Technical Indicators
20 indicators organised by category. Each card holds a chart slot for later import, followed by institutional setup notes, interpretation guidelines, key signals, and pairing recommendations.
Trend
4 indicators
50 / 100 / 200 SMA
Trend
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Institutional Setup
50, 100, 200 periods on daily chart (close). Weekly 40-week SMA โ 200-day.
How to Interpret
Price above all three = strong uptrend; below all three = strong downtrend. SMA order (50>100>200) confirms trend health. A "golden cross" (50 crosses above 200) is a bullish regime signal; "death cross" is bearish. Institutional desks use the 200 SMA as the key risk-on / risk-off filter.
Key Signals & Edge Cases
Whipsaws in range-bound markets โ only trust crosses with volume confirmation. The 200 SMA acts as dynamic support/resistance: look for price to retest and hold it. Lag is inherent; these confirm trend, they do not predict turns.
Pairs Well With
VWAP
MACD
RSI
21 EMA
Trend
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Institutional Setup
21-period EMA on daily chart (close). Some desks use 20 EMA โ functionally identical.
How to Interpret
Fast trend-following line. In a trend, price pulls back to the 21 EMA then resumes โ this is the institutional "trend pullback entry." Price consistently below the 21 EMA signals short-term bearish momentum. Slope of the EMA matters as much as price position.
Key Signals & Edge Cases
In choppy markets the 21 EMA generates constant false signals. Only use for entries when the higher-timeframe trend (50/200 SMA) is already confirmed. Flat EMA = no trend = stay out.
Pairs Well With
Bollinger Bands
ATR
RSI
VWAP
Trend
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Institutional Setup
Session VWAP (resets daily). Anchored VWAP from key swing highs/lows or earnings dates for multi-day context.
How to Interpret
VWAP is the institutional fair-value benchmark for the session. Price above VWAP = buyers in control; below = sellers. Institutional algos buy below VWAP and sell above it. Anchored VWAP from earnings or IPO dates reveals the average cost basis of all participants since that event.
Key Signals & Edge Cases
VWAP is most useful intraday and loses meaning on daily+ charts. In low-volume sessions VWAP can be misleading. The standard deviation bands (ยฑ1ฯ, ยฑ2ฯ) around VWAP act as mean-reversion targets.
Pairs Well With
OBV
Volume Profile
Bollinger Bands
Ichimoku Cloud (Kumo)
Trend
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Institutional Setup
Default: Tenkan 9, Kijun 26, Senkou Span B 52, displacement 26. These are the original settings and remain the institutional standard.
How to Interpret
Price above the cloud = bullish; below = bearish; inside = neutral / no trade. Cloud thickness indicates support/resistance strength. Tenkan/Kijun cross is a momentum signal (bullish cross above cloud = strongest). Future cloud (Senkou Span A vs B) projects forward support/resistance. Chikou Span confirms if current price exceeds price 26 periods ago.
Key Signals & Edge Cases
Very noisy on sub-daily charts. Best on daily and weekly for swing/position trades. The cloud acts as a complete trading system โ combining trend, momentum, and support/resistance โ but takes practice to read in real time. Thin cloud = weak support, expect breakdowns.
Pairs Well With
ATR (for stops)
Volume
Momentum
5 indicators
RSI
Momentum
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Institutional Setup
14-period RSI (close). Institutional desks also watch 7-period for short-term momentum on intraday charts.
How to Interpret
RSI > 70 = overbought; RSI < 30 = oversold โ but these are NOT automatic reversal signals. In strong trends, RSI can stay overbought/oversold for extended periods. The primary institutional use is divergence: price makes new high but RSI makes lower high = bearish divergence. Failure swings are high-probability reversal signals.
Key Signals & Edge Cases
Never use overbought/oversold as standalone entry triggers โ this is the most common retail error. RSI works best as a divergence and regime filter. In trending markets, RSI 40โ50 zone acts as support (bull) or resistance (bear). Adjust thresholds: use 80/20 in strong trends.
Pairs Well With
MACD
SMA trend filter
Volume
MACD
Momentum
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Institutional Setup
12, 26, 9 (standard). Applied to closing prices. Histogram = MACD line minus signal line.
