Technical Classroom: How to use RSI for early identification of trend reversal

RSI stands for Relative Strength Index. It is a momentum oscillator used to identify trend reversal. RSI was invented by Welles Wilder Jr. The default look-back period for RSI is 14.

However, this can be lowered to increase sensitivity or raised to decrease sensitivity. RSI calculates strength of stock trend and helps to predict their reversals.

Overbought / Oversold Levels

RSI value oscillates between 0 and 100 and it is called ‘Limiting Oscillator’. As per Wilder, when RSI value is above 70, it is considered as overbought and when RSI below 30, it is considered as oversold. Some traders use 75/25 or even 80/20 to define overbought and oversold levels. We have shown overbought and oversold levels & plotting of RSI indicator on Price Chart of Sun Pharma.

Uses of RSI

RSI can be used for identifying overbought stocks, helps to cover profits. RSI can indicate oversold stocks which are potential reversal stocks too. RSI is the most popular tool used to identify direction of the trend, above 50 is considered as Uptrend and below 50 is considered as Downtrend.

Divergence

According to Wilder, divergences signal a potential reversal point because directional momentum does not confirm price.

In a downtrend, RSI is making higher high and higher lows while price is making lower high and lower lows, termed as ‘Positive Divergence’.

However, in a upward trend RSI is making lower high and lower lows while price is making higher high and higher lows, called as ‘Negative Divergence’. Nevertheless divergence loses its significance in sideways market.

Regular Trading Strategy with RSI

1) When the RSI breaches the centre line from below it is a stronger signal that a trend change has happened than a simple extreme reading above or below the 70-30 lines. In this case it is a obvious signal to go long in stock.

2) When the indicator crosses the centre line from above, it means that the average losses are exceeding the average gains over the period and it signals to fresh short selling or profit booking in long.

3) When a centre line cross happens, it can be a good time to think about trade entry on a fresh pullback in price also.

4) When RSI trend is falling and price trend is rising and RSI is in overbought state then a reliable sell signal is generated.(Occurrence of Positive Divergence)

5) When RSI trend is rising and price trend is falling and RSI is in oversold state then a reliable buy signal is generated.(Occurrence of Negative Divergence)

Advanced Trading Strategy

There are a lot of trading strategies used with RSI, below mentioned is one of the most popular among trading community.

Buy Signal

When RSI moves above 50 with combination of another indicator like rise in volume and Moving average crossover of EMA (8) & EMA (21) and prices are trading above EMA (50).

Profit Booking

Whenever price candle is closed below EMA (8) or bearish crossover of EMA(8) & EMA(21).

Stop Loss:- Low of Previous candle, i.e. one candle prior to ‘Buy Signal candle’.

Below example indicates Buy signal in SunPharma on daily chart.

Sell

When RSI moves below 50 with combination of moving average crossover of EMA (8) & EMA(21) and prices are trading below EMA(5).

Profit Booking

Whenever Price Candle closes above EMA (8) or bullish crossover of EMA(8) & EMA(21).

Stop Loss

High of Previous candle. i.e. one candle prior to ‘Sell Signal candle’.

Conclusion

• RSI also often forms chart patterns that may not show on the underlying price chart, such as double tops and bottoms and trend lines.

• In an uptrend or bull market, the RSI tends to remain in the 40 to 90 range with the 40-50 zones acting as support. During a downtrend or bear market the RSI tends to stay between the 10 to 60 ranges with the 50-60 zones acting as resistance. This range is also called as RSI Channel.

• The RSI is often used in conjunction with trend lines, as trend line support or resistance often coincides with support or resistance levels in the RSI reading.

Disclaimer: The author is Head - Technical & Derivative Research, Narnolia Financial Advisors. The views and investment tips expressed by investment expert on moneycontrol.com are his own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.