Intraday Momentum Index: Overview, Formula, Examples (2024)

What Is the Intraday Momentum Index (IMI)?

The Intraday Momentum Index (IMI),is atechnical indicator that combines aspects of candlestick analysis with the relative strength index (RSI) in order to generate overbought or oversold signals.

The intraday indicator was developed by market technician TusharChande to aid investors with their trading decisions.

Key Takeaways

  • The Intraday Momentum Index (IMI) generates trading signals using relative strength (RSI) in conjunction with candlestick charting.
  • The IMI looks at the relationship between a security’s open and close price over the course of the day, rather than how the open/close price varies between days.
  • Technical analysts can use the IMI to anticipate when a security is overbought or oversold.

Understanding the Intraday Momentum Index(IMI)

Investors use technical indicators to estimate when a security, such as a stock, should be bought or sold. Technical analysis, which uses technical indicators, examines the relationship between a security's price and volume over varied periods of time. Indicators, such as the relative strength index and Bollinger bands, seek to generate buy and sell signals without examining a security’s fundamentals. As such, they are generally considered more useful for short-term traders than long-term investors.

The IMI looks at the relationship between a security’s open and close price over the course of the day, rather than how the open/close price varies between days. It combines some features of the relative strength index, namely the relationship between "up closes" and "down closes" and whether there is an indication that a stock is overbought or oversold, with candlestick charts. Candlestick charts for a given day contain a "real body" highlighting the gap between the open and close price, and price points above the high and low called upper and lower shadows.

Technical analysts can use the IMI to anticipate when a security is overbought or oversold.

The Formula for IMI

IMI=(d=1nGainsd=1nGains+d=1nLosses)×100where:Gains=CPOP,onUpDays–i.e.Close>OpenCP=ClosingpriceOP=OpeningpriceLosses=OPCP,onDownDays–i.e.Open<Closed=Daysn=Numberofdays(14istypical)\begin{aligned} &\text{IMI} = \left ( \frac{ \sum_{d=1}^{n} \text{Gains} }{ \sum_{d=1}^{n} \text{Gains} + \sum_{d=1}^{n} \text{Losses} } \right ) \times 100 \\ &\textbf{where:} \\ &\text{Gains} = \text{CP} - \text{OP, on Up Days -- i.e. Close} > \text{Open} \\ &\text{CP} = \text{Closing price} \\ &\text{OP} = \text{Opening price} \\ &\text{Losses} = \text{OP} - \text{CP, on Down Days -- i.e. Open} < \text{Close} \\ &d = \text{Days} \\ &n = \text{Number of days (14 is typical)} \\ \end{aligned}IMI=(d=1nGains+d=1nLossesd=1nGains)×100where:Gains=CPOP,onUpDays–i.e.Close>OpenCP=ClosingpriceOP=OpeningpriceLosses=OPCP,onDownDays–i.e.Open<Closed=Daysn=Numberofdays(14istypical)

The IMI is calculated as the sum of gains on up days divided by the sum of gains on up days plus the sum of losses on down days. This is then multiplied by 100. If the resulting number is greater than 70 then the security is considered overbought, while a reading of less than 30 indicates that a security is oversold. The investor will look at the IMI over a period of days, with 14 days being the most common time frame to look at.

Example Using the Intraday Momentum Index

Let's take a look at the Intraday Momentum Index applied to the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY):

Intraday Momentum Index: Overview, Formula, Examples (1)

The chart above shows how oversold or overbought IMI readings can generate buy and sell trade signals on a popular index. While these signals aren't always accurate, they may provide a greater degree of accuracy than simply using the RSI. Many traders combine these insights with other forms of technical analysis to maximize their chances of a successful trade. For example, they may look for oversold conditions and a breakout from a chart pattern before entering into a long position.

Intraday Momentum Index: Overview, Formula, Examples (2024)

FAQs

Intraday Momentum Index: Overview, Formula, Examples? ›

The IMI is calculated as the sum of gains on up days divided by the sum of gains on up days plus the sum of losses on down days. This is then multiplied by 100. If the resulting number is greater than 70 then the security is considered overbought, while a reading of less than 30 indicates that a security is oversold.

What is the formula for the intraday momentum index? ›

We can calculate the indicator as to the sum of gains on up days/the sum of gains on up days + the sum of losses on down days. After that, multiplied by 100. Now, if the resulting number > 70 then the security is overbought. Oppositely, when a figure<30, it is oversold.

What is the best momentum indicator for intraday? ›

Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD)

Often regarded as the best momentum indicator, MACD is a trend-following indicator. It represents the relationship between 2 moving averages of a financial instrument's price.

What is the formula for the momentum index? ›

Momentum indicator (M) = (C/Cn) * 100

Cn was the closing stock price “n” days ago.

