How to Calculate Complex Pivot Points

The floor pivot points, presented in the first column of the calculation results table, are the most basic and popular type of pivots used in Forex trading technical analysis. The pivot point is interpreted as the primary support/resistance level - the point at which the main trend will be born. First-third level resistance and support points serve as additional indicators of possible trend reversal or continuation. The rules to calculate floor pivot points are quite simple: 

Pivot (P) = (H + L + C) / 3
Resistance (R1) = (2 X P) - L
R2 = P + H - L
R3 = H + 2 X (P - L)
Support (S1) = (2 X P) - H
S2 = P - H + L
S3 = L - 2 X (H - P)

Other popular method of calculating a simple TA indicator which helps trader to forecast future trend is Tom DeMark's pivot points. Which are not pivot points exactly, but predicted low and high of the period. To calculate DeMark's pivot points follow these rules: 

If Close < Open_current Then X = H + 2 X L + C;
If Close > Open_current Then X = 2 X H + L + C;
If Close = Open_current Then X = H + L + 2 X C;
New High = X / 2 - L; New Low = X / 2 - H


Woodie's pivot points are similar to floor pivot points, but are calculated in a somewhat different way, giving more weight to the Close price of the previous period. Use the following rules to calculate Woodie's pivot points: 

Pivot (P) = (H + L + 2 X C) / 4
Resistance (R1) = (2 X P) - L
R2 = P + H - L
Support (S1) = (2 X P) - H
S2 = P - H + L


Camarilla pivot points is a set of eight very probable levels which resemble support and resistance values for a current trend. The origin and the precise way to calculate these pivot points are unclear. The most important is that these pivot points work for all traders and help in setting the right stop-loss and take-profit orders. I use the following rules to calculate Camarilla pivot points: 

R4 = (H - L) X 1.1 / 2 + C
R3 = (H - L) X 1.1 / 4 + C
R2 = (H - L) X 1.1 / 6 + C
R1 = (H - L) X 1.1 / 12 + C
S1 = C - (H - L) X 1.1 / 12
S2 = C - (H - L) X 1.1 / 6
S3 = C - (H - L) X 1.1 / 4
S4 = C - (H - L) X 1.1 / 2

How to Calculate Pivot Points

There are several different methods for calculating pivot points, the most common of which is the five-point system. This system uses the previous day's high, low and close, along with two support levels and two resistance levels (totaling five price points) to derive a pivot point. The equations are as follows:

    R2 = P + (H - L) = P + (R1 - S1)

    R1 = (P x 2) – L

    P = (H + L + C) / 3

    S1 = (P x 2) – H

    S2 = P - (H - L) = P - (R1 - S1) 

Here, "S" represents the support levels, "R" the resistance levels and "P" the pivot point. High, low and close are represented by the "H", "L" and "C" respectively.

How To use pivot points

Pivot points, floor levels, S/R values. Various labels for the same tools: a calculated formula for what should be "fair value" in a market to follow. Before the days of palm pilots, cell phones and the general wireless world, floor traders and market makers relied on hand-scribbled price points of where buyers / sellers should cluster their stops. The information age has arrived, but these valuable price points still retain their power over market action hence.

Interpreting and Using Pivot Points

When calculating pivot points, the pivot point itself is the primary support/resistance. This means that the largest price movement is expected to occur at this price. The other support and resistance levels are less influential, but may still generate significant price movements.

Pivot points can be used in two ways. The first way is for determining overall market trend: if the pivot point price is broken in an upward movement, then the market is bullish, and vice versa. Keep in mind, however, that pivot points are short-term trend indicators, useful for only one day until they need to be recalculated. The second method is to use pivot point price levels to enter and exit the markets. For example, a trader might put in a limit order to buy 100 shares if the price breaks a resistance level. Alternatively, a trader might set a stop-loss for his active trade if a support level is broken.

Conclusion

Pivot points are yet another useful tool that can be added to any trader's toolbox. It enables anyone to quickly calculate levels that are likely to cause price movement. The success of a pivot-point system, however, lies squarely on the shoulders of the trader, and on his or her ability to effectively use the pivot-point systems in conjunction with other forms of technical analysis. These other technical indicators can be anything from MACD crossovers to candlestick patterns - the greater the number of positive indications, the greater the chances for success.