SMA - Simple Moving Average
Learn SMA strategy, crossovers, and how GarudaAlgo uses multiple SMAs for trend analysis.
What is SMA?
The Simple Moving Average (SMA) is a technical indicator that averages price data over a specific period. It is 'moving' because the data is updated as each new candle closes.
SMA helps smooth out price fluctuations (noise) to clearly identify the underlying market trend.
SMA = (P1 + P2 + ... + Pn) / n
Example: 5-period SMA = (10+12+13+12+11) / 5 = 11.6
How to Interpret
Price vs Moving Average
- Price above MA: Bullish bias - uptrend
- Price below MA: Bearish bias - downtrend
- Price crossing MA: Potential trend change
Crossovers
Golden Cross
Fast MA crosses above slow MA
Indicates bullish momentum shift
Death Cross
Fast MA crosses below slow MA
Indicates bearish momentum shift
Dynamic Support/Resistance
- Uptrend: MA acts as dynamic support - price bounces off it
- Downtrend: MA acts as dynamic resistance - price gets rejected
- Key levels: 50 and 200 MA are widely watched by institutions
How GarudaAlgo Uses SMA
GarudaAlgo Enhancement
GarudaAlgo uses a multi-MA ribbon (9, 21, 50, 100, 200) to identify trend strength and direction. When MAs are stacked in order, it indicates a strong trend. We also track MA compression before breakouts.
SMA in Signal System
SMA analysis is part of the 14% Trend Analysis weight in GarudaAlgo's signal system.
What GarudaAlgo Analyzes
- MA Stack Order: Bullish stack (9>21>50>100>200) or bearish
- Crossover Detection: 9/21, 21/50, 50/200 crosses
- Price Position: Above or below key SMAs
- MA Slope: Rising, falling, or flat
- MA Compression: SMAs bunching together before breakout
- Distance from MA: Extended moves often revert to SMA
Trading Strategies
Strategy 1: SMA Crossover
- Use 9 and 21 Moving Averages
- Buy when 9 crosses above 21
- Sell when 9 crosses below 21
- Filter with higher timeframe trend direction
Strategy 2: SMA Pullback
- Identify trend direction (price above 50 SMA = uptrend)
- Wait for pullback to 21 SMA in uptrend
- Enter long when price bounces off 21 SMA
- Stop loss below the 50 SMA
Strategy 3: SMA Ribbon Trend
- Plot 9, 21, 50, 100, 200 Moving Averages
- Only take trades in direction of ribbon stacking
- Strongest trends have perfect stacking order
- Avoid trading when ribbon is compressed or twisted
Best Practices
- Combine with other indicators — SMA alone gives many false signals
- Respect the 200 SMA — It's watched by institutions globally
- Use multiple timeframes — Align trades with higher timeframe SMA direction
- Don't chase extended moves — Wait for pullbacks to SMA
- Watch for compression — SMA bunching = big move coming