Moving averages are one of the oldest and most popular technical analysis
tools.
A moving average is the average price of a security at a given time. When
calculating a moving average, you specify the time span to calculate the
average price for X number of periods. For example, 20 periods. These
periods may be 5 minute bars, 15 minute bars, 60 minute or daily bars).
The classic interpretation of a moving average is to use it to observe
changes in prices. Investors typically buy when a security's price rises
above its moving average and sell when the price falls below its moving
average.
The moving average crossover method calculates two moving averages, each
based on a different number of periods of trading data. When the
shorter-term (fewer days) average crosses above the longer-term average from
below, this is a buy signal for tomorrow's open. When the shorter-term
average crosses below the longer-term average from above, this is a sell
signal for tomorrow's open.
The current charts we are using calculate a 5-period and a 20-period
exponential MA of the closing prices on 60 minute bars. If the 5-period MA
crosses above (becomes greater than) the 20-period MA, you would buy the
next bars opening because the system is saying that an uptrend has begun.
You maintain this long position as long as the 5-period MA is greater than
the 20-period MA. When the 5-period MA crosses below the 20-period MA, the
trend is now down and you would liquidate your long position and establish a
new short position on the next bars open.
Let’s look at General Electric (NYSE: GE).
After breaking support at 53 on November 13, GE made several moving average
attempts to reverse direction.
Each of these rallies was met with new selling and the signals failed.
GE also has a long term support going back to March of this year at 48.
If GE breaks below this 48 support, the stock looks to be headed much lower.
It does not bode well for the general market to see market leaders like GE
continuing a major downtrend.
GE has just moved up again and is close to giving a Buy signal. If this
signal fails, GE will be moving much lower.
The trend is down. If GE breaks below 48 � on Monday morning, I would Short
GE at 49 �.
I would place a close stop at 49 7/8.
On a breakdown, GE should continue much lower.
