving average of the fast line; its histogram shows the distance between the two lines, with divergences being more reliable when it is above or below zero. Lastly, stochastic oscillator ranges from 0 to 100 and shows how close the price is to its highest or lowest point in a given period; its divergences are more reliable when the indicator is above 80 or below 20.
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- Roeya Smadhi 🇹🇳 Research master's student in finance at ISG Tunis 🏛️ | Analyzing Financial Markets for Profitable Investment Opportunities 🪙 | مساهمة في بناء تونس أفضل 🇹🇳
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Le MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence) est souvent considéré comme l'un des meilleurs indicateurs de divergence, car il identifie les divergences entre les moyennes mobiles exponentielles, ce qui peut signaler des retournements de tendance potentiels sur les graphiques.Quand la ligne MACD croise la ligne de signal, cela indique un changement de tendance.
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- Ramkumar Venkatramani, CFA, CIPM Impact investing|Global Equities|Generalist|History Buff|Biker|Writer|Strength Training||NYU|AVPN
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Relative Strength Index (RSI), Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD), Stochastic Oscillator and similar oscillators are most effective in working with divergence. An exponential moving average is also useful in most cases.
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4 How to use divergences in trading?
Divergences alone are not enough to trigger a trade as they can be false or premature signals. To increase the accuracy of your trades, it is important to combine divergences with other technical tools such as support and resistance levels, trend lines, chart patterns, candlestick patterns, and volume. Risk management is also essential; for example, using stop-loss orders, position sizing, and profit targets. Here are some general guidelines on how to use divergences in trading: when you detect a regular divergence near a major support or resistance level, look for a reversal signal in the opposite direction of the trend. For instance, if you see a bearish divergence near a resistance level, search for a bearish candlestick pattern or a break of a trend line and go short. When you spot a hidden divergence in an uptrend, search for a continuation signal in the direction of the trend and enter the trade with the trend. For instance, if you see a bullish divergence in an uptrend, look for a bullish candlestick pattern or a bounce of a support level and go long. Lastly, use the indicator to set your stop-loss and profit target; for example, if you enter a trade based on RSI divergence, place your stop-loss below or above the most recent swing low or high of the indicator and your profit target near the next overbought or oversold level of the indicator.
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5 What are the limitations of divergences?
When using divergences for trading, it’s important to be aware of their limitations. One of the main issues with divergences is that they can be subjective, as different traders may draw different lines or use different settings for the indicators. Furthermore, divergences can be lagging, appearing after the price has already moved significantly in one direction or another. Additionally, divergences can be misleading, as they may not lead to a reversal or continuation of the trend, but rather to a consolidation or a correction. Lastly, they can be rare, as they may not occur frequently or consistently in different markets or time frames.
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6 Here’s what else to consider
This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?
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