How to Use the TRIX Indicator – Trading Strategy and Tips

The TRIX indicator measures the rate of change in a triple exponential moving average to identify potential trends and reversals in financial markets. Traders and investors can use it to assess the strength of price momentum and identify potential buying or selling opportunities.

This guide will explore the intricacies of the Triple Exponential Average (TRIX) indicator, its calculation method, and how it can be effectively utilized in technical analysis to enhance trading decisions.

What is the Triple Exponential Average (TRIX) Indicator, and How Does It Work?

Developed by Jack Hutson in the early 1980s, the Triple Exponential Average (TRIX) indicator has gained popularity among technical analysts for its ability to identify divergences and provide directional cues. It is a powerful tool used in trading to identify oversold and overbought market conditions while also serving as a momentum indicator.

TRIX filters out insignificant price movements by applying a triple smoothing technique to moving averages, providing traders with a clearer picture of market trends. It is typically displayed as a sub-chart, appearing below the main chart. This placement allows traders to quickly reference the TRIX values while analyzing price movements on the main chart.

Technically, the indicator consists of two TRIX lines that plot the values derived from the triple exponential moving average. The indicator settings can be adjusted to suit individual preferences and trading styles, but traders commonly use the default settings of 15 for the triple-smoothed EMA and 9 for the TRIX signal line.

It’s worth noting that the TRIX indicator shares similarities with the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator. However, when comparing Trix Vs. MACD, the primary distinction lies in the smoothing of the output. TRIX outputs are smoother due to the triple smoothing of the exponential moving average (EMA) used in its calculations.

The TRIX indicator is calculated by applying a series of exponential moving averages (EMA) to the closing price. First, an EMA is calculated using the closing price. Then, another EMA is applied to the previous EMA value, and this process is repeated one more time. The final result is obtained by subtracting yesterday’s (or any applied timeframe) triple EMA value from today’s triple EMA value and dividing it by yesterday’s triple EMA value. 

This calculation helps determine the rate of change in the TRIX indicator, providing insights into price momentum. In short, the Trix Indicator formula is given by:

EMA1 = EMA( Close )

EMA2 = EMA( EMA1 )

EMA3 = EMA( EMA2 )

TRIX = ( EMA3 [today] – EMA3 [yesterday] ) / EMA3 [yesterday]

Where:

EMA – Exponential Moving Average

Understanding the values generated by the indicator is crucial for effective trading. But overall, what you need to remember is that when the TRIX signal line crosses above the zero line, it is considered a buy signal, indicating a potential uptrend in the market. Conversely, when the TRIX line closes below the zero line, it is viewed as a sell signal, indicating a potential downtrend.

How to Use the TRIX Indicator in Trading

Utilizing the TRIX indicator on a trading platform can provide valuable insights into market trends and potential trading opportunities. To use the indicator, you must first add it to your trading platform.

Adding the TRIX indicator to your chart on popular platforms like TradingView or MetaTrader4 is a straightforward process that can enhance your technical analysis toolkit.

To add the TRIX indicator to your chart on TradingView, follow these steps:

• Open the TradingView platform and select the desired trading pair or asset.
• Click on the “Indicators” button at the chart window’s top.
• In the search bar, type “TRIX” and select the indicator from the list of options.
• Adjust the indicator’s parameters according to your trading preferences, or use the default settings.
• Once configured, click the “Apply” button to add the indicator to your chart.

Once you have successfully added the indicator to your chart, understanding its use cases is crucial for effective trading. Here are a few common scenarios where the TRIX indicator can be useful:

Zero Crossover

The TRIX indicator helps assess the market’s momentum. With the centerline value of 0, significant turning points can be found as the TRIX line crosses above and below the zero line, suggesting a shift in market sentiment.

A TRIX crossover from below to above indicates a strengthening impulse in the market, indicating potential buying opportunities for traders. Conversely, a crossover of the centerline from above shows a weakening impulse, signaling potential selling opportunities in the market (as you can see in the GBP/USD chart below).

So, to TRIX zero crossover strategy: 

• Sell when the TRIX crosses your zero line to the downside.
• Buy when the TRIX crosses your zero line to the upside.

Divergences

Like any other indicator, divergences occur when the TRIX indicator’s direction contradicts the price action. When trading divergence, traders are looking for bullish and bearish divergences. 

