RS Cycles [QuantVue]

26 Nov

The RS Cycles indicator is a technical analysis tool that expands upon traditional relative strength (RS) by incorporating Beta-based adjustments to provide deeper insights into a stock's performance relative to a benchmark index. It identifies and visualizes positive and negative performance cycles, helping traders analyze trends and make informed decisions.

Key Concepts:
Traditional Relative Strength (RS):
Definition: A popular method to compare the performance of a stock against a benchmark index (e.g., S&P 500).
Calculation: The traditional RS line is derived as the ratio of the stock's closing price to the benchmark's closing price.
RS=Stock Price/Benchmark Price
Usage: This straightforward comparison helps traders spot periods of outperformance or underperformance relative to the market or a specific sector.

Beta-Adjusted Relative Strength (Beta RS):
Concept: Traditional RS assumes equal volatility between the stock and benchmark, but Beta RS accounts for the stock's sensitivity to market movements.
Calculation:
Beta measures the stock's return relative to the benchmark's return, adjusted by their respective volatilities.
Alpha is then computed to reflect the stock's performance above or below what Beta predicts:
Alpha=Stock Return−(Benchmark Return×β)
Significance: Beta RS highlights whether a stock outperforms the benchmark beyond what its Beta would suggest, providing a more nuanced view of relative strength.

RS Cycles:
The indicator identifies positive cycles when conditions suggest sustained outperformance:
Short-term EMA (3) > Mid-term EMA (10) > Long-term EMA (50).
The EMAs are rising, indicating positive momentum.
RS line shows upward movement over a 3-period window.
EMA(21) > 0 confirms a broader uptrend.
Negative cycles are marked when the opposite conditions are met:
Short-term EMA (3) < Mid-term EMA (10) < Long-term EMA (50).
The EMAs are falling, indicating negative momentum.
RS line shows downward movement over a 3-period window.
EMA(21) < 0 confirms a broader downtrend.

This indicator combines the simplicity of traditional RS with the analytical depth of Beta RS, making highlighting true relative strength and weakness cycles.