---
title: Trend Indicators
description: ADX, Ichimoku Cloud, MACD, and Parabolic SAR — trend strength, momentum, and reversal indicators.
---

Trend indicators help identify direction and strength, including directional movement systems, trend-following tools, and comprehensive trend analysis frameworks.

| System | Description |
| --- | --- |
| **Directional Movement (ADX)** | Measures trend strength using directional indicators. ADX above **25** indicates a strong trend; below **20** often suggests a range. |
| **Ichimoku Cloud** | Comprehensive trend analysis system for support/resistance, trend direction, and momentum signals. |
| **Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD)** | Trend and momentum system based on moving-average convergence/divergence. |
| **Parabolic SAR** | Stop-and-reverse indicator that provides dynamic stop levels and trend reversal signals. |

| Function | Description |
| --- | --- |
| [`adx`](#adx) | Average Directional Index — trend strength plus +DI/-DI |
| [`ichimoku`](#ichimoku) | Ichimoku Cloud — multi-component trend system |
| [`macd`](#macd) | Moving Average Convergence Divergence |
| [`psar`](#psar) | Parabolic SAR — trailing stop and reverse |

<a id="adx"></a>

## adx - Average Directional Index

`adx(source: TimeSeries, period?: number = 14): [number, number, number]` — Average Directional Index. Measures trend strength and returns directional movement values.

| Parameter | Type | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `source` | TimeSeries | Source data series |
| `period` | number | Number of periods (default: `14`) |

**Returns:** `[number, number, number]` — `[ADX, DI+, DI-]` values.

```javascript
var adxData = adx(source=trade, period=14);
```

<a id="ichimoku"></a>

## ichimoku - Ichimoku Cloud

`ichimoku(source: TimeSeries, conversionPeriod?: number = 9, basePeriod?: number = 26, laggingSpanPeriod?: number = 52, displacement?: number = 26): [number, number, number, number, number]` — Ichimoku Cloud trend analysis.

| Parameter | Type | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `source` | TimeSeries | Source data series |
| `conversionPeriod` | number | Tenkan-sen period (default: `9`) |
| `basePeriod` | number | Kijun-sen period (default: `26`) |
| `laggingSpanPeriod` | number | Senkou Span B period (default: `52`) |
| `displacement` | number | Cloud displacement (default: `26`) |

**Returns:** `[number, number, number, number, number]` — `[Tenkan, Kijun, Senkou A, Senkou B, Chikou]` values.

```javascript
var ichimokuData = ichimoku(source=trade, conversionPeriod=9, basePeriod=26, laggingSpanPeriod=52, displacement=26);
```

<a id="macd"></a>

## macd - Moving Average Convergence Divergence

`macd(source: TimeSeries, fastPeriod?: number = 12, slowPeriod?: number = 26, signalPeriod?: number = 9): [number, number, number]` — Moving Average Convergence Divergence.

| Parameter | Type | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `source` | TimeSeries | Source data series |
| `fastPeriod` | number | Fast EMA period (default: `12`) |
| `slowPeriod` | number | Slow EMA period (default: `26`) |
| `signalPeriod` | number | Signal line period (default: `9`) |

**Returns:** `[number, number, number]` — `[MACD line, Signal line, Histogram]`.

```javascript
var macdData = macd(source=trade, fastPeriod=12, slowPeriod=26, signalPeriod=9);
```

<a id="psar"></a>

## psar - Parabolic SAR

`psar(source: TimeSeries, start?: number = 0.02, increment?: number = 0.02, maxValue?: number = 0.2): number` — Parabolic SAR stop-and-reverse indicator.

| Parameter | Type | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `source` | TimeSeries | Source data series |
| `start` | number | Initial acceleration factor (default: `0.02`) |
| `increment` | number | Acceleration increment (default: `0.02`) |
| `maxValue` | number | Maximum acceleration (default: `0.2`) |

**Returns:** `number` — PSAR value for the current bar.

```javascript
var psarData = psar(source=trade, start=0.02, increment=0.02, maxValue=0.2);
```

## Best Practices

<table data-view="cards"><tbody>
<tr><td>ADX Interpretation</td><td>ADX above 25 indicates a strong trend. Use +DI/-DI crossovers for direction, but only when ADX is rising for best results.</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>MACD Divergences</td><td>Watch for divergences between MACD and price. When price makes new highs but MACD does not, trend weakening is likely.</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Ichimoku Cloud Signals</td><td>Price above the cloud indicates an uptrend; below the cloud suggests a downtrend. Tenkan-Kijun crossovers provide entry signals, especially when aligned with cloud position.</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>PSAR Parameters</td><td>Lower acceleration values (`0.01`-`0.02`) provide smoother signals with fewer reversals. Higher values (`0.05`+) are more sensitive but generate more false signals in ranging markets.</td><td></td></tr>
</tbody></table>