What is a 'MA'?

A moving average is a technical analysis indicator that helps smooth out price action by filtering out the "noise" from random price fluctuations. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Term of the Day | Words to Know Moving Average (MA) A moving average (MA) is a widely used indicator in technical analysis that helps smooth out price action by filtering out the "noise" from random short-term price fluctuations. It is a trend-following, or lagging, indicator because it is based on past prices. The two basic and commonly used moving averages are the simple moving average (SMA), which is the simple average of a security over a defined number of time periods, and the exponential moving average (EMA), which gives greater weight to more recent prices. Read More » Related to "Moving Average (MA)" Simple vs. Exponential Moving Averages: What's the Difference? Both simple and exponential moving averages are technical indicators that help traders visualize trends by smoothing out price movements, but they are based on different calculations. Read More » How to Use a Moving Average to Buy Stocks The moving average (MA) is a simple technical analysis tool that smooths out price data by creating a constantly updated average price. Read More » The 7 Pitfalls of Moving Averages While moving averages can be a valuable tool, they are not without risk. Read More » SPONSORED BY FIDELITY INVESTMENTS Investing in Women in More Ways Than One Hiring and retaining women is essential to making financial expertise broadly accessible. Here's why Fidelity is prioritizing women's career growth and potential. Learn More » Related Definitions Simple Moving Average A simple moving average (SMA) is an arithmetic moving average calculated by adding recent closing prices and then dividing that by the number of periods. Read More » Exponential Moving Average An exponential moving average - EMA is a type of moving average that places a greater weight and significance on the most recent data points. Read More » Lagging Indicator A lagging indicator is a financial sign that becomes apparent only after a large economic shift has taken place. Therefore, lagging indicators confirm long-term trends, but they do not predict them. Read More » Death Cross A death cross pattern is defined as that which occurs when a security's short-term moving average drops below its long-term moving average. Read More » CONNECT WITH INVESTOPEDIA Email sent to: mondemand.forex@blogger.com To update your newsletter preferences or unsubscribe, click here. 114 West 41st St, floor 8 New York NY 10036 © 2020, Investopedia, LLC, All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy