What Is Parabolic Sar?: How to Use It?

What Is Parabolic Sar?: How to Use It?
Create at 11 months ago (Jun 01, 2023 15:21)
The Forex market's nature exposes traders to significant risk and volatility. This environment enhances the deployment of robust tools for market analysis. One such essential tool is indicators, which come in various forms and applications, meeting diverse trader needs.
 
In this article, we present the Parabolic SAR, a crucial indicator widely adopted for initial trend analysis. What are its distinguishing features? You will find the answer here.
 

Understanding Parabolic Sar

Parabolic SAR is an effective tool for trend analysis. SAR stands for "Stop and Reverse," indicating the dual functionality of this indicator - trend analysis and signaling trend exits and reversals.
 
The credit for developing the Parabolic SAR goes to J. Welles Wilder, a renowned technical analyst, also known for creating the popular tools ATR and RSI.
 

How to Use the Parabolic SAR?

Employing the Parabolic SAR involves adjusting two settings: "Step" and "Maximum." The default value for Step is 0.02, and the Maximum is set at 0.2. The Step value, representing the acceleration factor, begins at the initial value and increases based on recent price extremes in the current period, until it reaches the specified Maximum value.
 
After reaching this point, the acceleration factor gradually adapts to continuous trading activity. The trading sensitivity of the Parabolic SAR depends on the chosen speed. A higher acceleration factor brings it faster to the price, but setting the Parabolic SAR too high might trigger excessive reversal signals. Wilder recommends not setting the Maximum value higher than 0.22.
 

Analysis of the Parabolic SAR

Parabolic SAR is an easy-to-use indicator as it presents data points that indicate the trend. When the dots are below the price, it signifies an uptrend, while those above the price suggest a downtrend.
 

When a trend reversal occurs, the Parabolic SAR provides four signals:

 

1. If it crosses the price and forms three consecutive decreasing dots above the candlestick, it signals a bearish reversal.

2. If the price crosses below and forms three consecutive increasing dots below the candlestick, it indicates a bullish reversal.

3. If the price surpasses the Parabolic SAR, implying a buying price above the SAR and a selling price below the SAR.

4. If the price crosses the Parabolic SAR again, it suggests the need to stop and reverse your position.

 
Analysis of the Parabolic SAR

 

The Parabolic SAR is an effective tool for determining entry points, letting you close a buy position when it reverses above the price, and close a sell position when it reverses below the price. This approach ensures order retention in the direction of price movement as per the Parabolic SAR.


The Parabolic SAR also offers a framework for implementing trailing stops. In an uptrend, for instance, it will ascend with the rising price, progressively moving the stop-loss order from one point to the next. This feature aids in risk limitation and profit lock-in based on a trader's assessment.

 

Conclusion

The Parabolic SAR is a unique and powerful indicator, demonstrating efficient functionality in both uptrend and downtrend markets.

 

However, it may deliver false signals in sideways markets. Hence, it is advisable to pair the Parabolic SAR with other technical indicators for enhanced accuracy.

For instance, when the Average Directional Index (ADX) confirms a strong trend, using the Parabolic SAR alongside the ADX could increase its effectiveness and precision.

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