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Williams %R INTRODUCTION:
Developed by Larry Williams, Williams %R is a momentum indicator that works much like the Stochastic Oscillator. It is especially popular for measuring overbought and oversold levels. The scale ranges from 0 to -100 with readings from 0 to -20 considered overbought, and readings from -80 to -100 considered oversold.
William %R, sometimes referred to as %R, shows the relationship of the close relative to the high-low range over a set period of time. The nearer the close is to the top of the range, the nearer to zero (higher) the indicator will be. The nearer the close is to the bottom of the range, the nearer to -100 (lower) the indicator will be. If the close equals the high of the high-low range, then the indicator will show 0 (the highest reading). If the close equals the low of the high-low range, then the result will be -100 (the lowest reading).
Calculation
%R = [(highest high over ? periods - close)/(highest high over ? periods - lowest low over ? periods)] * -100
Developed by Larry Williams, Williams %R is a momentum indicator that works much like the Stochastic Oscillator. It is especially popular for measuring overbought and oversold levels. The scale ranges from 0 to -100 with readings from 0 to -20 considered overbought, and readings from -80 to -100 considered oversold.
William %R, sometimes referred to as %R, shows the relationship of the close relative to the high-low range over a set period of time. The nearer the close is to the top of the range, the nearer to zero (higher) the indicator will be. The nearer the close is to the bottom of the range, the nearer to -100 (lower) the indicator will be. If the close equals the high of the high-low range, then the indicator will show 0 (the highest reading). If the close equals the low of the high-low range, then the result will be -100 (the lowest reading).
Calculation
%R = [(highest high over ? periods - close)/(highest high over ? periods - lowest low over ? periods)] * -100
Williams %R is an overbought and oversold technical indicatorthat can give easy to interpret buy and sell signals. Williams %R is very similar to the Stochastic Fast indicator (see: Stochastics) as the chart below will illustrate:
Like Stochastics, the Williams %R indicator gives easily interpreted buy and sell signals, as is demonstrated in the chart below.
Williams %R Buy Signal
When the Williams %R indicator is below the oversold line (20) and it rises to cross over the 20 line, then buy.
Williams %R Sell Signal
Sell when the Williams %R indicator is above the overbought line (80) and then falls below the 80 line.
In addition to giving clear buy and sell signals, the Williams %R indicator can help identify strong trends.
Williams %R and Trends
The Williams % R indicator is extremely useful and profitable during sideways, non-trending markets. However, during trends, the Williams % R indicator does not fare as well, leading to losses. Nevertheless, the Williams % R indicator does give tell tale signs of strong trends that can easily be identified by traders for profit. The following chart illustrates Williams % R's ability to detect such trends:
As the chart illustrate, when the Williams % R indicator stays in the oversold area (below 20) and any bullish rally barely registers with the Williams %R (i.e. fails to go above 80), then the downtrend is strong and a trader should not go long the market.
Similarly, when the Williams %R indicator stays in the overbought area (above 80) and any attempt at a downturn fails to send the indicator into oversold territory (i.e. fails to go below 20), then the uptrend is strong and a trader should not go short.
The Williams %R is a versatile technical indicator used by many; the indicator gives easily intepreted buy and sell signals, and also informs traders whether or not a market is likely overbought, oversold, or trending strongly. The Stochastic indicator (see: Stochastics) would be a logical next step for investigation.
Typically, Williams %R is calculated using 14 periods and can be used on intraday, daily, weekly or monthly data. The time frame and number of periods will likely vary according to desired sensitivity and the characteristics of the individual security.
It is important to remember that overbought does not necessarily imply time to sell and oversold does not necessarily imply time to buy. A security can be in a downtrend, become oversold and remain oversold as the price continues to trend lower. Once a security becomes overbought or oversold, traders should wait for a signal that a price reversal has occurred. One method might be to wait for Williams %R to cross above or below -50 for confirmation. Price reversal confirmation can also be accomplished by using other indicators or aspects of technical analysis in conjunction with Williams %R.
One method of using Williams %R might be to identify the underlying trend and then look for trading opportunities in the direction of the trend. In an uptrend, traders may look to oversold readings to establish long positions. In a downtrend, traders may look to overbought readings to establish short positions.
It is important to remember that overbought does not necessarily imply time to sell and oversold does not necessarily imply time to buy. A security can be in a downtrend, become oversold and remain oversold as the price continues to trend lower. Once a security becomes overbought or oversold, traders should wait for a signal that a price reversal has occurred. One method might be to wait for Williams %R to cross above or below -50 for confirmation. Price reversal confirmation can also be accomplished by using other indicators or aspects of technical analysis in conjunction with Williams %R.
One method of using Williams %R might be to identify the underlying trend and then look for trading opportunities in the direction of the trend. In an uptrend, traders may look to oversold readings to establish long positions. In a downtrend, traders may look to overbought readings to establish short positions.
