W SMA index: the 20, 50 and 200-week averages of the index
W SMA20, W SMA50 and W SMA200 index are the 20, 50 and 200-week simple moving averages of the official index — for example the Nasdaq-100 or the FTSE 100: the average of its last 20, 50 or 200 weekly closing prices. They are the averages of the weekly chart, where long-term investors look. Basics turns this week's value into a horizontal line on your intraday chart. On CFD and index charts the lines sit at the index value itself; on futures (main, mini, micro, nano) they are converted with the current cash-future difference. This page explains what the lines show, why traders watch them and how to adjust them.
On this page
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- 1Thursday 10 September — the Nasdaq-100 drops 460 points, through W SMA20 index. From Sunday evening it trades below the line until the next Thursday.
- 2Thursday 17 and Friday 18 September — back above. The dips of Thursday 21:00 (29,351.60) and Friday 12:00 (29,371.35) stop on the line (29,366).
- 3Tuesday 22 September — 30,773.60: 1,400 points above the 20-week average.
Part of Basics
Free TradingView indicator with all session, week and month levels for index, futures and CFD charts.
Install Basics (free) →What the weekly averages show
A simple moving average (SMA) of 20 weeks adds up the last 20 weekly closing prices — the close of each week's last trading day — and divides by 20. It is the same average you get with a 20-period SMA on the weekly chart of the index.
- W SMA20 — about five months: the trend of the past season.
- W SMA50 — about a year: the medium to long-term trend.
- W SMA200 — almost four years: the very long-term trend, a level that is often far away.
This week counts too: until Friday's close, the current value of the index takes the place of this week's close. So the line moves a little during the week — W SMA20 by a twentieth of every move — and Basics draws one line per trading day with the value of that day.
Why traders watch them
- The averages of the big picture. Weekly charts show the trend of months, and many traders treat a test of a weekly average as an important moment — as on the Nasdaq-100 on 17 and 18 September in the example above.
- Few touches, more meaning. A weekly average moves slowly and price reaches it only a few times a year. Such a test can mark a turning point.
- Hard to see intraday. On a 5-minute or 1-hour chart a normal 20-period average covers 20 candles, not 20 weeks. Basics draws the weekly value as a line, so you know where it is without switching to the weekly chart.
How Basics shows them
The weekly index averages appear on every supported chart. On CFD and index charts they are the index value as it is; on futures (main, mini, micro, nano), for example NQ or MES, they are converted with the current cash-future difference. The same averages exist for the main future as W SMA future (dashed), and for days as D SMA index.
| Default look | W SMA20 black · W SMA50 blue · W SMA200 red — solid, width 3 |
|---|---|
| Labels on the chart | W SMA20 index, W SMA50 index, W SMA200 index (renamable) |
| Switched on by default | Yes, all three |
| Value | The average of the last 20, 50 or 200 weekly closing prices of the official index, with the current value as this week's close |
| Price on your chart | Futures (main, mini, micro, nano): converted with the current cash-future difference. CFD and index charts: the index value itself |
| Where the lines start | Each trading day gets its own line, starting before the stock market opens — on US futures at 18:00 New York the evening before; on an index chart at the first candle of regular trading hours |
| Timeframes | Charts from 1 minute up to the weekly chart, on seconds charts too, unless the level needs more history than the chart loads; not on monthly charts |
| Markets | Nasdaq-100, S&P 500, Dow, Russell 2000, DAX, FTSE 100 and AEX — all tickers |
| Lookback | 1 — today only (up to 20 sessions, set in the indicator settings) |
The same average on the weekly chart
On the weekly chart the 20-week average is a slow curve under the trend. In the week of 14 September the Nasdaq-100 dipped under it and still closed the week above it — the start of the rise in the example above. Basics puts this value on your intraday chart, so you see where the line lies while the week unfolds.
The same averages on other markets
Click a chart to enlarge it.
Why don't I see the lines?
- You are on a monthly chart.The lines are drawn on charts from 1 minute up to the weekly chart.
- Price is far away from them.Lines are hidden while the level is more than 5 % from the current price, so they don't squeeze the chart — W SMA200 often is. You can change this under General → Level visibility range.
- They are switched off.Check the W SMA20, W SMA50 and W SMA200 index boxes and the master switch Show all objects in 'Index SMAs' group in the indicator settings.
- Your ticker is not recognised.See the supported tickers — and if yours is missing, let me know: requests are very welcome.
What you can change
In the indicator settings (the gear icon next to Basics on your chart), under Index SMAs:
| Show / hide | W SMA20, W SMA50 and W SMA200 index checkboxes · Index SMAs |
|---|---|
| Colour, width, style | Any colour · width 1–5 · solid, dashed or dotted |
| Label text | Default W SMA20 index, W SMA50 index and W SMA200 index |
| Lookback | 1–20 sessions (default 1: today only) |
| Label size, line end, visibility range | Shared with all lines · General |
Charts and defaults on this page: Basics v11.72.8 · updated 21 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 20-week moving average?
The average of the last 20 weekly closing prices — about five months of trading. It is what a 20-period SMA shows on the weekly chart.
Why does the line move during the week?
Because this week counts as one of the weeks. Until Friday's close, the current value of the index stands in for this week's close. Basics draws one line per trading day with that day's value.
Why don't I see W SMA200?
Usually because it is far away: lines more than 5 % from the current price are hidden. Raise Level visibility range under General to see it.
Can I see the Nasdaq-100's 20-week average on NQ or MNQ?
Yes. On index futures Basics converts the index average to futures prices with the current cash-future difference. On a CFD such as NAS100 it sits at the index value itself.
Related levels
See the weekly averages on your own chart
Basics is free on TradingView. Add it to any supported chart — for example ES or a UK100 CFD — and the 20, 50 and 200-week averages of the index appear without any setup.