There are plenty of indicators available on the Olymp Trade platform. We want to present them to you so you know your options. Read about many of them and then decide which one works best for you. The Gator oscillator is the subject of today’s article. Have you ever heard of it? Well, let’s learn something about it.
Key Takeaways🔑
| →The Gator Oscillator is an indicator that helps traders identify changes in market trends. |
| →The oscillator can be used in all market conditions, but works best on medium to long timeframes. |
| →It’s recommended to practice using the Gator Oscillator on a demo account before incorporating it into real trading. |
Contents
The Gator oscillator
The Gator indicator belongs to the oscillators. It assists traders in catching the changes in the trends in the markets. It is quite similar to the Alligator indicator which also helps in this task. But the Alligator makes use of the moving averages and the Gator of a histogram.
Prepare the chart
You have to be logged in to your Olymp Trade account. Choose the financial instrument you are going to trade. Then, go to the indicators icon. You will find the Gator on the list that develops on the left side. Click on its name and it will be added to your chart.
The Gator appears in the separate window below the instrument’s price chart in a form of a histogram. There are red and green bars on it that develop above or below the middle line 0. It is possible that they are both in one colour or that they have different colours.
The appearance of the red bar gives information about the weakening of the trend and the green bar says that the trend is getting stronger than the former price action.
The phases of the Gator oscillator
The underlying principle of the Gator indicator is that the trend goes through some phases, just like a living creature, an alligator. We distinguish 4 phases:
- Sleeping
- Awakening
- Eating
- Sated
The sleeping phase is when the trend is exhausted.
The Awakening is when a new trend is forming.
Eating means getting strength.
The Sated, running out of momentum.
Sleeping
In the Sleep phase, both bars, below and above the middle line, are red.
Awakening
We know the trend begins to form when one of the bars, which were previously red, becomes green. It may be the one below or above the 0 line. It only matters that one of two is green.
Eating
The trend is growing which is indicated by two green bars.
Sated
The animal is full, the trend is coming to an end. On the Gator’s histogram, a red bar reappears. Similarly, as in the Awakening phase, it could be a lower or upper bar. What is important is that one of the bar turns red.
Trading with the Gator oscillator
The Gator oscillator can be successfully applied in all market conditions however, the best results you will get on medium to longer timeframes.
The idea is to open a trade when the oscillator is in the Awakening phase. Keep the position open during the Eating phase and exit the transaction when the Sated phase begins because this means the trend will end soon.
Remember the indicator may show the bars with some delay as to the real price changes.
The Gator oscillator indicates when the trend is strong or weak but it does not point the direction of the trend. Thus, you should use an extra tool to recognise the trend direction.
Pros and Cons of the Gator Oscillator 😊 😞
Pros:
- Useful for identifying changes in market trends
- Can be used in various market conditions
- Suitable for medium to long timeframes
Cons:
- May show bars with some delay compared to real price changes
- Does not indicate the direction of the trend
| Gator Oscillator Component | Role in Trading |
|---|---|
| Red and Green Bars | Indicate the weakening or strengthening of the trend. |
| Phases (Sleeping, Awakening, Eating, Sated) | Help traders understand the stages of the trend. |
Conclusion
The Gator indicator is an oscillator that can be used to identify the changes in the trend. It has a form of histogram with red and green bars. Depending on the colours of the bars, we recognise the Sleeping phase, Awakening, Eating and Sated. Typically, traders enter the position during the Awakening phase, keep it open through the Eating phase and exit in the Sated period.
Remember about a delay and that the Gator does not reveal in which direction the trend is developing.
Open the Olymp Trade demo account, if you have not already, and use it to practice using the Gator in trading. The demo account is available for free, so you do not need to worry about losing money while getting to know a new indicator.
Good luck!
Common Questions About the Gator Oscillator 🧐
- Q: How does the Gator Oscillator indicate changes in market trends?
- A: The oscillator uses red and green bars to show changes in trends. Red bars indicate a weakening trend, while green bars signify a strengthening trend.
- Q: When is the best time to use the Gator Oscillator?
- A: The Gator Oscillator can be used in various market conditions, but it is most effective on medium to long timeframes.
- Q: What is the purpose of the oscillator’s phases?
- A: The phases of the Gator Oscillator (Sleeping, Awakening, Eating, Sated) help traders understand the stages of the trend and plan their trades accordingly.
- Q: Does the Gator Oscillator indicate the direction of the trend?
- A: No, the Gator Oscillator does not indicate the direction of the trend. It is advisable to use another tool to determine the trend direction.
- Q: Should I use a demo account to practice using the Gator Oscillator?
- A: Yes, it is recommended to practice using the Gator Oscillator on a demo account before incorporating it into real trading.