The Ichimoku Cloud
The Ichimoku Cloud is a technical analysis tool used to gauge market trends, momentum, and potential support/resistance levels in trading. It consists of five lines that create a "cloud" on a price chart, helping traders make decisions. Here's a simple breakdown:
- Tenkan-Sen (Conversion Line): A short-term trend indicator, calculated as the average of the highest high and lowest low over the past 9 periods.
- Kijun-Sen (Base Line): A medium-term trend indicator, calculated as the average of the highest high and lowest low over the past 26 periods.
- Senkou Span A (Leading Span A): Forms one edge of the cloud, calculated as the average of the Tenkan-Sen and Kijun-Sen, plotted 26 periods ahead.
- Senkou Span B (Leading Span B): Forms the other edge of the cloud, calculated as the average of the highest high and lowest low over the past 52 periods, plotted 26 periods ahead.
- Chikou Span (Lagging Span): The current closing price plotted 26 periods behind, showing potential support/resistance.
How to Interpret the Cloud:
- Price Above the Cloud: Indicates an uptrend.
- Price Below the Cloud: Indicates a downtrend.
- Price Inside the Cloud: Suggests consolidation or indecision.
- Cloud Thickness: A thicker cloud indicates stronger support/resistance, while a thinner cloud suggests weaker levels.
Ichimoku Cloud used to identify trends, entry/exit points, and potential reversals.
