Stochastic Oscillator Explained Definition & Examples

He believed the indicator could be profitably used in conjunction with Fibonacci retracement cycles or with Elliot Wave theory. Although the indicator is useful, it may provide https://www.bigshotrading.info/blog/what-is-the-stochastic-oscillator-and-how-to-use-it/ the wrong signals during strong trends. First, it’s a standard indicator of any trading platform. Second, it doesn’t require specific settings; you can use the default ones.

• The stochastic oscillator, like most oscillators, is located below the price chart.
• Nevertheless, we can’t compare the stochastic and the RSI.
• That’s why it’s worth looking at the indicator’s lines, as they were created for a reason.
• It is not a trend indicator for price as, for example, a moving average indicator is.
• Even when there’s a clear overall trend, there’s still wave-like movement, up and down.
• The relative strength index (RSI) and stochastic oscillator are both price momentum oscillators that are widely used in technical analysis.

The set-up foreshadows a tradable low in the near future. NTAP declined below its June low and the Stochastic Oscillator moved below 20 to become oversold. Traders could have acted when the Stochastic Oscillator moved above its signal line, above 20 or above 50, or after NTAP broke resistance with a strong move. George Lane identified another form of divergence to predict bottoms or tops, dubbed “set-ups.” A bull set-up is basically the inverse of a bullish divergence. The underlying security forms a lower high, but the Stochastic Oscillator forms a higher high.

Stochastic Oscillator: Choose Your Strategy

This allows traders to determine correction and reversal features within a trading range using the most recent closing price that helps define entry points. A stochastic oscillator is a momentum indicator comparing the current closing price of a security to a range of its prices over a certain period. Stochastic has two types Fast stochastics and slow stochastics. The Stochastic Oscillator is a popular, widely-used momentum indicator. Traders often use divergence signals from the oscillator to identify possible market reversal points. However, the oscillator is prone to generating false signals.

If you want to find out more about swing trading, I recommend reading the «Swing Trading» article. In the chart above, this situation is marked with a red oval. The value of an investment in stocks and shares can fall as well as rise, so you may get back less than you invested. Although the index is measured automatically, it’s worth knowing its formula, so let’s have a look at how the indicator is calculated.

How to Use the Stochastic Oscillator Indicator in MetaTrader 4

It’s simple and set by default on any trading platform. Moreover, it determines crucial areas, such as overbought and oversold territory, which allows traders to enter and exit the market at perfect points. The stochastic oscillator measures the momentum of price movements. Momentum is the rate of acceleration in price movement.

If you prefer any other languages, contact the support team. The most impactful releases of this week will fill the market with volatility and sharp movements. The Stochastics is included in the default set of MetaTrader. You can add it to the chart by clicking https://www.bigshotrading.info/ “Insert” – “Indicators” – “Oscillators” and then choosing “Stochastic Oscillator”. Update it to the latest version or try another one for a safer, more comfortable and productive trading experience. The situation on the labor market still looks optimistic.

Limitations of the Stochastic Oscillator

It is wise to note that indicators and oscillators are better tools when they are combined with others, including, and especially, the price itself. Ignore the fact that there is a different indicator in the article. The stochastic oscillator follows the classic rules of the technical analysis for bullish and bearish divergence and convergence. There are not many differences from the fast stochastic. However, the slow %K is the same as the fast %D (thus, it’s a 3-period moving average of the fast %K).

• I would not advise beginner traders to combine the RSI and stochastic oscillator.
• Chart 3 shows Yahoo! (YHOO) with the Full Stochastic Oscillator (20,5,5).
• As we can see, the price hasn’t reached the take profit level but turned around.
• However, the stochastic oscillator’s signals can be considered more reliable because the tool has two lines that help identify a more robust signal.
• Even though the stock held above its prior low, the lower low in the Stochastic Oscillator shows increasing downside momentum.