Accelerator Decelerator: how to control the player’s pressure at the market effectively

Logic and purpose

Accelerator Decelerator (AC) advances the actual dynamics:

before a turn, the AC histogram is developed (is slowed down) first as the price stops updating the extreme values, before strengthening of a trend the histogram begins to grow.

The central line of the indicator – the level at which acceleration of the price is balanced with the driving force of the market.

According to the author's strategy of Profitunity:

Calculation procedure

The standard Accelerator Decelerator indicator uses a concept of the average (median price) price of the current bar:

(High+Low)/2

In some sources for calculation the closing price is included in the calculation of an average:

(High+Low+Close)/3

It is supposed that such price moves more smoothly than the average, but, nevertheless, reflects similar dynamics. The concept of the median price is used much more often.

After determination of the base settlement price (median or typical), the exponential sliding average with the period 5 is calculated − EMA(5), or «fast» average, and similar «slow» average EMA(34). The difference between values of these MA gives data for creation of the Awesome Oscillator indicator.

Further, to enhance its advancing properties, it is necessary to calculate a difference between the value of the AO indicator’s histogram and its moving average of SMA(5) – only then we obtain necessary data for Accelerator Decelerator.

The calculation in the form of formulas:

MedianPrice=(High+Low)/2, (for TypicalPrice = (High+Low+Close)/3);

AO=SMA (MedianPrice; 5) −SMA (MedianPrice; 34),

AC=AO−SMA(AO; 5).

Parameters and control

This technical indicator of oscillator type is a part of all popular trading platforms and is displayed as the color histogram in an additional window. There are non-standard options for the AC placing the histogram directly on the price schedule.

Most often traditional red-green scale is applied to the histogram, but the trader can independently choose a color scheme. The zero line is displaced in dynamics depending on what trend prevails in the market.

Standard version of the indicator

The first parameter of the indicator isn't recommended to change as it reflects the wave structure of the calculation and «is tied» to standard Elliot`s wave model (5 main and 2 auxiliary waves) and also to the model of a Mandelbrot`s fractal.

The second parameter and the type of calculation of average are corrected usually, for example, in practice the parameters (5; 20; 3; EMA) are chosen for actively volatile tools.

Trade signals of the indicator

For making a decision on the direction of an entry in the market it is necessary to track the change of color of the histogram:

• if the current bar is red – we do not buy, we open only sell or we do not trade at all;
• if the current bar is green – we do not sell, only purchases are possible or we are out of the market.

If we open the transaction in the direction of the driving force’s strengthening, that is on the positive histogram – for purchase, on the negative – for sell, then there are enough two bars of the appropriate color.

For a long position: 1 red and 2 green serial bars with a higher max shall be created on the positive AC histogram. We put the BuyStop order by 1-3 points higher than a maximum of a signal bar.

The strong signal for purchase

For a short position: the signal arises on normal logic – the direction changes from top to down − 1 green and 2 red bars with lower min appears sequentially on the negative histogram. We put the SellStop order by 1-3 points below than a minimum of a signal candle.

The strong signal for sell

To make the decision on the transaction against the direction of an acceleration − purchase on the histogram is below zero or sell on the histogram above the line of balance – needs an additional bar as confirmation.

For a long position: 1 red and 3 green serial bars with higher min shall be on the negative histogram. We put the BuyStop order by 1-3 points higher than a maximum of a signal candle.

Weaker signal for purchase

At the same time if one of the first 2 green bars punches the zero line, then it is already possible to buy on the third bar.

For a short position: the appearance of 1 green and two red bars which sequentially decrease on the positive histogram is necessary. SellStop is placed by 1-3 points lower than a low price of a signal bar.

Weaker signal for sell

If one of first two bars cross the zero line, then it is possible to open the transaction for sale already on the last red bar.

The number of bars for opening of the transaction

On the AC indicator, a divergence signal, traditional for oscillators, with the price (the price forms a new extremum, and the schedule of the indicator moves in the opposite direction) appears much less often.

It means that the current direction of a trend weakens (is slowed down), that is − at such situation will be logical to open the transaction towards the breakthrough of zero level. In that case, we put Stop Loss behind the next local extremum

Several practical remarks

If the Accelerator Decelerator indicator shows a standard trade signal, but before execution of the postponed orders (exposed according to rules!), the histogram changes color − the signal is considered incorrect and is canceled.

It is possible to leave trade orders in action if they are rather far from a point of a turn of the histogram and the general direction of a trend remains relevant.

It is possible to apply AC as the indicator of flat markets − during the periods of low volatility its histogram fluctuates in a zone of the zero line with the minimum amplitude.

If to apply the AC histogram with fractals, then it is necessary to consider that its signals have only the confirming character, and the contact of the first fractal will be the main signal − only after that orders can be exposed according to AC indicator signals.

Here’s how it goes:

The AC indicator in the strategy of Profitunity

Rather difficult mathematics of the Accelerator Decelerator indicator allows smoothing speculative throws of the price, for example, on news, that allows using it on any assets even in the unstable market. Its signals can be considered reliable only for medium-term transactions on the time frames from H1 above.

Try It Yourself

After all the sides of the indicator were revealed, it is right the time for you to try either it will become your tool #1 for trading.

In order to try the indicator performance alone or in the combination with other ones, you can use Forex Tester with the historical data that comes along with the program.

Simply download Forex Tester for free. In addition, you will receive 23 years of free historical data (easily downloadable straight from the software).