ACCUMULATION/DISTRIBUTION

Introduction
Developed by Marc Chaikin, the Accumulation Distribution Line is a volume-based indicator
designed to measure the cumulative flow of money into and out of a security. Chaikin
originally referred to the indicator as the Cumulative Money Flow Line. As with cumulative
indicators, the Accumulation Distribution Line is a running total of each period's Money
Flow Volume. First, a multiplier is calculated based on the relationship of the close to the
high-low range. Second, the Money Flow Multiplier is multiplied by the period's volume to
come up with a Money Flow Volume. A running total of the Money Flow Volume forms the
Accumulation Distribution Line.
Accumulation/distribution is a momentum indicator that attempts to gauge supply and
demand by determining whether investors are generally "accumulating," or buying, or
"distributing," or selling, a certain stock by identifying divergences between stock price and
volume flow. The accumulation/distribution is calculated by first calculating the money flow
multiplier, and then multiplying the money flow multiplier by the period's volume.
Find the money flow multiplier by identifying the difference between the closing price and
the low price of the range. Next, calculate the difference between the high price of the range
and the closing price of the range. Then, subtract the difference between the high price of the
range and the closing price from the difference between the closing price and the low price of
the range. Lastly, divide the resulting value by the difference between the high price and the
low price of the range.
After the money flow multiplier is calculated, the money flow volume, or the
accumulation/distribution, is calculated by multiplying the money flow multiplier by the
volume for the period. The accumulation/distribution line is then calculated by summing the
previous period's accumulation/distribution and the current period's money flow volume.

Formula
There are three steps to calculating the Accumulation Distribution Line (ADL). First,
calculate the Money Flow Multiplier. Second, multiply this value by volume to find the
Money Flow Volume. Third, create a running total of Money Flow Volume to form the
Accumulation Distribution Line (ADL).

1. Money Flow Multiplier = [(Close - Low) - (High - Close)] /(High - Low)

2. Money Flow Volume = Money Flow Multiplier x Volume for the Period

3. ADL = Previous ADL + Current Period's Money Flow Volume

MACD (Moving Average Convergence/Divergence Oscillator)

Introduction
Developed by Gerald Appel in the late seventies, the Moving Average
Convergence/Divergence oscillator (MACD) is one of the simplest and most effective
momentum indicators available. The MACD turns two trend-following indicators, moving
averages, into a momentum oscillator by subtracting the longer moving average from the
shorter moving average. As a result, the MACD offers the best of both worlds: trend
following and momentum. The MACD fluctuates above and below the zero line as the
moving averages converge, cross and diverge. Traders can look for signal line crossovers,
centerline crossovers and divergences to generate signals. Because the MACD is unbounded,
it is not particularly useful for identifying overbought and oversold levels.
Moving average convergence divergence (MACD) is a trend-following momentum indicator
that shows the relationship between two moving averages of prices. The MACD is calculated
by subtracting the 26-day exponential moving average (EMA) from the 12-day EMA. A
nine-day EMA of the MACD, called the "signal line", is then plotted on top of the MACD,
functioning as a trigger for buy and sell signals.

Formula
Calculation
MACD Line: (12-day EMA - 26-day EMA)

Signal Line: 9-day EMA of MACD Line

MACD Histogram: MACD Line - Signal Line

There are three common methods used to interpret the

MACD:
1. Crossovers - As shown in the chart above, when the MACD
falls below the signal line, it is a bearish signal, which
indicates that it may be time to sell. Conversely, when the
MACD rises above the signal line, the indicator gives a
bullish signal, which suggests that the price of the asset is
likely to experience upward momentum. Many traders wait
for a confirmed cross above the signal line before entering
into a position to avoid getting getting "faked out" or entering
into a position too early, as shown by the first arrow.
2. Divergence - When the security price diverges from the
MACD. It signals the end of the current trend.
3. Dramatic rise - When the MACD rises dramatically - that
is, the shorter moving average pulls away from the longer-
term moving average - it is a signal that the security is
overbought and will soon return to normal levels.
As its name implies, the MACD is all about the convergence
and divergence of the two moving averages. Convergence
occurs when the moving averages move towards each other.
Divergence occurs when the moving averages move away
from each other. The shorter moving average (12-day) is
faster and responsible for most MACD movements. The
longer moving average (26-day) is slower and less reactive to
price changes in the underlying security.
The MACD Line oscillates above and below the zero line,
which is also known as the centerline. These crossovers signal
that the 12-day EMA has crossed the 26-day EMA. The
direction, of course, depends on the direction of the moving
average cross. Positive MACD indicates that the 12-day EMA
is above the 26-day EMA. Positive values increase as the
shorter EMA diverges further from the longer EMA. This
means upside momentum is increasing. Negative MACD
values indicates that the 12-day EMA is below the 26-day
EMA. Negative values increase as the shorter EMA diverges
further below the longer EMA. This means downside
momentum is increasing.

Indicate

The MACD indicator is special because it brings together

momentum and trend in one indicator. This unique blend of
trend and momentum can be applied to daily, weekly or
monthly charts. The standard setting for MACD is the
difference between the 12 and 26-period EMAs. Chartists
looking for more sensitivity may try a shorter short-term
moving average and a longer long-term moving average.
MACD(5,35,5) is more sensitive than MACD(12,26,9) and
might be better suited for weekly charts. Chartists looking for
less sensitivity may consider lengthening the moving
averages. A less sensitive MACD will still oscillate
above/below zero, but the centerline crossovers and signal
line crossovers will be less frequent.
The MACD is not particularly good for identifying
overbought and oversold levels. Even though it is possible to
identify levels that are historically overbought or oversold, the
MACD does not have any upper or lower limits to bind its
movement. During sharp moves, the MACD can continue to
over-extend beyond its historical extremes.
Finally, remember that the MACD Line is calculated using the
actual difference between two moving averages. This means
MACD values are dependent on the price of the underlying
security. The MACD values for a $20 stocks may range from
-1.5 to 1.5, while the MACD values for a $100 may range
from -10 to +10. It is not possible to compare MACD values
for a group of securities with varying prices. If you want to
compare momentum readings, you should use the Percentage
Price Oscillator (PPO), instead of the MACD.

Bollinger Band
Developed by John Bollinger, Bollinger Bands are volatility
bands placed above and below a moving average. Volatility is
based on the standard deviation, which changes as volatility
increases and decreases. The bands automatically widen when
volatility increases and narrow when volatility decreases. This
dynamic nature of Bollinger Bands also means they can be
used on different securities with the standard settings. For
signals, Bollinger Bands can be used to identify M-Tops and
W-Bottoms or to determine the strength of the trend.

Formula
* Middle Band = 20-day simple moving average (SMA)
* Upper Band = 20-day SMA + (20-day standard deviation of
price x 2)
* Lower Band = 20-day SMA - (20-day standard deviation of
price x 2)

Bollinger Bands consist of a middle band with two outer

bands. The middle band is a simple moving average that is
usually set at 20 periods. A simple moving average is used
because the standard deviation formula also uses a simple
moving average. The look-back period for the standard
deviation is the same as for the simple moving average. The
outer bands are usually set 2 standard deviations above and
below the middle band.