KST¶
Indicators · Momentum
Know Sure Thing — Pring's 4-ROC composite momentum with signal-cross.
The Know Sure Thing (KST), built by Martin Pring, is a momentum oscillator that solves a problem single-period tools have: momentum operates on several cycles at once, and any one look-back only sees part of the picture. KST blends four rate-of-change measurements across short, medium, and long horizons into one smoothed line — so it captures momentum across multiple time-frames simultaneously. The payoff is smoother, more reliable signals and especially clean divergences.
How it works¶
The block computes four Rate of Change values over ROC 1–4 periods (10, 15, 20, 30), smooths each with its own SMA (ROC SMAs, mostly 10), then sums them with progressively larger weights so the longer-horizon ROCs count more. That weighted, multi-horizon sum is the KST line; a Signal line (SMA of KST over Signal SMA, 9) provides the crossover trigger, and the block fires Bull ↑ / Bear ↓ on those crosses. KST oscillates around zero in a sub-pane.
When to use it¶
Use KST like a more robust MACD: the signal-line cross is the entry trigger, the zero-line cross is the slower trend-state signal, and divergence between KST and price is a high-quality reversal warning — arguably its strongest use, since the multi-horizon construction filters out one-off noise. Pring designed it for longer-term position and swing trading, where its smoothness shines; on fast intraday data it can feel sluggish.
Example¶
A momentum-confirmed swing entry: wire bars into KST and feed Bull ↑ into a Buy Signal, only while a longer-term EMA bias is up (combine through an And gate). Watch for KST/price divergence in the Tester review to understand turns. Protect with a Fixed Stop-Loss.
Tips & gotchas¶
- Four horizons in one line — that's why its signals are steadier than a single-period oscillator's.
- Signal cross for timing, zero cross for trend, like MACD — but smoother.
- Divergence is its strongest read thanks to the multi-cycle blend.
- Built for swing/position trading — it can lag on fast intraday charts.
Related blocks¶
Inputs¶
| Socket | Type | What to wire in |
|---|---|---|
| Source | bars / series |
Price bars or any indicator series |
Outputs¶
| Output | Type | Plots as | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| KST | series |
Line · sub-pane | KST value |
| Signal | series |
Line · sub-pane | SMA of KST |
| Bull ↑ | signal |
Signal arrows | KST crosses above signal |
| Bear ↓ | signal |
Signal arrows | KST crosses below signal |
Parameters¶
| Parameter | Type | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROC 1 period | number · 2–200 | 10 |
|
| ROC 2 period | number · 2–200 | 15 |
|
| ROC 3 period | number · 2–200 | 20 |
|
| ROC 4 period | number · 2–200 | 30 |
|
| ROC 1 SMA | number · 1–100 | 10 |
|
| ROC 2 SMA | number · 1–100 | 10 |
|
| ROC 3 SMA | number · 1–100 | 10 |
|
| ROC 4 SMA | number · 1–100 | 15 |
|
| Signal SMA | number · 1–100 | 9 |
|
| Source | choice (close, open, high, low, hl2, hlc3, ohlc4) |
close |
|
| KST color | colour | #42a5f5 |
|
| Signal color | colour | #ff7043 |
Reference auto-generated from the block catalog · category Indicators.