Stochastic RSI

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What Is Stochastic RSI (StochRSI)?

Stochastic RSI is a technical analysis indicator used to measure momentum and identify overbought and oversold conditions in the market. It compares the magnitude of recent gains to recent losses to determine whether an asset is overbought or oversold.

Stochastic RSI

Traders often use the StochRSI to generate buy and sell signals. Buying opportunities arise when the indicator moves below 0.2 and crosses above it. And selling opportunities arise when it moves above 0.8 and then crosses below it. It is calculated by applying the Stochastic Oscillator formula to the Relative Strength Index (RSI) instead of the underlying asset’s price.

  • Stochastic RSI is a technical analysis indicator that measures momentum and identifies overbought and oversold conditions in the market.
  • It is calculated by applying the Stochastic Oscillator formula to the Relative Strength Index (RSI).
  • It ranges from 0 to 1, with readings above 0.8 indicating overbought conditions and below 0.2 indicating oversold conditions.
  • Traders can use it to generate buy and sell signals. For example, buying opportunities arise when the indicator moves below 0.2 and crosses above it. And marketing opportunities arise when the indicator moves above 0.8 and then crosses below it.

Stochastic RSI Explained

Stochastic RSI is a technical analysis indicator traders use to measure momentum. It identifies overbought and oversold conditions in the market. It is based on combining two popular technical indicators: the Relative Strength Index and the Stochastic Oscillator.

The Relative Strength Index measures the power of an asset's price action. This is done by comparing the magnitude of its recent gains to its recent losses. It ranges from 0 to 100. Readings above 70 indicate overbought conditions, and below 30 suggest oversold conditions.

The Stochastic Oscillator measures momentum by comparing an asset's closing price with its price range over time. It ranges from 0 to 100. Readings above 80 indicate overbought conditions, and below 20 suggest oversold conditions.

The StochRSI combines these two indicators by applying the Stochastic Oscillator formula to the RSI. This results in an oscillator that is more sensitive to changes in momentum than the RSI alone. It also provides more precise signals for traders.

Tushar Chand and Stanley Kroll developed the StochRSI in the 1990s. Chand is a prominent technical analyst and author of several books on the subject, while Kroll was a commodities trader and founder of Kroll Associates, a global risk consulting firm. The significance of the StochRSI lies in its ability to identify overbought and oversold conditions more accurately than other technical indicators.

How To Use?

Stochastic RSI is a technical analysis indicator that traders can use to measure momentum and identify overbought and oversold conditions in the market. Here's a guide on how to use it:

  1. Determine the time frame: The StochRSI can be applied to any time frame, from intraday to long-term charts. Choose the right time that aligns with your trading strategy and goals.
  2. Calculate the StochRSI: The StochRSI is calculated by applying the Stochastic Oscillator formula to the Relative Strength Index (RSI). 
  3. Interpret the readings: The StochRSI ranges from 0 to 1. A reading above 0.8 is considered overbought, while a reading below 0.2 is considered oversold.
  4. Identify buy and sell signals: Traders can use the StochRSI to generate buy and sell signals. For example, when the StochRSI falls below 0.2, it indicates an oversold condition and a potential buying opportunity. Conversely, when the StochRSI rises above 0.8, it means an overbought condition and a possible selling opportunity.
  5. Use other indicators and price action analysis: While the StochRSI can be a helpful tool, it should be used with other technical indicators and price action analysis to confirm trading decisions. For example, a day trader might look for a bullish divergence between the StochRSI and price action, which can signal a potential reversal.
  6. Set stop loss and take profit levels: Traders should set stop loss and take profit levels to manage risk and maximize potential profits.

Formula

The Stochastic RSI (StochRSI) is calculated by applying the Stochastic Oscillator formula to the Relative Strength Index (RSI). The formula for the StochRSI is as follows:

#1 - Calculate The RSI

First, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is calculated using the formula:

RS = Average gain of n periods / Average loss of n periods

RSI = 100 - (100 / (1 + RS))

Where n is the number of periods used to calculate the RSI, the most common value is 14 periods.

