Divergence can be identified from the oscillating indicators, the hottest of which are the MACD, Stochastic and RSI. Any of these running on your day trading chart with prices in either candlesticks or bar chart form may be employed.
Bearish Divergence
Bearish divergency exists when the price chart is apparently bullish but the oscillator is showing a bearish trend.
In that particular situation a line across the highest highs of the price chart will be showing a rising trend. However, a line drawn across the highest highs of the oscillating indicator will show a falling trend.
If you’re in this market going long, it is time to get out. If you have got a signal to open a trade to go long, the divergence is signalling you not to do it. If you’ve got a signal to open a trade to go short, on the other hand, the divergence is confirming that and you can go ahead.
Bullish Divergence
Bullish divergence is the other way round. It exists when the price movement on the day trading chart is reputedly downward, but the oscillator is showing a upward trend.
Here a line across the lowest lows of the price chart will show bearish (downward) movement, while a line across lowest lows of the oscillator will be moving upward.
The signal is the opposite to the prior one. The deflection is signalling that the bearish trend is coming to an end so you can close short trades and open long trades if that fits with the other signals of your system.
Of course no system is one hundred pc accurate and that applies to using divergence in trading just the same as anything more. Finance trading is risky and you can lose.
But looking for divergence in addition to your usual system can be a terribly powerful way to add to the successfulness of your system. Enhance your profits by spotting patterns in divergence from the signals on your day trading chart.