Indicators

MACD Indicator

The MACD indicator is basically a refinement of the two moving averages system and measures the distance between the two moving average lines. MACD is an acronym for Moving Average Convergence Divergence.
MACD was developed by Gerald Appel and is discussed in his book,The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Trading Method.

MACD Trading Signals

The MACD indicator is primarily used to trade trends and should not be used in a ranging market. Signals are taken when MACD crosses its signal line, calculated as a 9 dayexponential moving average of MACD.
First check whether price is trending. If the MACD indicator is flat or stays close to the zero line, the market is ranging and signals are unreliable.

  • Go long when MACD crosses its signal line from below.

  • Go short when MACD crosses its signal line from above.

Signals are far stronger if there is either:
  • a divergence on the MACD indicator; 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-losses below the last minor Low when long, or the last minor High when short.

EXAMPLE
Microsoft Corporation chart with: MACD MACD, and signal line MACD signal line.

  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 fuchsia trendlinetrendline).
  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].

MACD Setup

The default settings for the MACD indicator 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.
See Indicator Panel for directions on how to set up an indicator. See Edit Indicator Settings to change the settings.
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