💡 What is the Williams %R Indicator?
The Williams %R is a momentum-based oscillator developed by Larry Williams. It is designed to identify overbought and oversold conditions in the market.
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Formula:
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Range: 0 to -100
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Near 0: Overbought
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Near -100: Oversold
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🎯 Why Use the Williams %R?
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Highly responsive: More sensitive than RSI
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Effective in spotting reversals: Ideal for swing and short-term traders
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Great with other indicators: Pairs well with MACD, Bollinger Bands, and ADX
📘 Key Trading Strategies
✅ 1. Identify Overbought/Oversold
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%R > -20 → Overbought
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%R < -80 → Oversold
Combine with trendlines or patterns for confirmation.
✅ 2. Trend-Following Setup (with MACD)
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MACD shows bullish crossover
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%R drops to oversold → Buy opportunity
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MACD bearish + %R > -20 → Short signal
✅ 3. False Breakout Filter
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If price breaks Bollinger Band upper range but %R remains overbought, beware of a false breakout.
🔧 Suggested Combinations
| Indicator | Role | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| MACD | Trend confirmation | Stronger signals |
| Bollinger Bands | Range detection | Filters extremes |
| RSI | Momentum filter | Confirms entries |
📊 Example Case
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Asset: A stock spikes, then pulls back
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Williams %R: Drops to -90
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MACD: Still bullish
→ Consider entering long for a rebound
⚠️ Caution When Using %R
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Generates false signals in choppy markets
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Should not be used standalone
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Recommended default: 14 periods
🧠 Final Thoughts
While often underrated, the Williams %R is an effective tool for traders seeking to catch reversals and fine-tune their entry/exit points. With proper risk management and combination with other indicators, it can significantly boost your edge in the market.