Top 3 Technical Tools Part 3: MACD

By Elliott Wave International

Jeffrey Kennedy is an accomplished teacher and a Senior Analyst here at Elliott Wave International. He feels strongly that, in addition to risk management and emotional discipline, the right technical tools can also add confidence and clarity to your Elliott wave counts.

Jeffrey’s 3 favorite technical tools are Japanese Candlesticks, RSI (Relative Strength Index) and MACD (Moving Average Convergence-Divergence). Today’s lesson shows you how MACD can help identify trading opportunities with an example from USDCAD, the U.S. dollar vs. Canadian dollar.

This video is an overview of MACD. It was adapted from Jeffrey’s Trader’s Classroom educational service, which empowers subscribers with information on nearly every aspect of trading.

More from Jeffrey:

Moving average convergence divergence (MACD) is a momentum indicator developed by Gerald Appel. It consists of two exponential moving averages, the MACD line and Signal line. The difference between these two lines yields an additional indicator, MACD Histogram.

Since these studies evaluate momentum, they work optimally in trending markets. When combined with reversal candlestick patterns, MACD and MACD Histogram can increase confidence in these patterns as well as continuation of the larger trend.

MACD divergence occurs when prices move one way and MACD moves the other. Bearish divergence forms when prices make new highs and MACD does not. Conversely, new price lows without lower MACD readings is bullish divergence. These conditions aid traders in identifying potential changes in momentum and trend.

MACD is constructed using two lines referred to as the MACD line and the Signal line. When the MACD line appears to penetrate the Signal line, but fails to do so, a hook forms. The significance of a hook is that it coincides with countertrend price moves.

MACD is excellent technical tool provided you know how to use it and what to look for.