Technical Analysis
Simple moving averages (SMA) – Definition and features
The simple moving average is basically the simplest way to calculate a moving average. This is an arithmetic mean in which the sum of the last N prices (P) will be taken and divided by N, where N is the period. In other words is an average where all data prices have the same weight. Remember that the most usual is to calculate this indicator using closing prices and therefore from now on we will refer to the closing prices.
It is one of the most used technical indicators by traders in all markets. Many trading systems use simple moving averages, mainly as a trend indicator.
The simple moving average is usually represented by the acronym SMA.
The Fibonacci Extensions – Definition and Examples
The Fibonacci extensions, like Fibonacci retracements, are used to establish support and resistance levels, with the difference that the former are generally used as potential targets for profit taking, while retracements are often used as possible points of entry. For this reason, they are included in many trading systems to determine the best levels to exit the market. They are especially useful when markets are widespread.
This market analysis tools is widely included in modern trading platforms like Metatrader 4 and are used in much the same way as the retracements are used, as we saw in the article on Fibonacci retracements. Even some trading platforms allow to draw extensions and retracements in the same chart.
Common uses of Bollinger Bands
The Bollinger Bands
Bollinger Bands – A Great Trading Tool!
Bollinger Bands were developed by John Bollinger. During the early 1980s, Bollinger Bands were announced as a technical trading tool designed to analyze the market (in the beginning it was developed for the stock market). Bollinger was the first person who first developed the method of using MA or moving averages along with two different trading bands. This sort of method was just like using an envelope to cover both sides of a moving average. Contrary to the normal moving average where percentage calculation is important, Bollinger Bands can add as well as subtract the standard deviation which is present in a calculation. Bollinger Bands can be used to produce a definition for the high and low. For this reason, it is an indicator that can help the trader in rigorous pattern recognition. It is also a helpful tool when the trader is trying to compare the price action with the information displayed by other indicators to arrive at trading decisions.
The Bollinger Bands is an indicator that surrounds the price action in a price chart using two bands and today it is a standard indicator in most trading graphics packages and platforms. It is calculated from a moving average (a simple moving average) on the closing price which is enveloped by two bands that are obtained from adding and subtracting 2 standard deviations from the mean value. This measure of volatility (standard deviation) is what makes the amplitude of the bands.
The Fibonacci Retracements in Trading
In technical analysis, Fibonacci Retracements refers to the possibility that the price of a financial asset, such as currency pairs, back off a considerable percentage of the original movement and find levels of support or resistance at the levels established by the Fibonacci numbers before resuming the original trend. These levels are built by drawing a trend line between the endpoints of the movement in question and applying the vertical distance the key percentages of 23%, 38.2%, 50%, 61.8%, 76.8% and 100% based on Fibonacci numbers.
Double Bottom Pattern – Definition & Description
Double Top Chart Pattern
Doble Top Description
The Double Top is a chart pattern of high reliability which is formed in bullish markets and precedes a change in trend from bullish to bearish. Generally, double top will begin with a rise in price and it will gradually exhibit a drop. It will further increase in price within the similar level of the original rise, and make a drop further.
Candlestick Pattern Rising Window
The Rising Window candlestick pattern is a highly reliable formation presented in uptrends which indicates that the current upward trend is likely to continue higher. This pattern can be identified as follows:
- The previous trend should be upward.
- There is a gap between the high of the first candle and low of the next candle.
Candlestick Pattern Abandoned Baby Bullish – Definition and Interpretation
The candlestick pattern Abandoned Baby Bullish is a trend change formation of high reliability which is generated in bearish markets and indicates that there is a high probability that a change occurs from bearish to bullish trend. This formation can be identified as follows:
- The current trend in the market should be bearish.
- A large black candle which is followed by a Doji candle whose maximum occurs below the low of the previous black candle.
- Between these candlesticks there is a gap whichs is known as “falling window”. During the next period a large white candle above the Doji is formed with an upward gap (rising window). This white candle penetrates deeply and closes within the larger black candlestick.