Trade with Relative Strength Index (RSI)

By | May 14, 2010 5:49 pm

What is an Oscillator

An oscillator is a leading technical indicator which fluctuates above and below a center line and normally has upper and lower bands which indicate overbought and oversold conditions in the market (an exception to this would be the MACD which is an Oscillator as well).

What is RSI

The RSI is best described as an indicator which represents the momentum in a particular Stock or Index  when it is reaching extreme levels to the upside (referred to as overbought) or downside (referred to as oversold) and is therefore due for a reversal. RSI Bands are  placed at 70 which is considered an extreme level to the upside, and 30 which is considered an extreme level to the downside.

RSI Calculation

100
RSI = 100 – ——–
1 + RS

RS = Average Gain / Average Loss

This RSI calculation  is based on 14 periods, which is the default suggested by Wilder in his  book. Losses are expressed as positive values, not negative values.

The very first calculations for average gain and average loss are simple 14 period averages.

First Average Gain = Total of Gains during the past 14 periods / 14

First Average Loss = Total of Losses during the past 14 periods / 1

The second, and subsequent, calculations are based on the prior averages and the current gain loss:

Average Gain = [(previous Average Gain) x 13 + current Gain] / 14.

Average Loss = [(previous Average Loss) x 13 + current Loss] / 14.

Example of RSI

  • To Identify and potentially overbought Index/Stock

When Index Trades above 70 it is overbought.Opportunities to go Short

  • To Identify and potentially oversold Index/Stock

When Index Trades below 30 it is oversold.Opportunities to go Long

  • RSI Indicator Divergence

A second way that traders look to use the RSI is to look for divergences between the RSI and the financial instrument that they are analyzing, particularly when these divergences occur after overbought or oversold conditions in the market. These divergences can act as a sign that a move is loosing momentum and often occur before reversals in the market. As such traders will watch for divergences as a potential opportunity to trade a reversal in the stock, futures or forex markets or to enter in the direction of a trend on a pullback.

Below is Chart of Negative Divergence:Nifty making New High But RSI falling Toppish Sign

Below is Chart of Positive  Divergence:Nifty making New Low but RSI rising,Showing we are near Bottom.

  • RSI Indicator Centerline Crossover

RSI is to identify bullish and bearish changes in the market by watching the RSI line for when it crosses above or below the center line. Although traders will not normally look to trade the crossover it can be used as confirmation for trades based on other methods.

An up trending market will typically find support at the 40 level, with effective resistance at the 80 level. A down trending market will find resistance at 60, with effective support at the 20 level.

In an 80/40 range (bull market), you will see the RSI make higher tops and higher bottoms – a classical indication of a bull market! Likewise, in a 60/20 range (bear market) you will see the RSI making lower bottoms and lower tops.

9 thoughts on “Trade with Relative Strength Index (RSI)

  1. Sagar

    Thank u So much Respected Sir For Give Us Such Kind Of SUper Information..

    BUt pls Explain In Detail How To Use And FInd A Trad Direction Base On Volume Indicator..

    Reply
  2. Dinesh Mishra

    Dear Bramesh,

    Thanks for such informative material publishing on your site. Further, can you explain us something about MACD and also how to recognize the TRAP in several shapes as “cup and handle” / “Head and Shoulder” etc.

    Hope you will address the same. Do you conduct some training on technical analysis? Please revert.

    Regards,
    Dinesh Mishra
    +91 8080396444

    Reply
    1. Bramesh Post author

      Hi Sir,

      Thanks for your Kind words on site.

      I will try to write article on MACD. Rgding Patterns we need to see the price move in sync with patterns to get more success ratio.

      Price is supreme and try to understand the same.

      Rgds,
      Bramesh

      Reply
  3. Smart

    Dear Bramesh,

    If we use the concept of going short once RSI pierce 70 from above and going long once pierce 30 from below, the winning ratio will be hardly 1:4 , i.e. we will win 1 time and loose 4 times.
    Please pull out the charts and check those.
    Still 95% of ppl are using RSI in a wrong manner

    Regards,
    Smart.

    Reply
    1. Bramesh Post author

      Hi Smratji,

      As a rule never ever take indicator reading in isolation to come to your trading decision.
      Indicators are always taken for trade confirmation but coming to trade descision please use price and volume action only.

      For Instance Nifty is in Oversold zone so it does not mean it will bounce,We need to see the EMA and SMA (Price) and Volume action to
      come to trading desicion and Use RSI for confirmation ie. moving above 20

      Hope it clears few ambiguity on the same.

      Rgds,
      Bramesh
      09985711341

      Reply
  4. HEMANT PATIL

    DEAR SIR,
    IN RSI YOU HAD WRITTEN,When Index Trades above 70 it is overbought.Opportunities to go Long, WHICH I THINK WE SHOULD GO SHORT WHEREAS,When Index Trades below 30 it is oversold.Opportunities to go Short,WHICH SHOULD BE LONG I DONT KNOW I AM CORRECT PL CORRECT ME SIR IF I AM WRONG
    HEMANT PATIL

    Reply
  5. vmvengy

    Relative Strength Index article contain valuable information……..

    30 is oversold level. 70 is over bought level.
    RSI divergence is provide idea for buy/sell stocks.

    RSI is a one of the best indicator in stock market.
    many analyst give nse stock tips
    based on RSI indicator.

    Reply

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