Golden Cross vs. Death Cross: What's the Difference? (2024)

Golden Cross vs. Death Cross: An Overview

The use of statistical analysis to make trading decisions is the core of technical analysis. Technical analysts use a ton of data, often in the form of charts, to analyze stocks and markets. At times, the trend lines on these charts curve and cross in ways that form shapes, often given funny names like "cup with handle," "head and shoulders," and "double top." Technical traders learn to recognize these common patterns and what they might portend for the future performance of a stock or market.

Agolden cross and adeath cross are exact opposites. Agolden cross indicates a long-term bull market going forward, while a death cross signals a long-term bear market. Both refer to the solid confirmation of a long-term trend by the occurrence of a short-term moving average crossing over a major long-term moving average.

Key Takeaways

  • A golden cross suggests a long-term bull market going forward, while a death cross suggests a long-term bear market.
  • Either crossover is considered more significant when accompanied by high trading volume.
  • Once the crossover occurs, the long-term moving average is considered a major support level(in the case of the golden cross) or resistance level(in the instance of the death cross) for the market from that point forward.
  • Either cross may occur as a signal of a trend change, but they more frequently occur as a strong confirmation of a change in trend that has already taken place.
  • Traders use both death crosses and golden crosses to help determine when to enter and exit an asset.

Golden Cross

The golden cross occurs when a short-term moving average crosses over a major long-term moving average to the upside and is interpreted by analysts and traders as signaling a definitive upward turn in a market. Basically, the short-term average trends up faster than the long-term average, until they cross.

There are three stages to a golden cross:

  • A downtrend that eventually ends as selling is depleted
  • A second stage where the shorter moving average crosses up through the longer moving average
  • Finally, the continuing uptrend, hopefully leading to higher prices

Golden Cross vs. Death Cross: What's the Difference? (1)

Death Cross

Conversely, a similar downside moving average crossover constitutes the death cross and is understood to signal a decisive downturn in a market. The death cross occurs when the short-term average trends down and crosses the long-term average, basically going in the opposite direction of the golden cross.

Golden Cross vs. Death Cross: What's the Difference? (2)

Special Considerations

There is some variation of opinion as to precisely what constitutes this meaningful moving average crossover. Some analysts define it as a crossover of the 100-day moving average by the 50-day moving average; others define it as the crossover of the 200-day average by the 50-day average.

Analysts also watch for the crossover occurring on lower time frame charts as confirmation of a strong, ongoing trend. Regardless of variations in the precise definition or the time frame applied, the term always refers to a short-term moving average crossing over a major long-term moving average.

How Do You Calculate a Golden Cross?

A golden cross occurs on a stock chart when the 50-day moving average moves up towards the 200-day moving average and crosses it. This is noted as a bullish scenario and indicates a buy signal with the expectation that the upward trend will continue.

Is a Death Cross a Good Time to Buy?

A death cross signals a bearish market or asset and can be a good time to buy. Many investors purchase assets when the value of those assets has dropped, but with the expectation that the value will go up again in the future, based on their analysis. There can be many reasons why an asset drops in price, however, that doesn't necessarily signal a weak asset, but possibly a weak environment. Once the environment corrects, an asset can go up in value. If you manage to buy it on a dip, then you may see a return on your investment.

What Timeframe Is Best for a Golden Cross?

Golden crosses can be analyzed under many different time frames depending on the trader and what is being analyzed. Day traders typically use smaller time frames, such as five minutes or 10 minutes, whereas swing traders use longer time frames, such as five hours or 10 hours.

The Bottom Line

Golden crosses and death crosses are used in trading and are a form of technical analysis. A golden cross signals a bull market and a death cross signals a bear market. Both of these are determined by the confirmation of a long-term trend from the occurrence of a short-term moving average crossing over a major long-term moving average. Both crosses help traders in making investment decisions, particularly knowing when to enter and exit a trade.

Golden Cross vs. Death Cross: What's the Difference? (2024)

FAQs

Golden Cross vs. Death Cross: What's the Difference? ›

A golden cross and a death cross are opposing indicators. The golden cross confirms a long-term bull market going forward, while a death cross signals a long-term bear market. Either crossover is considered more significant when accompanied by high trading volume.

What does a golden cross indicate? ›

What is a Golden Cross? A Golden Cross is a basic technical indicator that occurs in the market when a short-term moving average (50-day) of an asset rises above a long-term moving average (200-day). When traders see a Golden Cross occur, they view this chart pattern as indicative of a strong bull market.

What does a death cross signify? ›

What is a Death Cross? The death cross is a chart pattern that indicates the transition from a bull market to a bear market. This technical indicator occurs when a security's short-term moving average (e.g., 50-day) crosses from above to below a long-term moving average (e.g., 200-day).

What is golden cross and death cross in crypto? ›

Crypto golden cross and death cross is a trading pattern that can be used to predict what might happen to the market in the future. Traders often use these in some markets, such as stocks, forex, and crypto because this pattern is known for providing accurate information.

What is the spiritual meaning of a golden cross? ›

While wood was the cross He died on, His resurrection is more closely associated with gold. The use of gold for the cross instead of wood in jewelry follows the biblical references receiving beauty for ashes, streets of gold in heaven, and other references to true beauty and happiness resting only in Jesus alone.

What does a gold cross symbolize? ›

The cross symbolizes the sacrifice of Christ and the Christian faith. A gold cross pendant acts as a constant reminder of this tremendous gesture of love, providing strength and solace. It is also thought that a gold cross pendant provides protection from evil energies and good fortune.

How accurate is the Death Cross? ›

What Does the Death Cross Tell Investors? The death cross has helped predict some of some of the worst bear markets of the past 100 years: e.g., in 1929, 1938, 1974, and 2008. Nonetheless, because it's a lagging indicator, meaning that it only reveals a stock's past performance, it's not 100% reliable.

Can you wear a gold cross? ›

Some guys may think that gold cross necklaces are only for religious events, but in reality, these necklaces can be worn as a daily fashion statement or for cultural reasons.

How reliable is a golden cross? ›

While the Golden Cross, early on in its occurrence, can't forecast bullishness with a reliable degree of accuracy, it can give you an early signal that a more bullish market environment may be ahead given the right convergence of technical and fundamental factors.

What happens after a death cross? ›

The Death Cross is a bearish signal as it indicates that an asset's price may likely undergo further declines. It also indicates the possibility that an uptrend may have met its endpoint—a reversal toward an emerging downtrend or toward an indecisive (sideways) trading range.

What is the cross that Jesus died on? ›

The instrument of Jesus' crucifixion (known in Latin as crux, in Greek as stauros) is generally taken to have been composed of an upright wooden beam to which was added a transom, thus forming a "cruciform" or T-shaped structure.

What is the cross a symbol of death? ›

Crucifixion was, in obvious ways, a death sentence. It was a method of execution that was designed to prolong suffering for days at a time but which would, ultimately, always end in death. For this reason, the cross became known in the ancient world for being a symbol of death.

What is a golden cross? ›

The golden cross occurs when a short-term moving average crosses over a major long-term moving average to the upside and is interpreted by analysts and traders as signaling a definitive upward turn in a market. Basically, the short-term average trends up faster than the long-term average, until they cross.

What are Golden Cross and Death Cross settings? ›

The indicators use both 200-day and 50-day MAs to signal whether a death cross or golden cross has occurred. When the 50-day MA crosses above the 200-day MA from below, this is a golden cross. Meanwhile, a death cross is when the 50-day MA is above the 200-day MA and then crosses below the 200-day MA.

Is Golden Cross always bullish? ›

The Golden Cross is a chart pattern recognized by the crossing of a short-term moving average over a long-term moving average, typically the 50-day moving average crossing above the 200-day moving average. This event is considered a bullish signal, suggesting a potential uptrend in the market.

What are the two types of crosses? ›

The term Greek cross designates a cross with arms of equal length, as in a plus sign, while the Latin cross designates a cross with an elongated descending arm.

What are Golden cross and Death Cross settings? ›

The indicators use both 200-day and 50-day MAs to signal whether a death cross or golden cross has occurred. When the 50-day MA crosses above the 200-day MA from below, this is a golden cross. Meanwhile, a death cross is when the 50-day MA is above the 200-day MA and then crosses below the 200-day MA.

Is Death Cross good or bad? ›

The Death Cross signals short-term weakness when the short-term moving average crosses below the long-term moving average. It's often used by traders to make decisions about exiting positions. However, it also has drawbacks, leading to premature exits in some cases.

Can a death cross be bullish? ›

It sounds a bit menacing, and perhaps that's the point. It's called the Death Cross, and traders have collectively referred to this particular moving average crossover as an endpoint for an uptrend or bullish conditions.

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