Trend indicators
Parabolic SAR
Dots below the price in an uptrend and above it in a downtrend, used as a trailing stop that tightens as the trend continues.
La idea en pocas palabras
SAR stands for "stop and reverse". The dots follow the price and accelerate as the trend makes new extremes. When the price touches the dots, the trend is considered over and the dots jump to the other side.
Cómo se calcula
Each candle the dot moves towards the extreme price of the trend (highest high in an uptrend) by a fraction called the acceleration factor. That factor starts at 0.02 and grows by 0.02 with each new extreme, up to 0.2.
SAR tomorrow = SAR today + AF × (extreme point − SAR today)
AF starts at 0.02, +0.02 at each new extreme, at most 0.20
If the price crosses the SAR, the trend flips: SAR = previous extreme, AF back to 0.02Cómo usarlo
- Trailing stop: in a long trade, move your stop to the dot each candle.
- Dots flipping sides marks a possible trend change.
- Combine with a trend-strength tool such as ADX: SAR works best in trends.
Sacar conclusiones
- Dots far from the price early in a trend, then closing in: the trend is maturing.
Ejemplo
In a gold uptrend the dots climb from 2,300 to 2,380 under the candles. When a sharp drop closes below 2,380, the dots switch above the price: a long trader would exit there.
Los precios de los ejemplos son ilustrativos.
Ten cuidado con
- In sideways markets the dots flip constantly and give many losing signals.
Un poco de historia
J. Welles Wilder Jr., 1978, "New Concepts in Technical Trading Systems".
Solo contenido educativo. Ningún indicador ni patrón predice el futuro, y nada de lo aquí expuesto es asesoramiento de inversión.