Chaikin Oscillator, developed by Marc Chaikin, is a momentum indicator based on Accumulation/Distribution Line (A/D Line). The indicator measures momentum of money flow by calculating difference between fast and slow EMA of A/D Line, identifying trend strength and potential reversal points.
CLV (Close Location Value) = [(C - L) - (H - C)] / (H - L) Where: C = Close, H = High, L = Low A/D Line (Accumulation/Distribution Line) = Previous A/D + (CLV × Volume) Chaikin Oscillator = EMA(3, A/D Line) - EMA(10, A/D Line) Standard parameters: 3-period and 10-period EMA
Standard Chaikin Oscillator (3, 10): Most commonly used parameters
Fast Chaikin Oscillator (2, 5): More sensitive, suitable for short-term trading
Slow Chaikin Oscillator (5, 20): Smoother, reduces false signals
Chaikin Divergence: Price and oscillator move in opposite directions, signals reversal
Chaikin > 0: Money flowing in, strong buying pressure, bullish
Chaikin < 0: Money flowing out, strong selling pressure, bearish
Chaikin Crosses Above Zero: Changing from outflow to inflow, buy signal
Chaikin Crosses Below Zero: Changing from inflow to outflow, sell signal
Bearish Divergence: Price makes new high but Chaikin doesn't, signals weakening upward momentum
Bullish Divergence: Price makes new low but Chaikin doesn't, signals weakening downward momentum
Chaikin Extremes: Reaches extreme high or low, possible reversal
Chaikin Trend: Continuous rise indicates sustained money inflow, continuous fall indicates sustained outflow
Chaikin Oscillator combines price location and volume information, more comprehensive than pure price indicators. In uptrends, Chaikin should stay above zero line; if Chaikin falls below zero, may signal weakening trend. Chaikin divergence is powerful reversal signal, especially when occurring near key support/resistance. Many traders combine Chaikin Oscillator with price trends, seeking Chaikin confirmation in trend direction. Chaikin can also confirm breakout validity: breakouts with money inflow support are more reliable.
Combines price location and volume analysis, identifies money flow direction, strong divergence prediction capability, can confirm breakout validity, applicable to all markets with volume data
Not applicable to forex markets (no centralized volume data), unreliable in low volume markets, significant lag, prone to false signals, requires combination with other indicators
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