CHAPTER 11

Moving Averages

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After studying this chapter, you should be able to:

  • Understand the importance of moving averages as a technical tool for forecasting price reversal as well as determining the strength and direction of a trend
  • Apply the concepts of moving averages to the real markets
  • Identify and differentiate between detrending and smoothing
  • Differentiate between reliable and unreliable entries based on moving averages
  • Identify early signs of a market top or bottom using moving averages
  • Understand how to calculate EMA, SMA, WMA, and VWAP

A moving average is an incredibly versatile technical tool. It can help to determine the general direction and strength of an existing trend, potential levels of support and resistance, points of entry and exit and as the central value for envelopes and bands, which are used to pinpoint levels of overextension in the market. In this chapter, we shall cover the main components of moving averages, their various forms of construction, and applications in the markets.

11.1 7 MAIN COMPONENTS OF MOVING AVERAGES

Moving averages have a multitude of applications, some of which are:

  • As a price filter, allowing for better clarity with regard to price activity
  • In oscillator form for identifying potential levels of overselling and overbuying
  • As a price barrier, providing support and resistance to price
  • As a central values for envelops and bands
  • To indicate the strength and direction of a trend
  • As a trigger for initiating ...

Get A Handbook of Technical Analysis: The Practitioner's Comprehensive Guide to Technical Analysis now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.