Simple Moving Average (SMA)

The average price of a given time period, (5, 10 min., daily, etc.) where each of the chosen periods carries the same weight for the average. Example: Day 1 close, USD/JPY 124.00 Day 2 close, 126.00 Day 3 close 125.00. The 4 day SMA is 125.00

Exponential Moving Average (EMA)

Here, the averages are calculated with the recent data carrying more weight applying to the overall average. For example: In a 10 day moving average, the last 5-10 days will have more value than the first 5 with the idea this will provide stronger and earlier trend direction.

Bollinger Bands

The basic interpretation of Bollinger Bands is that prices tend to stay within the upper- and lower-band. The distinctive characteristic of Bollinger Bands is that the spacing between the bands varies based on the volatility of the prices. During periods of extreme price changes (i.e., high volatility), the bands widen to become more forgiving. During periods of stagnant pricing (i.e., low volatility), the bands narrow to contain prices. The bands are plotted two standard deviations above and below a simple moving average. They indicate a "sell" when above the moving average and a "buy" when below it. The bands are used in conjunction with other analyses, including RSI, MACD, CCI, and Rate of Change.

Parabolic SAR

The Parabolic SAR (stop-and-reversal) is a time/price trend following system used to set trailing price stops. The Parabolic SAR provides excellent exit points. You should close long positions when the price falls below the SAR and close short positions when the price rises above the SAR. If you are long (i.e., the price is above the SAR), the SAR will move up every day, regardless of the direction the price is moving. The amount the SAR moves up depends on the amount that prices move

Rate of Change

The oldest closing price divided into the most recent one.

RSI (Relative Strength Index)

The RSI is a price-following oscillator that ranges between 0 and 100. A popular method of analyzing the RSI is to look for a divergence in which the currency price is making a new high, but the RSI is failing to surpass its previous high. This divergence is an indication of an impending reversal. When the RSI then turns down and falls below its most recent trough, it is said to have completed a "failure swing." The failure swing is considered a confirmation of the impending reversal.

Stochastic

Stochastic studies are based on the premise that as prices rise, closing prices tend to be near the high value. Conversely, as prices fall, closing prices are near the low for the period. Stochastic studies are made of two lines, %D and %K, that move between a scale of 0 and 100. The %D line is the moving average over a specified period of time of the %K line. The %K line measures where the closing price is compared to the price range for a given number of periods.

Momentum

Designed to measure the rate of price change, not the actual price level. Consists of the net difference between the current closing price and the oldest closing price from a predetermined period. The Momentum indicator can be used as either a trend-following oscillator similar to the MACD or as a leading indicator.

Stochastic

Stochastic studies are based on the premise that as prices rise, closing prices tend to be near the high value. Conversely, as prices fall, closing prices are near the low for the period. Stochastic studies are made of two lines, %D and %K, that move between a scale of 0 and 100. The %D line is the moving average over a specified period of time of the %K line. The %K line measures where the closing price is compared to the price range for a given number of periods.

MACD - Moving Average Convergence/Divergence

- Consists of two exponential moving averages that are plotted against the zero line. The zero line represents the times the values of the two moving averages are identical. The MACD is calculated by subtracting a 26-day moving average of a currency's price from a 12-day moving average of its price. The result is an indicator that oscillates above and below zero. When the MACD is above zero, it means the 12-day moving average is higher than the 26-day moving average. This is bullish as it shows that current expectations (i.e., the 12-day moving average) are more bullish than previous expectations (i.e., the 26-day average). This implies a bullish, or upward, shift. When the MACD falls below zero, it means that the 12-day moving average is less than the 26-day moving average, implying a bearish shift.

ADX

Measures the strength of a prevailing trend and whether or not there is direction in a market. Plotted from zero on up, usually a reading above 25 can be considered directional.

Williams %R

A momentum indicator that measures overbought/oversold levels. The interpretation of Williams' %R is very similar to that of the Stochastic Oscillator, except that %R is plotted upside-down and the Stochastic Oscillator has internal smoothing. Readings in the range of 80 to 100% indicate oversold, while readings in the 0 to 20% range suggest overbought.

Volatility

Measures the overall volatility of a given market, time period