A divergence between the most recent closing price and curves’ direction is also a reversal signal. Bullish and bearish patterns appear rarely, but they are highly accurate signals. They precede the short-term price bottom, followed by the trend reversal. Thus, if we analyze the overbought and oversold levels of the EURUSD chart, we can spot a bearish trend.

One of the curves is called smoothed or fast; another one is short-term. The solid orange line in the image above is called %K, and the blue line is the 3-period moving average of the %K curve. Most of the time, the Stochastic indicator follows the price movement, but when it does not, we call this a Divergence which indicates a weakness in the current trend. If you said the price would drop, then you are absolutely correct!

How to Trade Forex Using the Stochastic Indicator

That’s why we look for a point to open a short trade in overbought zones. The stochastic oscillator presents a potential entry point where the red oval is. As there is a crossover of the indicator lines above 80%, a short-term correction should end, and the downtrend will continue pushing the oversold levels lower.

On the chart, you can see the shooting star’s formation with the simultaneous crossing of the indicator lines in the overbought zone (the blue circle). First, let’s look at how to add and set stochastic oscillator best settings for intraday timeframes. The principle of how this calculator works is straightforward. It is like the Excel Bollinger Bands Table (the link to the explained instructions is here).

Three most effective trading indicators for Forex traders

We also have training for the best short-term trading strategy. The Stochastic indicator is a momentum indicator that shows you how strong or weak the current trend is. It helps you identify overbought and oversold market conditions within a trend.

As a measure of price momentum, the stochastic indicator can be very versatile in its functionality. In trending markets, it can warn of potential retracements or even reversals; and in ranging markets, it can tell when the underlying trend strength is fading. This makes stochastics a handy technical analysis tool in all market conditions to help pick out trading opportunities in the perpetual cycles of an asset’s price. Both indicators help determine when the asset is overbought and oversold as well as where its highest and lowest price is located. Both tools, even with ideal settings, provide false signals. They are included in the classic technical analysis and remain popular among plenty of traders.

What is the best stochastic setting for a 1-minute chart?

The %D curve is smoother and is a moving average of the %K line. The degree of smoothing of %D is set in the indicator parameters. The period of %K line defines the range that the indicator will use to compare the current price.

• But make sure you add a buffer of 5 pips away from the low, to protect yourself from possible false breakouts.
• This shows less upside momentum and could foreshadow a bearish reversal.
• This is the most important price no matter what market you trade.
• The premise of a stochastic oscillator is that the closing price stays at the previous local maximums for a while in the bullish trend and stops at the level of prior minimums in a bearish trend.

Stochastic oscillators and RSI have benefits and limitations. Nevertheless, it’s not recommended to trade using only the stochastic oscillator as a momentum indicator. In the simplest stochastic oscillator strategy, signals are filtered by the trend direction.

Using a Stochastic Oscillator When Trading S&P 500 and U.S. Dollar

It occurs when price make a higher high, but the indicator makes a lower high, which means the current buyer is exhausted and loses momentum, and correction might occur, as shown in figure (8). Looking at the currency chart above, you can see that the indicator has been showing overbought conditions for quite some time. When trading contracts for difference (CFDs) in stocks, a trader may use a combination of the stochastic oscillator and MAs. Traditionally, when %D falls below the 20 mark it suggests the market is oversold.

If the MAs indicated a bullish trend, the trader would look to the stochastic oscillator for confirmation. The mathematical formula behind this method works on the assumption that closing prices are more important in predicting oversold and overbought conditions in the market. Based on this assumption the Stochastic indicator works to give you the best trade signals you can possibly find. Once the stochastic oscillator crosses down through the signal line, watch for price to follow suit. Minimum periods of %K and smoothing lines are ideal for the 5-minute chart.