Kaufman's Adaptive Moving Average (KAMA) Usage and Signals

Kaufman's Adaptive Moving Average (KAMA) Usage and Signals
Chartists can use KAMA like any other trend following indicator, such as a moving average. Chartists can look for price crosses, directional changes, and filtered forex trading signals .
First, a cross above or below KAMA indicates directional changes in prices. As with any moving average, a simple crossover system will generate lots of forex trading signals and lots of whipsaws. Chartists can reduce whipsaws by applying a price or time filter to the crossovers. One might require price to hold the cross for a set number of days or require the cross to exceed KAMA by a set percentage.

Second, chartists can use the direction of KAMA to define the overall trend for a security. This may require a parameter adjustment to smooth the indicator further. Chartists can change the middle parameter, which is the fastest EMA constant, to smooth KAMA and look for directional changes. The trend is down as long as KAMA is falling and forging lower lows. The trend is up as long as KAMA is rising and forging higher highs. The Kroger example below shows KAMA(10,5,30) with a steep uptrend from December to March and a less-steep uptrend from May to August.

And finally, chartists can combine signals and techniques. Chartists can use a longer-term KAMA to define the bigger trend and a shorter-term KAMA for forex trading signals . For example, KAMA (10,5,30) could be used as a trend filter and be deemed bullish when rising. Once bullish, chartists could then look for bullish crosses when price moves above KAMA (10,2,30). The example below shows MMM with a rising long-term KAMA and bullish crosses in December, January, and February. Long-term KAMA turned down in April and there were bearish crosses in May, June, and July.