Analysis Techniques & Strategies

Stochastic Slow (Indicator)

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Input Information

Name Expression Default Description
PriceH Numeric High Price used as the upper end of range to calculate SlowK.
PriceL Numeric Low Price used as the lower end of range to calculate SlowK.
PriceC Numeric Close Value used as current price to calculate SlowK.
StochLength Numeric 14 Number of bars used to calculate SlowK.
SmoothingLength1 Numeric 3 Number of bars used to slow FastK to FastD.
SmoothingLength2 Numeric 3 Number of bars used to slow FastD to SlowD.
SmoothingType Numeric 1 1 = original, 2 = legacy
OverSold Numeric 20 SlowK level considered oversold.
OverBought Numeric 80 SlowK level considered overbought.

Market Synopsis

The Stochastic Slow indicator calculates the location of a current price in relation to its range over a period of bars. The default settings are to use the most recent 14 bars (input StochLength), the high and low of that period to establish a range (input PriceH and PriceL) and the close as the current price (input PriceC).

This calculation is then indexed, smoothed and plotted as SlowK. A smoothed average of SlowK, known as SlowD, is also plotted. SlowK and SlowD plot as oscillators with values from 0 to 100. The direction of the Stochastics should confirm price movement. For example, rising Stochastics confirm rising prices.

Stochastics can also help identify turning points when there are non-confirmations or divergences. For example, a new high in price without a new high in Stochastics may indicate a false breakout. Stochastics are also used to identify overbought and oversold conditions when the Stochastics reach extreme highs or lows. Additionally, SlowK crossing above the smoother SlowD can be a buy signal and vice versa.

Plot Information

Number Name Default Color Description
Plot1 SlowK Cyan Plots the SlowK as a line.
Plot2 SlowD Red Plots the SlowD as a line.
Plot3 OverBot Dark Green Plots the overbought level reference line.
Plot4 OverSld Dark Green Plots the oversold level  reference line.

When applied to a chart, this indicator displays four plots in a separate subgraph from the price data.