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What is Supertrend Indicator? Meaning, Components & supertrend formula

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When making informed stock market decisions, a technical analysis tool or indicator might be the difference between success and failure.

Technical indicators are a set of tools traders use to create signals to help identify potential trades. There are numerous technical indicators in the market; one such indicator is the super trend indicator.

Significance of Super Trend Indicators

A super trend indicator is an indicator that can help identify whether a financial instrument is in an uptrend or downtrend. It does this by evaluating the trend of price movement for defined timeframes.

 

In other words, the super trend indicator links several time frames to give a trader a clearer picture of the market circumstances.

 

Essentially, the super trend indicator combines many periods into one, allowing one to determine if a trend is likely to continue or not. This indicator examines a range of periods, from the last three hours to the previous three months. When two or more time frames overlap, it indicates that the trend is ongoing and is likely to continue in the future.

 

Components of the Supertrend Indicator

The Supertrend Indicator consists of two primary components: the Average True Range (ATR) and a multiplier.

 

Average True Range (ATR) is a technical indicator that measures market volatility. It calculates the average range between high and low prices over a specific period, usually set to 14 days. ATR helps traders understand how much the price fluctuates, providing context for potential market movements.

 

The second component, the multiplier, is a predefined factor that adjusts the Supertrend line, determining how sensitive the indicator is to price changes. A common setting for the multiplier is 3.

 

Additionally, the Supertrend formula incorporates these components to plot a line on the chart, which indicates the prevailing trend. The indicator's line turns green when its readings fall below the closing price, signalling a bullish trend and red when above, indicating a bearish trend. This functionality aids traders in identifying entry and exit points effectively.

How super trend indicator works?

Period and multiplier are two basic variable parameters based on the super-trend indicator.

Are you confused? It is essential first to comprehend the Average True Range (ATR) concept, to understand the working of super-trend indicators.

A technical indicator that gauges a security’s volatility is called the average true range (ATR). To calculate the ATR, we must first identify the sequence of TR values.

The following formula can find TR values:

TR = Max [(current high - current low), Absolute (current high - previous close), Absolute (current low - previous close)]
ATR: [(Prior ATR X 13) + Current TR]/14

Traders need this formula to comprehend how the indicator functions.

Once you have the ATR, open a chart, enter the super trend indicator and choose the multiplier and periods (ATR number of days).

A multiplier is a number that is used to multiply the ATR. Traders typically employ a multiplier of 3 and 10 periods.

What is the supertrend indicator formula?

The supertrend indicator formula is:

Supertrend = (High + Low)/2 + (Multiplier × ATR).

This formula helps traders identify market trends and potential entry and exit points.

Average True Range (ATR)

The ATR measures market volatility over a selected period, commonly 7 or 14 days. For example, if the ATR is calculated to be 2, it indicates the average price movement during that period.

Upper and lower bands

To determine the upper and lower bands of the supertrend, the following steps are taken:

  • Calculate the ATR for the chosen period.

  • Multiply the ATR by a predefined multiplier (e.g., 2 or 3).

  • The upper band is derived by adding this value to the midpoint, while the lower band subtracts it.

This setup allows the supertrend indicator to change colour based on price movement, signalling buy (green) or sell (red) opportunities effectively.

The formula for the super trend indicator is as follows:

Upper Band = (High + Low)/2 + multiplier x ATR

Lower Band = (High + Low)/2 - multiplier x ATR

How to use super trend indicator?

When utilising this indicator for intraday trading, you must first view the chart of the specific stock/index you wish to monitor and select a 10-minute time frame.

Open the chart, insert the super trend, and maintain the settings as 10 and 3 for periods and multiplier, respectively. You can also add additional settings as per your requirements.

One must also not forget to utilise stop loss when using this indicator. Stop loss for a long trade can be placed at the green indication line, and for a short position, it can be placed at the red signal line.

Interpreting the Supertrend Indicator

Interpreting the supertrend indicator is quite simple. When the price is above the supertrend line, it signals a bullish trend, suggesting that traders should consider entering long positions. Conversely, if the price falls below the line, the trend is bearish, indicating a potential opportunity to go short.

The supertrend indicator turns green during an uptrend, reflecting price strength above the line. In contrast, it shifts to red during a downtrend when the price is below the line. Thus, green indicates upside potential, while red signifies downside risk, providing clear entry and exit signals for traders.

The ideal setting for the super trend indicator is 10 and 3 for periods and multiplier, respectively.

One must be aware that any modifications to these values may impact how the super trend indicator is used.

A few essential points to note are:

  • The indicator may respond more to price changes with smaller settings, resulting in more signals.
  • Higher settings will reduce market noise but might result in fewer trade signals.

