💥The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) is a technical analysis indicator that helps traders identify potential buying and selling signals. It is based on the difference between two exponential moving averages (EMAs) of different periods, typically 12 and 26 days.
💥The MACD has a signal line, which is typically a 9-day EMA of the MACD line. When the MACD line crosses above the signal line, it is considered a bullish signal, indicating a potential buying opportunity. Conversely, when the MACD line crosses below the signal line, it is considered a bearish signal, indicating a potential selling opportunity.
💥Another way to use the MACD is to look for support and resistance levels. When the MACD line crosses above the zero line, it indicates that the short-term moving average is above the long-term moving average, which can be seen as a bullish signal. The zero line can also act as a support level, as prices may find it difficult to break below this level. Conversely, when the MACD line crosses below the zero line, it indicates that the short-term moving average is below the long-term moving average, which can be seen as a bearish signal. The zero line can also act as a resistance level, as prices may find it difficult to break above this level.
💥In fact, the MACD is another type of indicator that should be categorized as such. However, due to its close relationship with the moving average system, it is brought together in this chapter.
💥As mentioned earlier, the system uses two moving averages, which usually give a slower signal, but because the average movement is smoother, it makes it possible to filter false signals well with less error. Gerald Appel tried to find a system that would play a good part in filtering false signals while giving a faster signal than the two moving averages, which eventually became the source of the MACD.
💥Appel noted that in the two moving average system, before the two mean lines close to intersect (that is, before it sends a buy or sell signal), the two lines will run closer together until they finally intersect. As the two lines approach each other, the distance between them shrinks by default. Therefore, he proposed to plot the distance between the two moving averages as the MACD line when the moving averages cross. When the short moving average line crosses the long moving average upward (Buy Signal in a two-line average system), the MACD crosses the 0 line upward, and when the short moving average line crosses the long moving line downward (Sell Signal), the MACD crosses the 0 line down.
💥Appel proposes using the 12-day EMA (smoothing constant = 0.15) as the short-term average and the 26-day EMA (smoothing constant = 0.075) as the long-term average.
MACD = EMA(12)-EMA(26)
💥The MACD can be expressed by the formula EMA(12)-EMA(26). This MACD is a special case of the previously mentioned price oscillator. By plotting the MACD line, traders can see that it changes trend in certain situations. For example, sometimes the price is still rising but the distance between the two moving averages has decreased, causing the MACD to trend downward. This creates a divergence between the price and the MACD, indicating a potential change in direction.
💥Traders can also use the principle of moving average to generate trading signals based on the MACD. Appel suggests using the dotted line of the 9-day MACD with a smoothing constant of 0.2 as a signal. When the MACD crosses its 9-day EMA upward, it is a buy signal. Conversely, when the MACD crosses the 9-day EMA downward, it is a sell signal.
💥Therefore, the MACD provides two levels of trading signals. The first level is a fast signal level based on the intersection of the MACD line with its 9-day moving average. The second level is a slower but more reliable signal: when the MACD crosses the 0 line, just like the two moving average lines in the system.
💥The zero line can also be used as a support or resistance level. If the 10-day EMA does not fall through the zero line, it can bounce up and act as a support level, indicating that a sell signal may not occur. If there is buying pressure or another support, some traders use it as an opportunity to buy stocks again. However, if the MACD falls through the zero line, it becomes a resistance level.