Is There the Best Moving Average (MA) To Use in Swing Trading?

In swing trading, moving averages are essential tools, helping traders identify trends, analyse market movements, and spot potential turning points. This article explores the most commonly used moving averages, their unique characteristics, and how theyre applied in trading strategies.

What Are Moving Averages?

You definitely know what moving averages are. However, we need to start our article with a brief introduction to this market analysis tool.

A moving average (MA) is a fundamental tool in technical analysis that helps traders understand the direction of a market trend by smoothing out price fluctuations, often touted among the best indicators for swing trading. Instead of focusing on the volatile ups and downs, MAs calculate an average of prices over a specific period, such as 20, 50, or 200 periods. This gives traders a clearer picture of the overall trend by filtering out short-term volatility.

There are different types of moving averages, but they all work on the same principle: tracking the average price over time to highlight the market's trajectory. For example, a 20-period MA shows the average (usually closing price but a trader can choose highs, lows, and opens) over the past 20 periods, updating as new prices come in. This rolling calculation creates a line on the chart, making it easy to identify whether the market is trending upwards, downwards, or moving sideways.

Types of Moving Averages

Moving averages come in various forms, each with unique characteristics that cater to different trading styles and strategies.

Simple Moving Average (SMA)

The simple moving average (SMA) is the most straightforward type, calculated by averaging the closing prices (but a trader can choose any price type) over a set number of periods. For example, a 20-period SMA adds up the last 20 closing prices and divides by 20. Its popular among traders who want a broader view of price trends without overreacting to short-term fluctuations, making it a contender for one of the best moving averages for swing trading. However, SMAs can lag behind price action, as they give equal weight to all prices in the calculation.

Hull Moving Average (HMA)

The hull moving average (HMA) is designed to reduce lag while maintaining a smooth line. By combining weighted averages with additional smoothing techniques, the HMA offers a balance of speed and clarity, making it an underrated moving average for swing trading.

Exponential Moving Average (EMA)

The exponential moving average (EMA) prioritises recent prices, giving them more weight in the calculation. This makes it more responsive to price changes compared to the SMA. Swing traders often use EMAs in faster-moving markets, where quick adjustments to trend shifts are crucial, with 8- and 21-period EMAs considered by some traders as two of the best EMAs for swing trading. For instance, a 20-period EMA reacts faster to sudden price movements than a 20-period SMA, helping traders spot potential reversals sooner.

Weighted Moving Average (WMA)

Similar to the EMA, the weighted moving average (WMA) also gives more importance to recent prices but does so with a linear weighting system. This means the most recent price has the greatest impact, gradually decreasing with older data. WMAs are less common but useful when traders want a more precise reflection of recent price action.

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How to Use Moving Averages in Swing Analysis and Trading

Moving averages are versatile tools that can provide valuable insights for swing traders. Beyond highlighting trends, they can help identify potential turning points and dynamic support or resistance levels. Heres how theyre commonly used in swing trading:

1. Identifying Trends

MAs are widely used to assess the direction of a trend. For instance, if the price consistently stays above a rising moving average, it suggests an upward trend. Conversely, when prices remain below a declining moving average, the market could be trending downward. Swing traders often rely on shorter moving averages, like the 20-period, for identifying trends that align with their trading horizon.

2. Spotting Reversals with Crossovers

Crossovers happen when two MAs intersect. A common example is a shorter MA crossing above a longer one, which may indicate a shift towards bullish momentum and vice versa.

3. Dynamic Support and Resistance

MAs act as floating support and resistance levels. MAs serve as a support level in an uptrend, with the price bouncing off it repeatedly. In a downtrend, the same moving average might act as resistance, limiting upward moves.

4. Filtering Market Noise

In choppy markets, MAs can smooth out minor fluctuations, making it easier to focus on the bigger picture. Swing traders often use longer MAs, such as the 50-day or 200-day, to filter out irrelevant short-term movements.

5. Timing Entry and Exit Zones

Many traders use crossovers to time their entries and exits, though its worth noting their lagging nature means they can result in untimely trades. They can also provide context. For example, if the price approaches a key moving average after a strong move, it might indicate a consolidation phase or a potential reversal, allowing traders to adapt their analysis.

Common Moving Averages for Swing Trading: The 20, 50, and 200 MAs

Swing traders often turn to the 20-, 50-, and 200-period moving averages as their go-to tools for analysing market trends. Each serves a specific purpose, helping traders gauge short-, medium-, and long-term price movements. These moving averages are often used together.

20-Period Moving Average

The 20-period MA is a favourite for short-term trend analysis. It reacts quickly to price changes; therefore, traders use it to identify recent momentum or potential trend shifts. Traders frequently watch for price bounces off the 20-period MA as potential indications of continuation in the current trend.

50-Period Moving Average

The 50-period MA provides a medium-term perspective, offering a smoother look at price trends. Its slower to react than the 20-period MA but avoids being overly lagging. This balance makes it useful for identifying sustained trends while filtering out minor price noise. When prices interact with the 50-period MA, it often acts as a dynamic support or resistance level.

