Common Chart Indicators In The Forex Trading System

Posted by Nick Niesen on October 29th, 2010

Common chart indicators in the Forex trading system are used by Forex traders as tools to help evaluate the market and minimize trading risks. There are several common charts that are read and evaluated by Forex traders to help them make knowledgeable trading decisions in the market. The charts include Bollinger Bands, MACD, Parabolic SAR, Stochastics, and Relative Strength Index, or RSI.

Bollinger Bands are common charts that are used to measure the volatility of the market. These bands act as mini resistance and support levels. Two trading strategies that involve the Bollinger Bands are the Bollinger Bounce and the Bollinger Squeeze. The Bollinger Bounce strategy goes with the idea that the price generally always returns to the center of the Bollinger Bands. The Bollinger Squeeze is a trading strategy that is utilized to catch breakouts early in the game. Bollinger Bands are best used in markets that are ranging.

MACD is used to catch trends early on and can also help traders to spot trend reversals. The MACD is made up of two moving averages, one slow and one fast, and a histogram, which consists of vertical lines that measure the distance between the two averages. Because of the fact that the MACD uses so many moving averages, there is a lag involved.

Parabolic SAR is an indicator that spots trend reversals, and the SAR stands for Stop And Reversal. This common chart indicator is the easiest of them all to interpret, because this indicator only gives signals that are bullish or bearish. The candlestick chart is used with this indicator, and when the dots are above the candles it is a signal to sell. If the dots on the chart are below the candles, it is a signal for the trader to buy. This common chart indicator is used best in trending markets that consists of downturns and long rallies.

Stochastics are common chart indicators that are used to indicate oversold and overbought conditions. When the moving average lines go above seventy it is an indication to the trader to sell because the market is overbought. When the lines are below thirty, traders are looking to buy because this means the market is oversold. Relative Strength Index, or RSI, is like stochastics because it indicates conditions of overbuying and overselling on the market.

Each common chart indicator has strengths and weaknesses. Smart traders use at least three or four of these indicators to gauge which way the market is going. Common chart indicators can be a valuable tool for Forex traders if they are analyzed correctly.

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