While there are many possible choices for the smoothing factor, the most common choice is:
(+ Trading Strategy) - YouTube A Simple moving average (SMA) calculates the average of a selected range of prices, usually closing prices, by the number of periods in that range.

An exponential moving average (EMA) is a type of moving average that places a greater weight and significance on the most recent data points. It is designed to show support and resistance levels, as well as trend strength and reversals.Guppy Multiple Moving Average - GMMA Definition and Uses A linearly weighted moving average is a type of moving average where more recent prices are given greater weight in the calculation, and prior prices are given less weight. Before you can start calculating exponential moving averages, you must be able to calculate a simple moving average or SMA. Finally, the following formula is used to calculate the current EMA: For example, a 20-day SMA is just the sum of the closing prices for the past 20 trading days, divided by 20. where the smoothing constant is: 2 ÷ (number of time periods + 1) How to Calculate a Simple Moving Average. The EMA gives a higher weight to recent prices, while the SMA assigns equal weight to all values. The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Investopedia receives compensation. The exponential moving average is designed to improve on the idea of a For traders who trade

The 12- and 26-day exponential moving averages (EMAs) are often the most quoted and analyzed short-term averages. Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) is defined as a trend-following momentum indicator that shows the relationship between two moving averages of a security's price. The calculation for the SMA is straightforward. A Bollinger Band® is a momentum indicator used in technical analysis that depicts two standard deviations above and below a simple moving average. Similarly, the EMA relies wholly on historical data. Notice how the red line (the 30 EMA) seems to be a closer price than the blue line (the 30 SMA).
EMAs are commonly used in conjunction with other indicators to confirm significant market moves and to gauge their validity. The EMA is a type of weighted moving average …

The optimal time to enter the market often passes before a moving average shows that the trend has changed. Uptrends, conversely, show shorter moving averages crossing above longer moving averages.

That gives the most recent observation more weight. Because the EMA calculation places more weight on the latest data, it “hugs” the price action a bit more tightly and reacts more quickly. The preferred number and type of moving averages can vary considerably between traders, based on

The weighting given to the most recent price is greater for a shorter-period EMA than for a longer-period EMA. A Bollinger Band® is a momentum indicator used in technical analysis that depicts two standard deviations above and below a simple moving average. Each set contains up to six moving averages, for a total of 12 MAs in the indicator. In these circumstances, the short-term moving averages act as