There are many ways to measure the Trend in relationship to "Bull or Bear" and when has it changed from one to the other. The MAIN criteria is the type of trader you are and your own risk/reward tolerance. I use several methods depending on whether it is a ST. IT. or LT. holding.
This chart is what I use to get a view of all time periods. The RSI (7) is used for the "now" view. The main chart has 55 & 89 week ema's and price is relationship viewed as to below above etc. The bottom MACD block is the momentum and trend - period strength. Notice that each time span measurement indicates trend confirmation. The crossing of (-100) to the upside is first clue, then the crossing above the "0" line is ST, IT, or LT confirmed. The longest, 55,89, is rising but has not crossed "0".

This is a monthly chart and is pretty much self explanatory. There are several confirmation indicators viewable.

This chart is a history of how the various EMAs worked time wise, and what if any, was the number of "whipsaws." Take notice of the RSI (34) as it is very telling for trend change and the relevance of OB or OS condition.

This last chart has been posted and linked so many places and is reposted here as an updated version. It is easily understood as the trend change over time periods, long term and the relationship to history.

Carl Swenlin uses several ema's, 17 & 43 weeks is one, John Murphy likes 13 & 34 ema's, I like 8 & 34 and others as charts indicate.
I do not think one is any better than the other as explained above in the opening statement. What works the best is the one you understand and have viewed the long term usefulness to your method of trading.
Comments and questions are always welcome.
mss
Edited by mss, 25 August 2009 - 08:32 AM.