How to Select the Most Suitable Trading Indicators?

One of the most commonly asked question by novice traders is "what indicators should I use?" which is unsurprising given the vast array of available tools on a typical trading platform. Some traders prefer to crowd their charts with all sorts of indicators, whereas others prefer a more minimalistic approach.

While there is no perfect solution, one thing should be abundantly clear- the indicators you select should help you make sense of the price action rather than distract you. When it comes to the number of indicators one should use, the more does not necessarily mean the better.

In order to narrow down your options, you can use the following guidelines we have compiled for you so that you can diversify your options depending on the underlying market sentiment.

Is the market trending or ranging?

The first thing that needs to be determined is what the underlying sentiment is - is the market trending or range-trading. While a keen eye can catch the subtle difference between the two without the use of any indicators, the ADX (Average Directional Index) can be used to determine the strength of the trend.

Whenever the ADX is threading above the 25-point benchmark, this underpins a robust trending environment. Conversely, a reading of the index below this threshold indicates undetermined (ranging) market sentiment.

If the market is trending, focus on the underlying momentum

Price trends are by definition probing either lower or higher, which is why you need to track their changing strength as they develop. This is crucial for the implementation of trend-continuation or trend-reversal strategies.

Filling the chart with multiple moving averages with different periods does a perfect job of underlining the changing market bias over time. That is so because MAs can be used as floating supports and resistances, and the behaviour of the price action each time it probes a given MA highlights the changing nature of the trend.

The inability of the price to break down below one or several MAs in an uptrend can be perceived as an indication of persisting bullish commitment in the market. Hence, traders can use trend-continuation trading strategies and place long orders while the price probes the MAs. The opposite is true for downtrends.


The eventual probing and subsequent penetration of the price above (in uptrends) or below (in downtrends) MAs with higher periods signifies waning commitment in the market.

The gradual narrowing down of the space between various MAs followed by an eventual breakout/down underpins the possibility for using trend-reversal strategies. Also, keep in mind that MAs with higher periods are usually found at the bottom of the string in uptrends and on top of the bundle in downtrends.

If the market is ranging, bet on the Stochastic RSI

In ranging markets, in contrast, there is little need for moving averages, as the price action is naturally contained within a horizontal area. Instead of focusing on the direction of the price action, in this case, it makes more sense to study the discrepancies in the underlying buying and selling pressures.

The Stochastic RSI is among the best-fitted indicators to do this job, which is why it is most effective in strong ranging environments. It can be used to gauge the likely rebounds of the price action within the two extremes of the underlying price range.


If the ADX has been threading below the 25-point benchmark for quite a while and the Stochastic RSI is getting into one of its two extremes (overbought and oversold), this can be perceived by traders as a potential indication of imminent reversals in the direction of the price action.