For intraday trading using the MACD indicator, shorter time frames are often preferred to capture faster market movements.
While the standard MACD settings are 12, 26, and 9 (representing the 12-day EMA, 26-day EMA, and 9-day EMA signal line respectively), these are generally more suited for longer-term analysis. For intraday trading, some traders adjust these settings to shorter periods. According to the reference, settings like 8, 17, and 9 can be used to capture faster market movements that are typical in intraday trading (21-Sept-2024).
Here's a breakdown:
- Standard MACD (12, 26, 9): Suitable for daily or longer timeframes.
- Adjusted MACD (e.g., 8, 17, 9): Designed to be more sensitive to short-term price fluctuations, making them more useful for intraday trading.
The "best" timeframe depends on your specific trading style and the volatility of the asset you are trading. Experimentation and backtesting are crucial to finding the optimal MACD settings for your intraday strategy.