MACD System

[Leth]

MACD: Moving Average Convergence Divergence
by Gerald Appel

The MACD is basically a refinement of the two moving averages system and measures the distance between the two moving average lines. Signals are taken when MACD crosses its signal line, calculated as a 9 day exponential moving average of MACD.

The indicator is primarily used to trade trends and should not be used in a ranging market.

MACD was developed by Gerald Appel and is discussed in his book, The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Trading Method.

Trading Signals

First check whether price is trending. If MACD is flat or stays close to the zero line, the market is ranging and signals are unreliable.

Trending Market
-Go long when the MACD line crosses the signal line from below.
-Go short when the MACD line crosses the signal line from above.

Signals are far stronger if there is either:

-a divergence on the MACD line; or
-a large swing above or below the zero line.

Unless there is a divergence, do not go long if the signal is above the zero line, nor go short if the signal is below zero.

Place stop loss orders below the last minor Low when long, or the last minor High when short.

Example

Microsoft Corporation chart with: Blue MACD, and Red MACD signal line.

msft%20macd%20signals.png

1. Go short [S] - MACD crosses to below the signal line after a large swing.
2. Go long [L] when MACD crosses to above the signal line.
3. Strong short signal [S] - the MACD crosses after a large swing and bearish divergence (shown by the trendline).
4. Go long [L]. Flat MACD signals that the market is ranging - we are more likely to be whipsawed in/out of our position.
5. Exit long trade [X] but do not go short - MACD is significantly below the zero line.
6. Re-enter your long trade [L].

Setup

The default settings for the MACD are:

-Slow moving average - 26 days
-Fast moving average - 12 days
-Signal line - 9 day moving average of the difference between fast and slow.
-All moving averages are exponential.

Edit Indicator Settings to change the settings.

Captions and trendlines: Use MACD Histogram if you want to draw trendlines or place captions on the histogram. Otherwise, they are left "hanging in the air" if you zoom or change time periods.