Disclaimer

Any content / information published by WaveUP or by another user connected or not connected to WaveUP, does not constitute a solicitation to purchase or an invitation to trade; therefore, WaveUP is relieved of any liability arising from any use of such content and / or information for purposes other than training purposes.

Published content and information should not be construed as providing advice relating to any finance, investment or taxation. All information published is impersonal and not tailored to the investment needs of a specific person.

In no event WaveUP is responsible for any loss or damage to you, or anyone else, incurred as a result of trading or investing activities that you, or anyone else, have undertaken on the basis of any information or material received through WaveUP, its affiliates, employees and agents or through published information.

We also warn you that any graphs or technical studies published in the WaveUP channels may include investment opinions exclusively based on the Technical Analysis of Financial Markets; therefore, the user is advised not to make any investment decisions without first carrying out personal research.

The user is solely responsible for deciding whether an investment, strategy or any other product is suitable and appropriate for their needs based on their goals and personal and financial situation. No content and / or any type of information can be considered as a substitute for financial / investment advice.

Before making any trading decisions, users are advised to consult a financial advisor.

Stochastic Oscillator

In search of divergences

What is the stochastic oscillator

The stochastic oscillator, created by G. Lane in 1950, takes shape starting from the mathematical model of the same name designed to study the trend of phenomena that follow random and probabilistic laws. This stochastic mathematical model is adapted to the market in order to better understand the price fluctuations and the changes it could undergo.

It notes that, during a bull market with an increase in prices, the closing value tends to approach the maximum of the price range of the analyzed period (price range). Similarly, during a bear market, closing prices tend to approach the minimum of the price range of the period under consideration.

Construction

The Stochastic is composed of two lines, the% K (called Fast Line) and the% D (called Slow Line), which move on an abscissa representing the period of time and an ordinate marked on a scale from 0 to 100 representing as a percentage (and not absolute) the relationship between the most recent closing price with respect to the maximum and minimum price in a given period of time.

The standard set-up of this oscillator is set to 14 Periods with the% K and% D moving averages set to 3 periods. The graphic arrangement provides on the axis of the ordinates 3 very important verification lines, placed at the absolute values of 80, 50 and 20.

Traditionally the Stochastic is considered overbought when it is above 80 and oversold when it is below 20, while the value set at 50 represents the median of the scale and often coincides with important support / resistance areas. Depending on the financial instrument studied, it is appropriate to check the quotas 70 for overbought and 30 for oversold if these, once reached, often confirm any inversions.

All modern trading platforms automatically provide this indicator as a chart study tool, but remember how you calculate the 2 lines:

The formula used to calculate the% K, is the following:

%K= 100 ((C – Low14) / (High14-Low14))

  • C = the price of the last closing
  • Low14 = the lowest minimum price in the last 14 periods
  • High14 = the highest maximum price of the last 14 periods

The obtained value of% K is on a percentage basis and measures the relationship of the closing price with respect to the identified price range.

The% D line is a 3-period moving average of the% K line, it is slower than the% K line.

If we find ourselves with values of% K higher than 80 we must interpret the closing value of the current session close to the maximum of the established price range, on the contrary, a value of% K lower than 20 indicates a closing price close to the minimum of the price established range.

Stochastic – representation of the% K Fast Line and the% D Slow Line

How it works

The STOCASTIC indicator provides different types of signals:

  • Achievement of overbought or oversold levels
  • Incrocio tra %K e %D
  • Divergences between Stochastic and price trends

Achievement of overbought and oversold levels

The Stocasatic, as we have seen, is generally set to 14 periods with the oscillator line moving over time, marking the percentage of the change in price movements concerning the financial instrument studied, highlighting when there are limit situations of OVERBOUGHT or OVERSOLD.

Oversold levels typically occur below the 20 level, while overbought levels occur above the 80 value. their intersection. The level lines should cut the highest peaks and the lowest troughs generating a signal at their intersection.

Stochastic – Oversold and overbought levels

Although it represents an important signal, reaching the overbought or oversold areas is not synonymous with a change in trend; in fact, during strong trends, the Stochastic could remain in the overbought or oversold areas for long periods and continue to retest the same areas frequently generating a continuous price increase even if overbought, generating false signals.

Here we can see an example of achieving overbought, leaving the overbought zone and again reaching overbought levels. All these signals would have led to exit from the position preventing the correct growth trend from following.

Stochastic – False signals on overbought

% K and% D cross

This also represents an important signal for establishing entry and exit positions.

When the% K line (fast line) crosses the% D line (Slow Line) from the bottom upwards, a buy signal is generated. Conversely, when the% K line crosses the% D line from top to bottom, a sell signal is generated.

Stocastico – Segnale da incrocio %K con %D

The valence of the signal will be even more important if this occurs in the overbought or oversold areas. However, it remains not enough to have a trend reversal guarantee.

Divergences between stochastic and price trends

This signal is the only one that ascertains the reversal of the trend; let’s not forget that the stochastic follows a trend of the price variation, substantially determining a speed of construction of the lines, but not a precise direction. In practice, the intensity of the movement is known, but not its directionality. This can be obtained only by looking at the price and its movements on the chart.

It is therefore possible to draw simple trend lines on the Stochastic lines in order to identify important changes in the current trend by identifying existing divergences between the Stochastic lines and the price lines on the chart.

Spotting a divergence between Stochastic and price action becomes an even stronger signal when it confirms the signals of crossing between the% K and% D lines.

We see the divergences when the price movement is not confirmed by the indicator, which continues its run in the opposite direction.

Specifically, we are talking about a bullish divergence when the% D line of the indicator is below the 20 level and draws two rising lows on the chart as opposed to prices that continue to fall.

Stochastic – Divergence between the indicator and the price trend on the chart, BUY signal

Differently, a bearish divergence is identified when the indicator marks decreasing highs above the 80 line while prices continue to rise. When these divergences occur, a possible buy or sell signal is given by the crossing of the% K line with the% D line.

Stochastic – Divergence between indicator and price trend on the chart, SELL signal

Stochastic as a price target

Due to its constructive logic, the Stochastic is only suitable for providing overbought and oversold signals and for identifying possible divergences by comparing the trend of the indicator with the price chart.

It is therefore a very useful tool for identifying trends and managing the timing of market entries and exits, but to be combined with the graphical analysis of the chart or with other tools such as the Bollinger Bands to research take profit levels.

Therefore, we cannot use the Stochastic as a price target but only as a support to the graphical analysis.