> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://chartschool.stockcharts.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://chartschool.stockcharts.com/table-of-contents/technical-indicators-and-overlays/technical-indicators/prings-know-sure-thing-kst.md). # Pring's Know Sure Thing (KST) ## What Is Pring's Know Sure Thing (KST)? Developed by Martin Pring, Know Sure Thing (KST) is a momentum oscillator based on the smoothed rate-of-change for four different timeframes. Pring first described the indicator in the 1992 “Summed Rate of Change (KST)” in *Stocks & Commodities* magazine. In short, KST measures price momentum for four different price cycles, combining them into a single momentum oscillator.
Like any other unbound momentum oscillator, chartists can use KST to look for divergences, signal line crossovers, and centerline crossovers. Pring frequently applied trend lines to KST. Although trend line signals do not occur often, Pring notes that such breaks reinforce signal line crossovers. ## Calculating KST Even though the formula for KST looks complicated, it is simply a weighted average of four different rate-of-change values that have been smoothed. For example, calculate the 10-period rate-of-change and smooth it with a 10-period [simple moving average](/table-of-contents/technical-indicators-and-overlays/technical-overlays/moving-averages-simple-and-exponential.md). The chart below shows the four different rate-of-change indicators with the appropriate moving averages for smoothing.

Pring's KST is calculated from four ROC indicators

The formula box below shows the four different combinations with their default settings. These combinations are then weighted and summed. The shortest timeframe carries the least weight (1) and the longest timeframe carries the most weight (4). A 9-period simple moving average is added as a signal line. ``` RCMA1 = 10-Period SMA of 10-Period Rate-of-Change RCMA2 = 10-Period SMA of 15-Period Rate-of-Change RCMA3 = 10-Period SMA of 20-Period Rate-of-Change RCMA4 = 15-Period SMA of 30-Period Rate-of-Change KST = (RCMA1 x 1) + (RCMA2 x 2) + (RCMA3 x 3) + (RCMA4 x 4) Signal Line = 9-period SMA of KST ``` The default parameters are as follows: KST(10,15,20,30,10,10,10,15,9). The first four numbers represent the rate-of-change settings, the second four represent the moving averages for these rate-of-change indicators, and the last number is the signal line moving average.

Spreadsheet showing calculation of Pring's KST indicator values

Click below to download this spreadsheet example. {% file src="/files/okdXaDtAW5TYDMFfNMDJ" %} ## Interpreting KST ### Finding Crossover Signals KST fluctuates above/below the zero line. At its most basic, momentum favors the bulls when KST is positive and favors the bears when KST is negative. A positive reading means the weighted and smoothed [rate-of-change values](/table-of-contents/technical-indicators-and-overlays/technical-indicators/rate-of-change-roc.md) are mostly positive, and prices are moving higher. A negative reading indicates that prices are moving lower.

Pring's KST provides both centerline and signal line crossover signals

After basic centerline crossovers, chartists can look for signal line crossovers and gauge general direction. KST generally rises when above its signal line and falls when below its signal line. A rising and negative KST line indicates that downside momentum is waning. Conversely, a falling and positive KST line indicates that upside momentum is waning. Even though many different signals are possible with KST, the basic centerline and signal line crossovers are usually the most robust. Unlike the [Relative Strength Index](/table-of-contents/technical-indicators-and-overlays/technical-indicators/relative-strength-index-rsi.md) (RSI) and [Stochastic Oscillator](/table-of-contents/technical-indicators-and-overlays/technical-indicators/stochastic-oscillator-fast-slow-and-full.md), KST does not have upper or lower limits. This makes it relatively ill-suited for overbought and oversold signals. ### Identifying Divergences Bullish and [bearish divergences](/table-of-contents/glossary/glossary-b.md#bearish_divergence) are also possible for signals, but chartists must be selective when using these. Most divergences in the basic rate-of-change indicator do not result in price reversals. Similarly, divergences in MACD and RSI are also prone to failure. It is probably best to use divergences when there is a large and blatant divergence. The example below shows a chart with a large bearish and bullish divergence. These divergences were finalized with subsequent signal line crossovers (red and green arrows).

Large divergences between price and KST may also serve as signals

### KST in Strong Trends Chartists should be careful with bearish signal line crossovers in strong uptrends and bullish signal line crossovers in strong downtrends. KST can move into positive territory and remain in positive territory for an extended period during a strong uptrend. The indicator will reach a relatively high level and then turn down but never move into negative territory. This simply signals that upside momentum is slowing; it is still stronger than downside momentum but not as strong as in previous periods. The example below shows Sherwin Williams (SHW) with a strong uptrend from November 2011 to August 2012. Even though KST fluctuated up and down, it never broke below zero and remained in positive territory the entire time. The bearish signal line crossovers indicated a slowing in upside momentum, not a trend change.

Crossovers against the trend may indicate slowing momentum

## Adjusting KST Settings ### For Different Timeframes As noted in Pring's articles, KST can be used on a short-term, medium-term or long-term timeframe. Instead of just shifting between daily, weekly and monthly charts, Pring suggested changing the settings to suit each timeframe. KST is even smoother when using the weekly and monthly settings. This means chartists should use signal line crossovers to detect directional changes in price. The lag for centerline crossovers is often too great. The table below shows the recommended rate-of-change settings and moving average settings for short-term, medium-term and long-term studies.

