Understanding the MACD Indicator The MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence) is one of the most widely used technical indicators, helping traders identify trend direction, momentum shifts, and potential buy/sell signals.
How the MACD Works:
📌 MACD Line (Blue): The difference between the 12-period EMA and the 26-period EMA.
📌 Signal Line (Orange): A 9-period EMA of the MACD line, smoothing out signals.
📌 Histogram: Measures the difference between the MACD and Signal Line, visually representing momentum.
How to Use It for Trading:
- Bullish Crossover: When the MACD Line crosses above the Signal Line, it indicates a potential buying opportunity.
- Bearish Crossover: When the MACD Line crosses below the Signal Line, it signals a potential selling opportunity.
- Divergences: If price action moves opposite to MACD, it can indicate trend exhaustion and potential reversals.
- Histogram Strength: Expanding bars suggest strong momentum, while contracting bars indicate weakening trends.
MACD in Action (Chart Above)
In this NASDAQ 100 chart, we see a clear bearish crossover followed by strong downward momentum. The histogram confirms the selling pressure, aligning with the price drop.
