Ch 6 · Indicator
Trend Lagging

Exponential Moving Average (EMA)

Weighted moving average that gives more weight to recent bars. Reacts faster than SMA to new information.

Formula

EMA(t) = C(t)·k + EMA(t−1)·(1−k),   where k = 2 / (N+1)

What it's for

Trend-following crossovers (EMA 9 / EMA 21), pullback entries in an uptrend when price returns to a rising EMA.

When it fails

Still a trailing indicator. Fast EMA settings amplify noise; slow settings still lag turns.

On the chart

Nifty 50 daily bars with Exponential Moving Average (EMA) pre-loaded:

Where it's used on this site

3 strategies use Exponential Moving Average (EMA):