How MACD, DIF and DEA lines, and histogram bars describe momentum, plus what golden and dead crosses look like.
MACD tracks the gap between a 12-bar and a 26-bar exponential average of price (the DIF line) and its own 9-bar average (the DEA line). The histogram shows the distance between DIF and DEA, doubled.
As of 2026-08-14, AAPL shows: MACD DIF is below DEA. A golden cross describes DIF moving above DEA; a dead cross describes DIF moving below DEA. Both are descriptive events, not predictions.
Open any ticker and scroll to the MACD panel below the candles to see DIF, DEA and the histogram together.
Open any US ticker in the interactive workbench to view the macd indicator guide alongside price.
Open the free workbenchThis content is for educational purposes only and is not investment advice. Market data is delayed at least 15 minutes.