Smoothed Rate of Change

Smoothed Rate of Change was first introduced by Fred G Schutzman in Futures magazine, April 1991. The oscillator performs a similar function to the Momentum and Rate Of Change indicators but avoids some of the weaknesses:

  • Because of the smoothing the indicator is less erratic and gives fewer false signals;
  • The exponential moving average ensures that the indicator only "barks" once. See Momentum for more detail.

Smoothed Rate of Change (SROC) first calculates a 13-day exponential moving average of closing price. Then calculate a 21-day Rate of Change of the exponential moving average.

Trading Signals

Trading rules are similar to Momentum and Rate Of Change.

Trending Markets

First, identify the trend direction using a trend indicator. Smoothed Rate of Change tends to stay above zero during an up-trend and below zero during a down-trend.

Only take signals in the direction of the trend.

  • In an up-trend, go long if SROC turns upwards when below zero.
  • In a down-trend, go short if SROC turns downward when above zero.

Divergences add strength to buy and sell signals.

Exit using a trend indicator.

Use trailing buy and sell stops to time your entry and exit.

Example

Australian Stock Exchange Limited (ASX) is shown with    21-day exponential moving average (EMA) and     Smoothed Rate of Change.

ASX Smoothed ROC

Mouse over chart captions to display trading signals.

  1. Go short [S] when SROC turns down while above zero. Wait for the EMA to turn downwards. Exit the trade [X] when price closes above the EMA.
  2. Go short [S] when SROC again turns down while above zero, completing a bearish divergence. Wait for the EMA to turn downwards. Exit the short trade [X] when price closes above the EMA.
  3. SROC turns up while below zero. No action is taken as the EMA continues to slope downwards.
  4. Go long [L] when SROC turns up while below zero, completing a bullish divergence. Wait for the EMA to turn upwards.
  5. SROC turns down while above zero but the EMA continues to rise. Exit the long trade and go short at [S] when price eventually closes below the EMA.

Setup

See Indicator Panel for directions on how to set up an indicator. The default settings for Smoothed Rate of Change are:

To alter the default settings - Edit Indicator Settings.