SMA, EMA, LWMA and SMMA

There are 4 types of moving averages:

1. Simple moving average
2. Exponential oil moving average
3. Smoothed moving average
4. Linear weighted moving average

The difference between these 4 oil moving averages is the weight assigned in to the most recent crude trading price data.

SMA Indicator

Oil SMA indicator applies equal weight to the data used to calculate the simple moving average and is calculated by summing up the crude trading price periods of a oil chart and this value is then divided by the number of such crude trading price periods. For example simple moving average 10, adds the crude trading price data for the last 10 price periods and divides them by 10.

EMA Indicator

Oil EMA indicator applies more weight to the most recent crude trading price data and is calculated by assigning the latest crude trading price values more weight based on a percent P, multiplier that is used to multiply and assign more weight to the latest crude trading price data.

LWMA Indicator

Oil LWMA indicator moving averages applies more weight to the most recent crude trading price data and the latest data is of more value than earlier crude trading price data. Linear Weighted moving average is calculated by multiplying each of the closing prices within the series, by a certain weight coefficient.

SMMA Indicator

Oil SMMA Indicator is calculated by applying a smoothing factor of N, the smoothing factor is composed of N smoothing for N crude trading price periods.

The chart example shown below shows SMA, EMA and LWMA. The SMMA oil moving average is not commonly used so it is not shown below.

The LWMA indicator reacts fastest to crude price data, followed by the EMA and then the SMA.

SMA, LWMA, EMA - Types of Moving Averages - SMA, EMA & LWMA

Day Oil with Exponential & Simple Moving Averages

The SMA and EMA oil moving averages are the most commonly used Moving averages to trade crude oil. Whereas the EMA oil moving average has a more sophisticated method of calculation, its more popular than the SMA oil moving average.

Simple Moving Average is the arithmetic mean of the closing crude prices in the crude trading price period based on the set time period where each time period is added and then it is divided by the number of time crude trading price periods chosen. If 10 is the crude trading price period used the crude trading price for the last ten price periods added up then it's divided by 10.

SMA indicator is the result of a simple arithmetic average. Very simple and some traders tend to associate with the trend since it closely follows crude price action.

EMA on the other hand uses an acceleration factor and it is more responsive to the trend.

The SMA oil moving average is used in charts to analyze crude price action. If the crude price action in more than 3 or 4 time crude trading price periods the SMA then it's an indication that long crude trades should be closed immediately and the bullish momentum of the buy oil trade is waning.

The shorter the SMA crude trading price period the faster it is to respond to crude trading price change. SMA indicator can be used to show direct information regarding the trend of the market and the strength by looking at its slope, the steeper or more pronounced slope of the SMA is, the stronger the trend.

The Exponential Moving Average is also used by many traders in the same way but it reacts faster to the market moves and therefore it is more preferred by some crude traders.

The SMA and EMA can also be used to generate entry and exit points when crude oil. These Moving averages can also be combined with Fibonacci and ADX indicators to generate confirmation the signals generated by these moving averages.