An indicator smoothing price by averaging over a period. A Simple MA (SMA) assigns equal weight; an Exponential MA (EMA) weights recent prices more. Commonly used lengths (e.g. 50-day, 200-day) help identify trend direction or support/resistance. Crossovers of different-length MAs (e.g. 50 above 200 = bullish “golden cross”) often serve as automated signals.