DailyFX Limited is not responsible for any trading decisions taken by persons not intended to view this material. The MACD is unique in that it serves as an oscillator as well as MACD crossover indicator. This dual purpose gives two signals in one indicator allowing for a less cluttered chart. Traders may find this useful which makes understanding the MACD worthwhile. With the Moving Average Convergence Divergence, you can slow down those ever-changing prices enough to get a handle on how a security is trending. Remember, it doesn’t tell you everything you need to know – but before you’re opening a long or short position, check out the MACD and see if you like what those lines are telling you.

Because the two display types relay the same information, traders tend to select one or the other as a matter of preference. If you already understand how to use the MACD index, you can explore some of our commodity guides to find a suitable asset to practice with, like precious metals, energies, and agricultural commodities. This is because the difference between the lines at the time of the cross is 0. During the trending phase (#4) the MACD stayed above the 0-line once again.

Centerline crossovers

While 12, 26, and 9 are the typical value settings used with the MACD, traders can opt for other values depending on their trading style and goals. This bearish divergence acted as an early warning sign of things to come with the E-mini S&P 500 futures contract. Notice in this example how closely the tops and bottoms of the MACD histogram are to the tops of the Nasdaq 100 e-mini future price action.

The MACD uses three exponential moving averages (a short term, a long term, and the average difference between the short and long term) to show price momentum. The moving average convergence/divergence (MACD) is a technical indicator of momentum that uses moving averages to determine a trend’s strength. MACD helps reveal subtle shifts in the strength and direction of an asset’s trend, guiding traders on when to enter or exit a position. The indicator can be interpreted in several ways, but the more common methods are crossovers, rapid rises/falls, and divergences. Assuming the standard time ranges, the MACD is calculated by subtracting the value of a 26-period exponential moving average from a 12-period EMA.

What is the difference between MACD and RSI?

After the divergence, the price reversed strongly to the downside and the MACD fell below the 0-line for the first time. This started the new down-trending period with the MACD staying below 0 all the way. At point #1, the price traded in a narrow range while the MACD lines hovered closely around the 0-line and constantly crossed each other. When the price broke out, the two indicator lines pulled away from the 0-line and separated from each other. When the MACD Line crosses 0, it shows that momentum is changing and potentially a new trend might be starting. Also note the MACD must cross slightly after the stochastic, as the alternative could create a false indication of the price trend or place you in a sideways trend.

As you can see in the chart below, a cross through the zero line is a very simple method that can be used to identify the direction of the trend and the key points when momentum is building. We introduce people to the world of trading currencies, both fiat and crypto, through our non-drowsy educational content and tools. We’re also a community of traders that support each other on our daily trading journey. In EUR/USD’s 1-hour chart above, the fast line crossed above the slow line while the histogram disappeared.

How To Read A MACD Histogram

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When this “crossover” occurs, and the fast line starts to “diverge” or move away from the slower line, it often indicates that a new trend has formed. In …