#2 - Calculate The Stochastic Oscillator

Next, the Stochastic Oscillator formula is applied to the RSI. The formula for the Stochastic Oscillator is -

%K = (Current RSI - Lowest RSI in n periods) / (Highest RSI in n periods - Lowest RSI in n periods)

%D = 3-period simple moving average of %K

where n is the number of periods that calculates the StochRSI. The most common value is also 14 periods.

#3 - Calculate The StochRSI

Finally, the Stochastic Oscillator values are for the calculation of the StochRSI. The formula for the StochRSI is:

StochRSI = (Current %K - Lowest %K in n periods) / (Highest %K in n periods - Lowest %K in n periods)

where n is the number of periods that calculates the StochRSI. The most common value is again 14 periods.

The StochRSI ranges from 0 to 1, with readings above 0.8 indicating overbought conditions and below 0.2 indicating oversold conditions.

Chart

Let us observe the following Bitcoin/Tether chart to better understand how this technical analysis indicator works.

Source

In this chart, the two lines below the candlesticks are the %K or fast line and the %D or slower line. The latter denotes the former’s moving average. The calculation of the two lines takes place utilizing the stochastic formula, which is applied to the relative strength index’s closing price.

The %D line helps in filtering out some of the noise associated with the %K line. This makes it straightforward for traders in the market to spot actual turning points concerning market direction. Moreover, the %D line indicates the strength of the trade and momentum, determining the time at which a new trend might end or start.   

Contrary to the RSI indicator, where values of 70 and 30 indicate overbought and oversold conditions, respectively, the stochastic RSI utilizes 80 and 20 as the values signaling overbought and oversold conditions.

On August 29, 2023, around 9:45 pm, the stochastic RSI was above 90, indicating oversold conditions, and as one can observe, the price dropped significantly after that. On the other hand, on August 29, 2023, around 3 pm, the value was below 20, indicating oversold conditions. Just after that, the price went into an uptrend. Traders new to this concept may look at more such charts published on TradingView to develop a comprehensive idea regarding the topic. 

Examples

Let us explore it in the following ways.

Example #1

Suppose a trader analyzes a stock's Stochastic RSI (StochRSI) using a 14-day time frame. After calculating the StochRSI, the trader observes that the StochRSI reading is currently at 0.1, which indicates that the stock is in an oversold condition.

The trader also notices that the stock's price has declined for the past few weeks and has recently bounced off a support level. Additionally, the trader sees a bullish divergence between the StochRSI and price action, with the StochRSI forming higher lows while the stock's price is forming lower lows.

Based on these factors, the trader decides to take a long position in the stock, believing it will likely reverse its downtrend and move higher. Accordingly, the trader sets a stop loss at the recent swing low and a take profit level at a resistance level that the stock has previously struggled to break through.

Over the next few days, the stock began to rally, and the StochRSI reading rose to 0.7, indicating that the stock is now in an overbought condition. The trader takes this as a signal to exit the position and realizes a profit.

Example #2

One recent example of the Stochastic RSI (StochRSI) in the news was during the GameStop (GME) trading frenzy in January 2021. Institutional investors had heavily shorted the stock, leading to a surge in retail investor interest.

On January 13, 2021, the StochRSI for GME on the daily chart was at an overbought level of 98.88, indicating that the stock was significantly overbought and due for a pullback. However, the retail investor buying frenzy continued, and the stock climbed higher, reaching a peak of $347.51 on January 27.

After reaching this peak, the StochRSI on the daily chart for GME dropped sharply, indicating that the stock was entering an oversold condition. Over the next few days, the stock experienced a significant pullback, falling to a low of $60 on February 18.

The StochRSI played a role in signaling potential entry and exit points for traders during the GameStop trading frenzy.

Stochastic RSI vs RSI vs MACD

Stochastic RSI (StochRSI), RSI, and MACD are famous technical analysis indicators traders use to analyze market trends and generate trading signals. However, before considering their differences, let's understand the RSI and MACD.

