Bollinger Bands



 

Bollinger Bands were invented by John Bollinger. Used to confirm trading signals, normally from a Momentum Indicator, the bands indicate overbought and oversold levels relative to a moving average.

 

Bollinger Bands are calculated at a specified number of standard deviations above and below the moving average, causing them to widen when prices are volatile and contract when prices are stable.

Bollinger originally used a 20 day simple moving average and set the bands at 2 standard deviations, suited to intermediate cycles.

Trading Signals

Example 1

Microsoft is charted with 20 day Bollinger bands at 2 standard deviations.

Contracting bands warn that the market is about to trend: the bands first converge into a narrow neck, followed by a sharp price movement. The first breakout is often a false move, preceding a strong trend in the opposite direction. A contracting range [C] is evident in June 1998: the bands converge to a width of $2, followed by a breakout in July to a new high.

A move that starts at one band normally carries through to the other, in a ranging market.

A move outside the band indicates that the trend is strong and likely to continue - unless price quickly reverses. Note the quick reversal [QR] in early August.

A trend that hugs one band signals that the trend is strong and likely to continue. Wait for divergence on a Momentum Indicator to signal the end of a trend.

Example 2

Microsoft Corporation: 20 day Bollinger bands at 2 standard deviations and 10 day Rate of Change.

  1. Go short [S] - bearish divergence on ROC.
  2. Contracting Bollinger Bands [C] warn of increased volatility. This begins with a false rally (note the ROC triple divergence) followed by a sharp fall.
  3. Go long [L] - price hugs the lower band, followed by a bullish divergence on ROC.
  4. Go short [S] - price hugs the upper band, followed by a bearish divergence on ROC.

Related Topics

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External Links

www.BollingerBands.com: Bollinger Bands Tutorial
 

Introduction. Trading bands, which are lines plotted in...


www.BollingerBands.com: Bollinger Bands Tutorial
 

Calculation.


Bollinger Bands - Technical Analysis from A to Z
 

Bollinger Bands - Steve Achelis' best-selling book, Technical Analysis from A to Z


Bollinger Bands -- Chart School
 

Bollinger bands, developed by John Bollinger, allow users to compare volatility and relative price levels over a period of time.


Invest FAQ:Technical Analysis:Bollinger Bands
 

Bollinger bands.


Technical Charting 1999_12_31
 

Technical Charting Archive The Technical Charting Newsletter December 31, 1999 http//www.TechnicalCharting.com ~~~~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~~~~ * Bollinger Bands * Become Familiar with the Road - by Nick DeBarmore Sr. Bollinger Bands Bollinger Bands were...


Another Look at Bollinger Bands
 

Moving bands that channel price action are popular technical tools. Bollinger bands are very common.


Bollinger Bands
 

Bollinger Bands are similar to upper and lower envelopes that surround the stock price on a chart.