Accumulation/Distribution Analysis & Accumulation/Distribution Trading Signals

Created by Marc Chaikin

This indicator is used to assess the cumulative flow of money into and out of stock.

Originally used for trading, when it comes to trading "volume" is the amount of shares traded in a particular stock, this volume is a direct reflection of the money that is coming into and out of a stock.

The basic principle behind AD is that volume(or money flow) is a leading indicator of the price. (Volume precedes price).

Tick volume is the measure of price changes (ticks) received by a broker during a particular period/interval. Tick volume is incorporated by many brokers in their charting software.

Interpretation

This volume indicator is used to determine if volume is increasing or decreasing as the price on a chart is rising or falling.

UpStock Trend

If the price on a chart is rising then the Accumulation/Distribution should also be rising. This displays that the price move is being supported by volumes and the move upwards has strength and is sustainable.

If on the other hand price is moving up and the volumes are not, the strength behind the move is reducing: this creates divergence between price and indicator & warns of a possible move in opposite direction.

DownStocks Trend

If the price on a chart is falling then the AD should also be falling. This displays that the price move is being supported by volumes and the move downwards has strength behind it.

If on the other hand price is moving down and the volumes are not, the strength behind the move is reducing: this creates divergence between price and AD and warns of a possible move in opposite direction.

Stock Analysis and How to Generate Signals

Below is example of a chart and the technical analysis explanation

From the chart above we can separate the chart into three parts, part A, B and C.

A - Upward trend line on chart as well as on the AD

B - Downward trend line on chart as well as on the AD

C - Upward trend line on chart as well as on the AD

As long as the price & the indicator are moving in the same direction then the price move has enough momentum to continue moving in that direction as shown above

Trendline Break

From the above chart we can see that once the trend line on the AD was broken then the price trend line was also broken.

Looking at the chart below we have added vertical lines to represent the points where the trend lines were broken, both on the price chart and the indicator.

Comparing the trend lines on the indicator & the price those of the AD were broken before those of the chart. This is because volume always precedes price.

Trading Signals

Exit

Exit signals are generated when the trend line on the Accumulation/Distribution is broken. A stock trendline break on the technical indicator warns of a possible reversal.

Entry

Once the trend line on the AD is broken it warns of a possible reversal in direction of the market.

However if we want to take a trade in the opposite direction it is always best to wait for a confirmation signal.

A confirmation signal is considered complete once both the indicator & the price breaks both their trend lines.

Entry Signal Generated by Stock Trend Reversal