A bullish divergence occurs when the price forms lower lows while the TRIX indicator forms higher lows, indicating a potential bullish reversal. It is also considered a bullish divergence when the TRIX indicator makes a higher high while the price forms a lower high.

Bearish divergence, on the other hand, occurs when the price forms higher highs while the TRIX indicator forms lower highs, suggesting a potential bearish reversal. Similarly, it is also a bearish divergence when the price forms higher lows while the TRIX forms lower lows.

Triple Exponential Average Indicator Trading Strategy Tutorial

We can develop effective trading strategies that give us valuable insights into potential entry and exit points by focusing on the zero crossovers in combination with other indicators. Here are two of the most effective strategies to use with the TRIX indicator:

Use TRIX and a Moving Average Indicator

To find a trade using the TRIX indicator, we can combine it with an exponential moving average indicator for confirmation. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Sell Signal

When the 50 EMA crosses below the 200 EMA while the TRIX indicator is below the zero line, it presents a compelling sell setup. This confluence of signals suggests a strong bearish bias in the market.

Buy Signal

On the other hand, when the 50 EMA crosses above the 200 EMA with the TRIX indicator above the zero line, it indicates a potential buy setup, signaling a bullish bias.

Note that for each setup, it doesn’t matter which happens first or last. You should make the appropriate trade when the EMAs confirm the TRIX or vice versa. Your stop losses should be below the longer EMA line in bearish trades but above the longer EMA line in bullish trades.

Add Fibonacci Retracement Levels

Another effective strategy involves combining the TRIX indicator with Fibonacci retracement levels. Here’s how to execute this strategy:

1. Identify a financial asset with a clear TRIX crossover above or below the zero line, which indicates the trend bias. For example, a crossover above the zero line suggests a bullish trend, while a crossover below suggests a downtrend. 
2. In a bullish trend, plot the Fibonacci retracement tool from the most recent swing low to the swing high and wait for the price to retrace to the 0.382, 0.5, or 0.618 Fibonacci level. This retracement zone becomes a potential buying opportunity. 
3. Place the stop loss below the Fibonacci level, where the price reacts. Similarly, in a downtrend, look for price retracements to the 0.382, 0.5, or 0.618 Fibonacci level as potential selling opportunities. Place the stop loss above the active Fibonacci level.

TRIX Indicator – Pros and Cons

The TRIX indicator is a valuable tool in trading. However, like any technical indicator, it has its pros and cons. Here are the ones to take note of:

Benefits of Using the TRIX Indicator

The TRIX indicator effectively smooths price data by utilizing a triple exponential moving average (EMA) calculation. This smoothing capability helps eliminate market noise and provides a clearer picture of the underlying trend, making it easier to identify significant price movements and potential trade setups. 

Additionally, the indicator is renowned for its proficiency in detecting early trend reversals. Its unique formula often generates signals ahead of other oscillators, giving traders an opportunity to capture potential trend changes at an early stage.

Limitations of the TRIX Indicator

Despite its strengths, the TRIX indicator has certain limitations that traders should be aware of. One of the main drawbacks is that it is a lagging indicator. Like many technical analysis tools, there is a delay between the occurrence of a price movement and the TRIX indicator reflecting that change.

Furthermore, the performance of the TRIX indicator can be influenced by the prevailing market conditions. During periods of low volatility or choppy price action, the TRIX indicator may generate more false signals or fail to provide clear indications.

Key Takeaways

Frequently Asked Questions About Trading the TRIX Indicator

Here are the answers to some popular questions on using the TRIX Indicator:

How to read the TRIX indicator?

One effective way to read the TRIX Indicator is to observe its zero line and the crossovers that occur. When the TRIX line crosses above the zero line, it suggests bullish momentum, indicating a potential buying opportunity. Conversely, when the TRIX line crosses below the zero line, it suggests bearish momentum, indicating a potential selling opportunity.

What is the difference between TRIX and EMA?

The main difference between the TRIX (triple exponential average) and EMA (exponential moving average) indicators lies in their calculation methods. TRIX is based on a triple exponential moving average, which provides a smoother representation of price trends and filters out noise more effectively compared to a standard exponential moving average.

What are the best settings for the TRIX indicator?

The best settings for the TRIX indicator may vary depending on the trader’s preferences and the specific financial asset being analyzed. However, a common practice is to use a 14-period TRIX indicator. This setting is often considered a good starting point, but it’s important to adjust the settings based on your trading style, timeframes, and the market conditions you are observing.