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Dynamics

"The trend is your friend, but only if you know its strength."  Unknown

Dynamics indicators measure trend strength, speed, and direction. Unlike momentum indicators that measure rate of change, dynamics indicators answer: "Is there a trend, and how strong is it?" Critical for filtering signals and avoiding whipsaws in ranging markets.

Indicator Status

Indicator Full Name Status Description
ADX Average Directional Index  Trend strength 0-100. Direction-agnostic. <20 weak, >40 strong.
ADXR Average Directional Movement Rating  Smoothed ADX. Average of current and N-period ago ADX.
ALLIGATOR Williams Alligator = Three SMAs (Jaw, Teeth, Lips). Spread indicates trend strength.
AMAT Archer Moving Averages Trends  Multiple EMA alignment. Requires fast/slow EMA plus directional confirmation.
AROON Aroon  Time since high/low. Aroon Up/Down measure recency of extremes.
AROONOSC Aroon Oscillator  Aroon Up minus Aroon Down. Single line: +100 to -100.
CHOP Choppiness Index = Trendiness measure. High values = choppy. Low = trending.
DMX Jurik DMX  Smoothed bipolar DMI using Jurik smoothing. Low noise.
DX Directional Movement Index = Raw directional strength. Unsmoothed ADX component.
HT_TRENDMODE HT Trend vs Cycle = Ehlers Hilbert Transform. Binary trend/cycle mode detection.
ICHIMOKU Ichimoku Cloud = Five-line system. Cloud defines support/resistance zones.
IMI Intraday Momentum Index = RSI variant using open-close range. Intraday overbought/oversold.
QSTICK Qstick = MA of (Close - Open). Positive = buying pressure.
SUPER SuperTrend  ATR-based trailing stop. Flips on breakout. Color-coded direction.
TTM TTM Trend = Fast 6-period EMA. Color-coded trend from John Carter.
VORTEX Vortex Indicator = VI+ and VI- measure positive/negative trend movement.

Status Key:  Implemented | = Planned

Selection Guide

Use Case Recommended Why
Trend strength filter ADX Industry standard. <20 avoid trend trades; >40 strong trend.
Trend direction + strength AROON, AROONOSC Measures how recently price made new highs vs lows.
Trend following stops SUPER ATR-based dynamic support/resistance. Clear entry/exit.
Low-noise direction DMX Jurik smoothing reduces whipsaws vs standard DMI.
Trend confirmation AMAT Multiple timeframe EMA alignment required for signal.
Choppy market detection CHOP, ADX CHOP high or ADX low means avoid trend strategies.

ADX Interpretation

ADX Value Trend Strength Recommended Action
0-20 Absent or weak Avoid trend-following. Use mean reversion.
20-25 Emerging Early trend possible. Confirm with direction.
25-40 Strong Trend-following strategies work well.
40-50 Very strong Trend mature. Watch for exhaustion.
50+ Extreme Unsustainable. Reversal risk increases.

ADX tells strength, not direction. Use +DI/-DI or other direction indicators alongside.

Dynamics vs Momentum

Aspect Dynamics Momentum
Measures Trend existence/strength Rate of price change
Direction Often direction-agnostic Usually directional
Best for Filtering Timing
Examples ADX, CHOP, AROON RSI, MACD, ROC

Use dynamics to filter when to trade. Use momentum to time entries/exits.