Keltner Channels KC Technical Indicators Indicators and Signals

If you are a trend trader, divergences should be one of your most important tools. A divergence signals momentum coming into the main trend, suggesting a reversal or possible continuation in the main direction of the trend. In order to spot a valid breakout, a trader requires solid knowledge of support and resistance. In a sideways market, when there isn’t a clear trend on the chart, Keltner Channel provide excellent support and resistance. Also, traders use a multiple of the Average True Range (ATR) to add/subtract to the moving average.

If the price is tightly compacted, it won’t offer good trend trades, but if the price was volatile earlier in the day, some of that volatility may return. Watch for a breakout above or below the upper or lower band to signal a trade and a possible return to bigger trending moves. The Keltner Channel was first introduced by Chester Keltner in the 1960s. The original formula used simple moving averages (SMA) and the high-low price range to calculate the bands.

Keltner Channels. Conclusions

Because the channel is derived from the ATR, which is a volatility indicator itself, the Keltner Channel also contracts and expands with volatility but is not as volatile as the Bollinger Bands. This seems to have the same working nomenclature with CAP trading channel. Thank you Rayner, that was a very informative article on how to use the Keltner Channel. I’m fairly new at this and still paper trading, (swing trading) trying to get my sea legs.

6.ATR PERIOD OF KELTNER CHANNELS – the period for which ATR will be calculated. Some traders use the same value that is set in the LENGTH parameter. Remember that the middle line of the channel is an exponential moving average. The lower the period of the moving average, the faster it is, and vice versa. One of the best applications of Keltner channel in Forex is using the indicator to trade breakouts. Breakouts occur when the price ends a previous consolidation and starts a new trend.

Simple Keltner Channel Trading Strategies Explained

The Keltner channel technical indicator is composed of three separate lines derived from the following calculations. As you can see, the two indicators behave in an all-too-similar way, but at some point, the asset price spikes and causes the two indicators to react differently. This is an important difference because standard deviations tend to behave differently in the presence of outliers. As a result, certain price changes can affect the Bollinger Bands, causing inaccurate signals.

Then click on the indicator icon and choose Volatility under the Indicators tab. The usefulness of the Keltner Channels largely depends on the settings used. Traders first need to decide how they want to use the indicator and then set it up to help accomplish that purpose. Some of the uses of Keltner Channels, addressed above, won’t work if the bands are too narrow or too far apart.

Keltner channel breakout strategy

As the Average Directional Index indicator reading remained below the 25 level, it confirmed that there is no underlying directional movement or trend in the market. The Keltner Channel delivers graphical price signals that can easily be deciphered by traders. A rising channel implies that an uptrend is in place; a falling channel https://forexhero.info/price-action-trading-strategies/ indicates a downtrend; whereas a flat or sideways channel implies a ranging market. In an uptrend, a momentous price surge will lead to a price continuously hitting the upper line, or even breaking it. When the channel is still rising but the price starts hitting the lower line, it is a signal that the uptrend is losing momentum.

This strategy is best applied to assets that tend to have sharp trending moves in the morning. If you notice that an asset is fairly sedated and rarely has big moves, then this is not the strategy to use on that asset. Since the market is typically volatile right after the open, you may get one signal that results in a loss or small profit, immediately followed by another signal. Take only two trade signals for this strategy in the first 30 minutes. If a big move doesn’t occur on the first two channel breakouts, then it probably isn’t going to happen. Sometimes a trend isn’t present, in which case, this method isn’t effective.

What are Keltner Channels?

A breakout of Keltner channel is valid only if coincides with the breakout of a relevant support or resistance level. This multiple is adjusted based on the market the traders analyze. The uptrend is expected when the price closes over the upper band. Log in to your IQ Option account, choose the asset and set the chart.