What is your "market is ranging" indicator?

Whats the special tool that you use to know when not to take what would normally look like a good MA crossover with the trend type of setup when the market is ranging and avoiding a loss? thankyou

my eyes and time

When my profit or loss stays at the same level for a day or two. A week and you know something big is about to happen.

That said my "ranging" indicator is also my fundamental indicator. When things are ranging you know the market is awaiting some news or confirmation.

When things are flying (with continuum) obviously something has just happened fundamentally. Defining which currency is not hard when you watch a basket.

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hey justin.... very likely no such special tool exists.......

so much would depend on your timeframe and moving averages being traded.... if we mention something related to 100 and 200 ma's on the weekly chart, it's of no value to the 5 minute trader using 5 and 7 period ma's.....

it's common for small periods 'ma cross' type signals to be avoided during the dead hours of the trading day.... those are usually hours outside the london/new york sessions.....

you can better see by looking at volume or standard deviation..... if using standard deviation, try putting 5,10, and 20 on the chart.... if they flat line, it's a dead market......

a scalper might search out those times to trade...... but a trend trader can be whipsawed to death......

you can also use percent move's to measure the market on all timeframes , pairs and currencys...... extensive, but rarely seen, ea's can do wonders in that area.....h

Try an Average True Range on a small time frame (eg 10 mins or less).
Below a critical level, there is likely to be insufficient activity for any significant movement in the market. The critical level varies for different currency pairs.
However, never rely on any single indicator.
Hope this helps.
Cheers, H

You could have a look to the Damiani volatmeter also (see this post for mql4 file in case you need it)

wow thanks I'll have a look at this

It can be a bit laggy on higher time frames