How to use the On-Balance Volume in trading?

On-Balance Volume (OBV) is a well-regarded leading technical indicator, first introduced in the 1960s by Joe Granville. OBV is essentially a line chart constructed using the day-to-day trading volume variations, which, according to Granville, predominantly influence market dynamics. On days when the market or a specific stock appreciates in value, the trading volume difference is added, and on days when it depreciates, the difference is subtracted. The OBV aims to identify scenarios where an increase in volume should correspond with a shift in price, yet no such price movement has transpired. Additionally, it can serve to validate any lagging trends.

Volume refers to the total number of trades executed for a particular security or market, or their derivative instruments, within a specific timeframe. Volume can serve as an indicator of prevailing trends and market sentiment, providing valuable insight for analysts in discerning the factors propelling a trend or gauging the robustness of a trend. An uptick in volume may suggest that a trend is gaining traction. Conversely, a significant sell-off might imply the termination of a trend. If prices fluctuate yet there is a preponderance of buyers during the lows compared to sellers during the highs, it typically signals bullish market sentiment.

Technical indicators like the On-Balance Volume are utilized by traders to anticipate future price trends and to evaluate the efficacy of a specific indicator for a particular security. Traders often seek a correlation between the movements of the OBV and the security's price. For instance, considering the hypothetical chart depicted here, while the security's price exhibits lateral movement, the OBV consistently diminishes over time. Although in the short term, the OBV mirrors the price movement from highs to lows, traders should primarily focus on discerning clear-cut trends where changes in the OBV align with the security's price fluctuations.

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When the line ascends, it signifies that positive or bullish volume is surpassing negative or bearish volume. If you subscribe to Granville's theory, you may use this as a predictive indicator, implying that a volume trend could precede a price trend.

In instances where a stock's price starts a downward trend, yet the On-Balance Volume (OBV) maintains an upward trend, we observe a divergence. This could serve as a trading signal indicating a potential reversal in the downward price trend, due to the ongoing support from investors for the stock.

The pricing in the market is significantly influenced by investor sentiment, which is governed by the law of supply and demand. Granville's On-Balance Volume is an effort to convert this fundamental concept into a practical technical indicator.

Remember, no single indicator is universally effective for all securities. However, they can be significantly beneficial when used alongside other resources like Tickeron's artificial intelligence services. A.I.dvisor can offer trading ideas, assist traders in confirming trends, analyze signals for profitable trading execution, and support investors in making logical, emotion-free, and efficacious trading decisions.

 

Summary:

Volume is the number of trades in a security or market, or their derivative instruments, in a given time. Volume can be indicative of trends and sentiment, and helps analysts pick apart the factors driving a trend or determine the strength of a trend. High volume could indicate that a trend is picking up momentum; if there's a big sell-off, it could indicate that a trend has ended. If prices are rising and falling but there are more buyers in the troughs than sellers in the peaks, it is a bullish sign.

Traders use technical indicators like On-Balance Volume to make predictions about future prices and verify how well a specific indicator works for a particular security. They often look for harmony in the movements of OBV and a security’s price. In the case of the hypothetical chart pictured here, the security's price is bouncing around sideways while the OBV is steadily decreasing with time. Though in the short-term the OBV confirms the price movement from highs to lows, what traders really want to look for are definitive trends where changes in OBV sync with the security's price movements. 

 

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