Technical techniques for following the trend

If you have been trading for any amount of time, you have likely read about trend following - which can be used as a forex trading strategy. Is it truly the allegorical Holy Grail of trading? Let's dive deeper into Trend Following and see if it lives up to the reputation that it has amongst both novice and experienced Forex traders.

If you are unfamiliar with Trend Following, it is a system to help predict the direction. This information is said to assist traders open and close trades more strategically.

Indicators

Arguably the most popular way to interpret charts is using Indicators. In very simple terms indicators are a variety of mathematical price calculations that can potentially help highlight trends - for example simple moving average (SMA), plots the past prices' arithmetic mean on a line as seen below in the EUR/USD Forex chart.

As you can see averaging out the prices give a much clearer image of the general movement of the rate. Small temporary reversals average out and become plotted on a line that is in a downtrend or uptrend. The calculation can be made across various timeframes 200, 100 and 50 days.

Extending the timeframe smooths SMA line whereas contracting sharpens SMA line.

Another interesting effect is when the SMA acts as support or resistance - where the price goes under or approaches the level delineated by the SMA and then returns above. Here is an example indicated by the circles on the chart below.

Of course, there are more variations of the Moving Average that involve more sophisticated calculations that emphasize different moments of the market cycle.

RSI (Relative Strength Index)

RSI is known as an oscillator that is indexed between 0 and 100. When the indicator is above 70, the asset is considered in the overbought region where as if it is under 30 it is the oversold region. When the instrument is overbought it is consider it will undergo correction and if it oversold that it will recover.

RSI is probably not the best indicator to use alone - unlike SMA - because frequently the RSI will remain above 70 or below 30 for extended periods of time. So, using it in conjunction with other indicators can serve as another piece of the technical analysis puzzle.

Bollinger Bands

One of the few registered trademark indicators, Bollinger Bands have been garnering interest recently. Bollinger Bands, literally bands (as the name indicates) an asset's 21-day simple moving average between standard deviations above and below the SMA. It helps the analysts see volatility more clearly - when volatility is low, the bands narrow when volatility increases the bands widen.

Another way Bollinger Bands contextualize trends is as the price moves towards the upper band it is considered in the overbought region, as the price approaches the lower band the opposite is true, i.e. the asset is undersold. Unlike other indicators but similar to RSI, Bollinger Bands do not give specific signals, but instead an overall look of the markets and volatility.

Also, like RSI, Bollinger Bands are not design or conceptualized to used alone. According to the person that created them John, Bollinger, they should be used with other non-related indicators.

If you have been trading for long enough then you are well aware that multiple variables contribute to a successful trading strategy.

Not only should you use a combination of technical and fundamental analysis but also partner with a broker that offers the best trading conditions and protections, for your style of trading.

This article was submitted by easyMarkets