KST (Know Sure Thing)

Know Sure Thing (KST) is a momentum oscillator developed by Martin Pring that combines four weighted Rate of Change calculations across different timeframes. It provides a comprehensive view of momentum by analyzing short, medium, and long-term price cycles simultaneously.

KST sums four smoothed ROC values with increasing weights:

KST = SMA(ROC(10), 10) * 1 + SMA(ROC(15), 10) * 2 + SMA(ROC(20), 10) * 3 + SMA(ROC(30), 15) * 4
Signal = SMA(KST, 9)

Higher weights on longer ROC periods emphasize longer-term trends.

Sub-component: KST_SIGNAL (signal line).

• Multi-timeframe — Combines 4 different ROC periods into one indicator
• Weighted — Longer cycles have greater influence
• Signal line — For crossover-based entries
• Zero line — Separates bullish from bearish momentum

Buy signals

• KST crosses above its signal line (bullish crossover)
• KST crosses above 0 (positive momentum confirmed)
• Both KST and signal line are rising

Sell signals

• KST crosses below its signal line (bearish crossover)
• KST crosses below 0 (negative momentum confirmed)
• Both KST and signal line are falling

| Parameter | Default | Description | |-----------|---------|-------------| | ROC Periods | 10, 15, 20, 30 | Four Rate of Change lookback periods | | SMA Periods | 10, 10, 10, 15 | Smoothing for each ROC | | Signal Period | 9 | SMA period for signal line |

| Condition | Meaning | |-----------|---------| | KST > 0 | Positive overall momentum | | KST cross_over KST_SIGNAL | Bullish crossover (buy signal) | | KST cross_under KST_SIGNAL | Bearish crossover (sell signal) | | KST cross_over 0 | Momentum turned positive |

• KST is a reliable intermediate-to-long-term momentum indicator
• Signal line crossovers above zero are the strongest buy signals
• Signal line crossovers below zero are the strongest sell signals
• Divergence between KST and price is a powerful early reversal signal
• Best suited for daily and weekly charts