Market Flow Tools 101Price Action Screener 101: Your Complete Guide to Finding Trading Setups

Price Action Screener 101: Your Complete Guide to Finding Trading Setups

A step-by-step walkthrough of every filter inside the MarketFlow Price Action Screener — what each signal means, how to combine them, and pro tips for finding high-probability ASX setups.

12 April 2026Admin

The MarketFlow Price Action Screener scans every ASX stock and surfaces only those matching your exact technical criteria. No chart-hopping. No missed setups.

This guide explains every filter, every signal value, and how to combine them to build screener setups that match your trading style.

How to Use the Screener

  1. Navigate to Screener → Price Action in the top navigation bar
  2. Select a Market Cap tier — Large Cap, Mid Cap, Small Cap, or Micro Cap
  3. Set your filter criteria using the dropdowns — each defaults to All (no filter applied)
  4. Click the blue Run Screener button to load results
  5. Click any stock row to open its full company page

Results show only stocks that match every active filter. Change any dropdown and run again to refine your list.

Price Action Screener
Market Cap
Sector
Price Action FiltersMin  $100K Value Traded · Illiquid Stocks Excluded
Short-term
Medium-term
Long-term

Select a market cap tier and click Run Screener to load stocks with technical signals.

The Price Action Filters — Complete Reference

1. Moving Average Trend

The Moving Average Trend filter determines the directional structure of a stock based purely on how its moving averages are stacked relative to each other — with no reference to the current price. When the short-term average sits above the medium-term, which sits above the long-term, the underlying structure is aligned upward. When the reverse is true, the structure is bearish. When the averages are intertwined, there is no clear structure.

SignalWhat It Means
UptrendMA20 > MA50 > MA100 — all moving averages stacked upward
DowntrendMA20 < MA50 < MA100 — all moving averages stacked downward
NeutralMAs are tangled or flat — no clear alignment; consolidating or reversal zone

Uptrend — Clean structural alignment

When MA20 is above MA50, which is above MA100, the market's short, medium, and long-term averages are all pointing the same direction. This is the cleanest definition of an uptrend. It means buyers have consistently pushed price higher over every meaningful time horizon. This is the most important filter to start with — it removes every stock that is not in a structurally sound uptrend.

Downtrend — Broad structural breakdown

When MA20 is below MA50, which is below MA100, the structure has broken down at every timeframe. This signal is useful for identifying stocks to avoid on the long side, or to monitor for short setups.

Neutral — Wait for resolution

When the MAs are tangled — crossing over each other, bunching together, or moving sideways — the stock has no clear structural direction. It may be consolidating before a new move or in the middle of a trend reversal. Either way, there is no edge from a trend-following perspective until the MAs separate and re-stack cleanly.

2. Relative Strength Index (14)

The Relative Strength Index, developed by J. Welles Wilder, measures the speed and magnitude of recent price changes on a scale of 0 to 100. It compares average gains to average losses over the past 14 trading days and tells you whether a stock is gaining or losing momentum.

RSI is one of the most universally used indicators by both retail and institutional traders. Understanding it correctly — particularly what the bearish and bullish zones actually mean in the context of a trend — is one of the biggest edges you can develop as an ASX trader.

SignalRSI RangeWhat It Means
BearishBelow 30Bearish Zone — price has fallen sharply; watch for a bounce or continued weakness
Neutral30 – 50Below mid-range — mild bearish bias, no strong momentum yet
Elevated50 – 70Above mid-range — mild bullish bias, price holding strength
BullishAbove 70Bullish Zone — strong upward momentum; can signal continuation or an overextended move

Bearish (below 30) — Bearish Zone

When RSI falls below 30, the stock has entered the bearish zone, experiencing a sharp and sustained decline. This can signal two things: either the stock is due for a relief bounce as sellers exhaust themselves, or the selling pressure is genuinely strong and the downtrend will continue. Context matters — an RSI below 30 in a stock with deteriorating fundamentals is very different from one that has temporarily sold off due to broader market weakness.

