The advance/decline line measures a market’s performance over a specified period of time. The calculation involves identifying the number of shares that increased and decreased during the period, with a result above one indicating a bullish market and below one indicating a bearish market. Technical analysis of the advance/decline line can help investors identify weak and strong markets and make informed decisions about their holdings.
The advance/decline line is a simple process used to measure the performance of a given market within a specified period of time. In order to properly formulate the anticipated decline line, it is necessary to establish the time frame that will be used for the calculation. In general, the time period will involve at least one full trading day, although longer periods can be used.
When it comes to the actual calculation of the advance/decline line, the process is very simple. First, the number of shares that increased during the period is determined. The number of stocks that experienced a decline is also identified below. Any stock that remained constant is generally counted as declining. Once the two figures are identified, the amount of stock that went up is divided by the amount of stock that went down. The result of the calculation will determine whether the trading period indicates a bullish or bearish market.
Determining the nature of the market day trading is easy. If the advance/decline line is at a point of one or more, then the trading period can be properly identified as a bull market, meaning that the market is active and aggressive. If the advance/decline line falls below point one, then the trading activity is considered to indicate a bear market or more passive. Knowing the nature of the market can help investors and analysts project upcoming market trends with a higher degree of accuracy.
In terms of technical analysis, calculating the advance/decline line from one trading day to the next can help identify a weak market from a strong one. At the same time, investors may also want to take note of not only the overall performance of the market, but also the performance of the individual stocks they currently own. That is, if the advance/decline line indicates a bear market and current holdings tend to follow that trend, the investor may choose to sell some of the securities and invest in options that are constantly increasing in value.
Smart Asset.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN