R-Squared (RSQ)

R-squared values show the percentage of movement that can be explained by linear regression. For example, if the r-squared value over 20 days is at 70%, this means that 70% of the movement of the security is explained by linear regression. The other 30% is unexplained random noise.
It is helpful to consider r-squared in relation to Slope (see Linear Regression Slope). While Slope gives you the general direction of the trend (positive or negative), r-squared gives you the strength of the trend. A high r-squared value can be associated with a high positive or negative Slope.

Although it is useful to know the r-squared value, ideally, you should use r-squared in tandem with Slope. High r-squared values accompanied by a small Slope may not interest short term traders. However, high r-squared values accompanied by a large Slope value may be of huge interest to traders.


One of the most useful way to use r-squared is as a confirming indicator. Momentum based indicators (e.g., Stochastics, RSI, CCI, etc.) and moving average systems require a confirmation of trend in order to be consistently effective. R-squared provides a means of quantifying the "trendiness" of prices. If r-squared is above its critical value and heading up, you can be 95% confident that a strong trend is present.

When using momentum based indicators, only trade overbought/oversold levels if you have determined that prices are trendless or weakening (i.e., a low or lowering r-squared value). Because in a strong trending market, prices can remain overbought or oversold for extended periods. Therefore, you may want to reconsider trading on strict overbought/oversold levels used by many indicators. An "overbought" market can remain overbought for extended periods in a trending market. However, a signal generated by a moving average crossover system may be worth following, since these systems work best in strong trending markets.

Metastock code for the r-squared indicator can be found here
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