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MACD Histogram Demystified

by Tufan Nag on February 7, 2017 Indicators & Oscillators, Technical Analysis

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According to Wikipedia, Causality (also referred to as causation, or cause and effect) is the agency
or efficacy that connects one process (the cause) with another process or state (the effect), where
the first is understood to be partly responsible for the second, and the second is dependent on the

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first.

In general, a process has many causes, which are said to be the causal factors for it, and all lie in
its past. An effect can, in turn, be a cause of many other effects.

You must be thinking that why I am saying all these things. Right? It is just to increase your
curiosity. You will soon be able to relate it.

Let us discuss about MACD-Histogram. I know being a chartist you are familiar with this tool.

Hence I hope this will be a revision for you. Assuming you already know this topic, you should
know that MACD-Histogram is derived from MACD.

To me, it is the effect of MACD (cause), without which MACD-Histogram would not have been born.
I hope you can relate it to the previous paragraph. If not, no problem. Carry on reading…

But before proceeding further I would request you to recapitulate MACD (moving average
convergence divergence).

Thanks for converging your thoughts with that of mine. I am glad. It will help me to explain this
article without taking the additional burden.

You know MACD-Histogram bridges the time gap between the price movement and MACD.

It offers a deeper insight into the balance of power between so-called bulls and bears than the
original MACD.

It is one of the best tools available to a chartist because it shows not only who has control over the
market but also their magnitude of strength.

In 1986 Thomas Aspray developed it. Salute.

It measures the distance between MACD and its Signal Line which is obviously the 9 day EMA of
MACD, i.e.,

MACD-Histogram = MACD Line – Signal Line

The difference is represented by vertical lines in a series.

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The interesting fact is that like MACD, MACD-Histogram also fluctuates above and below the zero
line. Hence, it is also known as an “oscillator”.

In other words, it is just the hide and seek between the fast and slow lines.

Let me clarify the mystery of the chemistry between the two lines.

Though I know you are very much efficient of doing that yourself, I intend to advertise my
knowledge. Haha!

If the fast line is above the slow line, MACD-Histogram is positive and plotted above the zero line.

On the other hand, if the fast line is below the slow line, MACD-Histogram is negative and plotted
below the zero line. Interestingly when the two lines touch, MACD-Histogram equals zero.

The magnitude of height is directly proportional to the spread between the MACD and Signal Line.

In layman’s terms when the spread increases MACD-Histogram becomes taller or deeper,
depending on its direction.

When the opposite scenario occurs, i.e., when the two lines draw closer, MACD-Histogram
becomes shorter.

You will get the maximum benefit when you will be able to identify the real value of the histogram.
Don’t get confused. I just wanted to mean, spotting, when the spread between the two lines is
widening or narrowing.

The chemistry is when the histogram is over its zero line, i.e., positive, but starts to fall toward the
zero line, it signifies the uptrend is weakening.

Conversely, when the histogram is below its zero line, i.e., negative, but starts to rise toward the
zero line, it signifies the downtrend is weakening.

In other words, the decrease in height when above and below the zero line signifies that the
underlying momentum is getting weaker.

It just gives a warning but never provides a signal to go long or short.

According to the bookish way you should wait until the histogram crosses, it’s zero line.

But if you are an expert you can make your own formula. It’s an earnest request, never break your
trade. At first plan your trade and then trade your plan.

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In my early days as a chartist when I just started to learn these steps, I was stunned. Why?

To me, it was a mind-boggling fact that the turns in the histogram back toward the zero line always
preceded the actual crossover signals. These turns are the best for spotting early exist signals from
your existing positions. The other scenario is obviously dangerous. It is applicable only for experts.

Infographic on MACD Histogram

A Marriage of weekly and daily

You must have your own trading system which best suits you.

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If not then I would suggest you to follow a step blindly. Yes, blindly. Maintain two different time
frames. One for identification and another for execution. Yes, look at greater time frame and
execute your trade on the smaller time frame.

The only reason behind it is weekly signals are more important than those on daily charts. MACD-
Histogram works well in this formula.

The best way to combine them is to use weekly signals to determine market direction and the daily
signals to fine-tune entry and exit points.

Usually, if the weekly chart gives you a trigger then the shorter time frame also gets sync with its
larger slice.

Don’t have to follow my words blindly. An empirical study will prove my preceding statement.
Experience it and give your reviews. It really acts as a scanner which filters for daily signals.

Benefits of Contrary thinking

It’s really an out of the box idea.

Basically, the principle of Contrary Opinion holds that when the vast majority of people agree on
anything, they are generally wrong. I want to add a maxim to increase its weightage “Don’t do
different things, but do things differently”.

It will surely help you to increase the size of your portfolio returns. Act as a contrarian. First, try to
determine what the mass is doing and then act accordingly in the opposite direction to reap the
benefits. It is advisable only for those who don’t want to converge their thought process with the
crowd psychology.

Common Psychology
MACD-histogram depicts the difference between long term and short term consensus. By now you
must have gained the minimum knowledge of both MACD and MACD Histogram. I heard you
mumble… that’s great.

Then you must have understood that if you consider shorter time frame then the fast MACD line
reflects market consensus.

On the other hand, if someone considers longer time frame then the slow Signal line reflects
market consensus.

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So, what is the role of MACD-Histogram? It simply fills the gap between these two lines.

