MACD Binary Options Strategy: The Top 3 MACD Binary Strategies

What is the MACD Indicator?

The MACD was first developed in the 1970s by a man named Gerald Appel. It is a lagging indicator that is used to follow trends. The MACD consists of two exponential moving averages and a histogram. The MACD is calculated as the difference in the assets 26 day (slow) and 12 day (fast) Exponential moving averages (EMA). These indicators will use the closing price of the asset in their calculation.

Apart from the standard MACD indicator, there is also a 9 day EMA of the MACD that is plotted as well. This helps for the trader to decide whether they should be buying / selling. The general rule of thumb when it comes to the MACD indictor is that it is a bullish indicator when the MACD is above its 9 day moving average.

There is another indicator that is added to the MACD representation and that is the histogram. It is helpful as it is able to identify when the difference between the moving average and the MACD itself is positive / negative. It is easy to tell when looking at the histogram whether there is a bullish indicator or bearish indicator.

Binary Option MACD Strategies

MACDs are a great indicator to use when trading binary options as they help to identify when momentum is strong and when it is tapering off.

When the trader sets the MACD periods to the option expiry periods, an even more accurate reading is presented. It will help the trader assess whether they should indeed enter the option up or down.

The MACD indicators can also be used when the trader wants to employ more exotic binary options such as one touch and no touch options.

Below we will run through some examples of binary option trades that you can embark on once reading the MACD indicator.

MACD 0 Line Crossover

A 0 line crossover, or “center line” crossover occurs when the MACD line goes from positive to negative. This is an indication that the asset may be moving from a situation of positive momentum to negative momentum and vice versa.

When the MACD crosses from negative to positive then this is seen as a bullish sign and is called a bullish crossover. On the other end, when the MACD crosses from positive to negative this can be a bearish indicator and is called a bearish crossover.

Indeed, a 0 line crossover may not be an indication that momentum has switched. For example, there may be a situation where the MACD will remain close to the 0 line for some time going forward. These are indeed hard to read and just show that momentum is currently quite limited.

Taking a look at an example of a binary options MACD crossover trade, below we have the price of Ether (USD) with the time period set to five minute candles. This was a Bullish crossover and was an indication that there was a move to positive momentum in the price of Ether.

In this case, the trader should consider entering a 5 minute binary option CALL on the price of Ether. As we can see, the next candle ended up closing considerably up from its open. This means that the CALL option would have ended up in the money and paid the trader off.

MACD Signal Crossovers

As mentioned above, the MACD signal line is very helpful as it allows the trader to spot when the MACD indicator may itself turn. This could then be a prelude increasing / decreasing momentum in the assets price as the MACD itself may turn.

In general, when the MACD line goes over and crosses the signal line, this is a bullish (positive). On the other side, when the MACD crosses the signal line to the downside then this is considered a bearish crossover and shows that momentum could be turning the other way.

If the trader was using a simple high / low binary option strategy, they would look to enter a PUT option in the case of a Bearish Crossover and they would enter a CALL option for a Bullish crossover.

In the below chart, we have the price of Gold with Candlesticks placed on a 2 minute horizon. Hence, the trader should consider 2 minute binary option trades as the instrument.

As you can see, there was a signal crossover and this was a Bullish crossover as the MACD has passed over the signal line. We can also see that the Histogram has reversed and is now positive.

As this is a bullish signal with momentum reversing to the upside, the trader should place a 2 minute binary CALL option on the price of gold. Indeed, the trade would have expired in the money as the closing price of the candle was above the opening price.

Although trading binary options with the MACD can indeed be profitable, the trader needs to be careful placing trades when the MACD line is at all-time highs or lows.

MACD Momentum Divergence

A MACD divergence occurs when the movement of the price is different from that which is being demonstrated by the MACD indicator itself. This is usually a sign that the momentum is indeed tapering out and should make traders weary. As we have mentioned, momentum is a key ingredient in a trend continuing its trajectory.

Hence, if the binary options trader is to observe a divergence between the MACD and the underlying price then this is an indicator that they should consider placing a trade that is contrary to the trend. A reversal from the current trend in the price is indeed possible.

There are two types of MACD divergences. There is the Bullish divergence which occurs when the price of the asset continues reaching lower lows but the MACD indicator itself records a higher low. A bearish MACD divergence occurs when the price of the security reaches a higher high but the MACD indicator is recording a lower high.

Taking a look at a MACD convergence example, on the right we have the 10 minute chart of the S&P 500 index as well as the MACD indicator below. As you can see, the index is reaching higher highs but the MACD seems to be reaching lower highs. This is an indication that some of the momentum behind the price move is indeed eking out.

The trader should therefore consider entering a 10 minute Binary PUT option on the S&P 500. Of course, it is quite difficult to ascertain when this should exactly be done as we can see that the price kept on climbing even though the MACD was falling. At this stage, it should be an indication to avoid a CALL option trade at this point.

However, there appeared to be a Bearish MACD signal line crossover. In this case it appears to be occurring at the same time that we are having a bearish divergence. At this stage, the trader should place a 10 minute Binary PUT option in expectation of a fall in the price.

Indeed, if the trader had done this, the option would have expired in the money as the candle closed down below the open. The trade would have ended profitably and paid the trader out.