Intermediate3 min2026-05-14Members only
Momentum Indicator
The simplest oscillator ever published — today's close minus the close n bars ago. The raw, unprocessed ancestor of RSI and ROC.
oscillatormomentumzero linedivergence
Overview
The Momentum Indicator is the oldest and structurally simplest oscillator on the chart. Its formula is a single line — subtract the close n bars ago from today's close. Nothing more.
Unlike RSI or Stochastic, the result is not pinned to a 0–100 scale. It is free to swing in either direction. Above zero means today closed higher than it did n bars ago; below zero, lower. That bareness is exactly why Momentum became the seed from which ROC, RSI, and even MACD eventually grew.
Members Only
Reserved for Members
Full access is reserved for members of the library.