What is the Stochastic Oscillator?

@andy 

The Stochastic Oscillator is a technical analysis tool that helps traders and investors determine the strength and momentum of a price trend. It measures the current closing price of an asset in relation to the price range over a specific period of time. The oscillator consists of two lines, %K and %D, which fluctuate between 0 and 100.

The %K line is the main line and represents the current closing price as a percentage of the price range. The formula for %K is (%K = (Current Close - Lowest Low) / (Highest High - Lowest Low) * 100). The Highest High and Lowest Low are the highest and lowest prices reached within the chosen period.

The %D line is a moving average of %K and is calculated to smooth out the fluctuations. It is typically a 3-day simple moving average of %K.

Traders use the Stochastic Oscillator to identify overbought and oversold conditions in a market. When the %K line crosses above the %D line and moves above 80, it indicates an overbought situation, suggesting a potential reversal or a pause in the uptrend. Conversely, when the %K line crosses below the %D line and drops below 20, it signals an oversold condition, implying a possible reversal or a pause in the downtrend.

The Stochastic Oscillator can be used alone or in combination with other technical indicators to confirm buying or selling signals and to generate trading strategies.