Understanding Heikin Ashi When Trading
Heikin Ashi Formula
- Munehisa Homma created Heikin-Ashi charts in the 1700s. They are like traditional candlestick charts, but each candle's values differ. The Heikin-Ashi technique makes use of a modified formula. It is based on two-period averages rather than the open, high, low, and close, like traditional candlestick charts. This analysis smooths out the appearance of the chart. And makes it simpler to spot trends and reversals, but it also hides gaps and some price data.The Heikin Ashi (HA) is a price chart that depicts an asset's price change using averages. This chart is used in technical analysis to examine how an asset's price changes compare to a larger trend. You can decide whether to enter or exit a trade more wisely by clearly understanding the overall trend.
What is the Heikin Ashi?
Heikin Ashi candles display the same four price levels as regular candlesticks (lowest point, highest point, open and close prices). But their values are calculated based on information from the current and previous sessions. Heikin Ashi charts are helpful in a scalping, day, or position trading strategy. They can be applied to the same time values as conventional candlestick charts.Heikin Ashi FormulaEach candlestick on the chart is calculated using the Heikin Ashi formula. Some calculations or formulas are more complex than those used for a typical candlestick. The steps for determining the open, close, high, and low for Heikin Ashi candlesticks are summarised here:C = (Open+High+Low+Close)/4Where,Open is the opening price of the asset.High is the highest price value of the asset in that period (daily, hourly or five minutes interval)Low is the lowest price value of that asset.Close is the closing price of the asset.O = (Open of Prev. Bar+Close of Prev. Bar)/2This is the midpoint of the previous bar.Therefore the points on the chart are formulated as[x,y,z}For the high point of the bar = Max[High, O, C]For the low point of the bar = Low[Low, O, C]
How to interpret Heikin Ashi candles?When reading a HA, you should consider a candlestick's wick, body, and colour.- The highest point on the candle is the top of the upper wick.
- The lowest value on the candle is at the bottom of the lower wick.
- The body is the price difference between the opening and closing of a session.
- If the candle is green, the closing value, shown at the top of the body, is higher than the opening value.
- If the candle is red, the body's bottom represents the closing value, which is lower than the opening value.
How to read Heikin Ashi Chart?
The Heikin Ashi chart can be used for trading in several ways. First, realise that each candlestick will provide you with information on the price movement.Heikin-Ashi chart candles are often red during downtrends and green during uptrends. But, it has been documented that many colour variations are employed. A shift in the hue of the HA candle signals the possibility of a trend reversal.The Heikin-Ashi chart contains more consecutive bars of the same colour and smoother directional shifts. It provides a clearer picture of price movements. The Heikin-Ashi chart differs from the conventional candlestick chart in several ways.Traditional candlestick chart patterns alternate between green and red. So it is challenging for traders to decipher and recognise trends. At the same time, the Heikin-Ashi chart reduces noise and shows a series of coloured candles. It is simpler to understand and recognise past price movements and current patterns.A green Heikin Ashi candle with a long body and no lower wick indicates a strongly rising trend. These HA signals may be used by traders who have invested in a market as a signal to hang onto their holdings to maximise gains during an uptrend.A Heikin Ashi candle with a lower wick emerging indicates that an uptrend may be losing its bullish impetus. Investors in the market can interpret this as a cue to start looking to sell their respective long positions.A downtrend may slow down if an upper wick appears on the HA candle. This could be interpreted by traders who have shorted a market as a cue to start looking to unwind their bearish positions.Applying trend indicators to gauge the market's momentum might be helpful since HA charts display the longer-term directional market trend. You can trade based on the findings of your study while being aware that daily changes have not been included. Moving averages, the relative strength index (RSI), and the average directional index are among the most frequently used technical indicators (ADX).The Heikin-Ashi Technique's drawbacks
Time latencyThe Heiken-Ashi indicator bases its base signals on historical prices, so there is a time lag.Price gaps
Most traders utilise price gaps to assess price momentum, initiate trades, or place stop-loss orders. Heikin-Ashi does not have price gaps. So traders get around this restriction by briefly switching to conventional candlesticks during a trading session.Incomplete Price Information
Since Heikin-Ashi data is averaged, real open and close prices are not displayed. For day traders or scalpers using more active equities, this might not be the best strategy.Heikin-Ashi Technique advantages
Accessibility
Heikin-Ashi is one of the most easily accessible indicators. It doesn't need to be installed and is available on all trading platforms.High chart readability
Any trader may understand the candlestick patterns, making the chart simple to interpret. It is simpler to discern market patterns and movements because Heikin-Ashi candlesticks are easier to read than typical candlestick charts.Dependable
Heikin-Ashi is a highly dependable indicator that produces accurate readings. It makes use of historical data, which is also quite trustworthy.Filtering of market noise
The indicator lowers minor adjustments and filters out market noise, producing more visible signals. The smoothing effect facilitates trend recognition. Today's markets are noisy. Therefore the Heikin-Ashi technique lets traders more effectively plan their entry and exit locations by noise reduction.Combinability With Other Indicators
The Heikin-Ashi indicator can be used in conjunction with other technical indicators. Combining HA with other indicators provides an even stronger insight into market movement,
Timeframe-TolerantThe technique applies to all time frames, including hourly, daily, monthly, and yearly. Larger time frames, however, are more dependable.