Finding the right trading strategy that suits your style can be tough, but using an EMA crossover strategy can be extremely effective in helping you to become a profitable technical analysis based trader.
In this article, we will talk EMA trading and go through:
The exponential moving average is a moving average that places an emphasis on recent prices. This is accomplished by weighting the moving average, so it responds more quickly to newer information. The formula that is used to calculate an EMA involves using a multiplier to alter the simple moving average.
The EMA can also be referred to as the Weighted Moving Average.
Comparing the simple moving average (SMA) and the exponential moving average (EMA) is a difficult task as there are positive and negative aspects to both.
Of course, they are both lagging indicators, but the EMA gives a stronger weighting to more recent data, meaning that newer data has a stronger impact on the moving average, and the EMA reacts faster.
The SMA calculates the average price over a specified period, which can be adjusted to suit your needs, with each data point given equal weighting.
The benefits of using an EMA compared to a simple moving average is that you are likely to receive a signal that is more in tune with current price action.
However, using an SMA over the EMA will mean that you reduce the number of fakeouts.
Therefore, deciding on which is better is highly dependent on your trading style and strategy.
So, let’s get into the strategy.
What you will need:
Remember, the variations and number of periods can be adjusted based on your preference and trading style. Day traders may wish to use shorter timeframes, whereas swing traders may wish to use a longer-term chart. However, the periods are chosen based on best practices and to give you a guide on entries and exits.
First, before looking for trading opportunities, you will need to do is define the direction that the market is trending in. You can do this by either using the 50 EMA as your basis or another indicator such as the Parabolic SAR to help you.
The EMA crossover strategy is geared towards finding the middle of the trend, and since it uses backwards-looking data, you will receive a signal only after something has already happened.
To enter a position you will need:
So, once you have confirmed the trend, you will need to watch and wait for the 20EMA to close above the 50 EMA, and then you can enter a buy position.
I’m sure you have worked out that sell signals occur when the exact opposite happens, but just for clarity, to enter a sell position you will need:
Right, now you’ve mastered that part, let’s move onto a vital part of trading strategies, risk management, or in this case, where to place stop-loss and take-profit levels.
Trading in a demo account is a great way to master a new strategy without risking your own hard-earned capital. If you are learning how to make your first trades or mastering a new strategy then an eToro demo account is a great place to practice.
Now, a key part of trading and having a solid strategy is understanding risk management and where to place stop-loss levels.
With the EMA crossover strategy, it is best to place your stop-loss above or below the most recent swing in price (I have outlined a potential stop-loss level in the picture below).
When it comes to choosing your take-profit level it is important to take into consideration the risk-reward ratio you want to implement.
So, it is vital that you only enter positions based upon a positive risk-reward ratio.
There are two suggestions for placing your take-profit levels using the EMA crossover strategy.
Firstly, placing a profit target at the next key level. Targeting key price levels is a popular way of placing take-profits
Secondly, you could use a trailing-stop.
Now, I know you probably think that doesn’t sound right, but if you consider the saying “the trend is your friend,” then we have to believe that each entry has the potential for large rewards. So, by placing a trailing stop, you can track the trend, until it eventually turns against you.
Of course, as mentioned many times before, there are always advantages and disadvantages to trading strategies.
The advantages of the EMA crossover strategy are:
The disadvantages are:
The EMA crossover is an effective strategy that works extremely well when a change in trend occurs and provides users with a customized way to designate that a trend is beginning.
However, what is important to understand about the EMA is that it does not work all the time. Asset prices trend only 30% of the time. Your risk management will play an important function in the success of an EMA crossover trading strategy.
So, while we definitely feel this is a great strategy to utilise, it is important that you find a way of defining a trend, and when a market is consolidating. Doing these will truly help you capitalise on the strategy’s strengths.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage . 75 % of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider . You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money .