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Saturday, November 1, 2025
Knowledge BaseGlossary

Glossary

Algorithmic Trading can be a complex subject. Keep your knowledge current with this glossary of key concepts, terminology, and technical indicators.

Parabolic Indicator

Parabolic Indicator

Parabolic Indicator

A technical analysis strategy that uses a trailing stop and reverse method called "SAR," or stop-and-reversal, to determine good exit and entry points.

Pattern

Pattern

In technical analysis, the distinctive formation created by the movement of security prices on a chart. It is identified by a line connecting common price points (closing prices, highs, lows) over a period of time. Chartists try to identify patterns to try to anticipate the future price direction.
Also known as "trading pattern".

Pennant

Pennant

Pennant

A continuation pattern in technical analysis formed when there is a large movement in a stock, the flagpole, followed by a consolidation period with converging trendlines, the pennant, followed by a breakout movement in the same direction as the initial large movement, the second half of the flagpole.

Percentage Price Oscillator - PPO

Percentage Price Oscillator - PPO

Percentage Price Oscillator - PPO

A technical momentum indicator showing the relationship between two moving averages. To calculate the PPO, subtract the 26-day exponential moving average (EMA) from the nine-day EMA, and then divide this difference by the 26-day EMA. The end result is a percentage that tells the trader where the short-term average is relative to the longer-term average.

PHI-Ellipse

PHI-Ellipse

An investment tool used in technical analysis that is also known as the Fibonacci ellipse. The Phi Ellipse is used by traders to identify general market trends, in contrast to standard Fibonacci technical tools that attempt to determine resistance and support levels. Once three points are identified on a chart, the phi-ellipse can be drawn.

Piercing Pattern

Piercing Pattern

A technical trading signal that is marked by a closing down day with a good-sized trading range, followed by a trading gap (drop) lower the following day that covers at least half of the upward length of the previous day's real body (the range between the opening and closing prices), and then closes up for the day. A piercing pattern often signals the end of a small to moderate downward trend.

Pivot

Pivot

A price level established as being significant either because the market fails to penetrate it or because a sudden increase in volume accompanies a move through that price level.

Pivot Point

Pivot Point

A technical analysis indicator used to determine the overall trend of the market over different time frames. The pivot point itself is simply the average of the high, low and closing prices from the previous trading day. On the subsequent day, trading above the pivot point is thought to indicate ongoing bullish sentiment, while trading below the pivot point indicates bearish sentiment.

Polarized Fractal Efficiency - PFE

Polarized Fractal Efficiency - PFE

A technical indicator developed by Hans Hannula that was invented to determine price efficiency over a user-defined time period. This indicator fluctuates between -100 and +100 with 0 as the center line. Securities with a PFE greater than zero are deemed to be trending up, while a reading of less than zero indicates the trend is down.

Positive Directional Indicator - +DI

Positive Directional Indicator - +DI

A component of the average directional index that is used to measure the presence of an uptrend. When the +DI is sloping upward, it is a signal that the uptrend is getting stronger. This indicator is nearly always plotted along with the negative directional indicator.

Positive Volume Index - PVI

Positive Volume Index - PVI

An indicator used in technical analysis that is based on days where trading volume has significantly increased from the previous day. The Positive Volume Index (PVI) assumes that uninformed investors dominate the action on days with substantial trading volume, while the "smart money" - consisting of institutions, funds and professional traders - is more active on relatively quiet days with below-average trading volume.

Preferred Provider Organization – PPO

Preferred Provider Organization – PPO

A type of health insurance arrangement that allows plan participants relative freedom to choose the doctors and hospitals they want to visit. Obtaining services from doctors within the health insurance plan's network, called "preferred providers", results in lower fees for policyholders; however, out-of-network doctors are still covered. Coverage under a preferred provider organization (PPO) requires ongoing payment of premiums by policyholders to the insurance company.
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