---
title: "Definition of Death X"
url: https://signalscreener.fr/definition/death-cross/
markdown_url: https://signalscreener.fr/definition/death-cross.md
description: "A bearish signal occurring when the 50-day moving average crosses below the 200-day moving average."
type: glossary-definition
site: Signal Screener
language: en
keywords:
  - "Death X"
  - "Death Cross"
translations:
  de: https://signalscreener.fr/de/definition/death-cross.md
  es: https://signalscreener.fr/es/definition/death-cross.md
  fr: https://signalscreener.fr/fr/definition/death-cross.md
  it: https://signalscreener.fr/it/definition/death-cross.md
  pt: https://signalscreener.fr/pt/definition/death-cross.md
  zh: https://signalscreener.fr/zh/definition/death-cross.md
---

# Death Cross

## What is Death X?

A bearish signal occurring when the 50-day moving average crosses below the 200-day moving average.

## Think of it like this

Like when a sprinter falls behind the marathon runner - short-term momentum losing to long-term trend.

## Formula

```
SMA(50) crosses below SMA(200)
```

- **SMA(50)**: Short-term trend (50 trading days)
- **SMA(200)**: Long-term trend (200 trading days)

## Why it matters

- Major bearish technical signal
- Often marks start of long-term downtrends
- Widely watched, can trigger selling
- Confirms bearish trend change

## What's a good value?

| Range | Rating | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Cross Confirmed | Bearish | New downtrend beginning |
| Approaching | Warning | Bearish signal may be imminent |
| SMA50 < SMA200 | Downtrend | Currently in bearish configuration |
| SMA50 > SMA200 | Uptrend | Currently in bullish configuration |

## Real-world example

The 2008 financial crisis was preceded by a death cross in major indices.

---

This is educational content, not financial advice.

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