How to use the MACD indicator in the Forex market

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Created by leading investment manager, successful trader and author of numerous publications Gerald Appel, the MACD indicator, based on the convergence-divergence of moving averages (Moving Average Convergence / Divergence), is perhaps the most unique tool included in almost any Forex trading platform. MACD indicators can be simultaneously attributed to both trend indicators and oscillators. The uniqueness of the MACD lies in the fact that it is able to generate trading signals both in trending market areas and during sideways movement (flat). In addition, the use of this indicator allows you to determine the potential strength of the movement, as well as (with a certain probability) a possible change in the direction of the market.

MACD indicator: description

To build MACD charts, two methods are used - linear and in the form of a histogram.

Linear MACD is based on three moving averages, of which only two are displayed on the chart. The MACD indicator itself is the difference between two exponential moving averages (the EMA with a shorter period is subtracted from the EMAwith a longer period). In order to get rid of random fluctuations, the so-called signal line is used, which is a simple moving average (SMA). Moreover, for its construction, not the price values are used, but the difference between these two moving averages, only with a shorter period. The default values for EMA are 12 and 26, and for SMA - 9.

Setting values can be changed. At the same time, an increase in values (for example, 21, 50 and 12) prevents false signals, but does not allow timely determination of the beginning of the market movement. Decreasing the settings (for example, 6, 13 and 5) makes the MACD indicator more sensitive to price changes, but leads to more false positives.

To make it easier to recognize the change in the distance between the lines, a histogram is used, which is the difference between the fast (MACD) and slow (signal) line. When the fast line is above the slow line, the histogram bars are above the zero line and vice versa.

It should be noted that in the MT4 trading platform (MetaTrader-4), unlike Rumus, only the signal line and the histogram are displayed, the MACD indicator itself is not displayed.

MACD indicator signals

The MACD line crossing the signal line from top to bottom is a clear sell signal. At the same time, the location of the histogram bars below the zero line only strengthens this signal. If the MACD line crosses the signal line in the upward direction, on the contrary,is a buy signal, and the presence of the histogram above the zero line is also a strong signal to open a long position.

The emergence of a contradiction between the indicator reading and the price chart indicates divergence ("bearish" - if a higher high of the price was not confirmed by the MACD high - or "bullish" when a lower low is not confirmed) and is a sign of a possible change trends.

Disadvantages of the MACD indicator

1. Both the line indicator and the histogram give false signals very often, especially on hourly charts and less. Therefore, it is better to use them on daily timeframes and higher.
2. When trend signals are formed, the linear indicator triggers with a significant delay.
3. Because the MACD indicator calculates the difference between two moving averages, this value is absolute, not relative. Therefore, it is difficult to compare MACD levels over relatively long periods of time, especially for those instruments that have changed exponentially.
4. It is difficult to determine overbought and oversold levels using MACD.

And yet, the MACD indicator is recognized as one of the most reliable technical indicators in the foreign exchange market. Its signals are quite simple to understand and allow you to correctly assess the current situation and make a profitable deal in a timely manner even for beginners.