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Understanding Stocks

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TECHNICAL ANALYSIS: TOOLS AND TACTICS 137<br />

the end, identifying that Caterpillar was oversold and would eventually<br />

reverse its downtrend.<br />

Bollinger Bands: Another Measure of Whether <strong>Stocks</strong><br />

Are Overbought or Oversold<br />

Like the RSI, Bollinger bands are an oscillator that helps traders identify<br />

whether a stock is overbought or oversold. Bollinger bands have<br />

two lines, an upper and a lower band with a gap between them that<br />

expands or contracts as the stock price moves. You should keep your<br />

eye on the third line in the middle. This is called the price indicator, and<br />

where it goes signals whether a stock is about to reverse direction. An<br />

example of Bollinger bands is given in Figure 12-4.<br />

Technicians look for a number of signals when using Bollinger<br />

bands. First, if the two outer bands move so close together that they are<br />

almost touching (narrow), this is a signal that there could be a sudden<br />

move in the stock price, either up or down. Second, if the price indicator<br />

CAT Daily Bollinger Bands (20) 12/06/02<br />

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Volume ©Big Charts.com<br />

Feb Mar Apr May JunJul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec<br />

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Figure 12-4 Bollinger bands<br />

Millons

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