As traders, it is our responsibility to monitor the stock market for profitable trading chances. It’s undeniable that, when used properly, indicators can aid with this. There are exceptions to every rule, and the Relative Strength Index is no different.

Using it properly can help you anticipate changes in momentum, underlying demand or supply, and consumer attitude.

The indicator can also predict trend reversals, continuations, and corrections to periods of stagnation. As long as you have a good grasp on volume and price activity, the RSI indicator can be a useful tool in your trading arsenal.

The RSI measures a stock’s performance in comparison to its own past activity by weighing the significance of its up days against its down days.

In this article, we will talk about the RSI Indicator and how to use it, as well as various trading methods.

What is RSI or Relative Strength Index?

The relative strength index, also known as RSI, is a common instrument for conducting technical analysis that is used in stock trading. This indicator of momentum determines if the price of an asset is overpriced or undervalued by analyzing the pace and change of price movements.

The relative strength index (RSI) is depicted as an oscillator, which is a line graph with a scale ranging from zero to one hundred. It was conceived of by J. Welles Wilder Jr., who went on to discuss it in depth in his book “New Concepts in Technical Trading Systems,” which was published in 1978.

The momentum oscillator may show when a market is overbought or oversold, and it can also indicate when a trend is about to reverse or when certain securities are due for a price correction. The movement of the RSI line below the overbought line or above the oversold line is often interpreted by traders as a recommendation to buy or sell the underlying asset.

How to use the Relative Strength Index?

The following are some examples of applications for the Relative Strength Index (RSI) Indicator:

Overbought\Oversold

When the Relative Strength Index (RSI) reaches or is above 70, the market is said to be in an overbought condition; on the other hand, an oversold condition occurs when the RSI goes below 30. 

In the event that it is essential to do so, these traditionally used levels may also be altered in order to better match the requirements of the security. For instance, you could wish to raise security’s overbought level to 80 if it frequently exceeds 70.

Please keep in mind that when there are strong trends in place, the RSI may linger in the zone of being overbought or oversold for extended periods of time.

Patterns

RSI often produces chart patterns, such as double tops and bottoms and trend lines, that may or may not be present in the underlying price chart. Check the Relative Strength Index (RSI) to see whether there is any support or resistance.

Trending Market

In an upswing or bull market, the RSI usually stays between 40 and 90, with support located in the region between 40 and 50. During a downward trend or bear market, the RSI stays within the range of 10 and 60, with the zone between 50 and 60 functioning as resistance. 

These ranges will change depending on the settings of the RSI as well as the intensity of the trend that is underpinning the market or security being analyzed.

Divergences

The divergence may point to a price reversal if the underlying prices make a new high or low but the RSI does not confirm the move in either direction.

A Top Swing Failure happens when the RSI reaches a lower high and moves lower below a prior low. This indicates that the price has failed to advance higher from the previous low. Bottom Swing Failure occurs when the Relative Strength Index (RSI) achieves a higher low and then begins to rise.

Trading Strategies using Relative Strength Index

Now that we have a basic understanding of how the RSI Indicator may be applied in trading, let’s talk about some different trading approaches:

RSI with MACD

Indicators like the moving average convergence divergence (MACD) are widely used because of their clarity and interpretability. The Moving Average Convergence/Divergence (MACD) indicator tracks price trends and indicates whether or not they are gaining or losing momentum.

Due to its dependence on moving averages, the MACD is a trailing indicator best employed to filter trading signals given by the leading RSI indicator.

If, for instance, the relative strength index (RSI) shows a value above 70, indicating overbought market circumstances, a sell position can be initiated when the MACD series moves from positive to negative (crossing below the 0 centreline).

RSI with MA Crossover

The crowd behavior in the market can be captured with the use of Fibonacci numbers when applied to the moving average period. There are two different kinds of crosses that might provide entry indications, and these signals need to be validated by the RSI.

The moving average and the relative strength index (RSI) work together to decide when a trade should be exited depending on the outcome of the deal. When you make a trade, all you have to do is wait for the RSI to show that conditions have become overbought or oversold, and then you can take your profit and leave.

RSI and Price Action Trading

In this trading technique, you will employ the signals provided by the relative strength index in conjunction with any price action indicator you choose. Examples of price action indicators include candlesticks, chart patterns, trend lines, channels, and many others.

To enter a trade, you will need a signal from the Relative Strength Index (RSI) as well as a signal from price action, such as a candle pattern, chart pattern, or breakout. The objective is to maintain each position until a contrarian RSI signal or price action validates the assumption that the trend has come to an end.

RSI and Relative Vigor Index

Although they share the trait of being oscillators, the RSI and the RVI each have their own unique properties that can aid traders in identifying promising RSI trading chances. 

For its part, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) analyzes price movement between extremes (high and low), while the Relative Value Index (RVI) attempts to establish a correlation between the previous trading day’s close and open.

That’s right, there can be both positive and negative values on the RVI, with zero being dead center. An increase in the RVI indicates that price momentum is rising, whereas a decrease in the RVI value indicates that momentum is falling.

When trading in a trending market, the RSI is a great way to confirm the signals generated by the RVI.

RSI with Keltner Channel Indicator

There is also another combination that aids in spotting trends: the Keltner channel and the relative strength index. If the price moves above the Keltner channel and the RSI is high enough, then it’s a good time to buy; if the price moves below the Keltner channel and the RSI is low enough, then it’s a good time to sell.

To limit your losses while going long, set your stop-loss order below the Keltner Channel; to limit your losses when going short, set your stop-loss order above the Keltner Channel. To maximize your profit while riding the trend, you should employ a trailing stop.

Conclusion

If you’re just starting out in trading, a smart place to start is by integrating the RSI with another indicator, such as volume or moving averages. When you use it in conjunction with the indicator, you will be provided with a constant value from which you can make a choice. In addition to this, it clears up a good deal of the confusion that is normally involved with trading.

As you develop in your trading profession, you may find that more interpretive price action approaches are something you want to explore. 

In addition, you could be able to implement approaches that are unique to the security that you are trading at this moment, which might potentially lead to an increase in your winning rates over the course of time. However, in order to reach this level of trading, a significant amount of experience and practice is required.