moving average

American  

noun

Statistics.

1. one of a succession of averages of data from a time series, where each average is calculated by successively shifting the interval by the same period of time.

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moving average British  

noun

1. statistics (of a sequence of values) a derived sequence of the averages of successive subsequences of a given number of members, often used in time series to even out short-term fluctuations and make a trend clearer

   the 3-term moving average of 4, 6, 8, 7, 9, 8 is 6, 7, 8

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Etymology

Origin of moving average

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is tilting higher for the first time since last August.

From Barron's

Looking at the daily chart, the stock’s 50-day simple moving average is tilting higher for the first time since last August, signaling a potential shift in trend.

From Barron's

Its 21-day exponential moving average, a key momentum gauge, is kicking into gear after repeatedly holding the stock back since last July.

From Barron's

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 already look “precarious” to Yardeni, as it seems likely they may soon fall below their 200-day moving average — a long-term trend gauge that usually acts as technical support.

From MarketWatch

I think XOP could potentially pull back toward the $145 area from its current $166 level, which would see the price catch up to a rising 50-day simple moving average before the uptrend resumes.

From Barron's