Fast Stochastic

Overview

The Fast Stochastic is an oscillator that is displayed as two lines. The first line, %K, is the main stochastic calculation. The second, %D, is a moving average of %K. The Stochastic compares the closing price of a security relative to its price range over a selected period of time.

Calculation

First, the %K value is calculated.

%K = (Today's Close - Lowest Low in 'n' bars) divided by (Highest High in 'n' bars - Lowest Low in 'n' bars) x 100

%D is calculated as a moving average of %K.

To add the tool to your chart, select the tool from the Price tool group, and left-click on the chart to add the tool. Optuma will then draw the tool in a window below the chart using the default settings.

Scripting functionSTOCHSCAN()

Actions & Properties

Actions

Copy Data to Clipboard: Will copy the tool’s values to the clipboard which can then be inserted into a spreadsheet, for example, allowing for further analysis.

Add to Toolbar: Adds the selected tool to your custom toolbar.

Apply Settings to All: When multiple Fast Stochastic tools have been applied to a chart, page or workbook, this action can be used to apply the settings of the one selected to other instances of the tool. This is a great time saver if an adjustment is made to the tool - such as line colour - as this allows all the other Fast Stochastic tools in the chart, page or entire workbook to be updated instantly.

Copy Tool: Allows you to copy the selected tool, which can then be pasted onto a different chart window.

Move to Back: If the tool is displaying in front of other tools or indicators clicking this action will move the tool view to the background.

Move to Front: If the tool is displaying behind other tools or indicators on the chart, clicking this action will bring the tool to the forefront.

Restore Default Settings: Click this action if you have adjusted the default settings of the tool, and wish to return to the standard properties originally installed with Optuma.

Save Settings as Default: If you have adjusted any of the tool’s properties (colour, for example) you can save the adjustments as your new default setting. Each time you apply a new Fast Stochastic to a chart, the tool will display using the new settings.

Delete: Deletes the tool from the chart.

Properties

Tool Name: Allows you to adjust the name of the tool, as it’s displayed in the Structure Panel.

%K: This is the first moving average of the Stochastic. Sets the number of Bars to use.

%D: This is the second moving average of the Stochastic. Sets the number of Bars to use.
K Plot: This option expands to show the following:

• Plot Style - Allows you to change how the K Plot is displayed on your chart. There are 6 options available: Line, Dot, Histogram, Step, Shaded, Shaded Step.
• Line Style - The Line Style property allows you to adjust the type of the line displayed. There are 8 options available: Solid, Dots, Dash, Dash Dots, Long Dash, Long Dash Dot, Long Dash Dot Dot, Stippled.
• Line Width - Allows you to adjust the width of the line. Moving the slider bar to the right increases the thickness of the line.
• Line Colour - Allows you to select the colour of the line. Clicking on the drop down arrow will display a colour swatch. Locate the desired colour and left-click it once to select it.
• Fill Up / Down Barrier - When the Plot Style is set to Shaded you are able to adjust the barrier value, the default value is 0.00.
• Fill Up Colour - When the Plot Style is set to Shaded you are then able to alter the Fill Colour for the tool.
• Fill Down Colour - When the Plot Style is set to Shaded you are then able to alter the Fill Colour for the tool.
• Transparency - When the Plot Style is changed to Shaded, you then are able to adjust the shading transparency. Moving the slider to the left will increase the transparency of the K Plot.
• Visible - Un-tick this checkbox to hide the K Plot from the chart.

D Plot: This option expands to show the properties of the D Plot style. The properties are identical to those listed for the K Plot.

Level 1: Sets the value of the first horizontal level. Click in the field to change the level.

Level 2: Sets the value of the second horizontal level. Click in the field to change the level.

Level Style: This option expands to show the following:

• Line Style - The Line Style property allows you to adjust the type of the line displayed. There are 8 options available: Solid, Dots, Dash, Dash Dots, Long Dash, Long Dash Dot, Long Dash Dot Dot, Stippled.
• Line Width - Allows you to adjust the width of the line. Moving the slider bar to the right increases the thickness of the line.
• Line Colour - Allows you to select the colour of the line. Clicking on the drop down arrow will display a colour swatch. Locate the desired colour and left-click it once to select it.
• Transparency - Use this slider bar to adjust the transparency of the Level line. Moving the slider to the left will increase the transparency of the tool.

Offset: This provides the option to offset the Fast Stochastic from the chart, to adjust the offset value use the blue up and down arrows.

Tool Transparency: Use this slider bar to adjust the transparency of the tool. Moving the slider to the left will increase the transparency of the tool.
Visible: Un-tick this checkbox to hide the tool from the chart.

Show in Price Scale: When selected the current Fast Stochastic value will be displayed in the Price Scale.