How to Interpret
MACD line crossing above signal line = bullish momentum shift; crossing below = bearish. Histogram expanding = momentum accelerating; contracting = fading. The zero-line cross is a key regime signal. Divergence between price and MACD histogram is a powerful early warning of trend exhaustion.
Key Signals & Edge Cases
MACD is a lagging indicator โ it confirms moves, does not predict them. In range-bound markets it generates many false signals. The most reliable signal is histogram divergence combined with a zero-line cross. Avoid signal-line crosses when MACD is near zero (low conviction).
Pairs Well With
RSI
50/200 SMA
Volume
Stochastic Oscillator
Momentum
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Institutional Setup
%K: 14 periods, %D: 3-period SMA of %K. "Slow stochastic" (smoothed %K) is the institutional standard; avoid "fast" version (noisy).
How to Interpret
%K above 80 = overbought; below 20 = oversold. %K crossing above %D in the oversold zone = buy signal; crossing below in overbought zone = sell signal. Like RSI, divergence is the highest-value use case. Stochastics are faster than RSI and better for timing entries within a confirmed trend.
Key Signals & Edge Cases
Extremely noisy in trending markets โ stochastics can stay pegged at 80+ for weeks in a strong uptrend. Only use for entries when the broader trend direction is already established by SMA or MACD. Multiple timeframe confirmation (weekly + daily) increases reliability.
Pairs Well With
RSI
Trend filter (SMA)
MACD
ADX
Momentum
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Institutional Setup
14-period ADX with +DI and -DI. Some institutions use 20-period for smoother readings.
How to Interpret
ADX measures trend strength, not direction. ADX > 25 = trending market (use trend-following tools); ADX < 20 = range-bound (use mean-reversion tools). +DI above -DI = bullish trend; -DI above +DI = bearish trend. Rising ADX = strengthening trend; falling ADX = weakening. ADX is the institutional "meta-indicator" โ it tells you which other indicators to trust.
Key Signals & Edge Cases
ADX is lagging and slow to react. A rising ADX during a trend reversal can be misleading (it measures the old trend fading). ADX does not tell you when a trend will end. Best used as a filter: if ADX < 20, avoid trend-following entries.
Pairs Well With
All other indicators
(regime filter)
Rate of Change (ROC) / Momentum
Momentum
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Institutional Setup
12-period ROC for daily charts (measures % change over 12 periods). Some desks use 10 or 20 depending on asset class.
How to Interpret
ROC > 0 = bullish momentum; ROC < 0 = bearish momentum. The magnitude shows acceleration: rising ROC = momentum increasing; falling ROC = fading. Divergence between price and ROC signals exhaustion. ROC crossing zero is a regime change signal, similar to MACD zero-line cross but simpler.
Key Signals & Edge Cases
ROC is noisy and best used with smoothing (apply a short EMA to the ROC line) or as secondary confirmation. Extreme ROC readings can signal overextension rather than strength. Combine with trend filters.
Pairs Well With
MACD
RSI
SMA trend filter
Volume
3 indicators
OBV (On-Balance Volume)
Volume
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Institutional Setup
Cumulative OBV using daily close and volume. Apply a 20-period EMA to OBV for clearer signal.
How to Interpret
OBV rising with price = healthy trend (accumulation). OBV diverging from price is a critical signal: if price makes new highs but OBV does not, institutions are distributing (selling into strength) โ expect reversal. OBV breaking to new highs before price does = institutional accumulation, bullish leading signal.
Key Signals & Edge Cases
OBV is directional, not absolute โ the shape and trend of the OBV line matters, not the number. In low-volume stocks, OBV can be erratic. Look for OBV divergence on weekly charts for the most reliable signals.
Pairs Well With
VWAP
Volume Profile
Price action
Volume Profile (VPVR)
Volume
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Institutional Setup
Visible range or fixed range. Identify POC (Point of Control), VAH (Value Area High), VAL (Value Area Low) โ 70% of volume typically sits within the Value Area.
How to Interpret
POC = the price level with the highest traded volume โ acts as a magnet and strong support/resistance. Price tends to rotate around the POC. VAH and VAL act as upper/lower boundaries of "fair value." Breakouts above VAH or below VAL on high volume signal a value shift. Low-volume nodes are fast-move zones with little support/resistance.
Key Signals & Edge Cases
Volume Profile is a professional tool used by futures and institutional equity desks. Use session, weekly, and multi-month profiles together. The POC from a high-volume consolidation day is particularly significant. Not available on all platforms (ToS has it as "Volume Profile" study).
Pairs Well With
VWAP
OBV
Support/Resistance
A/D Line (Accumulation/Distribution)
Volume
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Institutional Setup
Cumulative A/D line using close, high, low, and volume. No parameters to set.
How to Interpret
Similar concept to OBV but weights volume by where price closes within the day's range (close near high = accumulation; close near low = distribution). A/D line rising = net accumulation; falling = net distribution. The key signal is divergence: price rising but A/D line flat or falling = distribution beneath the surface.
Key Signals & Edge Cases
Can be distorted by gap openings. Less intuitive than OBV but more nuanced. Best used on daily charts for swing trading timeframes. Confirms or contradicts the price trend.
Pairs Well With
OBV
RSI divergence
MACD
Volatility
4 indicators
Bollinger Bands
Volatility
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Institutional Setup
20-period SMA, ยฑ2 standard deviations. This is the universal standard. Some desks add ยฑ1ฯ bands for finer granularity.
How to Interpret
Price touching the upper band is NOT a sell signal; touching the lower band is NOT a buy signal โ this is a common mistake. In trends, price "rides the band." The squeeze (bands narrowing) signals low volatility and precedes a large move. Band expansion after a squeeze = breakout confirmation. Mean reversion to the 20 SMA is the default expectation when price is extended.
Key Signals & Edge Cases
Bollinger Bands measure volatility, not direction. "Walking the band" in a strong trend can last weeks. The squeeze is the highest-value setup: combine with volume for direction. %B (0 to 1 scale) and Bandwidth (measures squeeze) are useful derivatives.
Pairs Well With
Keltner Channels
RSI
Volume
ATR (Average True Range)
Volatility
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Institutional Setup
14-period ATR on daily chart. Used for position sizing and stop-loss placement, not as a directional signal.
How to Interpret
ATR measures how much an asset moves per period on average. Institutional use: set stop-losses at 1.5ร to 2ร ATR below entry (gives the trade room to breathe without arbitrary fixed stops). Position sizing: risk per trade ($) รท (ATR ร multiplier) = number of shares. Rising ATR = increasing volatility; falling ATR = consolidation / potential squeeze.
Key Signals & Edge Cases
ATR does not indicate direction. A high ATR does not mean bearish โ it means volatile. Use ATR to normalise across assets: a $500 stock with 2% ATR and a $50 stock with 2% ATR have the same volatility profile. ATR-based stops adapt to market conditions automatically.
Pairs Well With
Bollinger Bands
Position sizing
Any entry signal
Keltner Channels
Volatility
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Institutional Setup
20-period EMA centre line, ยฑ2ร ATR for channel width. The EMA-based centre (vs Bollinger's SMA) makes Keltner more responsive.
How to Interpret
Primary institutional use: combine with Bollinger Bands for "squeeze" detection. When Bollinger Bands contract inside Keltner Channels, a volatility squeeze is confirmed โ a large directional move is imminent. The breakout direction from the squeeze is the trade. Alone, Keltner Channels function similarly to Bollinger Bands as trend envelopes.
Key Signals & Edge Cases
The Keltner/Bollinger squeeze (also called the "TTM Squeeze") is one of the most reliable institutional setups. The squeeze itself does not predict direction โ wait for the breakout and use momentum (MACD histogram) to confirm direction. Works on all timeframes.
Pairs Well With
Bollinger Bands
MACD histogram
Volume
IVR / IV Percentile
Volatility
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Institutional Setup
IVR = (Current IV โ 52-week low IV) / (52-week high IV โ 52-week low IV) ร 100. IV Percentile = % of days in past year IV was lower than today.
How to Interpret
IVR > 50 = IV is elevated โ favour selling premium (CSPs, credit spreads). IVR < 30 = IV is low โ favour buying premium (debit spreads, long options). This is THE key filter for options sellers: high IVR means richer premiums and greater probability of IV crush benefiting your position. IV Percentile is more statistically robust but IVR is more widely available.
