How Do I Read and Interpret a Stochastic Oscillator?

stochastic indicator explained

The price and the stochastic oscillator indicator formed a regular bearish divergence (1). A trader could enter the market once the %K (grey line) fell below the %D (orange line) (2). The take-profit target could be placed on the nearest support level (3). However, a trader could use the trailing take-profit order to move the profit target if they were sure the downtrend would continue. This allows the indicator to compare the current position of the close price relative to the high and low, which form a price range over a particular period. The stochastic indicator is a momentum indicator developed by George C. Lane in the 1950s, which shows the position of the most recent closing price relative to the previous high-low range.

stochastic indicator explained

For example, price moves to a new high but the oscillator does not correspondingly move to a new high reading. This is an example of bearish divergence, which may signal an impending market reversal from an uptrend to a downtrend. The failure of the oscillator to reach a new high along price action doing so indicates that the momentum of the uptrend is starting to wane. When using the Stochastics forex indicator, it is important to remember that, as with any technical indicator, a Stochastics chart will never be 100% correct in the signals that it presents. Depending on market conditions, indicators will sometimes present traders with false signals. Over time, however, the signals are usually consistent enough to give a forex trader an edge, when it comes to making profitable trades.

Pick The Right Settings On Your Stochastic Oscillator (SPY, AAL)

It is important to note that oversold readings are not necessarily bullish, just like overbought readings are not necessarily bearish. During a sustained uptrend or downtrend, the stochastic indicator can remain in the oversold or overbought area for a long period of time. It is, therefore, advised to always trade in the direction of the trend and wait for occasional oversold readings during uptrends and overbought readings during downtrends.

stochastic indicator explained

However, its speed means that it should be used in conjunction with other indicators to confirm any signals, such as a stochastic RSI. If you want a more conservative equivalent, use the slow stochastic. When the stochastic indicator is applied, a white line will appear below the chart. There will also be a red line on the chart, which is the three-period moving average of %K. This scan starts with stocks that are trading below their 200-day moving average to focus on those that are in a bigger downtrend.

Stochastic Oscillator

In the screenshot below we can already see that the price has moved lower significantly over the last 14 candles. And we can also see that the current close is relatively close to the absolute low. The difference between the slow and fast Stochastic Oscillator is the Slow %K incorporates a %K slowing period of 3 that controls the internal smoothing of %K.

However, the stochastic momentum index (SMI) shows the closing momentum relative to the median high or low range for a particular time period. There are a few different ways to use the Stochastics indicator and incorporate it into your trading strategies. Firstly, you can use the Stochastic stochastic indicator explained indicator to try and predict market turning points. This is the most common way to find those overbought or oversold conditions that happen at the beginning and end of market cycles. To do this, you can combine the Stochastics indicator with a Simple Moving Average (SMA) indicator.

How to Trade on the Oversold/Overbought Signal

Chart 9 shows Motorola (MOT) with a bear set-up in November 2009. The stock formed a higher low in late-November and early December, but https://www.bigshotrading.info/ the Stochastic Oscillator formed a lower low with a move below 20. The subsequent bounce did not last long as the stock quickly peaked.

stochastic indicator explained