Average Directional Index ADX Technical Indicators Indicators and Signals

If the reverse happens around the support line, you can go long, while if it takes place around the resistance line, you can go short. The ADX line is usually plotted in white, while the +DI and DI lines are green and red. Altogether, they highlight the direction of the trend and help determine its strength.

The idea is to combine the ADX with a complementary indicator that will provide a comprehensive analysis of an asset’s price. It is important to ensure that you do not combine the wrong indicators, which can lead to indicator redundancy and overemphasising information. The strength of the trend is visualized by the rise of the positive directional indicator (+DI). In contrast, the strength of the market drop is reflected by the downward movement of the negative directional indicator (-DI).

Calculation and Interpretation of the ADX

So, depending on what you think will happen with the asset’s price when one of the ADX signals appears, you can open a long position or a short position. When the -DI line crosses above the green +DI line, it shows that over the past candles, the price has been moving down and the lows and highs are going lower. What is also important to know is that the ADX is non-directional which means that it does not give any information about the direction of the trend. When the ADX goes up, all it means is that the trend is gaining strength – this can then signal both a bullish or bearish trend. The two screenshots below show this nicely and the ADX rises both during the uptrend (first screenshot) and during the downtrend (second screenshot). The ADX is usually accompanied by two other indicators – the Positive Directional Indicator (+DI) and the Negative Directional Indicator (-DI).

When the ADX moves above 25 and continues to rise, many traders view it as an invitation to enter a trade. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 53% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

Trend Momentum

In addition, it shows when the price has broken out of a range with sufficient strength to use trend-trading strategies. ADX also alerts the trader to changes in trend momentum, so risk management can be addressed. If you want the trend to be your friend, you’d better not let ADX become a stranger. SharpCharts users can plot these three directional movement indicators by selecting Average Directional Index (ADX) from the indicator dropdown list. By default, the ADX line will be in black, the Plus Directional Indicator (+DI) in green and the Minus Directional Indicator (-DI) in red.

StoneX recommends you to seek independent financial and legal advice before making any financial investment decision. Trading CFDs and FX on margin carries a higher level of risk, and may not be suitable for all investors. The possibility exists that you could lose more than your initial investment further CFD investors do not own or have any rights to the underlying assets. This project started as an effort to improve the user interface of the hybrid indicator ADX of Vortex, which is, as per the name, a blend of ADX and Vortex Indicator. Plotting both indicators on the same polarity and normalising the vortex, a better interpretation of the interaction between the two is possible, and trend becomes apparent.

Average Directional Index (ADX): Definition and Formula

Crosses of these directional indicators can be combined with ADX for a complete trading system. The chart above shows four calculation examples for directional movement. The first pairing shows https://www.bigshotrading.info/blog/inverted-hammer-candlestick-pattern-learn-how-to-use/ a big positive difference between the highs for a strong Plus Directional Movement (+DM). The second pairing shows an outside day with Minus Directional Movement (-DM) getting the edge.

While it has limitations, the ADX can be an invaluable tool for traders and investors when used with other technical indicators and fundamental analysis. By understanding the signals generated by the ADX and adjusting its parameters to suit their trading style, traders can make more informed decisions and improve their overall performance. The Average Directional Index (ADX) is a technical indicator used by traders and investors to determine the strength of a trend in the price of a financial asset. Welles Wilder Jr. in 1978, the ADX is considered one of the most reliable trend indicators.

Average Directional Index Strategies

And while ADX trading is in full swing, I will continue explaining the theoretical framework. Now, I will describe how the chart analysis works and open a trade. And while it’s in the market, I will continue the explanation.

Here is a simple system for trading with these directional movement indicators. The first requirement is for the ADX indicator to be trading above 20. The signal remains in force if these low holds, even if +DI crosses back below -DI. Once the trend develops and Average Directional Index becomes profitable, traders can incorporate a stop-loss and trailing stop should the trend continue. The ADX is a hybrid of Wilder’s positive directional indicator (+DI) and negative directional indicator (-DI), with the addition of a simple moving average.

The ADX is an oscillator which moves between defined extremes of zero and 100. A reading below 20 indicates a weak current trend, while a reading over 40 suggests strength. What is important to remember is that whatever reading the ADX gives, it only indicates the strength of the existing trend.

The ADX indicator is one of the most frequently used tools for identifying a trend strength. It can’t be called the simplest, as although its signals are straightforward, a trader will need to adjust the settings to increase the effectiveness of the trading strategy. However, once you find your settings, you will be able to evaluate the trend effectively.