A Daily Swing Trade

The Zig Zag indicator shows past performance trends and only the most significant changes. It does this by filtering out any changes less than a specified amount.

The Zig Zag indicator is used primarily to help you see changes by highlighting the most significant reversals. Understand that the last segment in a Zig Zag chart can change based on changes in the underlying plot, price being only one example. That is, a change in a security's price can change a previous value of the indicator. Since the Zig Zag indicator adjusts its values based on subsequent changes, it has perfect hindsight into what prices have done. Do not try to create a trading system based on the Zig Zag indicator, as it to be used to illustrate historical patterns.

The Zig Zag indicator is calculated by placing imaginary points on a chart when prices reverse by at least the specified amount. Straight lines are then drawn to connect these imaginary points. Any changes in prices that are less than the specified amount are ignored.

Developed by Tushar Chande, the Intraday Momentum Index is a combination of the Relative Strength Index and Candlestick Analysis.

The IMI is calculated like the RSI but uses the relationship between the intraday opening and closing prices to determine whether the day is up or down. When the close is above the open, it is an up day. If the close is below the open it is a down day. White candlesticks signify an up day, black candlesticks used for down days.

As with the RSI, overbought conditions (and lower prices ahead) are indicated when the index rises above 70. Values below 30 indicate a potential oversold situation and higher price ahead. Remember, as with all overbought/oversold indicators, you should first quantify the trendiness of the market before acting on any signals...

In our last article, we focused on W.D. Gann's innovative brand of price and time analysis, especially as pertaining to the time periods of measured corrections. So-called “runaway moves” comprise a unique and highly profitable subset among time periods, affording the alert speculator the greatest opportunity to profit in the shortest time. During these dramatic moves, options prices traditionally experience their greatest increases in value...