Google Finance, while providing a user-friendly interface for tracking market data, doesn’t explicitly reveal the exact formula it uses for calculating the Relative Strength Index (RSI). However, the RSI calculation is a standard, well-defined process. Therefore, we can confidently assume Google Finance employs the universally accepted formula.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is a momentum oscillator used in technical analysis that measures the magnitude of recent price changes to evaluate overbought or oversold conditions in the price of a stock or other asset. It’s bounded between 0 and 100.
The RSI is calculated in two main steps:
- Calculate the Relative Strength (RS):
- First, determine the average gain and average loss over a specific period, typically 14 periods (days, weeks, etc.).
- Average Gain = Sum of Gains over the period / Number of periods (e.g., 14)
- Average Loss = Sum of Losses over the period / Number of periods (e.g., 14)
- When calculating the *initial* average gain and average loss, a simple average is used.
- For *subsequent* periods, a smoothing or weighting factor is applied. This is usually done to make the RSI react more smoothly to new price data. The typical formula for subsequent average gain and loss is:
- Average Gain (Current Period) = [(Previous Average Gain) * (14 – 1) + Current Gain] / 14
- Average Loss (Current Period) = [(Previous Average Loss) * (14 – 1) + Current Loss] / 14
- If there is no gain or loss in a particular period, that value is zero.
- Relative Strength (RS) = Average Gain / Average Loss
- Calculate the Relative Strength Index (RSI):
- RSI = 100 – [100 / (1 + RS)]
Key Considerations:
- Period Length: The most common period for RSI is 14. However, shorter periods (e.g., 9) make the RSI more sensitive, while longer periods (e.g., 25) make it less sensitive. Google Finance likely defaults to 14, but it might allow users to customize this parameter within charting settings.
- Data Source: The RSI calculation depends on accurate historical price data (specifically, closing prices). Google Finance sources its data from reliable providers, so the input data should be accurate. Discrepancies between RSI values on Google Finance and other platforms are more likely to stem from different update frequencies or data cleaning processes than from fundamentally different formulas.
- Interpretation: Generally, an RSI above 70 suggests that the asset is overbought and may be due for a price correction. An RSI below 30 suggests that the asset is oversold and may be due for a price rebound. However, these are just general guidelines, and the RSI should be used in conjunction with other technical indicators and fundamental analysis.
- Smoothing: The smoothing method used to calculate subsequent average gain and loss significantly affects the RSI’s behavior. While the above formula is the most common, variations exist.
In summary, while Google Finance doesn’t explicitly state the formula, the RSI it displays most likely adheres to the standard calculation described above. Understanding the underlying formula and its components is crucial for effectively interpreting the RSI and using it as part of a comprehensive trading strategy.