Trend Trading: The 4 Most Common Indicators

Trend traders attempt to isolate and extract profit from trends. There are multiple ways to do this. Of course, no single indicator will punch your ticket to market riches, as trading involves factors such as risk management and trading psychology as well. But certain indicators have stood the test of time and remain popular among trend traders.

In this article, we provide general guidelines and prospective strategies for each of the four common indicators. Use these or tweak them to create your own personal strategy.

Moving averages "smooth" price data by creating a single flowing line. The line represents the average price over a period of time. Which moving average the trader decides to use is determined by the time frame in which he or she trades. For investors and long-term trend followers, the 200-day, 100-day and 50-day simple moving average are popular choices.

There are several ways to utilize the moving average. The first is to look at the angle of the moving average. If it is mostly moving horizontally for an extended amount of time, then the price isn't trending, it is ranging. If the moving average line is angled up, an uptrend is underway. Moving averages don't predict though; they simply show what the price is doing, on average, over a period of time.

Crossovers are another way to utilize moving averages. By plotting a 200-day and 50-day moving average on your chart, a buy signal occurs when the 50-day crosses above the 200-day. A sell signal occurs when the 50-day drops below the 200-day. The time frames can be altered to suit your individual trading time frame.

When the price crosses above a moving average, it can also be used as a buy signal, and when the price crosses below a moving average, it can be used as a sell signal. Since price is more volatile than the moving average, this method is prone to more false signals, as the chart above shows.

Moving averages can also provide support or resistance to the price. The chart below shows a 100-day moving average acting as support (i.e., price bounces off of it).

The MACD is an oscillating indicator, fluctuating above and below zero. It is both a trend-following and momentum indicator. 

One basic MACD strategy is to look at which side of zero the MACD lines are on in the histogram below the chart. Above zero for a sustained period of time, and the trend is likely up; below zero for a sustained period of time, and the trend is likely down. Potential buy signals occur when the MACD moves above zero, and potential sell signals when it crosses below zero.

Signal line crossovers provide additional buy and sell signals. A MACD has two lines – a fast line and a slow line. A buy signal occurs when the fast line crosses through and above the slow line. A sell signal occurs when the fast line crosses through and below the slow line.

The RSI is another oscillator, but because its movement is contained between zero and 100, it provides some different information than the MACD.

One way to interpret the RSI is by viewing the price as "overbought" – and due for a correction – when the indicator in the histogram is above 70, and viewing the price as oversold – and due for a bounce – when the indicator is below 30. In a strong uptrend, the price will often reach 70 and beyond for sustained periods, and downtrends can stay at 30 or below for a long time. While general overbought and oversold levels can be accurate occasionally, they may not provide the most timely signals for trend traders.

An alternative is to buy near oversold conditions when the trend is up, and place a short trade near an overbought condition in a downtrend.

Say the long-term trend of a stock is up. A buy signal occurs when the RSI moves below 50 and then back above it. Essentially, this means a pullback in price has occurred, and the trader is buying once the pullback appears to have ended (according to the RSI) and the trend is resuming. The 50 level is used because the RSI doesn't typically reach 30 in an uptrend unless a potential reversal is underway. A short-trade signal occurs when the trend is down and the RSI moves above 50 and then back below it.

Trendlines or a moving average can help establish the trend direction and in which direction to take trade signals.

Volume itself is a valuable indicator, and OBV takes a lot of volume information and compiles it into a single one-line indicator. The indicator measures cumulative buying/selling pressure by adding the volume on up days and subtracting volume on down days. 

Ideally, volume should confirm trends. A rising price should be accompanied by a rising OBV; a falling price should be accompanied by a falling OBV. 

The figure below shows shares of Netflix Inc. (NFLX) trending higher along with OBV. Since OBV didn't drop below its trendline, it was a good indication that the price was likely to continue trending higher after the pullbacks.

If OBV is rising and price isn't, price is likely to follow the OBV and start rising. If price is rising and OBV is flat-lining or falling, the price may be near a top. If the price is falling and OBV is flat-lining or rising, the price could be nearing a bottom.

Indicators can simplify price information, as well as provide trend trade signals or warn of reversals. Indicators can be used on all time frames, and have variables that can be adjusted to suit each trader's specific preferences. Combine indicator strategies, or come up with your own guidelines, so entry and exit criteria are clearly established for trades. Each indicator can be used in more ways than outlined. If you like an indicator, research it further, and most importantly, test it out before using it to make live trades.

Learning to trade on indicators can be a tricky process. For those who have yet to enter the market or start trading, it's important to know that a brokerage account is a necessary first step at getting access to the stock market. Investopedia's list of the best brokers is a great place to start your research in choosing a broker that's right for you.