Dec 5, 2018
Written by:
Al Hill
In this article, we will cover the relative vigor index. The index is not one of the more popular indicators, but that does not mean it lacks accuracy.
We will cover five strategies you can test to see which matches your trading style.
The relative vigor index (RVI or RVGI) is a technical indicator, which anticipates changes in market trends. Many day traders consider the RVI a “first cousin” of the Stochastic Oscillator due to the similarities in their formulas (both use the open, close, high and low of each candlestick).
Since the relative vigor index indicator is an oscillator, the indicator bounces above and below zero – producing both positive and negative values. The below image displays the two lines which make up the RVI indicator:
Relative Vigor Index
The relative vigor index formula is as follows: RVI = (Close – Open) / (High – Low) for each period.
You are probably thinking, “But wait! How do I calculate these two lines?”
The green line is a standard simple moving average of the Relative Vigor Index calculation. Although you can adjust the green line, the default value is 10-periods.
The red line is a 4-period volume weighted moving average. The red line is the “trigger line” because it provides trade signals when it crosses above or below the green line.
A low value indicates an oversold market and a high value signals an overbought one.
Entry and exit signals are triggered when the short moving average crosses the long moving average.
Divergences between price action and RVI often lead counter-trend moves.
The RVI can plot formations such as double bottoms, double tops, head, and shoulders, etc.
The picture below illustrates a double bottom formation of the RVI indicator:
RVI Double Bottom
This is a 10-minute chart of Facebook, where the relative vigor index develops into a clear double bottom signal. After creating the “W” bottom, Facebook’s price took off!
Like every other indicator, the RVI can produce false signals. Therefore, I strongly suggest you combine the relative vigor index with additional trading tools to identify head fakes.
Due to the risk of false signals, we will now cover 5-day RVI indicator trading strategies.
RVI and Stochastics Strategy
Above is a 10-minute chart of Bank of America. The two green circles indicate when the RVI and the stochastic start registering an oversold condition.
Therefore, we go long the moment the green line of the relative vigor index tool breaks the red line signaling a new bullish trend. After we go long, we get a price increase of 50 cents, which equals about 4% of the total price per share.
Relative Vigor Index and RSI Strategy
Above is a 10-minute chart of Yahoo.
In the first setup, we hope to take a long position once the RSI registers an oversold condition and the RVI has a bullish cross. We go long at 3 pm on the 7th and make $1.20 per share by the next trading day.
Lastly, in the second setup, we are on the short side of the trade. The RSI is in overbought territory, and after several periods, the RVI begins to display an overbought reading as well. Once the stochastic and RVI cross to the downside, we open a short position. After a few periods, the price decreases ~$1.16 leaving us with a nice trading profit.
The moving averages can be of any length, as long as it matches your trading style.
In our case, we will combine the RVI with the 9-period and 16-period SMA. After receiving a trade signal from the relative vigor index, you only enter a new position after a cross of the two SMAs in the direction of your desired position. Conversely, you exit your position once there is an SMA cross, which goes in the opposite direction of your trade.
Relative Vigor Index and Two Moving Averages Strategy
Above is a 10-minute chart of IBM. IBM produces an oversold signal in the first green circle.
Despite a long signal from the RVI, we wait for a bullish cross from the SMAs. This happens after 30-minutes, and we take a long position. Therefore, we buy IBM and hold until the two SMAs cross in the opposite direction.
Relative Vigor Index and MACD Strategy
Above is a 10-minute chart of Twitter. Similar to the previous strategies, we wait for both the RVI and MACD to confirm a trade before opening a position. In this example, we were able to open a long position, which nets us 75 cents per share!
Finally, we are going to expose another trading strategy, which consists of combining the relative vigor indicator with Bollinger Bands. As you probably know, the Bollinger Bands indicator consists of a simple moving average (20-period SMA by default) and two bands – upper and lower.
The upper band is two standard deviations above the SMA, and the lower band is two standard deviations below the SMA (default values). Therefore, the two bands form a corridor, which is split into two halves by the 20-period SMA.
In this trading strategy, we need two signals to enter the market. The first one comes from the RVI indicator being overbought or oversold. After we receive such a signal, we need the price to cross the SMA of the Bollinger Bands in the direction of the RVI signal.
Whenever we get the cross, we open a position accordingly. We will exit our position when we get the price to cross the Bollinger Bands’ SMA in the opposite direction.
Relative Vigor Index and Bollinger Bands Strategy
The image above shows the 10-minute chart of Apple. In this image, we see that the two signals we need from this trading strategy come at once.
The RVI shows an overbought market and its lines cross in a bearish direction. Also, at the same time, the price breaks the 20-period SMA of the Bollinger Bands in a bearish direction, which is our short trigger.
Hence, we go short, and the price begins to ride the lower bands, which is great for our short position. Twenty-two hours later, we see the price of Apple breaking the 20-period SMA of the Bollinger Bands in a bullish direction. This is where we close our position and take our profits of $1.37 per share.
Please note while this example is of an overnight position, we at Tradingsim do not believe in holding positions overnight, as we are day traders. If you are a swing trader, then, of course, the above example would fit within your trading time frame.
Strategies using the stochastics and RSI will provide similar trading signals as both are oscillators. It’s better to focus your attention towards on-chart indicators, as these interact directly with the price action.
To this point, while the MACD is not an oscillator, it stifles the effectiveness of the RVI indicator strategy. So, by the time the MACD provides a trade signal, the buying opportunity is gone.
The Bollinger Band strategy will produce many signals as stocks will often cross above and below the 20-period moving average. Because as a trader, avoiding overdoing it is always a great idea.
Therefore, out of the five strategies, I would have to say the RVI with two moving averages is the best for day trading.
Similarly, moving averages allow you to assess the price action while the RVI gives you an indication of oversold and overbought conditions. This way you need actual price action to confirm the signal from the RVI oscillator.
To learn more about the relative vigor index, check out this article published in stocks and commodities.
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