alpha

Alpha Indicator / Beta Indicator (ALPHA, BETA)

Beta measures the volatility of a security relative to something else, usually a benchmark index like S&P. To calculate beta, you scatter plot the bar to bar changes of the symbol (stock or fund) along with the bar to bar changes of an index on an XY graph (with the index going on the X axis) for a user-specified period. A best fit (regression) line is then drawn through these points. The slope of that line is beta, while the Y intercept is alpha.