How to identify momentum stocks for intraday? ›

How do you select momentum stocks for intraday trading? In order to understand the daily price movements, traders make use of indicators, trends, breakout levels, and volume of trading. A thorough assessment of daily losers and gainers can also be used as a strategy to find momentum stocks for intraday trading.

What is the mathematical formula for intraday trading? ›

Intraday Trading Formulae:

We need to add them up as: H + L + C = X Now, the derived value must be divided by 3: X/3 = P (which is called the pivot point) Then, multiply P with 2: X/3 X 2 = Y It is assumed that a stock moving above the pivot point is likely to continue its journey till the first resistance level.

Which index is best for intraday trading? ›

Commonly used indicators for intraday trading are the Relative Strength Index (RSI), Moving Averages, Stochastic Oscillator, Bollinger Bands, and volume. The stock market is quite volatile, and thus, traders must consider essential trading signals to identify supply, demand, and market trends.

Which EMA is best for intraday? ›

A 20 EMA is computed over the last 20 periods or candles. In intraday trading, each candle could pertain to 1-minute, 5-minute or 15-minute time periods. Experts suggest that using 15-minute EMA is most effective for intraday trades that are carried out during periods of high market volatility.

Which combination of indicators are best for intraday trading? ›

Some best indicators for intraday include relative strength index (RSI), moving averages, stochastic oscillator, Bollinger Bands and volume. Moving averages help traders identify trends and potential reversals, while RSI and stochastic oscillators indicate overbought or oversold conditions.

What are the best settings for the momentum indicator? ›

Momentum Indicator Best Settings

The most used settings for the momentum indicator are 7, 14, or 21. Momentum settings with values below 10 make the indicator oversensitive. This will result in more market noise. Lower settings on the momentum indicator should be carefully traded, as it can lead to many false signals.

What is the correct formula for momentum? ›

The product of the units of mass and velocity is the unit of Momentum. To find the momentum, we can use the simple formula: P=mv, where P is the momentum.

How to calculate momentum example? ›

Given: Velocity v = 30 m/s, Momentum p = 5000 kgm/s, Momentum p = m v Mass, m = p / v = 5000 / 30 m = 166.66 kg. Ans. Momentum is a product of an object's mass and velocity. Simply put, it is the quantity that determines the amount of motion in an object.

What is the momentum index strategy? ›

Momentum trading strategies capitalize on the continuation of existing market trends by buying securities in an uptrend and selling them as they peak, embodying the 'buy high, sell higher' philosophy and often relying on technical indicators over fundamental analysis.

What is the formula for intraday momentum? ›

The IMI calculation formula is as follows:

On these days, calculate gains by subtracting the opening price (OP) from the closing price (CP). Conversely, losses occur on Down Days when the closing price is lower than the opening price. Here, losses are calculated by subtracting the closing price from the opening price.

Which is the best momentum indicator for intraday? ›

Top Momentum Indicator: MACD (Moving Average Convergence-Divergence)
  • The MACD Line: this is the slow moving average subtracted from the fast moving average. ...
  • The Signal Lane: This is the “slow-line,” it's just a moving average of the MACD line. ...
  • The Histogram: The histogram subtracts the Signal Line from the MACD Line.

How do you analyze intraday momentum index? ›

The strategies that use the intraday momentum index are as follows. 1. Bullish and Bearish trends The IMI can assist traders in identifying bullish and bearish trends. If the IMI is above 50 and rising, it can be interpreted as a bullish signal, while an IMI below 50 and falling may constitute a bearish signal.

How do you calculate intraday intensity index? ›

The formula for calculating the Intraday Intensity Indicator is as follows: Intraday Intensity Indicator = Sum(IMF) / Sum(Volume). The Intraday Intensity Indicator provides a single value that reflects the overall intensity or strength of the price movement during the specified timeframe.

What is the intraday momentum indicator in thinkorswim? ›

Description. The Intraday Momentum Index (IMI) is a variation of Relative Momentum Index which takes into account up and down days on the specified interval. However, instead of using difference of Close prices, IMI considers difference (absolute value) between Open and Close prices on up and down bars.

What is the formula for momentum in forex? ›

Choose a predetermined period “X” (Standard value is “14”, although a value of “8” or “9” tends to be more sensitive). Calculate “Close1” as the closing price for the current bar. Calculate “CloseX” as the closing price “X” bars ago. MOMENTUM = 100 X (“Close1”/”CloseX”).

How do you calculate the momentum indicator? ›

Momentum Indicator Formula

These two easy steps may be used to determine the value of momentum indicators: the price of a prior period divided by the current closing price. Add 100 to the quotient.

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