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TECHNICAL ANALYSIS > TECHNICAL ANALYSIS BASIC EDUCATION
Volume
by ADAM HAYES Updated March21, 2021
Reviewed by SOMER ANDERSON,
Fact checked by KATRINA MUNICHIELLO
What Is Volume?
Volume is the amount of an asset or security that changes hands over some
period of time, often over the course of a day. For instance, stock trading
volume would refer to the number of shares of a security traded between its
daily open and close. Trading volume, and changes to volume over the course
of time, are important inputs for technical traders.
KEY TAKEAWAYS,
* Volume is the number of shares of a security traded during a given
period of time.
* Generally securities with more daily volume are more liquid than those
without, since they are more "active".
* Volume is an important indicator in technical analysis because it is
used to measure the relative significance of a market move.
* The higher the volume during a price move, the more significant the
move and the lower the volume during a price move, the less
significant the move.
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Volume
Understanding Volume
Every transaction that takes place between a buyer and a seller of a security
contributes to the total volume count of that security. One transaction occurs
whenever a buyer agrees to purchase what a seller is offering for sale at a
certain price. If only five transactions occur in a day, the volume for that day is
set at five.
Each market exchange tracks its trading volume and provides volume data
either for free or for a subscription fee. The volume of trade numbers are
reported as often as once an hour throughout the current trading day. These
hourly reported trade volumes are estimates. A trade volume reported at the
end of the day is also an estimate. Final actual figures are reported the
following day. Investors may also follow a security's tick volume, or the number
of changes in a contract's price, as a surrogate for trade volume, since prices
tend to change more frequently with a higher volume of trade.
Volume tells investors about the market's activity and liquidity. Higher trade
volumes for a specified security mean higher liquidity, better order execution
and a more active market for connecting a buyer and seller. When investors feel
hesitant about the direction of the stock market, futures trading volume tends
to increase, which often causes options and futures on specified securities to
trade more actively. Volume overall tends to be higher near the market's
opening and closing times, and on Mondays and Fridays. It tends to be lower at
lunchtime and before a holiday.
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Volume in Technical Analysis
Some investors use technical analysis, a strategy based on stock price, in order
to make decisions about when to buy a stock. Technical analysts are primarily
looking for entry and exit price points; volume levels are important because
they provide clues about where the best entry and exit points are located.
Volume is an important indicator in technical analysis because it is used to
measure the relative significance of any market move. If the market makes
moves a large amount during a given period, then the strength of that
movement either gains credibility or is viewed with skepticism based on the
volume for that period. The higher the volume during the price move, the more
significant the move is considered in this form of analysis. Conversely, if the
volume is low then the move is viewed with less significance.
Volume is one of the most important measures of the strength of a security for
traders and technical analysts. From an auction perspective, when buyers and
sellers become particularly active at a certain price, it means there is a high
volume.
Analysts use bar charts to quickly determine the level of volume. Bar charts also
make it easier to identify trends in volume. When the bars on a bar chart are
higher than average, it's a sign of high volume or strength at a particular market
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price movement. If volume increases when the price moves up or down, it is
considered a price movement with strength.
if traders want to confirm a reversal on a level of support-or floor-they look for
high buying volume. Conversely, if traders are looking to confirm a break in the
level of support, they look for low volume from buyers. If traders want to
confirm a reversal on a level of resistance-or ceiling- they look for high selling
volume. Conversely, if traders are looking to confirm a break in the level of
resistance, they look for high volume from buyers.
Other Considerations
In recent times, high-frequency traders (HFT) and index funds have become a
major contributor to trading volume statistics in U.S. markets. According to a
2017 JPMorgan analysis, passive investors like ETFs and quantitative
investment accounts, which utilize high-frequency algorithmic trading, were
responsible for about 60 percent of overall trading volumes while "fundamental
discretionary traders" (or traders who evaluate the fundamental factors
affecting a stock before making an investment) comprised only 10 percent of
the overall figures.
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Related Terms
Average Daily Trading Volume - ADTV Definition
Average daily trading volume (ADTV) is the average number of shares that change hands
ina stock. The average can be calculated over any number of days, and is useful for
determining which stocks are suitable for which investors/traders. more
What Is Volume of Trade?
The volume of trade is the total quantity of shares or contracts traded for a specified
security during a set period of time. more
Swing High Definition and Tactics
Swing high is a technical analysis term that refers to price or indicator peak. Swing highs
are analyzed to show trend direction and strength. more
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Distribution stock refers to a large block of a security that is sold into the market
gradually in smaller blocks rather than in a single large block. more
Bullish Engulfing Pattern
Abullish engulfing pattern is a white candlestick that closes higher than the previous
day's opening after opening lower than the prior day's close. more
Accumulation/Distribution Indicator (A/D) Definition and
Uses
The accumulation/distribution indicator (A/D) uses volume and price to assess the
strength of a stock's price trend and spot potential reversals. more
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