Coppock Curve
Long-term momentum oscillator that sums a 14- and 11-month ROC then smooths with a 10-period WMA; designed to identify major bear market lows.
Formula
Coppock = WMA(10) of (ROC(14) + ROC(11))
The Coppock Curve was designed by Edwin Coppock in 1962, originally for monthly S&P 500 analysis after he consulted an Episcopal bishop about grief recovery timelines (11–14 months). It sums the 14-period and 11-period Rate of Change, then applies a 10-period Weighted Moving Average.
The primary signal is a trough and upturn from below zero on the monthly chart — historically one of the most reliable indicators of a new secular bull market. It has very few signals but a strong track record on major indices. Daily applications exist but are far noisier and less reliable than the original monthly usage.
Related Terms
Momentum Indicator
Measures the absolute change in price over n periods; positive and growing values confirm trend strength, declining values warn of exhaustion.
BeginnerRate of Change (ROC)
Percent change between the current close and the close n periods ago; positive values confirm upward momentum, negative values confirm selling pressure.
BeginnerRelative Strength Index (RSI)
Momentum oscillator (0–100) that flags overbought conditions above 70 and oversold below 30 over a default 14-period lookback.
BeginnerWeighted Moving Average (WMA)
Moving average that linearly weights recent closes more than older ones — more responsive than SMA but smoother than raw price.
Beginner