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Standard Deviation

Value of the market volatility measurement. This indicator describes the range of price fluctuations relative to simple moving average.

If the value of the indicator is high, the market is volatile with prices spread relative to the moving average. If the value is low, the market has low volatility with prices close to the moving average.

The standard deviation value is often used as a component in calculating Bollinger Bands®.

Standard Deviation rises when the price moves fast and falls back when the market calms down.
StdDev = SQRT(SUM((CLOSE - SMA(CLOSE, N))^2, N) / N)

Where:

  • SMA(CLOSE, N) is the simple moving average of the close price over N bars;
  • SQRT is the square root;
  • N is the indicator period.

Like ATR, the value is expressed in price units, not in pips.

The standard deviation indicator helps to understand the market’s volatility and its behavior. By analyzing its value, traders can make informed decisions.