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The editors of S&C invite readers to submit their opinions and information on subjects
relating to technical analysis and this magazine. This column is our means of communication
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Address your correspondence to: Editor, STOCKS & COMMODITIES, 4757 California Ave.
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edited for length or clarity. The opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily
represent those of the magazine. -Editor
VOLUME DATA AND RSI
Editor,
I have always enjoyed your magazine. I
hope that you can help clarify a couple
points about the implementation of
techniques presented in some of your
past issues.
For indicators that are based on market
volume, my question is, which source
for volume information do I use? For
example, do I use the NYSE volume reported
on Yahoo! and PointCast, which
may be different from the NYSE volume
given in the San Jose Mercury News,
which is different from the NYSE volume
given in the San Francisco Chronicle,
and so on? I am talking about differences
of 100 million or more. What gives here?
My other question deals with the relative
strength index (RSI). Can it be too
high (indicating to sell rather than to
buy) or too low (indicating to buy rather
than to sell)? If so, what are some guideline
values?
EJ RAIMONDI
via E-mail
I cannot vouch for your various data
sources. It may be that the newspapers
are working under a deadline and are
simply offering the last quote available
before going to press. Since you have
access to the Internet, I would suggest
going to Data Broadcasting's Web site,
http://www.dbc.com, and enter the symbol
$TVOL in the "Get quotes" window.
Regarding how to apply the relative
strength index, please see my November
1997 article, "Using Fibonacci ratios
and momentum," which discusses
calculating retracement levels using Fibonacci
levels and momentum, as well
as using RSI levels to define a trend. The
fact is, when price is persistently trending
up or down, there are no perfect RSI values. The market will stay overbought
or oversold during a trend. -Editor