Introduction
If you are interested in technical analysis, you may have heard of the MACD indicator. But what is it, and how can you use it to improve your trading decisions? In this article, we will explain what the MACD indicator is, how it is calculated, and how you can interpret it to identify trading opportunities.
The MACD (a.k.a. Moving Average Convergence Divergence) indicator is a very commonly used indicator in technical analysis that is used by traders and investors to identify market trends and/or potential changes in market sentiment and/or trend direction.
The MACD indicator was created by a well-known technical analyst, author, and money manager, Gerald Appel, in the late 1970s, as a way to analyze market trends and momentum. The MACD indicator has since become a popular tool for traders and investors, and is widely used to identify potential buying and selling opportunities in financial markets.
Looking for information on MACD stock screener? Click here.
The components of MACD
The MACD indicator is a popular tool in technical analysis that helps traders and investors identify potential buying and selling opportunities in financial markets. This indicator consists of two moving averages, usually the 12-day and 26-day exponential moving averages (EMAs) of a security’s price. The MACD indicator is composed of three components that work together to provide a comprehensive view of market trends and momentum.
The MACD line, the main component of the indicator, is computed as the difference between the 26- and 12-period EMAs and shows the direction and strength of the trend.
The signal line, which is actually a 9-period exponential moving average of the MACD line, serves as a trigger for buy and sell signals.
Finally, the histogram, which represents the divergence or convergence of the MACD line and signal line, provides a visual representation of the trend and momentum of the security. A positive histogram indicates that the MACD line is above the signal line, while a negative histogram indicates that the MACD line is below the signal line. Traders and investors can use these components to identify bullish or bearish momentum and make informed trading decisions.
Thus, the MACD indicator, a popular technical analysis tool used to identify changes in the direction, strength, and momentum of a security’s price trend, consists of two moving averages, typically the 12-day and 26-day exponential moving averages (EMAs), and a histogram that shows the difference between these two averages.
How to compute the MACD?
To calculate the MACD indicator, you need to follow these steps:
- Calculate the 12-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA): To get the 12-day EMA, add up the closing prices of the last 12 days and divide by 12.
- Calculate the 26-day EMA: To get the 26-day EMA, add up the closing prices of the last 26 days and divide by 26.
- Compute the difference between the 12-day EMA and the 26-day EMA to obtain the MACD line.
- Calculate the 9-day EMA of the MACD line: To get the 9-day EMA, add up the MACD line values of the last 9 days and divide by 9.
- Plot the MACD line and the 9-day EMA on a chart. The MACD line is usually displayed as a solid line, while the 9-day EMA is shown as a dotted line.
- Calculate the histogram: Subtract the 9-day EMA of the MACD line from the MACD line itself. The histogram is displayed as a bar chart that shows the difference between the MACD line and the 9-day EMA.
Traders use the MACD indicator to identify potential trend reversals or to confirm the strength of a current trend. When the MACD line crosses above the 9-day EMA, it is considered a bullish signal, indicating that the price may start to increase. On the other hand, when the MACD line crosses below the 9-day EMA, it is regarded as a bearish signal, suggesting that the price may begin to fall.
How to use the MACD in trading?
If you’re looking to use the MACD indicator for trading, here are some steps to follow:
Understand the components of the MACD
The MACD consists of two exponential moving averages – the MACD line and the signal line – and a histogram that shows the difference between the two lines. The MACD line is calculated by subtracting the 26-period EMA from the 12-period EMA, while the signal line is a 9-period EMA of the MACD line.
Identify trends
The MACD line indicates the direction and strength of the trend. When it’s above zero, it signifies an uptrend, and when it’s below zero, it signifies a downtrend. The farther the MACD line is from zero, the stronger the trend.
Look for crossovers
One of the primary uses of the MACD is to identify crossovers between the MACD line and the signal line that can indicate potential buy and sell signals. A bullish crossover occurs when the MACD line crosses over the signal line, signaling a shift in momentum to the upside. A bearish crossover occurs when the MACD line crosses below the signal line, indicating a shift in momentum to the downside. However, it’s essential to confirm crossovers with other indicators or chart patterns to avoid false signals.