Recommended KST settings for different timeframes

Weekly chart with recommended medium-term KST settings

Monthly chart with recommended long-term KST settings

### Based on Volatility Martin Pring would be the first to admit that KST is not a perfect indicator. There is no such thing. However, KST does have its uses. Pring encourages chartists to try different KST settings for different securities, because one size does not fit all. For example, utility and consumer staples stocks are less volatile and may require more sensitive settings, while technology stocks are more volatile and may require less sensitive settings. Chartists can also mix and match the rate-of-change and moving average settings. The chart below shows the default KST in the first indicator panel and a KST weighted in favor of the short-term rate-of-change in the second indicator panel. Instead of KST(10,15,20,30,10,10,10,15,9), the second panel uses KST(30,20,15,10,10,10,10,10,9). The first rate-of-change setting carries the least weight and the fourth one carries the most weight, so this configuration weighs the shorter/faster ROCs more heavily and increases the indicator's sensitivity for less volatile securities.

Change the order of the ROC indicators to increase or decrease KST sensitivity

## The Bottom Line Know Sure Thing (KST) is a momentum oscillator based on the smoothed rate of change over four different periods. In this regard, it is designed to capture four different price cycles. KST can be used like other unbound momentum oscillators, such as MACD, the [Percentage Price Oscillator](/table-of-contents/technical-indicators-and-overlays/technical-indicators/percentage-price-oscillator-ppo.md) (PPO), and [TRIX](/table-of-contents/technical-indicators-and-overlays/technical-indicators/trix.md). KST closely resembles TRIX. Because it is unbound, KST is not well suited for identifying overbought and oversold conditions. KST's creator, Martin Pring, favors signal line crossovers and trend line breaks for signals. As with all indicators, KST should be combined with other analysis techniques. *** ## Charting with Pring's KST ### Using with SharpCharts KST is available as an indicator for SharpCharts. Once selected, users can place the indicator above, below or behind the underlying price plot. Placing KST directly behind the price plot accentuates the movements relative to the price action of the underlying security. Adjusting the numbers in the parameters box will change the settings. Pring recommends using different settings for your KST scan clauses, depending on your desired timeframe. * Short-term Daily: KST(10,15,20,30,10,10,10,15,9) * Medium-term Weekly: KST(10,13,15,20,10,13,15,20,9) * Long-term Monthly: KST(9,12,18,24,6,6,6,9,9) Click here for a live version of this chart.

SharpCharts settings for Pring's KST

{% hint style="info" %} **Learn More:** For more details on the parameters used to configure Pring's KST indicators, please see our [SharpCharts Parameter Reference](https://help.stockcharts.com/charts-and-tools/sharpcharts/sharpcharts-workbench/editing-sharpcharts/sharpcharts-parameter-reference#pring_s_know_sure_thing_kst) in the Support Center. {% endhint %} ### Using with StockChartsACP This indicator can be added from the Chart Settings panel for your StockChartsACP chart. The indicator can be positioned above, below, or behind the security's price plot.
[Click here for a live version of this chart.](https://schrts.co/qUJVKcbY) By default, the indicator uses Pring's recommended settings for short-term daily charts. These parameters can be adjusted to meet your technical analysis needs. ## Scanning for Pring's KST StockCharts members can search for stocks based on Pring's KST values. Below are some example scans that can be used for KST-based signals. Simply copy the scan text and paste it into the Scan Criteria box in the [Advanced Scan Workbench](https://stockcharts.com/def/servlet/ScanUI). Members can also set up alerts to notify them when a KST-based signal is triggered for a stock. Alerts use the same syntax as scans, so the sample scans below can be used as a starting point for setting up alerts as well. Simply copy the scan text and paste it into the Alert Criteria box in the [Technical Alert Workbench](https://stockcharts.com/h-al/al). ### Bullish KST Signal Line Cross This scan reveals stocks where KST is in positive territory. A bullish signal is triggered when KST crosses above its signal line. ``` [type = stock] AND [country = US] AND [Daily SMA(20,Daily Volume) > 40000] AND [Daily SMA(60,Daily Close) > 20] AND [KST > 0] AND [KST x KST Signal] ``` ### Bearish KST Signal Line Cross This scan reveals stocks where KST is in negative territory. A bearish signal is triggered when KST crosses below its signal line. ``` [type = stock] AND [country = US] AND [Daily SMA(20,Daily Volume) > 40000] AND [Daily SMA(60,Daily Close) > 20] AND [KST < 0] AND [KST Signal x KST] ``` {% hint style="info" %} **Learn More:** For more details on the syntax to use for KST scans, please see our [Scan Syntax Reference](https://support.stockcharts.com/doku.php?id=scans:indicators#pring_s_know_sure_thing) in the Support Center. {% endhint %} ## Additional Resources ### Recommended Books John Murphy's [*Technical Analysis of the Financial Markets*](https://a.co/d/1eLUbD7) has a chapter devoted to momentum oscillators and their various uses. Murphy covers the pros and cons as well as some examples specific to Rate-of-Change. Martin Pring's [*Technical Analysis Explained*](https://a.co/d/7KcWIbb) explores the basics of momentum indicators by covering divergences, crossovers and other signals. There are two more chapters covering specific momentum indicators, each containing plenty of examples. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters: ``` GET https://chartschool.stockcharts.com/table-of-contents/technical-indicators-and-overlays/technical-indicators/prings-know-sure-thing-kst.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.