MACD Adam Grimes Day Trading Strategy: The Professional Secret to Faster Action

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Adam Grimes is a professional trader, author, and market analyst with over 20 years of experience in the global financial world.

He is well known for his book "The Art and Science of Technical Analysis", which is considered one of the essential references for understanding how psychology, price patterns, and probability play a role in financial markets.

Additionally, Adam Grimes has served as Chief Investment Officer at an asset management firm and currently runs a blog and podcast on price action, trading psychology, and advanced technical analysis.
In the world of day trading and scalping, the speed of indicator response is crucial. Adam Grimes introduced a "Faster MACD Configuration" specifically designed for short-term traders.
Compared to the standard setting (12-26-9 EMA), Grimes recommends the following configuration:
| Setting Type | Fast Length | Slow Length | Signal | Average Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard MACD | 12 | 26 | 9 | EMA |
| Adam Grimes MACD | 3 | 10 | 16 | SMA |
This setting makes the MACD react 2 to 3 candles faster in identifying changes in price direction.
Adam Grimes explains that the standard MACD is too slow for short-term traders because it was designed for longer-term price movements.
By reducing the fast and slow length, the MACD becomes more sensitive to changes in price momentum.
Let us use the NVIDIA Corporation (15-minute timeframe) chart as a case study to understand how the Adam Grimes MACD setting (3-10-16 SMA) can be used to find short and long opportunities in day trading.

This chart shows NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) price movement with two key signals:
Sell signal (193.89 - 5 Nov 2025)
Buy signal (180.78 - 7 Nov 2025)
At the bottom, we have the Adam Grimes MACD indicator, which is more sensitive and reacts faster to price changes compared to the standard MACD.
This advantage is crucial for scalpers or day traders who need to make quick decisions.
1. What happened:
The MACD histogram started turning red, indicating increasing bearish momentum.
The blue line (MACD Line) crossed below the orange line (Signal Line).
This is an early sign that the market would enter a bearish correction phase.
2. Why this is valid in the Adam Grimes context:
With the 3-10-16 SMA setting, this signal appeared 2-3 candles earlier than the standard MACD.
Quick traders could enter a short position earlier, around the $193-$195 area before the price fell to $180.
3. Result:
After the crossover, the price continued to plunge from $201 to $180.
This gave a potential profit of around 10% if a short position was taken early based on this fast MACD signal.
1. What happened:
The histogram started turning green, signalling that buying momentum was increasing.
The blue line (MACD Line) crossed above the orange line (Signal Line).
This signals that selling momentum had weakened and a price reversal was likely occurring.
2. Why this is a strong buy signal:
The Adam Grimes MACD reacted quickly, showing a directional change earlier before the price rose to $188.
Traders who entered on the early signal got a lower entry position and smaller risk.
3. Result:
The price rose from $180.78 to $188.24, roughly a 4% gain in a short period.
Ideal for day traders or scalpers targeting short-term movements.
| Situation | Position Type | MACD Signal | Price Movement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Nov 2025 | Short | MACD Line crosses below Signal Line + red histogram | $193 to $180 | Early entry, strong momentum |
| 7 Nov 2025 | Long | MACD Line crosses above Signal Line + green histogram | $180 to $188 | Quick reversal, buy opportunity |
Although the Adam Grimes setting provides faster signals, it can also generate more false signals, especially in sideways markets.
So make sure you:
Use price action or support-resistance as additional confirmation.
Always place a stop loss below the reversal candle to reduce risk.
In this NVIDIA case study, the MACD 3-10-16 SMA setting successfully:
This technique is suitable for active traders who want to capture market momentum earlier, provided it is accompanied by discipline and additional technical confirmation.
If you are using a platform like TradingView, the steps are simple:
Once saved, you will see a clear difference in the speed of signals appearing on the chart.
Highly suitable for 1-minute, 5-minute, and 15-minute charts, where every price movement matters for quick decision-making.
Traders who enter and exit positions within minutes will appreciate the quick reaction advantage of this indicator.
In markets like gold, oil, or crypto that move quickly, this MACD helps you avoid missing momentum.
A faster setting means more signals, including false signals.
The slower standard MACD actually helps filter out "noise" in sideways markets.
Therefore:
Always practise risk management — set clear stop loss and take profit levels.
Use price action or volume confirmation to filter out false signals.
The Adam Grimes MACD (3-10-16 SMA) setting is not just a configuration change — it is an approach designed to help traders act faster in active markets.
When used with discipline and supported by real price analysis, it can become an extremely useful tool in your day trading strategy.
Imagine being able to act 2-3 steps ahead of other traders with just one indicator setting. That is what professionals do with the Adam Grimes MACD (3-10-16 SMA).
This indicator is designed for day trading and scalping, where every minute and every candle can determine profit or loss.
Many traders use the standard MACD, but it is too slow for fast-paced markets. The result? Missed signals, lost momentum, and opportunities gone just like that.
With the Adam Grimes setting, the MACD acts faster, giving you buy or sell signals earlier, suitable for gold, oil, crypto, or volatile stocks. But here is what most people do not know — this actual technique is rarely revealed openly.
In the Mahersaham Gold Package and Personal Coaching, we reveal the real secrets of professional traders:
This is not just theory — these are proven strategies rarely revealed in forums or free tutorials.
Anyone who wants to seize fast market opportunities without getting stuck with noise and false signals.
New traders who want to learn from basics to mastery.
Active traders who want to improve trading signal speed and accuracy.
MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence) is a technical indicator that measures momentum by comparing two moving averages. Adam Grimes uses MACD to identify early momentum changes and make trading decisions faster than other traders.
Advantages include the opportunity to earn profits daily, no need to hold shares overnight, and the ability to avoid opening gap risks. Professionals can read market signals more accurately and act quickly to maximise profits.
Most traders take 6-12 months to become proficient, but with professional guidance such as Mahersaham, the learning process can be accelerated. Discipline, consistent practice, and learning from mistakes are the keys to success.
The main risks include losing capital quickly if not careful, uncontrolled emotions, and excessive leverage. Professional traders use tight stop-losses and disciplined risk management to protect their capital.
Successful investing starts with solid knowledge. Continue your learning journey.
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