Moving Average Convergence/Divergence Formula (Chart Controls)

  • Article

The moving average convergence/divergence (MACD) formula compares a short period moving average and a long period moving average of prices. MACD is used with a 9-day exponential moving average as a signal that identifies buying or selling moments.

Sample plot of the MACD formula output

Formula Details

Syntax

Chart.DataManipulator.FinancialFormula(
    FinancialFormula.MACD,
    "ShortPeriod,LongPeriod",
    "Volume",
    "Result")

Parameters

This formula takes two optional parameters.

  • ShortPeriod
    Period for calculating the short period moving average. The default value is 12.
  • LongPeriod
    Period for calculating the long period moving average. The default value is 26.

Input Values

This formula takes one input Y value.

  • Price
    The price to be calculated by the formula.

Output Value

This formula outputs one Y value.

  • MACDIndicator
    Distance between the short and long exponential moving averages.

Remarks

The Line chart type is a convenient chart type to display the formula output.

Example

The following code applies the MACD formula on Series1's third Y values (Series1:Y3) and outputs it to Series3's first Y values (Series3:Y). It also specifies a short period of 15 days and a long period of 30 days.

Chart1.DataManipulator.FinancialFormula (FinancialFormula.MACD, "15,30", "Series1:Y3","Series3:Y")

Chart1.DataManipulator.FinancialFormula (FinancialFormula.MACD, "15,30", "Series1:Y3", "Series3:Y");

See Also

Reference

System.Windows.Forms.DataVisualization.Charting
System.Web.UI.DataVisualization.Charting

Concepts

Financial Formulas
Applying Formulas