The following page describes in detail all of the moving average elements available for "Technical Analysis" charts.

Simple Moving Average (SMA):
Abbreviated as "Moving Avg" in the chart controls, a simple moving average is calculated by adding the security's prices for the most recent "n" time periods and then dividing by "n." To illustrate, adding the closing prices of a security for most recent 20 days and then dividing by 20 would result in a 20-day moving average. On a chart, this calculation is done for each period in the chart.

Exponential Moving Average (EMA):
An exponential moving average differs slightly from a simple moving average in that it gives extra weight to more recent price data. This allows investors to track and respond much more quickly to recent price trends that might take more time to appear on an SMA. The formula for an EMA is:
EMA = price today * K + EMA yest * (1-K) where K = 2 / (N+1).

Six different time periods are available for both SMA and EMA (5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 day).

Up to four moving averages can be selected at any one time. When a moving average is activated, it is bolded. To toggle the selected item off, simply click the link a second time.

Please note that a maximum of four moving averages (and overlays) can be activated at any one time. If you have reached this limit and click a new overlay or moving average, the most recent item selected is enabled, and the oldest item selected is turned off.