How to adjust the weighted moving average? How many days are suitable for short-term trading?

WMA, unlike SMA, weights recent prices more, making it ideal for short-term trading; 5-20 day periods are recommended for quick market reactions.

Jun 04, 2025 at 12:49 am

Introduction to Weighted Moving Average

The Weighted Moving Average (WMA) is a technical analysis tool used by traders to smooth out price data and help identify trends. Unlike the simple moving average, which assigns equal weight to all values, the WMA gives more importance to recent price data, making it more responsive to new information. This can be particularly useful for short-term trading where quick reactions to market changes are crucial.

Understanding the Weighted Moving Average Calculation

The calculation of the WMA involves multiplying each data point by a specific weight, where the weights decrease linearly from the most recent data point to the oldest. The formula for the WMA is:

[ \text{WMA} = \frac{\sum_{i=1}^{n} w_i \cdot Pi}{\sum{i=1}^{n} w_i} ]

Where ( P_i ) represents the price at time ( i ), ( w_i ) is the weight assigned to ( P_i ), and ( n ) is the number of periods considered. The weights ( w_i ) are typically assigned as ( n, n-1, n-2, ..., 1 ).

Adjusting the Weighted Moving Average

To adjust the WMA, you need to decide on the number of periods to use. The number of periods directly impacts the sensitivity of the WMA to price changes. A shorter period will result in a more responsive WMA, while a longer period will smooth out the data more but may lag behind rapid market changes.

• For short-term trading, traders often use a WMA with a period of 5 to 20 days. This range allows the WMA to react quickly to price movements while still providing a meaningful average.
• For medium-term trading, a period of 20 to 50 days might be more suitable, balancing responsiveness with stability.
• For long-term trading, periods of 50 to 200 days are commonly used, providing a broader view of the market trend.

Step-by-Step Guide to Calculating and Adjusting WMA

To calculate and adjust the WMA, follow these steps:

• Choose the number of periods: Decide on the number of days you want to include in your WMA calculation. For short-term trading, a good starting point could be 10 days.
• Assign weights: Assign weights to each period. For a 10-day WMA, the weights would be 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1.
• Multiply prices by weights: Multiply each day's closing price by its corresponding weight.
• Sum the weighted prices: Add up all the weighted prices.
• Sum the weights: Add up all the weights.
• Calculate the WMA: Divide the sum of the weighted prices by the sum of the weights.

Here is an example using a 10-day WMA:

• Day 10: Price = $100, Weight = 10, Weighted Price = $1000
• Day 9: Price = $102, Weight = 9, Weighted Price = $918
• Day 8: Price = $101, Weight = 8, Weighted Price = $808
• Day 7: Price = $103, Weight = 7, Weighted Price = $721
• Day 6: Price = $105, Weight = 6, Weighted Price = $630
• Day 5: Price = $104, Weight = 5, Weighted Price = $520
• Day 4: Price = $106, Weight = 4, Weighted Price = $424
• Day 3: Price = $107, Weight = 3, Weighted Price = $321
• Day 2: Price = $108, Weight = 2, Weighted Price = $216
• Day 1: Price = $109, Weight = 1, Weighted Price = $109

Sum of Weighted Prices = $5667

Sum of Weights = 55

WMA = $5667 / 55 = $103.04

Suitable Number of Days for Short-Term Trading

For short-term trading, the number of days used in the WMA calculation can significantly affect its effectiveness. 5 to 20 days is generally considered suitable for short-term trading. Within this range, traders can fine-tune the WMA to match their specific trading strategies and market conditions.

• 5-day WMA: Highly responsive to recent price changes, ideal for very short-term trading where quick decisions are necessary.
• 10-day WMA: Balances responsiveness with a bit more stability, suitable for traders who want to capture short-term trends without being overly reactive.
• 20-day WMA: Provides a slightly longer-term view while still being sensitive enough for short-term trading, useful for traders looking to identify trends over a few weeks.

Using WMA in Trading Strategies

Traders often use the WMA in combination with other indicators to develop robust trading strategies. Here are a few common ways to use the WMA:

• Crossover Strategy: Use two WMAs with different periods (e.g., a 5-day and a 20-day WMA). A buy signal is generated when the shorter WMA crosses above the longer WMA, and a sell signal when it crosses below.
• Price and WMA Relationship: Monitor the relationship between the current price and the WMA. If the price is consistently above the WMA, it might indicate an uptrend, while a price below the WMA could suggest a downtrend.
• Divergence: Look for divergences between the price and the WMA. If the price is making new highs but the WMA is not, it might signal a potential reversal.

Practical Example of Using WMA in Short-Term Trading

Let's consider a practical example of using a 10-day WMA for short-term trading in the cryptocurrency market:

• Step 1: Calculate the 10-day WMA daily using the closing prices of a cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin.
• Step 2: Plot the WMA on a chart alongside the price.
• Step 3: Monitor the price in relation to the WMA. If the price moves above the WMA, it could be a signal to buy. If the price falls below the WMA, it might be a signal to sell.
• Step 4: Use the WMA in conjunction with other indicators, such as volume or the Relative Strength Index (RSI), to confirm signals.
• Step 5: Adjust the number of days in the WMA based on market volatility and your trading strategy. If the market becomes more volatile, you might want to shorten the period to increase responsiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can the WMA be used for all cryptocurrencies?

A: Yes, the WMA can be applied to any cryptocurrency. However, the effectiveness of the WMA may vary depending on the liquidity and volatility of the specific cryptocurrency.

Q: How does the WMA compare to other moving averages like the EMA?

A: The WMA gives more weight to recent data than the Simple Moving Average (SMA) but less than the Exponential Moving Average (EMA). The EMA is more responsive to recent price changes than the WMA, making it suitable for traders who want even quicker signals.

Q: Is it possible to use multiple WMAs with different periods simultaneously?

A: Yes, using multiple WMAs with different periods can help traders identify different aspects of the market trend. For example, a 5-day WMA might be used for very short-term signals, while a 20-day WMA could provide a broader trend perspective.

Q: How often should I recalculate the WMA?

A: The WMA should be recalculated at the end of each trading period you are using (e.g., daily for a daily WMA). For real-time trading, you might want to recalculate it more frequently, such as every few minutes, to stay updated with the latest price movements.