

Stochastics Indicator

Written By
Paul Tracy
Updated January 16, 2021

What is a Stochastics Indicator?

The stochastics indicator is a momentum indicator that shows the location of the current closing price relative to the high/low range over a set number of periods.

How Does a Stochastics Indicator Work?

The stochastics indicator tries to identify turning points by measuring how fast prices are rising or falling. The calculation of the stochastic can be confusing, so let's look at an example. 

First a value known as %K is calculated with this formula: %K = 100*((C-L14) / (H14-L14))

C is the most recent closing price; L14 is the lowest price in the last fourteen periods; and H14 is the highest price in the last fourteen periods. We used "14" as an example, but any number can be used here.

A 3-period moving average of %K is then calculated and called %D (no one really knows where the names came from, but they are widely used in almost all software packages). 

A buy signal is given when %K crosses above %D and sell signals occur when %K falls below %D. 

Why Does a Stochastics Indicator Matter?

The stochastics indicator offers clear trading signals. But one of the biggest problems with using indicators to generate trading signals is that there are a large number of losing trades. 

One way to improve the odds of a winning trade is to ignore signals unless the market is at an oversold or overbought extreme. For stochastics, readings below 30 are considered oversold and you would only take buy signals if the indicator is below that level. A value of 70 is considered overbought and sell signals occurring below that level would be ignored. This leads to longer trades and should result in fewer losses.

Ask an Expert about Stochastics Indicator
Be the first to ask a question

If you have a question about Stochastics Indicator, then please ask Paul.

Ask a question



Ask a question Read more from Paul

Read this next

Paul Tracy - profile
Ask an Expert about Stochastics Indicator

By submitting this form you agree with our Privacy Policy

Don't Know a Financial Term?
Search our library of 4,000+ terms