Basic Interpretations:
Being the fourth derivative of price, MACD-Histogram plays an important role. Hence, let’s go on to
interpret this indicator

Like MACD, MACD-Histogram can also be used to identify crossovers, and most importantly
convergences and divergences.

As described earlier when the MACD line is above the Signal line the histogram is positive and this
positivity is directly proportional to the diversion of the MACD line from its Signal line.

On the other hand, when the MACD line is below the Signal line the histogram is negative and this
negativity is directly proportional to the diversion of the MACD line from its Signal line.

In both the cases, the magnitude decreases when the MACD line and the Signal line converge.

Basic Interpretation of MACD Histogram

It’s good to see your concentration level. After all, where focus goes, energy flows.

Okay, let me elaborate the divergence factor a bit…

Peak-Trough Divergence

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By now you must have understood how the histogram dances to the tunes of prices. If one looks at
it closely then one can easily identify the divergences.

You will notice that a peak and trough divergence is formed with two peaks or two troughs in the
MACD Histogram.

Usually, it can be segregated into two parts, i.e. bullish peak and trough divergence and bearish
peak and trough divergence.

Alright, I will explain you in short.

Bullish Peak-Trough Divergence

It is formed when MACD makes a lower low and on the contrary, MACD-Histogram makes a higher
low. One thing you should keep in mind, i.e., well-defined troughs defines the health of a bullish
peak-trough divergence.

Bullish Peak-Trough Divergence

Bearish Peak-Trough Divergence

It is formed when MACD makes a higher high and on the contrary MACD Histogram makes a lower
high.

One thing you should keep in mind, i.e., well-defined peaks defines the health of a bearish peak-
trough divergence.

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Bearish Peak-Trough Divergence

N.B. – Well, defined peaks/troughs are an important parameter to judge the health of divergence.
Moreover, another thing which you definitely is that the divergence gives a signal prior to the
crossover.

Without further circumlocution let me describe Slant Divergence in short.

Slant Divergence
As the name suggests, slant divergence, in other words, is a slope which is capable of creating a
divergence without well-defined peaks/troughs. Hence, it is easily visible. Instead of two
peaks/troughs, there is only one slope.

For our convenience, we can name it as a bullish or upward slant and a bearish or downward slant.

As of now, you must have understood that as the MACD Line crosses the Signal Line from above,
price level falls and simultaneously the histogram is visible on the downside, i.e., below the zero
line.

On the other hand when the MACD Line crosses the Signal Line from below, the price level rises
and simultaneously the histogram is visible on the upside, i.e., above the zero line. Enough of
recapitulation. Let’s proceed…

Bullish/Upward slant

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The MACD Line moves downward and makes a lower low. On the contrary the histogram contracts
on the downside and moves towards the zero line, which leads to an upward slant.

Bullish Slant

Bearish/Downward slant

The MACD Line moves upward and makes a higher high. On the contrary the histogram contracts
on the upside and moves towards the zero line, which leads to a downward slant.

Bearish Slant
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N.B.-. This slant towards the zero line reflects a convergence between MACD and its Signal Line.

The underlying momentum strength is directly proportional to the distance between the MACD and
its Signal Line.

I hope you can predict my thought process. Yes, you are right.

In other words, the underlying momentum is directly proportional to the MACD Histogram.

Any contraction in the histogram is not only a signal of weakness in momentum but also the first
step towards a signal line crossover.

Few Trading Rules

Usually, two types of trading signals are given by MACD Histogram.

According to Alexander Elder one is common and occurs at every price bar whereas the other is
rare and occurs only a few times a year in any market – but it is extremely strong.

Also Read: Triple screen trading system: the Alexander Elder way of trading

From the slope of MACD Histogram, one can get the most common signal.

When the current bar is higher than the preceding bar, the slope is up.It signifies that the bulls are
in control and you can go long.

Conversely, when the current bar is lower than the previous bar, the slope is down. It signifies that
bears are in control and you can go short.

If prices go one way and MACD-Histogram moves the other way, it resembles that the dominant
mass is losing its enthusiasm and the momentum is getting weaker as I have described earlier.

Remember the following two points-

a. Buy when MACD Histogram stops falling and ticks up. Place a protective stop below the latest
minor low.

b. Sell short when MACD Histogram stops rising and ticks down. Place a protective stop above the
latest minor high.

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Note: On smaller time frames say hourly or daily the tick-tick of MACD –Histogram is very frequent.
Right? I hope you have noticed that it ticks up and down so often, that, it is not practical to go long
and short every time it turns.

The slope acts well in longer time frame say weekly. On weekly charts, it is more meaningful.

Bottomline:

It is always better to use a mix of technical indicators, instead of a single indicator for making
better trading decisions.

Some of the concepts mentioned in this article are the results of my speculation based on the
theories of Dr Alexander Elder and John J. Murphy.

Become an expert at spotting and analyzing technical cues with Elearnmarkets’s Advanced
Technical Analysis course. In this course you will be taught the skills needed to capitalize on
trends like professional traders using advanced technical indicators and complex chart
analysis. Watch free tutorial >>

Hope you are happy. If not, Google search engine is waiting…

As an expression of gratitude, I would like to thank you for taking the trouble to read up to this
sentence. I hope you got some clarity on “MACD Histogram”.

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Which are the most widely used Technical Analysis…

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