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MACD
MACD is a useful indicator for spotting major changes
in trend.
Overview
- MACD stands for Moving Average Convergence/Divergence.
- MACD is a trend following momentum indicator used to signal trend
changes and to indicate trend direction.
- Signals are generated by crossovers and divergence from price.
The MACD method, developed by Gerald Appel, is a trending
indicator, telling us whether a stock is in an uptrend or a downtrend. The
direction of the long-term trend is the first assessment you should make
of any market. If it is trending up, you want to be long (buying).
If it is trending down, you want be short (selling). (This wouldn't necessarily
hold true for to day traders, of course).
The simplest version of this indicator is composed of two
lines: the MACD line, which is the difference between two exponential
moving averages (EMAs) and a signal line, which is an EMA of the MACD
line itself. The signal or trigger line is plotted on top of the MACD
to show buy/sell opportunities. Gerald Appel's MACD method uses a 26-day
and 12-day EMA, based on the daily close, and a 9-day EMA for the signal
line.
Interpretation
The MACD proves most effective in trending markets rather
than choppy, sideways markets. There are two main sets of signals generated
by the MACD: crossovers and divergences.
Crossovers
There are two main MACD crossover signals:
- Signal Line Crossovers: MACD crosses above or below the signal
line
- Zero Line Crossovers: MACD crosses above or below the zero line
Signal Line Crossovers
The basic MACD trading rule is to buy when the MACD rises
above its signal line. Similarly, a sell signal occurs when the MACD
crosses below its signal line. The crossing of the MACD line above
the signal line can denote the beginning of a trend. An uptrend typically
pauses or stops when the MACD line crosses and falls below the signal
line.
The location relative to the zero line is also important
in indicating how strong a trend might be. A crossover above the
zero line is considered more bullish than one below the zero line.
The higher above the zero line it crosses, the stronger the uptrend.
If the crossover occurs below the zero line, the uptrend is likely
not very strong.
When the bullish crossover occurs above the zero line,
the uptrend gains more momentum, and the price rises with more intensity.
Bullish MACD crossovers are probably the most common signals
and as such can be less reliable. If not used in conjunction with other
technical analysis tools, these crossovers can lead to whipsaws and many
false signals.
One way to try and counteract false signals is to apply
a price filter to the crossover to see if a trend will hold. An example
of a price filter would be to buy if the MACD breaks above the signal
line and remains above for three days. The buy signal would then commence
at the end of the third day.
Zero Line Crossovers
The zero line can also be used
to produce a signal. It is popular to buy/sell when the MACD crosses
above/below the zero line.
A bullish zero line crossover
occurs when MACD moves above the zero line and into positive territory.
This is a clear indication that momentum has changed from negative
to positive, or from bearish to bullish. After a positive divergence
and bullish MACD crossover, the zero line crossover can act as a confirmation
signal.
Divergence
MACD can provide forewarning of important market turns
through divergence. When the MACD trend diverges from the price
trend, it can provide a signal that a trending market may slow or reverse.
A negative, or bearish, divergence occurs when the MACD is making new
lows while prices fail to reach new lows. A positive, or bullish, divergence
occurs when the MACD is making new highs while prices fail to reach
new highs. Both of these divergences are most significant when they
occur at relatively high/low levels.A positive divergence is shown
when MACD begins to advance and the market is still in a downtrend
and makes a new low. MACD can either form as a series of higher lows
or a second low that is higher than the previous low. Positive divergences
are not very common, but are usually reliable and can lead to good
moves.
Combinations
Probably the best way to use the basic MACD is to use a
combination of signals to confirm one another. In addition, a fast MACD
line can be added to enhance the signals generated and to often provide
early warning of changes in trends. An example of a three line MACD is
shown below, with the signal line, the fast MACD line and the slow MACD
line. The MACD Histogram is also commonly used to clarify the relationship
between the two MACD lines.
Weaknesses of MACD
MACD is a trend following indicator, and as such, sacrifices
early signals in exchange for keeping you in line with the trend. When
a significant trend develops, MACD is often able to capture the majority
of the move. When the trend is short lived, however, MACD often proves
unreliable.
This is because moving averages themselves are lagging
indicators. Even though MACD represents the difference between two moving
averages, there is still some lag in the indicator itself. This is more
likely to be the case with weekly charts than daily charts. One solution
to this problem is the use of the MACD-Histogram
.
Also see MACD - Histogram.
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