Trading Insights

Trend Following Strategies

Moving Average Crossovers

This classic trend-following strategy uses the intersection of two or more moving averages to generate buy and sell signals. When a shorter-term moving average crosses above a longer-term moving average, it signals a potential uptrend (buy signal). Conversely, when the shorter-term average crosses below the longer-term average, it indicates a potential downtrend (sell signal).

Key Indicators
Simple Moving Average (SMA), Exponential Moving Average (EMA)
Common Periods
50-day, 100-day, 200-day
Strengths
Simple to implement, effective in strong trends
Weaknesses
Lagging indicator, prone to whipsaws in choppy markets
Learn More

MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence)

The MACD is a momentum indicator that shows the relationship between two moving averages of a security's price. It consists of the MACD line, the signal line (a moving average of the MACD line), and a histogram representing the difference between the MACD and signal lines. Buy signals are typically generated when the MACD line crosses above the signal line, and sell signals when it crosses below.

Key Components
MACD Line, Signal Line, Histogram
Standard Settings
12-period EMA, 26-period EMA, 9-period EMA for signal line
Strengths
Identifies trend changes and momentum
Weaknesses
Can generate false signals, best used with other indicators
Learn More

Donchian Channel Breakouts

Developed by Richard Donchian, this strategy uses price breakouts from a channel defined by the highest high and lowest low over a specific lookback period. A buy signal is generated when the price breaks above the upper band of the channel, and a sell signal when it breaks below the lower band. It aims to capture sustained moves.

Channel Definition
Highest high and lowest low over a lookback period
Common Lookback
20-day period
Strengths
Effective in capturing significant price moves
Weaknesses
Can lead to entering trades after a significant portion of the move has already occurred
Learn More