FXstreet.com

RELATIVE STRENGTH INDEX (RSI)

Doug Schaff

FX-Strategy

http://www.fx-strategy.com

Characteristic: Price Breakout Indicator
Parameter Defaults:     Length     10    controls the measurement period for the channel
Plots: Upper  

RSI is a popular indicator commonly used to confirm price movement and help identify turning points in the market. It was created by Welles Wilder Jr.

The RSI calculates a value based on the cumulative strength and weakness of price over a specified period. For that period, RSI accumulates the points gained on periods with higher closes and the points lost on periods with lower closes. The sum of number of the points gained is divided by the sum of the points lost and this is normalized between 0 to 100. The direction of RSI is considered to confirm price movement, i.e. a rising RSI confirms rising prices.

The formula is:     RSI = 100 -    (  100  )
  ( 1 + RS )

where:     RS =   Sum of positive closes
  Sum of negative closes

RSI has traditionally been used to help identify turning points in two ways:

In consolidation periods when RSI reaches above 70 (overbought) or below 30 (oversold)
USD/JPY (5 min. 2 day) 

The chart above shows how well RSI can be used to identify overbought and oversold conditions in a consolidating market as the value reached above 70 and below 30.

When there are non-confirmations or divergences. For example, a new price high without a new high in RSI or in the case of a new price low without a new low in RSI may indicate a false breakout.


GBP/USD (4hr. 20 day) 

In the chart above it can be seen that at the end of the downtrend in price with successive lower lows, RSI failed to confirm the price lows, registering higher troughs in the RSI value. This is a bullish divergence. Then, after price had reversed higher, the opposite occurred. While price confirmed an uptrend through successive higher highs, RSI failed to confirm those price highs.


Interested in forex trading? forex brokerage firms!


MG Financial Group
Contact the broker/FDM
Open a demo account
ACM Advanced Currency Markets SA
Contact the broker/FDM
Open a demo account
MIG INVESTMENTS SA
Contact the broker/FDM
Open a demo account
Capital Market Services, L.L.C.
Contact the broker/FDM
Open a demo account
GFT
Contact the broker/FDM
Open a demo account

GET CASH BACK FOR YOUR TRADES!   Learn more about the Pip Rebate Program

Note: All information on this page is subject to change. The use of this website constitutes acceptance of our user agreement. Please read our privacy policy and legal disclaimer.

Trading foreign exchange on margin carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. The high degree of leverage can work against you as well as for you. Before deciding to trade foreign exchange you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience and risk appetite. The possibility exists that you could sustain a loss of some or all of your initial investment and therefore you should not invest money that you cannot afford to lose. You should be aware of all the risks associated with foreign exchange trading and seek advice from an independent financial advisor if you have any doubts.

Opinions expressed at FXstreet.com are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the opinion of FXstreet.com or its management. FXstreet.com has not verified the accuracy or basis-in-fact of any claim or statement made by any independent author: errors and Omissions may occur.

Any opinions, news, research, analyses, prices or other information contained on this website, by FXstreet.com, its employees, partners or contributors, is provided as general market commentary and does not constitute investment advice. FXstreet.com will not accept liability for any loss or damage, including without limitation to, any loss of profit, which may arise directly or indirectly from use of or reliance on such information.

©2009 "FXstreet.com. The Forex Market" All Rights Reserved.