The MACD, RSI and Stochastic oscillator are all popular forex indicators for technical analysis. Whilst they can all do a good job at spotting market trends, momentum and overbought/sold zones, they have the potential to perform even better when combined together. In this article, I will look at a simple MACD, RSI and Stochastic Strategy, combining all of the key aspects of each indicator.
MACD
Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) is a trend-following momentum indicator that shows the relationship between two moving averages of a security’s price. The MACD is calculated by subtracting the 26-period exponential moving average (EMA) from the 12-period EMA. A nine-period EMA of the MACD, called the “signal line,” is then plotted on top of the MACD, and is used to identify buy and sell signals.
RSI
Relative Strength Index (RSI) is a momentum indicator that measures the strength of a security’s price action. The RSI ranges from 0 to 100, with high and low levels marked at 70 and 30, respectively. Traditionally, the RSI is considered overbought when above 70 and oversold when below 30. Signals can also be generated by looking for divergences, failure swings, and centerline crossovers.
Stochastic
Stochastic oscillator is a momentum indicator that compares a security’s closing price to its price range over a given period of time. The indicator, which ranges from 0 to 100, is created by taking the lowest low and the highest high over the specified time period and plotting those values as a single line. The indicator is then plotted alongside the security as a single line, usually below the price chart.
MACD RSI Stochastic Strategy
There are three strategies that can be incorporated with the MACD, RSI, and Stochastic oscillator:
Trend-following
One common strategy is to use the MACD and Stochastic oscillator to identify the direction of the trend and the RSI to confirm the strength of the trend. For example, if the MACD and Stochastic oscillator are both indicating an uptrend and the RSI is above 50, this can be considered a strong buy signal. On the other hand, if the MACD and Stochastic oscillator are indicating a downtrend and the RSI is below 50, this can be considered a strong sell signal.
Divergence
Another strategy is to look for divergences between the MACD, RSI, and Stochastic oscillator and the price of the security. For example, if the price is making new highs but the MACD and Stochastic oscillator are not, this could be a bearish divergence and a potential sell signal. Similarly, if the price is making new lows but the MACD and Stochastic oscillator are not, this could be a bullish divergence and a potential buy signal.
Overbought/oversold
The RSI and Stochastic oscillator can be used to identify overbought and oversold conditions. If the RSI is above 70 or the Stochastic oscillator is above 80, this could be considered an overbought condition and a potential sell signal. If the RSI is below 30 or the Stochastic oscillator is below 20, this could be considered an oversold condition and a potential buy signal. It is important to note that overbought and oversold conditions do not necessarily indicate that a reversal is imminent, but they can be used as a confirmation of a trade signal.
Buy Signal
- MACD cross: A buy signal can be generated when the MACD crosses above its signal line, indicating that the security is trending upwards.
- RSI divergence: A buy signal can be generated when the RSI is making higher highs while the security’s price is making lower lows, indicating a bullish divergence.
- Stochastic overbought/oversold: A buy signal can be generated when the Stochastic oscillator is oversold, below 20, and crosses back up towards the centerline (50).
Sell Signal
- MACD cross: A sell signal can be generated when the MACD crosses below its signal line, indicating that the security is trending downwards.
- RSI divergence: A sell signal can be generated when the RSI is making lower lows while the security’s price is making higher highs, indicating a bearish divergence.
- Stochastic overbought/oversold: A sell signal can be generated when the Stochastic oscillator is overbought, above 80, and crosses back down towards the centerline (50).
MACD RSI Stochastic Pros & Cons
Pros
- The MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence) is a popular trend-following indicator that can help identify the direction and strength of a trend.
- The RSI (Relative Strength Index) is a momentum indicator that can help identify overbought or oversold conditions in the market.
- The Stochastic oscillator is another momentum indicator that can help identify potential entry and exit points in the market.
Cons
- The MACD, RSI, and Stochastic oscillator are all lagging indicators, which means they are based on past price data and may not provide timely signals for traders.
- These indicators can produce false signals, particularly in ranging or choppy market conditions.
- The use of multiple indicators can lead to analysis paralysis, where a trader is overwhelmed with information and finds it difficult to make trading decisions.
Conclusion
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD), Relative Strength Index (RSI), and Stochastic Oscillator are technical indicators that can be used to identify trends and potential buy and sell signals in the financial markets. These indicators can be used individually or in combination with each other, and can be incorporated into various strategies such as trend-following, divergence, and overbought/oversold analysis. While these indicators can be useful tools for traders, it is important to remember that they should be used in conjunction with other forms of analysis and not relied upon solely for making investment decisions.
Self-confessed Forex Geek spending my days researching and testing everything forex related. I have many years of experience in the forex industry having reviewed thousands of forex robots, brokers, strategies, courses and more. I share my knowledge with you for free to help you learn more about the crazy world of forex trading! Read more about me.
