The golden cross

A golden cross occurs when the 50-day moving average crosses above the 200-day moving average, a widely-watched signal that the medium-term trend has turned up.

What a golden cross is

A golden cross happens when a faster moving average (the 50-day) rises above a slower one (the 200-day). It signals that medium-term momentum has overtaken the long-term trend — a classic bullish structure.

How to read it

  • The cross itself is a lagging confirmation, not a top/bottom caller.
  • It's most meaningful when the 200-day is flattening or turning up too.
  • The opposite — the 50-day falling below the 200-day — is a death cross.

How we use it

We track the 50-versus-200 relationship as part of each stock's trend structure. A stock with the 50-day above the 200-day is in a constructive long-term posture.

Live examples — 50-day above 200-day (golden-cross structure)

FAQ

Is a golden cross bullish?
Yes — a golden cross (50-day crossing above the 200-day) is a bullish trend signal, though it lags price.

Educational only. Not financial advice.