Today’s video is on the technical analysis oscillator, the Williams %R. Developed by Larry Williams, the Williams %R is a momentum indicator that compares the current closing price to the high and low of a certain period of time, normally 14 days. The Williams %R helps identify overbought and oversold conditions and can be used to find entry and exit points.
What is Williams %R?
While similar to the Stochastic Oscillator, the Williams %R uses a negative scale and oscillates between 0 and -100. The indicator will typically have levels marked at -20 and -80, as well as a midpoint at -50. If the current closing price is near the top of the high-low range, the indicator will read closer to 0. If the current closing price is near the bottom of the high-low range, the indicator will read closer to -100. If the close is equal to the high of the high-low range, the indicator will read 0.
Overbought and Oversold
Using the default period of 14, readings from 0 to -20 are considered overbought and readings from -80 to -100 are considered oversold. It is important to remember that markets in strong uptrends can become overbought and remain overbought, indicating sustained buying pressure. Conversely, markets in strong downtrends and become oversold and remain oversold, indicating sustained selling pressure.
Using the Midpoint
The midpoint of the Williams %R is an important level to watch. When the indicator moves above -50, it indicates that prices are trading in the upper half of the high-low range for the given period, and it could mean the market is strengthening. On the other hand, when the indicator moves below -50, it indicates that prices are trading in the lower half of the high-low range for the given period, and it could mean further weakness.