Neutral (30–50) — No Clear Edge

RSI between 30 and 50 sits in a zone of ambiguity. Momentum is weak or absent. For most trend-following strategies, this is a zone to avoid. Wait for RSI to push convincingly above 50 before considering a long entry.

Elevated (50–70) — Healthy Bullish Momentum

This is often the most attractive zone for trend traders. RSI between 50 and 70 means the stock is trending upward but has not yet reached an extreme. The move has started, buyers are in control, but there is still room to run before the indicator signals overextension. Many of the best swing trade entries occur when a stock pulls back slightly and RSI resets from near 70 back into the 50–60 range before resuming upward.

Bullish (above 70) — Bullish Zone, Respect the Trend

The most misunderstood RSI reading. Many beginners see RSI above 70 and immediately think "sell" or "short." This is a mistake in trending markets. In a genuine strong uptrend, RSI can stay in the bullish zone for weeks or even months. The bullish zone describes intensity, not exhaustion. RSI above 70 combined with a confirmed Uptrend (MA alignment) is actually a sign of a very strong stock. Only start treating RSI above 70 with caution when you see it diverge from price (RSI making lower highs while price makes higher highs), which signals fading momentum.

3. Moving Averages (20 / 50 / 100-Day MA)

A moving average smooths out day-to-day price noise by calculating the average closing price over a set number of days. When price is trading above its moving average, the stock is in an uptrend at that timeframe. When it is below, the trend is down.

The screener gives you three MA filters — 20-day, 50-day, and 100-day — each covering a different horizon. Together they give you a multi-timeframe view of where price sits relative to each average.

SignalWhat It Means
BullishPrice is above the moving average — upward momentum confirmed at this timeframe
BearishPrice is below the moving average — downward pressure over this timeframe

The 20-Day MA — Short-Term Trend

The 20-day MA reacts quickly to price changes. It tells you what the stock has been doing over the past month. Stocks trading above their 20-day MA are in near-term uptrends. When price pulls back to the 20-day MA and bounces, it is a common entry signal used by swing traders.

The 50-Day MA — Medium-Term Trend

The 50-day MA is the most widely watched moving average among institutional traders. It reflects roughly two months of price action. When a stock holds above its 50-day MA during a pullback, it shows that the medium-term uptrend is intact.

The 100-Day MA — Long-Term Trend

The 100-day MA gives you the quarterly view. Stocks above their 100-day MA are in established, sustained uptrends. This filter is particularly useful for identifying stocks that have been accumulating strength over an extended period — not just a short-term spike.

Why use all three together?

When price is above all three MAs simultaneously, the stock is aligned across short, medium, and long-term timeframes. This is called a bullish stack and is one of the most reliable technical setups in trend trading. Combined with a confirmed Uptrend (MA alignment), this confirms both the structural stack and the price position relative to each level.

4. Rate of Change (Momentum)

Momentum uses the Rate of Change (ROC) indicator to measure how quickly price is accelerating or decelerating. While moving averages tell you where price has been, momentum tells you how fast things are moving right now.

SignalWhat It Means
Strong BullishPrice accelerating sharply upward — strong buying pressure
Mild BullishModerate upward momentum — buyers in control but not aggressive
NeutralNo clear directional momentum — indecision between buyers and sellers
Mild BearishModerate downward momentum — sellers have a slight edge
Strong BearishPrice accelerating downward — strong selling pressure

Strong Bullish — The acceleration signal

When momentum registers as Strong Bullish, price is not just moving up — it is speeding up. This is typically associated with a surge in buying activity, often linked to a catalyst, sector rotation, or a breakout from a long consolidation. Combined with a Major Breakout and high volume, this is the highest-conviction setup in the screener.

Mild Bullish — Steady uptrend

Mild Bullish momentum is the steady state of a healthy uptrend. The stock is consistently making progress upward without extreme acceleration. This is the more sustainable signal for longer-duration swing or position trades — the moves are less explosive but more predictable.

Neutral and Bearish — Wait or step aside

Neutral momentum combined with a Neutral Moving Average Trend reading usually means the stock is going nowhere. Bearish momentum signals are useful if you are looking at the short side, but for ASX retail traders who primarily trade long, filtering these out is the right call.

