The exponential moving average (EMA) is an old form of technical analysis. It is one of the most popular trading indicators used by thousands of traders both pro and newbies. In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn a simple exponential moving average (EMA) strategy. Use what you learn to turn your trading around and become a successful, long-term trader! A moving average can be a very effective indicator. Many traders use exponential moving averages, an effective type of moving average indicator, to trade in a variety of markets.
An exponential moving average strategy, or EMA strategy, is used to identify the predominant trend in the market. It can also provide the support and resistance level to execute your trade.
The exponential moving average is a line on the price chart that uses a mathematical formula to smooth out the price action. It shows the average price over a certain period of time. The EMA formula puts more weight on the recent price.
This means it’s more reliable because it reacts faster to the latest changes in price data. An exponential moving average tries to reduce confusion and noise of everyday price action.
Exponential Moving Average Strategy
(Trading Rules – Sell Trade)
Our exponential moving average strategy is comprised of two elements. The first degree to capture a new trend is to use two exponential moving averages as an entry filter.
By using one moving average with a longer period and one with a shorter period, we automate the strategy. This removes any form of subjectivity from our trading process.
Step #1: Plot on your chart the 20 and 50 EMA
The first step is to properly set up our charts with the right moving averages. We can identify the EMA crossover at the later stage. The exponential moving average strategy uses the 20 and 50 periods EMA.
Most standard trading platforms come with default moving average indicators. It should not be a problem to locate the EMA either on your MT4/5 platform.
Now, we’re set to go a look more closely to the price structure. This brings us to the next step of the strategy.
Step #2: Wait for the EMA crossover and for the price to trade above the 20 and 50 EMA.
The second rule of this moving average strategy is the need for the price to trade above both 20 and 50 EMA. Secondly, we need to wait for the EMA crossover, which will add weight to the bullish case.
We refer to the EMA crossover for a buy trade when the 50-EMA crosses above the 50-EMA.
By looking at the EMA crossover, we create an automatic buy and sell signals.
Since the market is prone to false breakouts, we need more evidence than a simple EMA crossover. At this stage, we don’t know if the bullish sentiment is strong enough to push the price further after we buy to make a profit.
To avoid the false breakout, we added a new confluence to support our view. This brings us to the next step of the strategy.
Step #3: Wait for the zone between 20 and 50 EMA to be tested at least twice, then look for buying opportunities.
The conviction behind this moving average strategy relies on multiple factors. After the EMA crossover happened, we need to exercise more patience. We will wait for two successive and successful retests of the zone between the 20 and 50 EMA.
The two successful retests of the zone between 20 and 50 EMA give the market enough time to develop a trend.
Never forget that no price is too high to buy in trading. And no price is too low to sell.
Note: When we refer to the “zone between 20 and 50EMA,” we actually don’t mean that the price needs to trade in the space between the two moving averages.
We just wanted to cover the whole price spectrum between the two EMAs. This is because the price will only briefly touch the shorter moving average (20-EMA). But this is still a successful retest.
Now, we still need to define where exactly we are going to buy. This brings us to the next step of the strategy.
Step #4: Buy at the market when we retest the zone between 20 and 50 EMA for the third time.
If the price successfully retests the zone between 20 and 50 EMA for the third time, we go ahead and buy at the market price. We now have enough evidence that the bullish momentum is strong to continue pushing this market higher.
Now, we still need to define where to place our protective stop loss and where to take profits. This brings us to the next step of the strategy.
Step #5: Place the protective Stop Los 20 pips below the 50 EMA
After the EMA crossover happened, and after we had two successive retests, we know the trend is up. As long as we trade above both exponential moving averages the trend remains intact.
In this regard, we place our protective stop loss 20 pips below the 50 EMA. We added a buffer of 20 pips because we understand we’re not living in a perfect world. The market is prone to do false breakouts.
Now, we still need to define where to place our protective stop loss and where to take profits. This brings us to the next step of the strategy.
The last part of our EMA strategy is the exit strategy. It is based again on the exponential moving average.
Step #6: Take Profit once we break and close below the 50-EMA
In this particular case, we don't use the same exit technique as our entry technique, which was based on the EMA crossover.
If we waited for the EMA crossover to happen on the other side, we would have given back some of the potential profits. We need to consider the fact that the exponential moving averages are a lagging indicator.
The exponential moving average formula used to plot our EMAs allow us to still take profits right at the time the market is about to reverse.
Note: The above was an example of a BUY trade. Use the same rules – but in reverse – for a SELL trade. However, because the market goes down much faster, we sell on the 1st retest of the zone between 20 and 50. After the EMA crossover happened.
In the figure below, you can see an actual SELL trade example, using our strategy.
In summary
The exponential moving average strategy is a classic example of how to construct a simple EMA crossover system. With this exponential moving average system, we’re not trying to predict the market. We're trying to react to the current market condition, which is a much better way to trade.
The advantage of this trading strategy stands in the exponential moving average formula. It plots a much smoother EMA that gives better entries and exits.
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