V.14:1 (26-28): Quantifying Divergence with the Divergence Index by Matt Storz

V.14:1 (26-28): Quantifying Divergence with the Divergence Index by Matt Storz
Item# \V14\C01\QUANTIF.PDF
$3.95
Availability: In Stock

Product Description

NEW TECHNIQUES Quantifying Divergence With The Divergence Index

Divergence, a popular technical term used to denote a market movement in one direction when a technical indicator fails to follow it, can forewarn of a reversal in market direction. However, divergence has been difficult to quantify. Here's one software engineer's approach to tracking divergence. By Matt Storz

Divergence between market prices and an indicator applied to those prices can provide a strong signal of an impending price reversal. For example, when prices make new highs but the indicator does not, an important market top may be forming. After reading some references describing divergence, I began to wonder if there was a way to measure it systematically. If there were, I reasoned, it would be useful for searching large portfolios and generating signals in trading systems.

Here's a way to measure divergence between price highs and an indicator to predict the strength of a new market top. This method could also be used to measure the divergence between price lows and an indicator to predict the strength of a new market bottom. In addition, instead of measuring the divergence between prices and an indicator, it could be used to measure the divergence between any two values - two different prices or even two different indicators.

PEAK SELECTION

The first problem I encountered was how to select a previous peak to compare with the current one. In many of the examples that I have seen in my reading, the author's choice appeared to be a subjective one. Therefore, in order to develop a system for measuring divergence, I had to first devise a system with which to measure peaks.

One way to measure the strength of a peak is to count the number of lower highs to the left and the right of it. Clearly, a peak with 20 lower highs on each side is more significant than one with only two. The number of lower highs on each side of the peak can be used to decide which peaks to use for measuring the divergence. The divergence can be measured between shorter-term, less significant peaks by using a lower number or between longer-term, more significant peaks by using a higher number.




FOR THOSE ORDERING ARTICLES SEPARATELY:
*Note: $2.95-$5.95 Articles are in PDF format only. No hard copy of the article(s) will be delivered. During checkout, click the "Download Now" button to immediately receive your article(s) purchase. STOCKS & COMMODITIES magazine is delivered via mail. After paying for your subscription at store.traders.com users can view the S&C Digital Edition in the subscriber's section on Traders.com.




Take Control of Your Trading.
Professional Traders' Starter Kit
All these items shown below only $299.99!
  • 5-year subscription to Technical Analysis of STOCKS & COMMODITIES, The Traders' magazine. (Shipping outside the US is extra. Washington state addresses require sales tax based on your locale.)
  • 5 year access to S&C Archive
  • 5 year access to S&C Digital Edition
  • 5-year subscription to Traders.com Advantage.
  • 5-year subscription to Working Money.
  • Free book selection.
  • Click Here to Order