200-Period Moving Average

The 200-period MA is the benchmark for long-term trend analysis. Its often used to determine the overall market direction. This MA is also a widely followed indicator for institutional traders, adding weight to its significance. Interactions with the 200-period MA often mark key turning points or areas of consolidation.

Traders also monitor crossovers between the 50- and 200-period MAs, recognised by some as the best moving average crossover for swing trading. For instance:

Golden Cross: When the 50-period MA crosses above the 200-period MA, it suggests potential bullish momentum.
Death Cross: When the 50-period MA drops below the 200-period MA, it signals a possible bearish shift.

Using Them Together

Using the 20-, 50-, and 200-period MAs together offers a comprehensive approach to identifying the best moving average crossover setups, allowing traders to see the bigger picture while still tracking short-term shifts. For instance, when the price breaks above the 200-period MA while the 20-period MA crosses above the 50-period MA, it may signal the beginning of a broader bullish trend. Meanwhile, a price drop below all three MAs could suggest broader bearish momentum.

Other Moving Average Combinations for Swing Trading

While the 20, 50, and 200-period MAs are staples in swing trading, exploring other combinations can offer nuanced insights tailored to specific trading strategies. Some alternative moving average setups that traders often employ include:

8-Period and 21-Period Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs)

This pairing is favoured by traders seeking to capture short-term price movements with greater sensitivity. They call this the best EMA crossover strategy. The 8-period EMA responds swiftly to recent price changes, while the 21-period EMA provides a slightly broader perspective.

10-Period and 50-Period Simple Moving Averages (SMAs)

Combining the 10- and 50-period SMAs offers a balance between short-term agility and medium-term trend identification. This combination helps traders filter out minor price fluctuations and focus on more sustained movements.

28-Period and 50-Period HMAs

For traders focused on short-to-medium-term trends, the 28- and 50-period HMAs offer a balanced approach. The 28-period HMA reacts quickly to price changes, while the 50-period HMA provides a steadier view of the broader trend. Crossovers between the two can signal potential bullish or bearish momentum shifts, benefiting from the HMAs reduced lag.

13-Period and 34-Period WMAs

Rooted in Fibonacci sequences, the 13- and 34-period WMAs are employed by traders who believe in the natural rhythm of the markets. A 55-period WMA can also be included for a longer-term perspective. Crossovers between these WMAs can highlight potential trend reversals or continuations, with the WMA adapting more quickly than other MAs due to its weighted calculation.

Implementing These Combinations

When applying these moving average combinations, it's crucial to consider the following:

Market Conditions: These combinations often perform better in trending markets versus ranging markets. Moreover, shorter MAs might be more effective in capturing quick price movements during high volatility.
Timeframes: Traders align MAs with their trading horizon. Shorter periods like the 5-period or 8-period MAs are usually used by traders focusing on brief swings, while longer periods like the 50-period MA cater to those looking at extended trends.
Confirmation with Other Indicators: Relying solely on moving averages can lead to false signals. Traders corroborate these signals with other technical indicators, such as Bollinger Bands or the Relative Strength Index (RSI).

What Moving Averages Should You Use for Swing Trading?

There is no best moving average for swing trading. The choice of MAs ultimately depends on a trader's strategy and preferences. The combinations discussed provide a framework, but experimenting with different setups can help identify what aligns with individual trading styles and objectives.

The Bottom Line

Moving averages are powerful tools for swing trading, offering insights into trends and potential market turning points. Whatever your unique preference for different types and lengths, understanding their application can refine your strategy. Ready to put your knowledge into action? Open an FXOpen account today and trade with four advanced trading platforms and competitive trading conditions, including spreads from 0.0 pips and low commissions from $1.50 per lot, across more than 700 markets.

FAQ

Which Moving Average Is Good for Swing Trading?

The 20-period, 50-period, and 200-period moving averages are widely used in swing trading. However, different combinations, like the 8- and 21-period or 13- and 34-period MAs can offer equally valuable insights; it ultimately comes down to the traders preference.

What Is the Most Popular Moving Average to Use?

The most popular moving average depends on a traders trading style and goals. Shorter MAs, like the 20-day MA, are popular for quick trend identification, while longer ones, such as the 200-day MA, provide a bigger picture. Many traders combine MAs to cover different timeframes.

Is 200 EMA Good for Swing Trading?

The 200-period EMA is useful for swing traders seeking to understand long-term trends. It reacts faster than the 200-period SMA, making it suitable for traders looking to incorporate a responsive indicator in their analysis.

Which Indicator Is Most Popular for Swing Trading?

There isnt a single best indicator for swing trading. Moving averages, RSI, MACD, and volume indicators are commonly used. Combining these can provide a more comprehensive analysis.

Which Volume Indicator Is Popular for Swing Trading?

The On-Balance Volume (OBV) and Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP) are popular volume indicators for swing traders, helping assess market momentum.

Which RSI Indicator Is Popular for Swing Trading?

The standard 14-period RSI is widely used. Swing traders often adjust it to shorter periods (e.g., 7) for faster signals or longer periods (e.g., 21) for smoother trends.

Text source: Forex Trading Blog

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