Best trading indicators?
- Thread starter Elison0
- Start date
Price(s from other markets), then volume
Every trader is going to have something that works for THEM.
Will their method work for you? Maybe ...... maybe not.
Many say indicators don't work but the best day-trader I've come across uses moving averages so are indicators useless? Not to him.
Another successful day-trader I've seen uses moving averages + MACD.
The "best" is whatever works for YOU.
You watch charts and price long enough, you can pick up like a song, in beginning have dozen indicators, then rid them as not needed, same with chart patterns. You watch the price ladder, study it, call out prices and notice time between prices, support, resistance bounces. Eventually, can trade by someone calling price. Trading comes in all forms
what is an indicator?
it is something which is a measuring tool.
it measures by comparing something to some thing at different times.
like a ruler to measure inches, but a experienced carpenter does not need a ruler; he can approximate inches with his eyes by using his judgment honed by experience.
so it is with indicators.
you can just use your eyes to estimate since you do not need exact measurements. approximate will do in trading.
it is something which is a measuring tool.
it measures by comparing something to some thing at different times.
like a ruler to measure inches, but a experienced carpenter does not need a ruler; he can approximate inches with his eyes by using his judgment honed by experience.
so it is with indicators.
you can just use your eyes to estimate since you do not need exact measurements. approximate will do in trading.
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I know different things work for everyone...so just IMO:
Moving averages: almost no predictive value. They do not tell you anything more about future movement than Price + trend/wedge/channel lines. SMA, EMA, HMA, etc. I could never find a way to derive even minor odds (let alone significant odds). Crossover Gap is extremely deceptive how it appears clear as day in hindsight but very wonky when live.
Never got a lick of use out of MACD...Zero predictive value, very inconsistent signaling. Every time I saw any type of confirmation It was during very gentle trades and signals were displayed somewhere else more clearly (and consistently). Not to mention Often when live > humongous moves will go against you while MACD is steady chilling.
RSI: pretty much same as above. no predictive value for continuation or reversal. looks great in hindsight, worthless live.
ATR: maybe value for some systems but I like keltner channel better. Thought it had some ability to predict chop but not so so much when live...price shows it faster.
VWAP: maybe some value with price behavior on touch/break. also standard deviation data may be useful.
Volume: not really needed after you identify average liquidity times (for intraday)...which is Same conclusion I had with ATR. Thought I had some predictive edge with volume average behavior but nah not really.
Fib retracement levels: I've known people who supposedly do really well with these combined with some simple patterns but its not for me. See: Pesavento
Moving averages: almost no predictive value. They do not tell you anything more about future movement than Price + trend/wedge/channel lines. SMA, EMA, HMA, etc. I could never find a way to derive even minor odds (let alone significant odds). Crossover Gap is extremely deceptive how it appears clear as day in hindsight but very wonky when live.
Never got a lick of use out of MACD...Zero predictive value, very inconsistent signaling. Every time I saw any type of confirmation It was during very gentle trades and signals were displayed somewhere else more clearly (and consistently). Not to mention Often when live > humongous moves will go against you while MACD is steady chilling.
RSI: pretty much same as above. no predictive value for continuation or reversal. looks great in hindsight, worthless live.
ATR: maybe value for some systems but I like keltner channel better. Thought it had some ability to predict chop but not so so much when live...price shows it faster.
VWAP: maybe some value with price behavior on touch/break. also standard deviation data may be useful.
Volume: not really needed after you identify average liquidity times (for intraday)...which is Same conclusion I had with ATR. Thought I had some predictive edge with volume average behavior but nah not really.
Fib retracement levels: I've known people who supposedly do really well with these combined with some simple patterns but its not for me. See: Pesavento