ECAY5
▲ Bullish
Streaming Alert (Scanner)
8 Period SMA Crossed Above 20 Period SMA (5 Minute) Alert (ECAY5)
By Daniel Mirkin, CEO, Trade Ideas. Updated October 2026.
Find stocks where the 8 period SMA crosses above the 20 period SMA on the 5-minute chart in real time with Trade Ideas Streaming Alerts (Scanner). A 8/20 SMA crossover is when the 8 period simple moving average crosses above the 20 period SMA. Most traders read that as a bullish short-term signal.
See the cross when it happens, not on tomorrow’s chart.
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Streaming Alerts show the 8 period average crossing above the 20 period average on 5 minute charts the moment it happens.
How Trade Ideas finds it: by default, this alert is triggered when the 8 period SMA crosses above the 20 period SMA in a 5 minute timeframe. See Trade Ideas plans and pricing to run it live.
What is an 8 and 20 moving average crossover?
This alert watches two simple moving averages on a 5 minute chart: a fast one of 8 candles and a slower one of 20. When the 8 crosses above the 20, recent prices have started running ahead of the slightly longer trend.
Most people read that as bullish, which is why Trade Ideas shows it in green. Short averages like these describe short intraday trends.
Parts of a moving average crossover
Fast average (8)
Reacts quickly to the last 40 minutes or so of trading.
Slow average (20)
Moves more slowly, covering roughly the last 100 minutes.
The cross
The 8 moves from under the 20 to over it. The alert fires.
How traders use it
Step 1: Let the Trade Ideas alert find it
Turn on the 8 Period SMA Crossed Above 20 Period SMA (5 Minute) alert (ECAY5). Trade Ideas runs the averages on every stock so you do not have to load charts. See it live in the Web Dashboard.
Step 2: Wait for the trigger
Trader tip
Many traders check that price itself is above both lines before acting.
Step 3: Entry
Entries are often on the cross or on the first pullback toward the 8 period line.
Step 4: Exit
A stop under the recent swing low or under the 20 period line is typical. That reflects common practice, not a recommendation.
Tips
- Use a 5 minute chart with 8 and 20 period SMAs so you see what the alert sees.
- In sideways markets these lines cross often. A trend filter helps.
- 2 and 15 minute versions exist for faster or slower trading.
- The bearish version is ECBY5.
Past results, including backtests, are not indicative of future results.
How the 8 Period SMA Crossed Above 20 Period SMA (5 Minute) alert works
These alerts report when one intraday SMA crosses another. The server is constantly monitoring for an 8 period SMA crossing a 20 period SMA.
When a shorter term SMA crossed above a longer term SMA, most people call that a bullish signal. We report that case in green.
Key point
The server watches for these alerts in the 2, 5, and 15 minute time frames. Notice the large green number in each icon. This is the number of minutes in the time frame.
The short term SMAs (8 vs. 20) are usually used to describe shorter trends.
Formula
Like all analytics based on intra-day candles, the exact values of these formulas can vary from one person to the next. However, SMAs are naturally very stable. If the alert server reports a crossing, it is safe to say that the two SMAs are touching or at least very close. This alert condition will be easier to see on a chart if the stock is moving quickly; the SMAs for slower moving stocks often seem to overlap for a long time on a chart.
The server always reports crossings at the end of one candle and the start of the next.
The "8 Period SMA Crossed Above 20 Period SMA" alert in stock trading provides traders with several potential benefits:
- Trend Reversal Signal: The crossover of the shorter-term 8-period SMA above the longer-term 20-period SMA is often interpreted as a bullish signal. It can suggest a potential reversal or shift in the overall trend, signaling the beginning of an upward price movement.
- Early Entry Point: Traders using this alert may see it as an opportunity to enter a position early in a potential uptrend. Early identification of trend reversals allows traders to capture price movements at the beginning of a new trend, potentially maximizing profit potential.
- Confirmation of Bullish Momentum: The crossover of shorter-term SMA above the longer-term SMA may be seen as confirmation of bullish momentum in the market. It suggests that recent price movements are strong enough to influence the short-term trend positively.
- Simple Trend Following: Moving average crossovers, including the 8/20 SMA crossover, provide a straightforward and easy-to-understand approach to trend following. Traders who prefer simplicity in their analysis find these alerts valuable for identifying trend changes.
- Objective Trading Signal: The alert is generated based on specific criteria (the crossover of two moving averages), providing an objective signal to traders. Objective signals can help reduce emotional decision-making and provide a systematic approach to trading.
- Useful in Various Timeframes: This type of alert is applicable across different timeframes, allowing traders to adapt it to their preferred trading styles, whether they are day traders focusing on short-term movements or swing traders with a longer time horizon.
Default settings
By default, this alert is triggered when the 8 period SMA crosses above the 20 period SMA in a 5 minute timeframe. To align with each alert, it's essential to utilize the corresponding time frame on the chart. For instance, this 80/20 crossover alert is visualized on the 5-minute candlestick chart.
What the alert shows you
Key point
The description column of this scan will display "8 Period SMA Crossed Above 20 Period SMA (5 Minute)", providing you with a clear indication of the specific alert that has been triggered.
Related alerts
Filters to pair with the 8 Period SMA Crossed Above 20 Period SMA (5 Minute) alert
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FAQ
Which stocks just had a 8/20 SMA cross up on the 5 minute chart?
Turn on the 8 Period SMA Crossed Above 20 Period SMA (5 Minute) alert (ECAY5) in Trade Ideas Streaming Alerts. By default, this alert is triggered when the 8 period SMA crosses above the 20 period SMA in a 5 minute timeframe.
What is the 8 Period SMA Crossed Above 20 Period SMA (5 Minute) alert?
A 8/20 SMA crossover is when the 8 period simple moving average crosses above the 20 period SMA. Most traders read that as a bullish short-term signal.
What is the opposite of the 8 Period SMA Crossed Above 20 Period SMA (5 Minute) alert?
The 8 Period SMA Crossed Below 20 Period SMA (5 Minute) alert (ECBY5).
What is a moving average crossover?
When a faster moving average crosses a slower one. Here it is the 8 period crossing the 20 period on 5 minute candles.
Is the 8 over 20 cross bullish?
Most traders read a cross above as bullish for the short term.
Why 8 and 20 periods?
They are short enough to follow intraday trends. Trade Ideas monitors this pair on 2, 5 and 15 minute charts.
Does it use simple or exponential averages?
Simple moving averages.