Bollinger % B
Overview
The Bollinger % B tool was created by John Bollinger, CFA, CMT in the early 80’s. It is similar to the Stochastic tool but the range is calculated from the Bollinger Bands rather than actual price. Whereas Stochastics will always oscillate in a range between zero and 100 since price can never penetrate above the price range (else it will increase the price range itself). However, price often exceeds the Bollinger Bands so the Bollinger % B can move above 1 and below zero. There are six basic relationship levels:
- %B equals 1 when price is at the upper band
- %B equals 0 when price is at the lower band
- %B is above 1 when price is above the upper band
- %B is below 0 when price is below the lower band
- %B is above .50 when price is above the middle band
- %B is below .50 when price is below the middle band
In this example, AMZN has a %B value of 1.19, indicating that the closing price ($3,057.04) is above the 20 period upper Bollinger Band ($2,959.62) by $98, which is 19% of the width of the Bollinger Band:
To add the tool to your chart, select the tool from the Averages tool group, and left-click on the chart to add the tool. Optuma will then draw the tool in a window below the chart using the default settings.
Scripting Function: BPB()
Actions & Properties
Actions
Copy Data to Clipboard: Will copy the tool’s values to the clipboard which can then be inserted into a spreadsheet, for example, allowing for further analysis.
Add to Toolbar: Adds the selected tool to your custom toolbar.
Apply Settings to All: When multiple Bollinger % B tools have been applied to a chart, page or workbook, this action can be used to apply the settings of the one selected to other instances of the tool. This is a great time saver if an adjustment is made to the tool - such as line colour - as this allows all the other Bollinger % B tools in the chart, page or entire workbook to be updated instantly.
Copy Tool: Allows you to copy the selected tool, which can then be pasted onto a different chart window.
Move to Back: If the tool is displaying in front of other tools or indicators clicking this action will move the tool view to the background.
Move to Front: If the tool is displaying behind other tools or indicators on the chart, clicking this action will bring the tool to the forefront.
Restore Default Settings: Click this action if you have adjusted the default settings of the tool, and wish to return to the standard properties originally installed with Optuma.
Save Settings as Default: If you have adjusted any of the tool’s properties (colour, for example) you can save the adjustments as your new default setting. Each time you apply a new Bollinger % B to a chart, the tool will display using the new settings.
Delete: Deletes the tool from the chart.
Properties
Tool Name: Allows you to adjust the name of the tool, as it’s displayed in the Structures Panel.
Bars: The number of bars that are used in the calculation of the Bollinger % B tool (e.g. if 5 then the values for the last 5 bars are used).
Calc Using: This option is used to determine which components of the data are used in calculating the Bollinger % B. You can choose from, Open Price, Closed Price, High Price, Low Price, HL (High + Low / 2), HLC (High + Low + Close / 3), OHLC (Open + High + Low + Close / 4), OC (Open + Close / 2).
Standard Deviation: Sets the number standard deviations used in the calculation.
Plot Style: Adjusts the display style of the Bollinger % B. There are 6 options available: Line, Dot, Histogram, Step, Shaded, Shaded Step.
Line Style: When Line is selected as the Plot Style, the Line Style property allows you to adjust the type of line displayed. There are 8 options available: Solid, Dots, Dash, Dash Dots, Long Dash, Long Dash Dot, Long Dash Dot Dot, Stippled.
Line Width: Allows you to adjust the width of the Bollinger % B. Moving the slider bar to the right increases the thickness of the line.
Line Colour: Allows you to adjust the colour of the Bollinger % B.
Offset: Moves the tool forward or backwards in time. The offset is measured in bars, so a value of 2 will push the tool forward 2 bars and -2 will move the tool back 2 bars.
Tool Transparency: Use this slider bar to adjust the transparency of the tool. Moving the slider to the left will increase the transparency of the tool.
Visible: Un-tick this checkbox to hide the tool from the chart.
Show In Price Scale: When selected the current upper and lower band values will be displayed in the Price Scale.
More Information
For more information on how to use the Bollinger Bands, click here.