Keltner Channel, developed by Chester Keltner and refined by Linda Bradford Raschke, is a technical indicator consisting of an EMA middle line and ATR-based upper/lower bands. Keltner Channel measures market volatility, identifies trends, and potential breakout opportunities.
Middle Line = N-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA) Upper Band = EMA + (M × ATR) Lower Band = EMA - (M × ATR) Standard parameters: N = 20 (EMA period) M = 2 (ATR multiplier) ATR period = 10 or 20 Where ATR = Average True Range
Standard Keltner Channel (20, 2, 10): Most commonly used parameters
Narrow Keltner Channel (20, 1.5, 10): More sensitive, suitable for low volatility markets
Wide Keltner Channel (20, 2.5, 10): More conservative, reduces false breakouts
Keltner Squeeze: Channel narrowing signals imminent breakout
Price Breaks Above Upper Band: Strong uptrend signal, may continue rising
Price Breaks Below Lower Band: Strong downtrend signal, may continue falling
Price Within Channel: Normal fluctuation, trend unclear
Price Touches Upper Band: Possibly overbought, but may ride upper band in strong trend
Price Touches Lower Band: Possibly oversold, but may ride lower band in strong trend
Channel Narrowing: Decreasing volatility, may signal breakout
Channel Widening: Increasing volatility, trend may be forming
Middle Line Support/Resistance: EMA middle line acts as dynamic support or resistance
Keltner Channel excels in trending markets, price breaking channel typically signals strong trend. Unlike Bollinger Bands, Keltner Channel uses ATR instead of standard deviation, providing more stable response to price breakouts. Many traders combine Keltner Channel with Bollinger Bands: when price breaks Bollinger but not Keltner, may be false breakout; when price breaks both simultaneously, stronger signal. Keltner Channel can also be used for setting stop losses.
More stable based on ATR, suitable for trend following, reduces false breakouts, provides dynamic support/resistance, can measure volatility
Fewer signals in ranging markets, significant lag, parameter settings significantly affect results, requires combination with other indicators
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