Wave Trend

Definition

Wave Trend [LazyBear] is a technical analysis tool based on an oscillator indicator, primarily used to identify overbought or oversold market conditions to help spot potential buy and sell points. Developed by LazyBear, this indicator generates signals for buying at market lows and selling at highs by detecting price wave trends. The WaveTrend indicator generally consists of a main line and a signal line, and it determines market conditions based on their crossovers and value changes. It is suitable for capturing short-term trend reversals and swing trading opportunities.

Calculation

The calculation of the WaveTrend [LazyBear] indicator involves the following steps:

  1. Calculate Average Price (AP):

First, calculate the average price, typically as (High + Low + Close) / 3.

  1. Smooth Average Price (ESA):

Apply an Exponential Moving Average (EMA) over a set period to the AP.

  1. Calculate Price Volatility (D):

Determine the absolute change in the average price to reflect the strength of price volatility.

  1. Calculate Cyclic Index (CI):

Input ESA and D into a formula to obtain the cyclic index, CI.

  1. Generate WaveTrend Line (WT):

Smooth CI with an EMA to create the WaveTrend line (WT).

  1. Further Smooth to WT1 and WT2:

Use a Simple Moving Average (SMA) to further smooth WT into two lines: WT1 and WT2.

How to Use

The WaveTrend [LazyBear] indicator generates buy and sell signals mainly through the following crossover signals:

  • Long Signal: When the fast line (WT1) crosses above the slow line (WT2), forming a golden cross, and the indicator is in the oversold zone (commonly set below -60), this suggests the market is entering a bullish trend, indicating a potential buy.

  • Short Signal: When the fast line (WT1) crosses below the slow line (WT2), forming a death cross, and the indicator is in the overbought zone (commonly set above 60), this suggests the market may enter a downward trend, signaling a potential sell. These crossover signals help traders identify trend reversal points in the market, particularly effective in ranging markets.

Advantages

  • High Sensitivity: The WaveTrend indicator is highly sensitive to short-term price movements, allowing it to quickly capture overbought or oversold signals, making it suitable for short-term traders.

  • Clear Overbought and Oversold Indication: The indicator clearly shows overbought and oversold zones, helping investors intuitively judge if a price reversal is likely.

  • Divergence Alerts for Reversals: By observing divergences between price and the indicator, investors can receive early reversal warnings to aid decision-making.

Disadvantages

  • Less Effective in Trending Markets: The WaveTrend indicator has limited effectiveness in trending markets and may produce frequent false signals. It performs best in ranging markets but tends to be unstable in trending conditions.

  • High Noise Levels: Due to its sensitivity, the indicator may generate too many trading signals during volatile market movements, leading investors to enter and exit frequently.

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