 

Limits of the Supertrend Indicators

The supertrend indicator is a popular tool among traders, but it has several limitations that must be considered for effective use.

 

  • False signals

One major drawback is the potential for false signals, particularly in sideways or choppy markets. This can lead to traders being prematurely stopped out of positions, resulting in unnecessary losses.

  • Lagging indicator

As a lagging indicator, the supertrend reacts to price movements rather than predicting them. This inherent delay can hinder timely entry and exit decisions, which is critical for short-term traders.

  • Parameter selection

Traders must also grapple with parameter selection, as there is no universally optimal setting for the multiplier and ATR period. This means traders often need to spend time testing and refining their settings to find what works best for their strategy.

  • Limited functionality

The supertrend indicator is primarily a trend-following tool, making it less effective for identifying overbought or oversold conditions. As such, it may not provide a complete picture of market dynamics.

  • Market noise

Additionally, market noise can significantly affect the supertrend in shorter time frames, diminishing the reliability of its signals.

  • Asset-specific limitations

The effectiveness of the indicator can also vary across different asset classes and market conditions, which may limit its utility.

  • Not a stand-alone tool

Lastly, it is crucial to remember that the supertrend indicator should not be used in isolation. It is best employed alongside other tools and indicators to make well-informed trading decisions. By understanding these limitations, traders can better utilise the supertrend formula to enhance their trading strategies.

A super trend profit indicator provides signals if the super trend turns over the closing price.

A buy signal is generated when the super trend line drops below the closing price and changes to green. In contrast, a sell signal is generated if the super trend line closes above the closing price and turns red.

Remember, no indicator is 100% true; one can also use other indicators to make a wise decision.

 

Read Also: Top Personal Finance Trends to Watch Out For in 2024

A trading approach utilising moving average crossover and super trend

This technique consists of a super trend and a 5-20 EMA (Exponential Moving Average) crossover.

A buy signal is made when the super trend changes to green and the 5 EMA is higher than the 20 EMA.

Similarly, a sell signal is produced when the super trend changes to red and the 20 EMA is higher than the 5 EMA.

 

Read Also: IPO Trends: What to Expect in the 2023 Market

Most effective timeframe for a super trend indicator

Position traders and swing traders typically employ longer time frames as it makes it easier to observe absolute trade signals and outperform short-term volatility.

This indication may also be applied to several periods, allowing you to utilise it for entry and exit signals on a longer time frame before moving it to a shorter one. Ideally, traders keep a minimum of 15-minute timeframe.

Benefits and disadvantages of super trend indicator

The supertrend indicator is widely used in trading due to its ability to provide valuable insights. Here are its key advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages

  • Trend identification

    One of the primary benefits of the supertrend indicator is its effectiveness in identifying market trends. It allows traders to align their strategies with the current market direction, thereby increasing their chances of success.

  • Clear signals

    The supertrend generates clear buy and sell signals, reducing ambiguity in trading decisions. This precision improves trade accuracy and can lead to more profitable outcomes.

  • Risk management

    The supertrend indicator also aids in risk management by offering dynamic support and resistance levels. Traders can set stop-loss orders more effectively, helping to protect their capital from unexpected market movements.

Disadvantages

  • Lagging nature

    However, the supertrend indicator has its drawbacks. As a technical indicator that relies on historical data, it can be lagging in nature. This may lead to delays in capturing market shifts, causing traders to miss lucrative opportunities.

  • False signals

    Despite its reliability, the supertrend can occasionally produce false signals. This necessitates caution and additional analysis before executing trades, as incorrect signals can lead to losses.

  • Market volatility challenges

    Lastly, the supertrend indicator may struggle with accuracy during volatile market conditions, resulting in whipsaw signals that can induce losses. Understanding both the advantages and disadvantages of the supertrend formula is crucial for making informed trading decisions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Supertrend Indicator reliable?

Answer Field

The supertrend indicator is generally considered reliable for identifying trends; however, it can produce false signals, especially in volatile markets. It is essential to use it alongside other indicators for better accuracy.

How can I avoid false signals with the Supertrend Indicator?

Answer Field

To minimise false signals from the supertrend indicator, combine it with other technical analysis tools, such as moving averages or RSI. This multi-faceted approach enhances decision-making and reduces the likelihood of entering losing trades.

What is the best technical indicator to use with the Supertrend Indicator?

Answer Field

The best technical indicators to use alongside the supertrend are typically the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and moving averages. These indicators can confirm trends and provide additional context for trades involving the supertrend indicator.

What is the formula for cash flow?

Answer Field

The formula for cash flow is: Cash Flow = Cash Inflows - Cash Outflows. This calculation helps assess the liquidity position of a business, highlighting how much cash is available for operations, investments and other expenses.

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