New to trading or investing? This guide explains every technical indicator used on CoinStockPick in plain language. You will learn what each indicator measures, how to read it, and how to apply it to real trading decisions. No prior experience required.
Technical indicators are mathematical calculations based on an asset's price, volume, or open interest. Traders and investors use them to forecast future price direction, identify trends, and spot potential buy or sell opportunities.
Think of indicators as lenses that highlight patterns hidden inside raw price data. No single indicator is perfect on its own, which is why professional analysts combine several indicators together to build a more complete picture of market conditions.
Read each section to understand a single indicator, then visit the CoinStockPick dashboard to see that indicator applied to real assets in real time. Combine multiple indicators before making any trading decision.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is one of the most popular momentum oscillators. Developed by J. Welles Wilder Jr. in 1978, it measures the speed and magnitude of recent price changes to evaluate whether an asset is overbought or oversold. The RSI oscillates between 0 and 100.
How is it calculated? RSI compares the average gains and average losses over a set period (typically 14 days). When gains dominate, the RSI rises; when losses dominate, it falls.
On each asset page, check the RSI value in the signal panel. An RSI below 30 combined with a positive MACD crossover is a strong bullish signal. Always cross-reference with other indicators before acting.
Do not buy solely because RSI is below 30. In strong downtrends, RSI can stay oversold for extended periods. Always confirm with trend indicators like moving averages.
MACD is a trend-following momentum indicator that shows the relationship between two exponential moving averages (EMAs) of an asset's price. It was created by Gerald Appel in the late 1970s and is widely used across stocks, crypto, and forex markets.
Our dashboard shows the MACD status for every asset. Look for "Bullish Crossover" or "Bearish Crossover" tags in the signal panel. A bullish MACD crossover combined with RSI under 50 rising is a particularly strong buy setup.
Bollinger Bands, created by John Bollinger in the 1980s, are a volatility indicator that places an upper and lower "band" around a simple moving average (typically 20-period). The bands widen when volatility increases and narrow when volatility decreases.
Check the Bollinger Band %B value on the dashboard. A %B below 0 combined with RSI under 30 is a strong oversold signal. A %B above 1 with RSI over 70 suggests the asset may be overextended.
Moving averages smooth out price data to reveal the underlying trend direction. They are the foundation of many other indicators (including MACD and Bollinger Bands). There are two main types:
Our scoring system tracks whether the price is above or below key moving averages (20, 50, 100, 200). If the price is above all four, the trend is strongly bullish. If below all four, the trend is strongly bearish. Look for golden cross and death cross alerts on the dashboard.
Moving averages are lagging indicators. They confirm trends after they have started, not before. In choppy, sideways markets, moving average crossovers can produce frequent false signals (called "whipsaws").
Volume represents the total number of shares or coins traded during a specific time period. It is one of the most important yet often overlooked indicators. Volume tells you how much conviction is behind a price move.
A price move on high volume is more significant than the same move on low volume. Think of volume as the "fuel" behind a price trend.
Volume divergence occurs when the price moves in one direction but volume moves in the opposite direction. For example, if the price is making new highs but volume is decreasing, it suggests the uptrend is running out of steam. This is a warning sign of a potential reversal.
On the CoinStockPick dashboard, volume changes are factored into the overall score. A strong price breakout with above-average volume will boost the bullish score. Always check whether a price move is supported by volume before trusting it.
The Fear & Greed Index measures the overall emotional state of the market on a scale from 0 (Extreme Fear) to 100 (Extreme Greed). It is a contrarian indicator: when the market is in extreme fear, it may be a buying opportunity, and when it is in extreme greed, it may be time to take profits.
The index aggregates several data points including market volatility, trading volume momentum, social media sentiment, Bitcoin dominance, and Google Trends data. These are weighted and combined into a single score.
The Fear & Greed Index is displayed on the CoinStockPick homepage. Use it as a broad market context indicator. When the index is in "Extreme Fear" and an individual asset also shows oversold RSI + bullish MACD crossover, the probability of a successful trade increases significantly.
The Fear & Greed Index is a sentiment tool, not a timing tool. The market can stay in "Extreme Greed" for months during a bull run. Use it as one data point among many, not as a standalone buy/sell trigger.
CoinStockPick uses a proprietary AI scoring system that combines multiple technical indicators into a single, easy-to-read score for each asset. The score ranges from -10 (Strong Sell) to +10 (Strong Buy).
Our algorithm evaluates RSI, MACD, Bollinger Bands, moving average positions, volume trends, and market sentiment in real time. Each indicator contributes to the final score based on its current signal strength.
| Score Range | Signal | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| +7 to +10 | Strong Buy | Multiple indicators are aligned bullish. High-confidence buying opportunity. |
| +4 to +6 | Buy | Majority of indicators lean bullish. Favorable conditions for entry. |
| +1 to +3 | Weak Buy | Slightly bullish. Some indicators are positive but not strongly aligned. |
| 0 | Neutral | Indicators are mixed. No clear directional signal. |
| -1 to -3 | Weak Sell | Slightly bearish. Some caution is warranted. |
| -4 to -6 | Sell | Majority of indicators lean bearish. Consider reducing exposure. |
| -7 to -10 | Strong Sell | Multiple indicators are aligned bearish. High-risk zone for buyers. |
Use the score as a quick summary, then dig into the individual indicators for context. A score of +8 is compelling, but understanding why it is +8 (for example, RSI at 25, bullish MACD crossover, price bouncing off the lower Bollinger Band) makes you a better, more informed investor. The "AI's Pick" section on the dashboard highlights the asset with the strongest current signal.
CoinStockPick scores are based on technical analysis only. They do not account for fundamental factors like earnings reports, regulatory news, or macroeconomic events. Always do your own research and never invest more than you can afford to lose.