I was thinking if I am going to post this article which I wrote some time back. It makes me sound like a indicatorian (Gavipedia: Indicatorian refers to trader who can’t live without indicator). In fact, I hardly look at indicator. Oh well. This is a season of sharing. I am sharing something that I find to be useful. In case, you are interested in Multiple Moving averages ,as mentioned in my previous post ‘Defining a trend”

I take a deeper look at Multiple Moving averages. Though I don’t like the idea of manipulating price by using indicator, I gave it a try and I think it is useful. The basic idea of Multiple moving average(MMA) is to view the trend as two band of moving averages – short term band and long term band. MMA has provided a great visual of trend, but, how should I quantify it in case I need to integrate into my system?

I obtain an idea from Leon Wilson, Author of “The Next step to share trading success”. (I am not sure if the book is available in U.S, at least, I can’t find it in Amazon.) He is an truly “indicatorian”, and according to the description in the book, he trade stocks for living. He derives something called MMACD (MACD of Multiple Moving averages) Ok, here are the steps I quantify MMA by following his suggestion.

1. Take the combined value of moving averages for each short term band and long term bands. So, now we have two lines instead of two bands of moving averages.

2. We want to measure the distance between short term band and long term band. When the distance goes extreme, you know a bubble is forming and potentially we can expect a pull back. I display MMACD into percentage form.

MMACD=[(short term – Long term)/long term]/100

3. For a better view of the changes, we add in a trigger line. We do not want to establish a Long position when MMACD is below its trigger line. (reverse for short position)
trigger= 9-period Moving average of MMACD

So now we have a new indicator to analyzed Multiple Moving average. An Indicator for an indicator? OMG. Well, It is just some mathematics work to help me in reading Multiple moving average. And personally, I find it to be helpful to analyze trend.

I have been using this in swing trading of stocks. And I am looking for the possibility of implementing it in day trading as well. Before you start mesmerizing this MMACD, you gotta understand the concept behind MMA. Check out the links in my previous post “Defining a trend“.

Ok, here is the indicator I have programmed for Tradestation, just in case, some of you are interested in trying out. Pull in GMMA into your chart and MMACD. Observe the behavior. Shoot me some comments if you have other view. Just another tool, dump it if it confused you.