Trend Indicators
Indicators that help identify trend direction and strength, including directional movement systems, trend-following tools, and comprehensive trend analysis frameworks.
Overview
Directional Movement (ADX)
Measures trend strength using directional indicators. ADX values above 25 indicate strong trends, while values below 20 suggest ranging markets.
Ichimoku Cloud
Comprehensive trend analysis system providing support/resistance levels, trend direction, and momentum signals in one complete package.
MACD
Moving average convergence divergence system for trend identification and momentum analysis.
Parabolic SAR
Stop and reverse indicator that provides dynamic stop-loss levels and trend reversal signals with acceleration-based calculations.
Functions Reference
_adx - Average Directional Index measures trend strength
_adx(barIndex: number, series: TimeSeries, period?: number = 14): [number, number, number]Parameters:
- barIndex (number) - Current bar index
- series (TimeSeries) - Source data series
- period (number) - Number of periods (default: 14)
Returns:
[number, number, number] ([ADX, DI+, DI-] values)
Code Example:
_ichimoku - Ichimoku Cloud comprehensive trend analysis system
_ichimoku(barIndex: number, series: TimeSeries, conversionPeriod?: number = 9, basePeriod?: number = 26, laggingSpanPeriod?: number = 52, displacement?: number = 26): [number, number, number, number, number]Parameters:
- barIndex (number) - Current bar index
- series (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)
Code Example:
_macd - Moving Average Convergence Divergence indicator
_macd(barIndex: number, series: TimeSeries, fastPeriod?: number = 12, slowPeriod?: number = 26, signalPeriod?: number = 9): [number, number, number]Parameters:
- barIndex (number) - Current bar index
- series (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])
Code Example:
_psar - Parabolic SAR stop and reverse indicator
_psar(barIndex: number, series: TimeSeries, start?: number = 0.02, increment?: number = 0.02, maxValue?: number = 0.20): numberParameters:
- barIndex (number) - Current bar index
- series (TimeSeries) - Source data series
- start (number) - Initial acceleration factor (default: 0.02)
- increment (number) - Acceleration increment (default: 0.02)
- maxValue (number) - Maximum acceleration (default: 0.20)
Returns:
number (PSAR value for current bar)
Code Example:
Common Usage Patterns
Trend Strength Analysis
Combine ADX with directional indicators to assess trend quality
Ichimoku Cloud Analysis
Use Ichimoku components for comprehensive trend and support/resistance analysis
PSAR Trend Following
Use Parabolic SAR for dynamic stop-loss levels and trend reversal signals
Best Practices
ADX Interpretation
ADX above 25 indicates strong trend. Use +DI/-DI crossovers for direction, but only when ADX is rising for best results.
MACD Divergences
Watch for divergences between MACD and price. When price makes new highs but MACD doesn't, trend weakening is likely.
Ichimoku Cloud Signals
Price above cloud indicates uptrend, below cloud suggests downtrend. Tenkan-Kijun crossovers provide entry signals, especially when aligned with cloud position.
PSAR Parameters
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.