Trigger Line

A moving-average line found in the moving average convergence divergence (MACD) theory, which is used to signal buy or sell points for a security. The trigger line interacts with the two moving averages that form the MACD line and attempts to predict upcoming trends.

The trigger line provides traders with technical insight on when to long or short a stock. A common use of the trigger line is found in crossovers. When the trigger line crosses above the MACD line, a buy signal is sent, indicating that a trader should purchase the stock. Inversely, the trigger falling below the MACD represents a bearish trend, where the trader should short the stock.