Relative Vigor Index: how to master it for Day Trading

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Learn how to use this technical oscillator while looking for trends

Technical analysis is the process of using tools that have been developed using mathematical calculations to forecast the direction of an asset. There are hundreds of technical indicators that are found in most trading platforms like the MT4, PPro8, and TradingView.

These indicators are divided into leading and lagging indicators. Lagging indicators are the likes of moving averages and the Parabolic SAR while leading indicators are the likes of the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and MACD.

In this article, we will look at the Relative Vigor Index (RVI), and how you can use it to trade the financial market.
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What is the Relative Vigor Index?

The Relative Vigor Index (RVI) is a technical indicator that is categorized as an oscillator in most trading platforms. The indicator appears as three lines:

The neutral level (dotted horizontal line)
Relative Vigor Index (RVI) line
The signal line.

Traders use the indicator to identify when the price of an asset is oversold or overbought. Overbought levels are used to signal opportunities to short or sell while oversold levels are used to signal opportunities to buy.

As with all indicators with such lines, there are two main sections that traders watch. There is when the two lines cross the neutral line. The other period is when the RVI and signal lines cross one another.

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How is the RVI calculated?

The process of calculating the relative vigor index is relatively complex compared to other indicators. This should not scare you because you are not requited to do the calculations yourself.

As trader who has been in the industry for many years, we have friends in the industry who can’t calculate simple indicators such as moving averages.

Instead, it is recommended that you know the meaning of the indicator and how to use it when trading.

As with most indicators, the RVI was created with the commodities market in mind. Still, it can be used well in the other markets such as forex, stocks, and indices.

The first step for calculating the RVI is to identify the period to examine. The default period in most platforms is usually 14. Still, you can tweak this period to suit your trading strategy.

After this, you need to identify the Open, High, Low, and Close values for the current bar.

Then, identify the same levels for the lookback period.

You should then calculate the simple moving averages for the numerator and denominator for the period. Finally, divide the numerator from the denominator. As you may have noted, this is a process similar to how the stochastics oscillator is calculated.

How to Use the Relative Vigor Index (RVI)

Finding the open and closing prices for currencies is usually relatively difficult because the forex market is usually open 24 hours for five days. Getting the data for stocks is easy because there are actual opening and closing prices every day.

By the way, the first step is to look at a chart visually and seeing how it is trending. You should use the RVI when the market is trending, this will help you get the real signal.

After applying the RVI, you need to look closely at when the two lines intersect. This is where the signal is used.

Example of RVI chart

As shown on the chart above, something happens when the RVI and signal line of the RVI indicator make a crossover. The red arrows show how the pair moves upwards when the two indicators cross over.

The blue lines, instead, shows how the price moves lower when the two lines make a crossover.

As you can see, not all crossovers lead to reversals. This is why you need to be very careful and use the indicator well and in combination with other indicators.