moving averages

from here.

The MA’s for the long-term are the 200-day (primary) and the 100-day (secondary). The intermediate-term MA is the 50-day. Short-term MA’s are the 15 and 20-day, and the most important for swing trading.

The most ideal situation is when the 15 and 20-day both provide underlying support. What’s even better is if the 50 and 100-day MA’s also provide underlying support. Right now, in the majority of stocks, the 200-day acts as an initial price target for exit. The 200-day MA is the strongest MA out of the ones mentioned. It defines the long-term trend.

The MA’s also gets rid of headaches and panic attacks. If you know where one of these significant MA’s are located, then you know there will be a bounce, at a minimum (in most cases). Conversely, if a stock is approaching a major MA, you know there will likely be a pullback or failure. Besides price, volume, and the basic chart patterns, I’ve relied primarily on the moving averages to make my trading decisions. I let the MA’s make the call. Stop panicking and impulse trading for no good reason. Let the charts make the decision for you.