Key Signals & Edge Cases
IVR is relative to the individual stock โ an IVR of 80 on a low-vol stock may still represent less absolute IV than an IVR of 20 on a meme stock. Always check absolute IV levels alongside IVR. Earnings inflate IV artificially โ post-earnings IV crush is predictable but priced into the premiums. Directly relevant to your CSP strategy.
Pairs Well With
CSP screening
Delta selection
ATR
Support / Resistance
2 indicators
Fibonacci Retracements
S / R
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Institutional Setup
Draw from swing low to swing high (uptrend) or high to low (downtrend). Key levels: 23.6%, 38.2%, 50%, 61.8%, 78.6%. Use on daily and weekly charts.
How to Interpret
The 50% and 61.8% retracements are the most institutionally watched levels. In a healthy uptrend, pullbacks to 38.2%โ50% represent buying opportunities. A pullback to 61.8% is the "last chance" for the trend to hold โ a break below often means trend reversal. These levels work because large institutional order blocks cluster around them (self-fulfilling). Extensions (127.2%, 161.8%) project profit targets.
Key Signals & Edge Cases
Fibonacci levels are NOT magic โ they work because institutions use them, creating liquidity at those levels. Always combine with other confluence (horizontal S/R, VWAP, volume profile POC). If a Fib level has no other confluence, give it less weight. The most powerful setups have 2โ3 tools agreeing at the same price level.
Pairs Well With
Volume Profile
Horizontal S/R
VWAP
Pivot Points
S / R
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Institutional Setup
Standard (Floor) pivots: P = (H+L+C)/3, with R1/R2/R3 and S1/S2/S3. Calculate from prior day (intraday) or prior week (swing). CME floor trader standard.
How to Interpret
Pivot levels are pre-calculated support and resistance for the session. R1 and S1 are the primary intraday targets. If price opens above the pivot, bias is bullish toward R1; below, bearish toward S1. Institutional algos use these as intraday reference levels for order placement. R2/S2 are extreme levels โ reaching them typically signals overextension.
Key Signals & Edge Cases
Pivots are primarily an intraday tool. Weekly pivots have more significance for swing traders. Multiple calculation methods exist (Fibonacci, Camarilla, Woodie) โ standard/floor pivots are the most widely used institutionally. Less useful on assets that gap significantly.
Pairs Well With
VWAP
Intraday volume
Price action
Breadth / Sentiment
2 indicators
Put/Call Ratio
Sentiment
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Institutional Setup
CBOE equity put/call ratio. 10-day moving average smooths noise. Separate index P/C from equity P/C for cleaner signals.
How to Interpret
The P/C ratio is a contrarian sentiment indicator. High readings (>1.0 on equity P/C, especially >1.2) = excessive fear / bearish sentiment = potential bullish reversal. Low readings (<0.6) = excessive complacency = potential bearish reversal. This aligns with the principle that extremes in sentiment precede reversals. Institutional desks monitor this as a macro risk gauge.
Key Signals & Edge Cases
The P/C ratio is a macro/market-level indicator, not useful for individual stock timing. Use the 10-day MA, not daily readings (too noisy). Structural changes in options markets (e.g., retail options boom) can shift baseline levels over time. Always compare to recent ranges, not fixed thresholds.
Pairs Well With
VIX
Market breadth
RSI on index
VIX (CBOE Volatility Index)
Sentiment
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Institutional Setup
Spot VIX (real-time). VIX term structure (front month vs back months) and VIX futures curve. No parameters โ it is a live market index.
How to Interpret
VIX > 30 = high fear, historically associated with market bottoms (contrarian buy signal when combined with other evidence). VIX < 15 = complacency, often precedes corrections. The VIX term structure matters: contango (front month < back months) = normal/bullish; backwardation (front month > back months) = panic/stress. A VIX spike followed by a reversal lower is a classic "fear washout" buying opportunity.
Key Signals & Edge Cases
VIX measures expected 30-day S&P 500 volatility โ it is index-specific, not a universal fear gauge. VIX can stay elevated or suppressed for extended periods. Do not use VIX as a timing tool in isolation โ it indicates regime, not entry points. For options sellers: elevated VIX = richer premiums across the board, directly relevant to your IV crush strategy.
Pairs Well With
Put/Call Ratio
IVR
Market breadth