Ulcer Index (UI)
Candlefocus EditorUI was developed in the late 80s by Peter Martin, a financial analyst, and is based on the mathematics of an oscillation. Its calculation requires two main pieces of information which are the current price of the security and its highest highs and lowest lows in the past 14 days. It is important to note that 14 days is the most commonly used period for the calculation, but some traders also utilize the UI for periods of different lengths.
To calculate the UI, one needs to calculate the percentage change between the current price and the 14-day low. This percentage then needs to be multiplied by 10 and the Ulcer Index value is produced.
For instance, if a security’s price dropped 20% from its fourteen-day high and the current price of the security is 70, the Ulcer Index would be calculated as 20*10=200. The higher the Ulcer Index number, the more significant the price drop is.
UI is considered to be a reliable indicator of a security’s risk. A security with a high UI is a greater risk than one with a low UI. The greater the risk, the more difficult it is for investors to make a profit on their investments.
The Ulcer Index is generally seen as an important tool to identify oversold securities. Traders can use this indicator to judge the amount of risk associated with any given security and make more informed investment decisions. The indicator can also indicate whether a security’s price is about to experience a pullback or further downside.
The Ulcer Index is mainly used as a momentum indicator. It is important to note that other factors should be taken into consideration before making an investment decision. These include the current market conditions, economic indicators, and other technical indicators for creating a more comprehensive view of the security.