What is an On-Balance Volume (OBV)?

On-Balance Volume (OBV) is a technical indicator used in stock market analysis to track changes in buying and selling pressure. The OBV indicator aims to show whether an asset is being accumulated or distributed by measuring the volume of trades and changes in price.

The OBV is calculated by adding the volume on up days (when the price of an asset increases) to a running total and subtracting the volume on down days (when the price decreases). This running total represents the OBV, which can be used to make predictions about future price movements.

If the OBV is increasing while the price of an asset is flat or declining, it may indicate that buying pressure is strong and the price may soon rise. Conversely, if the OBV is decreasing while the price is flat or rising, it may indicate that selling pressure is strong and the price may soon fall.

OBV is often used in conjunction with other technical indicators to confirm trends and make more informed trading decisions. For example, if the OBV is increasing while the price of an asset is also rising, this may be a signal that a bull market is in progress and that the price trend is likely to continue.

It is important to note that OBV is a lagging indicator, which means that it can only confirm trends that have already begun and is not useful for predicting future price movements. Additionally, OBV can be affected by factors such as news events or changes in market sentiment, so it should not be used as the sole basis for making investment decisions.

Simplified Example

On-Balance Volume (OBV) is like keeping track of how many people are going in and out of a store. Imagine you are keeping an eye on a toy store, and every time someone walks in, you mark a tally on a piece of paper. And every time someone walks out, you cross out a tally. At the end of the day, you can look at the total number of tallies and crosses and see if more people went into the store than out, or vice versa. If more people went into the store than out, this means there is a lot of buying interest, and the store might do well in the future. If more people walked out than in, this means there is a lot of selling interest, and the store might not do as well.

Who Invented On-Balance Volume (OBV)?

Joseph Granville, a prominent technical analyst and author, introduced On-Balance Volume (OBV) in the early 1960s. This pivotal development occurred within the pages of his book "Granville's New Key to Stock Market Profits," which was published in 1963. Granville asserted that OBV represented a more accurate indicator of market sentiment and price direction compared to conventional volume measures.

Examples

One example of the use of On-Balance Volume (OBV) in cryptocurrency is in analyzing the strength of a price trend. OBV is calculated by adding the volume on days when the price of a cryptocurrency increases and subtracting the volume on days when the price decreases. When the OBV line rises, it indicates that there is strong buying pressure and the price trend is likely to continue upward. Conversely, when the OBV line falls, it indicates that there is strong selling pressure and the price trend is likely to continue downward. By analyzing the OBV line, traders and investors can gain insight into the underlying momentum of the cryptocurrency price trend.

Another example of the use of OBV in cryptocurrency is in identifying potential reversal signals. When the OBV line diverges from the price trend, it may indicate that the price trend is losing momentum and a reversal is imminent. For example, if the price of a cryptocurrency continues to rise while the OBV line starts to fall, it may indicate that the buying pressure is waning and a downward price trend is likely to occur. By paying attention to divergences between the OBV line and the price trend, traders and investors can potentially identify turning points in the market.

A third example of the use of OBV in cryptocurrency is in confirming price trends and breakouts. When the OBV line rises alongside a rising price trend, it confirms the strength of the trend and suggests that the trend is likely to continue. Similarly, when the OBV line rises after a period of consolidation, it may indicate a strong breakout and a continuation of the upward trend. By using OBV in conjunction with other technical analysis tools, traders and investors can gain a more complete picture of market conditions and make informed trading decisions.

Related Terms

• Volume: It can be used to measure the liquidity of a stock.

• Negative Volume Index: A technical indicator used by traders to identify potential changes in stock prices.