Elder Ray Index

Developed by Dr Alexander Elder, the Elder-ray indicator measures buying and selling pressure in the market. The Elder-ray is often used as part of the Triple Screen trading system but may also be used on its own.

Dr Elder uses a 13-day exponential moving average (EMA) to indicate the market consensus of value. Bull Power measures the ability of buyers to drive prices above the consensus of value. Bear Power reflects the ability of sellers to drive prices below the average consensus of value.

Bull Power is calculated by subtracting the 13-day EMA from the day's High. Bear power subtracts the 13-day EMA from the day's Low.

Elder Ray Index Trading Signals

When used on its own, the Elder-ray requires 3 screens:

  1. A bar chart with 13-day exponential moving average;
  2. Elder Ray Bull Power; and
  3. Elder Ray Bear Power.

Only trade in the direction of the trend - indicated by the slope of the 13-day EMA.

  • Go long if Bear Power is below zero and there is a bullish divergence.
  • Go short if Bull Power is above zero and there is a bearish divergence.

Further trading rules can be found in Trading For A Living by Dr Alexander Elder.

If you wish to pyramid your position:

  • Increase your long position whenever Bear Power dips below zero and then rises back into positive.
  • Increase your short position whenever Bull Power rises above zero and then falls back into negative.

Example

The All Ordinaries Index (Australia) is shown with  13-day exponential moving average (EMA) and    Elder Ray Bull & Bear Power.

Elder Ray Index

Mouse over chart captions to display trading signals.

  1. Go short [S] on bearish divergence on Bull Power. Wait for the EMA to turn downwards.
  2. Go long [L] on bullish divergence on Bear Power. Wait for the EMA to turn upwards.
  3. Bearish divergence on Bull Power but no trade is entered - the EMA does not turn down.

Setup

See Indicator Panel for directions on how to set up an indicator. The default settings for Elder Ray are :

To alter the default settings - Edit Indicator Settings.