Bollinger bands walking the bands
Bollinger Bands consist of a band of three lines which are plotted in relation to security prices. The line in the middle is usually a Simple Moving Average SMA set to a period of 20 days The type of trend line and period can be changed by the trader; however a 20 day moving average is by far the most popular.
The SMA then serves as a base for the Upper and Lower Bands. The Upper and Lower Bands are used as a way to measure volatility by observing the relationship between the Bands and price. Typically the Upper and Lower Bands are set to two standard deviations away from the SMA The Middle Line ; however the number of standard deviations can also be adjusted by the trader.
The Bollinger Bands indicator is an oscillator meaning that it operates between or within a set range of numbers or parameters. As previously mentioned, the standard parameters for Bollinger Bands are a 20 day period with standard deviations 2 steps away from price above and below the SMA line. Essentially Bollinger Bands are a way to measure and visualize volatility. As volatility increases, the wider the bands become. Likewise, as volatility decreases, the gap between bands narrows.
What is done with this information is up to the trader but there are a few different patterns that one should look for when using Bollinger Bands. One thing that must be understood about Bollinger Bands is that they provide a relative definition of high and low. Prices are almost always within the band. Therefore, when prices move up near the upper band or even break through the upper band, many traders would see that security as being overbought.
This would preset a possible selling opportunity.
Of course the opposite would also be true. When prices move down near the lower band or even break through the lower band, that secutity may be seen as oversold and a buying opportunity may be at hand.
Volatility can generally be seen as a cycle. Typically periods of time with low volatility and steady or sideways prices known as contraction are followed by period of expansion. Expansion is a period of time characterized by high volatility and moving prices. Periods of expansion are then generally followed by periods of contraction. It is a cycle in which traders can be better prepared to navigate by using Bollinger Bands because of the indicators ability to monitor ever changing volatility.
Of course, just like with any indicator, there are exceptions to every rule and plenty of examples where what is expected to happen, does not happen. Previously, it was mentioned that price breaking above the Upper Band or breaking below the Lower band could signify a selling or buying opportunity respectively.
However this is not always the case. During a strong uptrend, there may be repeated instances of price touching or breaking through the Upper Band.
Each time that this occurs, it is not a sell signal, it is a result of the overall strength of the move. Likewise during a strong downtrend there may be repeated instances of price touching or breaking through the Lower Band. Each time that this occurs, it is not a buy signal, it is a result of the overall strength of the move. Bollinger Bands have now been around for three decades and are still one of the most popular technical analysis indicators on the market. That really says a lot about their usefulness and effectiveness.
When used properly and in the proper perspective, Bollinger Bands can give a trader great insight into one of the greatest areas of importance which is shifts in volatility.
Traders should of course be aware that Bollinger Bands are not unlike any other indicator in the sense that they are not perfect.
A shift in volatility does not always been the same thing. Knowledge of the causes of these things comes from experimentation and a great deal of experience. Bollinger Bands should be used in conjunction with additional indicators or methods in order to get a better understanding of the ever changing landscape of the market.
Ultimately the more pieces of the puzzle that are put together, the more confidence should be instilled in the trader. The time period to be used in calculating the SMA which creates the base for the Upper and Lower Bands. The number of Standard Deviations away from the SMA that the Upper and Lower Bands should be. Changing this number will move the Bollinger Bands either Forwards or Backwards relative to the current market.
Can toggle the visibility of the Basis as well as the visibility of a price line showing the actual current price of the Basis. Can also select the Basis' color, line thickness and line style.
Can toggle the visibility of the Upper Band as well as the visibility of a price line showing the actual current price of the Upper Band. Can also select the Upper Band's color, line thickness and line style. Can toggle the visibility of the Lower Band as well as the visibility of a price line showing the actual current price of the Lower Band. Can also select the Lower Band's color, line thickness and line style.
Bollinger Bands®: What They Are and How to Use Them
Toggles the visibility of a Background color within the Bands. Can also change the Color itself as well as the opacity.
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Toggles the visibility of the indicator's name and settings in the upper left hand corner of the chart. TradingView Wiki Go to TradingView Ideas Scripts Chart.
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