5. Breakout — Price Breaking Key Levels

The Breakout filter scores how decisively price has moved above a key resistance level. A genuine breakout above one of these levels often marks the beginning of a sustained new move, as the stock moves into price discovery territory where there is little overhead supply.

SignalWhat It Means
Major BreakoutPrice breaking well above a key resistance level — rare, high-conviction signal
Strong BreakoutClear break above a significant level with conviction
Mild BreakoutEarly-stage breakout — watching for confirmation
WeakNo meaningful breakout detected — price still within its range

Major Breakout — The rarest and most powerful signal

A Major Breakout occurs when price breaks decisively above a significant resistance level with strong conviction. These are relatively rare — on any given day, only a handful of ASX stocks will register this signal. When they do, they often lead to sustained multi-week moves. The key is confirming the breakout with volume — a Major Breakout on high volume is one of the most reliable setups in technical analysis.

Strong Breakout — Act but confirm

A Strong Breakout is a clear move above resistance. Many traders enter on this signal with a tight stop just below the breakout level. If volume confirms and price holds above the breakout point on the next session, the setup strengthens significantly.

Mild Breakout — Watch, don't act yet

A Mild Breakout is an early signal that price is beginning to push against resistance. It may resolve into a genuine breakout or it may fail and retreat. This signal is useful for adding stocks to a watchlist.

Why volume is non-negotiable with breakouts

A breakout without volume is one of the most common traps in trading. It suggests that the move is being driven by retail interest or thin order flow rather than institutional conviction. A breakout on Moderate or Major Volume Anomaly is the difference between a head fake and a genuine new trend beginning.

6. Volume Anomaly — Unusual Trading Activity

The Volume Anomaly filter compares today's trading volume to the stock's historical average. When the answer is yes — especially on a day when price is also moving significantly — it signals that large participants are involved in the move.

Volume is the one indicator that cannot be faked. Price can be nudged by thin order flow. But sustained above-average volume requires real buying or selling interest.

SignalWhat It Means
Major AnomalyVolume many times above average — strong institutional interest, high-conviction move
Moderate AnomalySignificantly above-average volume — notable buying or selling activity
Mild AnomalySlightly elevated volume — worth monitoring for follow-through
Normal VolumeTrading at typical levels — no unusual activity detected

Major Anomaly — Follow the big money

When volume is many times above average, something significant is happening. This could be a major announcement, a surprise earnings result, an acquisition rumour, or large institutional accumulation. Combined with a Major Breakout, this is the most powerful combination in the entire screener.

Moderate Anomaly — Elevated conviction

Moderate Anomaly volume is the most common signal for quality setups. It means volume is significantly above average — enough to indicate real buying interest, but not so extreme that it is likely a one-day spike. Many sustained ASX trends begin with a Moderate Anomaly volume day as institutions begin building a position.

Normal Volume — Move along

Normal Volume with any bullish technical signal is worth treating with caution. Many false breakouts and failed trend moves happen on normal volume. Layering the Volume Anomaly filter on top of other signals is one of the most effective ways to improve signal quality.

Building Your First Screener Setup

The Balanced Setup — Best for Most Traders

Use this as your default starting configuration:

Balanced Setup — Filter Configuration
Moving Average TrendUptrend
Relative Strength Index (14)Elevated (50–70)
20-Day MABullish
50-Day MABullish
100-Day MABullish
Rate of Change (Momentum)Mild Bullish or Strong Bullish
BreakoutAll (no filter)
Volume AnomalyAll (no filter)

What you get: Stocks in confirmed multi-timeframe uptrends with building momentum. Not overextended, not sideways — clean trending setups.

The High-Conviction Setup — Fewer, Stronger Signals

For the highest quality signals only:

High-Conviction Setup — Filter Configuration
Moving Average TrendUptrend
Relative Strength Index (14)Bullish (above 70)
20-Day MABullish
50-Day MABullish
100-Day MABullish
Rate of Change (Momentum)Strong Bullish
BreakoutStrong or Major Breakout
Volume AnomalyModerate or Major Anomaly

What you get: A short list of stocks with every indicator aligned and volume confirming the move. Expect 3–15 results. These are your highest-probability setups.