Use divergence to confirm trends
Another way to use the MACD is to look for divergence between the MACD line and the price action of the underlying asset. Divergences occur when the MACD indicator and the price of the underlying asset move in the opposite direction. If the price is making new highs while the MACD is making lower highs, it is bearish divergence. This means that the uptrend is losing momentum and could signal a potential reversal to the downside. Conversely, if the price is making new lows while the MACD is making higher lows, it is bullish divergence. This means that the downtrend is losing momentum and could signal a potential reversal to the upside.
Consider the histogram
The histogram on the MACD shows the momentum of the price movement and can be used to confirm trends. When the MACD line is above the signal line, the histogram appears positive, implying bullish momentum. If the histogram is increasing in size and moving higher, it’s a sign of increasing momentum to the upside. Conversely, when the histogram is negative, it means that the MACD line is below the signal line, indicating bearish momentum. If the histogram is decreasing in size and moving lower, it’s a sign of decreasing momentum and potential weakness in the uptrend.
Watch for rapid rises or falls
Rapid rises or falls of the MACD line can indicate strong momentum in either direction. For example, when the MACD line rises sharply above zero, it suggests a strong bullish impulse and a possible breakout or continuation of an uptrend. Conversely, when the MACD line falls sharply below zero, it suggests a strong bearish impulse and a possible breakdown or continuation of a downtrend. Rapid rises or falls of the MACD line can also indicate overbought or oversold conditions, which may lead to corrections or reversals.
Set stop-loss and take-profit levels
Like any trading strategy, it’s essential to have a plan in place for managing risk and maximizing profits. When using the MACD, set stop-loss levels below or above recent swing lows or highs, respectively, and take-profit levels based on key support and resistance levels or other technical indicators.
Also see: How to set up stop loss and take profit levels in trading
The MACD indicator is one of the most popular and versatile technical analysis tools that can help you identify trends, momentum, and reversals in any market and time frame. However, like any other indicator, it is not infallible and should be used with caution and in conjunction with other tools and methods. The MACD indicator can also be customized with different settings and parameters to suit your trading style and preferences.
Advantages & Limitations of the MACD Indicator
Here are some advantages and limitations of the MACD indicator:
Advantages
- The MACD is a well-known technical indicator that is widely used, potentially increasing its effectiveness as many traders are familiar with it and may use it to make trading decisions.
- By identifying trends, crossovers, and divergences, the MACD provides valuable information that can help traders identify potential trading opportunities.
- The MACD is a versatile tool that can be used to analyze various financial instruments, including stocks, currencies, commodities, and indices, making it suitable for traders with diverse portfolios.
Limitations
- As a lagging indicator, the MACD may not provide timely signals for entering or exiting trades, which can lead to missed opportunities or losses.
- To reduce the likelihood of false signals, the MACD should be used in conjunction with other technical and fundamental analysis tools to confirm signals and support decision-making.
- The MACD can produce false signals, particularly in choppy or volatile markets, and entering trades solely based on MACD signals can lead to losses.
- Due to its popularity, the MACD can be prone to overcrowding and self-fulfilling prophecies, leading to market distortions and increased volatility.
The MACD is a versatile and widely recognized technical indicator that can be a valuable tool for identifying trends, crossovers, and divergences. It is useful for short-term and long-term trading, and can be applied to various financial instruments. Many traders are familiar with it and may use it to make trading decisions, potentially increasing its effectiveness.
It’s important to remember that the MACD is a lagging indicator and can generate false signals, especially in choppy or volatile markets. It should be used in conjunction with other technical and fundamental analysis tools to confirm signals and reduce the risk of losses. As with any trading strategy, it is important to have a plan in place for managing risk and maximizing profits, and to carefully consider the potential risks before making any trades based on MACD signals.
For examples of customizable (Moving Average Convergence Divergence) MACD factory scans that can be edited, modified, or revised, and subsequently scanned through ChartAlert’s native stock screener or technical analysis scanner, click here.