By contrasting the size of recent gains and losses for an asset, the relative strength index calculates the strength of that asset's price movement. Moving Average Convergence Divergence, on the other hand, outlines the relationship between two moving averages of the price of an item.

Here are some key differences between these indicators:

  1. Calculation: The StochRSI applies the Stochastic Oscillator formula to the RSI. The RSI measures the solidity of an asset's price action by equating the magnitude of its recent gains to its recent losses. The MACD, on the other hand, deducts the 26-period exponential moving average from the 12-period EMA.
  2. Range: The StochRSI and RSI range from 0 to 1, with readings above 0.8 indicating overbought conditions and readings below 0.2 meaning oversold conditions. The MACD, however, goes from positive to negative, with the signal line acting as the zero line.
  3. Interpretation: The StochRSI and RSI identify overbought and oversold conditions in the market, while the MACD identifies changes in momentum and trend. The StochRSI and RSI can also generate buy and sell signals, with buying opportunities arising when the indicators move below 0.2 and then cross back above it and selling opportunities arising when the indicators move above 0.8 and then cross back below it. The MACD generates buy and sell signals when the MACD line crosses the signal line.
  4. Sensitivity: The StochRSI is more sensitive to changes in momentum than the RSI, as it applies the Stochastic Oscillator formula to the RSI. The MACD is a more sensitive indicator than the RSI, as it measures the difference between two moving averages.

Stochastic RSI vs Stochastic Oscillator vs Connors RSI

Stochastic RSI, Stochastic Oscillator, and Connors RSI are all technical analysis indicators traders use to analyze market trends and generate trading signals. At the same time, the Stochastic Oscillator is a technical analysis indicator that identifies momentum in the market. Connors RSI is a technical analysis indicator that identifies potential buy and sells signals based on the asset's relative strength.

Here are some differences between these indicators:

  1. Calculation: Stochastic RSI applies the Stochastic Oscillator formula to the RSI, while the Stochastic Oscillator collates the closing price of an asset with its price range over a given period to identify momentum. On the other hand, Connors RSI uses a proprietary formula that considers the RSI, the rate of change (ROC) of the asset's price, and the difference between the asset's closing price and its moving price average.
  2. Range: Stochastic RSI and Stochastic Oscillator range from 0 to 1, with readings above 0.8 indicating overbought conditions and below 0.2 indicating oversold conditions. Connor's RSI ranges from 0 to 100, with readings above 70 indicating overbought conditions and below 30 indicating oversold conditions.
  3. Interpretation: Stochastic RSI and Stochastic Oscillators identify overbought and oversold conditions in the market. In contrast, Connors RSI identifies buy and sell signals based on the asset's relative strength.
  4. Sensitivity: Stochastic RSI is more sensitive to changes in momentum than the RSI, as it applies the Stochastic Oscillator formula to the RSI. A stochastic Oscillator is more sensitive than the RSI as it directly measures momentum. Therefore, Connors RSI is more sensitive to short-term price movements than other indicators.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to read Stochastic RSI?

Some steps to read Stochastic RSI: look at the chart, identify overbought and oversold levels, look for divergence, watch for crossovers, and use it with other tools. Traders should also be aware of the limitations of this indicator and understand that it is not a guarantee of future price movements.

What are k and d in Stochastic RSI?

In Stochastic RSI (StochRSI), "K" and "D" refer to two different lines of the indicator. Here's what each of these lines represents:
- %K (StochRSI Line): The %K line is the StochRSI line, calculated using the Stochastic Oscillator formula to the Relative Strength Index (RSI). The StochRSI line is a smoothed version of the RSI that ranges from 0 to 1, and it reflects the level of the RSI relative to its current range.
- %D (Signal Line): The %D line is the signal line for StochRSI, which is typically a 3-period moving average of %K. The %D line smooths out the StochRSI line and provides more precise signals for traders.

Which is better, RSI or Stochastic RSI?

The choice between RSI and StochRSI depends on the trader's preference and strategy. Some traders prefer RSI because it indicates a long history of use and effectively identifies potential trend reversals. Others prefer StochRSI because it is more sensitive to short-term price movements and can provide more precise signals for traders.