The Breakout Hunter Setup

For stocks that are just starting a new move:

Breakout Hunter Setup — Filter Configuration
Moving Average TrendUptrend
20-Day MABullish
50-Day MABullish
Relative Strength Index (14)Elevated (50–70)
Rate of Change (Momentum)Strong Bullish
BreakoutMajor or Strong Breakout
Volume AnomalyModerate or Major Anomaly

What you get: Stocks breaking above key resistance levels with strong volume and a confirmed uptrend structure — early entries into potentially large moves.

The Oversold Bounce Setup

For stocks that have fallen hard and may be due for a reversal:

Oversold Bounce Setup — Filter Configuration
Relative Strength Index (14)Bearish (below 30)
Rate of Change (Momentum)Mild Bearish or Neutral
Moving Average TrendNeutral or Uptrend

What you get: Stocks at oversold extremes where selling pressure may be exhausted. Always validate with a chart before trading — oversold does not automatically mean it will bounce.

Reading the Results Table

Each row in the results shows:

ColumnWhat It Shows
TickerASX ticker code (clickable to open the company page)
PriceLast traded price in AUD
CHG%Day's percentage price change (green for up, red for down)
20-Day MABullish (price above) or Bearish (price below) the 20-day moving average
50-Day MABullish (price above) or Bearish (price below) the 50-day moving average
100-Day MABullish (price above) or Bearish (price below) the 100-day moving average
RSI(14)Exact RSI value on a 0–100 scale
TrendMA alignment signal — Uptrend, Downtrend, or Neutral

| Momentum | Rate of Change signal — Strong Bullish, Mild Bullish, Neutral, Mild Bearish, or Strong Bearish | | Breakout | Breakout signal — Major Breakout, Strong Breakout, Mild Breakout, or Weak | | Volume Anomaly | Volume signal — Major Anomaly, Moderate Anomaly, Mild Anomaly, or Normal Volume |

Signal badges are colour-coded — green for bullish signals, red for bearish, and grey for neutral.

Pro Tips

💡 Screener Pro Tips
Start with Moving Average TrendSet Moving Average Trend to Uptrend first. This single filter removes every stock without clean MA alignment and gives you a structurally sound starting list to refine further.
Combine MA Trend + RSIMoving Average Trend confirms the structural setup; RSI confirms the momentum. Uptrend + Bullish RSI is the simplest high-quality combination in the screener.
Fewer filters = more resultsMore active filters = fewer, higher-quality results. Start broad and tighten until you have 10–30 stocks to review.
Volume is the truth testAny bullish signal — especially breakouts — is stronger when accompanied by a Volume Anomaly. If price is moving but volume is normal, treat it with caution.
Don't trade the list directlyThe screener narrows 1,500+ stocks to a shortlist. Your job is to open charts and pick the 1–3 best setups. Look at the pattern, check for news, verify your entry level.
Run at market closeASX opens at 10am AEST. Running the screener at close gives you a clean list to review overnight and prepare your watchlist for the next session.
Adjust for conditionsIn a strong trending market, use tighter filters (Strong Bullish momentum, Major Breakout). In choppy markets, loosen up or focus on the oversold bounce setup instead.
Track what worksOver time, note which filter combinations produce your best trades. The screener is a tool — the edge comes from learning which setups suit your style.

Quick Reference — Signal Summary

FilterBullish SignalsBearish SignalsNeutral
Moving Average TrendUptrendDowntrendNeutral
Relative Strength Index (14)Bullish (above 70), Elevated (50–70)Bearish (below 30)Neutral (30–50)
MA (20/50/100)BullishBearish

| Rate of Change (Momentum) | Strong Bullish, Mild Bullish | Strong Bearish, Mild Bearish | Neutral | | Breakout | Major, Strong, Mild Breakout | — | Weak | | Volume Anomaly | Major, Moderate, Mild Anomaly | — | Normal Volume |

The screener finds the candidates. Your analysis picks the winners.

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