Price Zone Oscillator

The Price Zone Oscillator is a technical indicator that measures whether or not the most recent closing price is above or below the preceding closing price.

The Price Zone Oscillator is a technical indicator that measures whether or not the most recent closing price is above or below the preceding closing price. The indicator is calculated as a percentage ratio between two exponential moving averages (EMAs) and is used by traders and market timers to identify overbought or oversold conditions, as well as potential reversal opportunities.

The oscillator can be calculated using the formula:

Price Zone Oscillator = 100 x (CP / TC)

IN WHICH:

CP = the closing price of the X-period exponential moving average of the current price

TC = total close of the X-period exponential moving average.

The highest possible value is 100 and the lowest possible value is -100, but traders also watch key levels in between the range for signals.

Exponential moving averages - and especially the 14-day EMA - are used to smooth out the Price Zone Oscillator rather than simply using raw closing prices. If the current period’s closing price is higher than the prior period’s closing price, the indicator will have a positive value for that period. Otherwise, the indicator will have a negative value for the period.

Traders use the Price Zone Oscillator like any other oscillator by looking for overbought or oversold conditions and convergence/divergence with the security’s price. According to the author’s original article appearing in the Technical Analysis of Stocks and Commodities, the oscillator’s key levels to watch include -60, -40, -5, +15, +40, and +60.

As with other oscillators, traders watch for overbought or oversold conditions when extremes are reached. Traders also look for convergences or divergences between the oscillator’s trend and the price trend, which can be an important sign of an upcoming reversal. For example, a rising stock price and a falling PZO reading could signal a potential bearish reversal.

Most traders use the Price Zone Oscillator in conjunction with other technical indicators or chart patterns, such as the Average Directional Index, which measures the potential strength of trends. By using several indicators in tandem, traders can maximize their odds of success. The indicator may also work as a contrary tool, taking opposing trade entries when an indicator divergence appears more potent than a directional buy or sell signal.