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Read MoreIt is a well-known fact that volume, as you see on your Forex pairs, is actually not ‘true’ volume and is really only ‘tick volume’ implying simply the number of ticks that price moved in that given time frame.
Real volume – as used in other markets like stocks – is, of course, the number of units of the trading instrument actually traded in a given time period.
The two are vastly different interpretations of the phenomena but the argument going with tick volumes in Forex – and also perhaps what made them an acceptable trading tool among Forex traders – is that for a decentralized over the counter (OTC) market like Forex, it is near impossible to gather any real and complete information on order flow. Hence tick volumes need to be used as proxy for real volumes.
The underlying logic is that with increased order flow, price should generally move more ticks, therefore, printing a larger tick volume bar on your free meta trader platform.
We also have some ‘innovative’ Forex brokers, actually releasing real-time order flow executed through their platforms for a more accurate number on Forex volumes for their dear customers. While that’s sweet, it hardly provides any real insight into the global Forex market built on trillions of dollars of daily trade. What these tools essentially show is only a tiny glimpse of an already minuscule and non-authoritative segment of retail trading in Forex.
But before you decide to dump away your Volume indicators, I do have some good news. Volumes in Forex do work! Period.
Thinking about it, tick volumes may not be giving us real-time order flow cues, but they are giving us a fair idea about how rapidly price is moving in a particular direction (more rapid price movement equals higher tick volumes). As a price action trader, this bit of information can be gold when put in tandem with other relevant information.
While I am a believer in using tick volume in Forex, I do not believe in applying full blown volume-based trading strategies such as volume spread analysis (VSA) that is used often in centralized markets with known real volumes.
With Forex it is important to understand that tick volumes are still just a proxy for real volumes and your competitive edge in the market cannot be built upon proxy indicators for true momentum.
I like to use tick volumes in Forex as a secondary validation for strength (or lack thereof) of the market. And as you will see in a bit, it can lend important clues in developing an overall understanding of the direction that price is trading in.
It is reasonable to assume that if price is trading in the right direction, traders should have a keen interest in pushing their order buttons, hence propelling order flow as well as tick volume (price should move more rapidly covering a higher tick count).
On the contrary, if price is trading in the opposite direction (such as pulling back while in a strong uptrend) the move should be associated with lower trading volumes: both in terms of real order flow, as well as tick volumes (price should be moving rather slowly covering a lower tick count per period).
Staying within the context of what I just said, how exactly should a true breakout from a vivid chart pattern look via tick volumes? If you said big volume bars indicating strong momentum, you are right! Would you be worried about a possible fake breakout if volume bars did not print higher at a breakout point? I’d likely be biting my nails off if I was in a breakout trade at the point.
Let’s put this into perspective and throw some sense into what I have just said.
We are looking at the EUR/GBP daily chart with an interesting range-bound market stuck within the and the price levels. Let’s use tick volumes to deduce price action moves on this one:
You can see pairing tick volume information with other powerful bits of price action information like horizontal support and resistance levels can help expand your understanding of why the market is moving the way it is.
I would caution against using tick volume information as the sole trigger to a trade, but when equipped with other aspects, it can serve as a killer filtering tool helping you choose the best of the best trades.
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KEY POINTS
Trading with volume indicators gives us insights into why the price is moving in a certain way on the chart, and the tick volume indicator can help us trade in line with the overall market sentiment while avoiding some traps set by market makers.
So, what is a tick volume indicator, and how can we trade with it? This article will provide clear answers to these and some more questions. Lets get started.
The Tick Volume Indicator is a crucial tool in trading, particularly useful for understanding market sentiment. It measures each trade, regardless of whether it is an up or down trade and the accompanying volume for a given time period. This indicator is particularly important in futures trading since futures contracts move in tick size. It is often used to assess pivot points and is widely known as a great tool in futures trading to identify reversals and breakouts.
Technically, the indicator tracks the number of price changes (ticks) within a selected timeframe. It represents these changes visually by creating bars on a chart, forming a wave-like structure. These bars are color-coded: green bars indicate a volume larger than the previous ones and indicate high volume, while red bars signify a decline in volume and are often characterized by low trading volume.
Additionally, the tick volume indicator is integral for platforms like the MetaTrader 4/5 (MT4/5) and TradingView, where it displays the volume of financial instruments. This can help retail traders determine areas of high volume when financial institutions enter the markets.
Here is an example of a Tick Volume Indicator on TradingView:
Furthermore, tick data can be categorized into two types: uptick and downtick. An uptick refers to a forex pair or any other instrument trade conducted at a higher price than the previous trade, while a downtick implies a trade at a lower price. This categorization helps in understanding the smallest upward or downward fluctuation in the price of a currency pair or the fluctuation in a security’s price from one trade to the next.
For traders, especially day traders or short-term swing traders, tick volume analysis is an invaluable tool. It aids in sizing up the market on an intraday basis and is sometimes referred to as on-balance volume, although it is slightly different from the on-balance volume indicator. Still, its ability to provide real-time insights into market activity makes it a staple in the toolkits of many successful traders.
A key aspect of using the tick volume indicator is that it usually does not require any installation from third-party platforms. For example. on platforms like MetaTrader, you can find the Tick Volume Indicator by navigating to Insert, then Indicators, and choosing Volumes. This indicator will display the number of price changes within each period of a selected timeframe, giving you a visual representation of volume movements. The process works the same on any other major trading platform.
Once the indicator is displayed on your platform, using the Tick Volume Indicator effectively in trading involves several key steps and strategies:
The Tick Volume indicator is particularly effective in evaluating the strength of a trend. To confirm an uptrend, you should look for the price moving higher with increasing volumes. In contrast, a sideways market is usually characterized by low and stagnant trading volume, which can then be used to utilize the range trading strategy. This correlation between volume and price movement is a strong indication of the trends robustness.
The Tick Volume Indicator can be instrumental in identifying potential reversals at an early stage. A notable increase in volume can signal a strong reversal, indicating a possible change in trend. This can be crucial for traders who aim to capitalize on trend reversals.
During periods of consolidation, volumes are usually low. A significant increase in volume, coinciding with a price breakout from a range, typically suggests a genuine breakout rather than a false one. This is a valuable insight for those who utilize the breakout trading strategy or the ORB strategy, especially in volatile market conditions.
High trading volumes in certain price areas can indicate strong levels of support or resistance. These areas become significant for traders to determine entry and exit points. Observing the volume spikes at these critical levels in trading can offer insights into market sentiment and potential price movements.
In a trade pullback scenario where the price temporarily retraces during an uptrend, volume indicators can help distinguish between a short-term correction and a real trend reversal. Lower volumes following a price change suggest a mere correction, whereas a price change accompanied by high volumes might indicate a shift to a downtrend.
Finally, while the Tick Volume Indicator on platforms like MetaTrader is not an independent signal provider, it also serves as an excellent tool for confirmation. The dynamics of volume offer unique insights into the level of trading activity, which is not provided by other technical indicators. Incorporating this into your trading system, along with other technical indicators and chart patterns, can enhance decision-making and strategy formulation.
By now, you pretty much know what the tick volume is and how it works. Whats left? to trade the markets using this indicator.
So, one of the most popular trading strategies in the financial markets involves trading price breakouts. And volume indicators are particularly effective in identifying accurate breakouts. This is a strategy we want to show you here. Using the tick volume trading strategy, we can even take this strategy a step further, making it much more reliable. Heres how to trade with the tick volume indicator:
In trading a breakout, the first thing we want to identify is either a range, a support and resistance level, or a key level. For this example, we will be using the round number key levels, as shown below.
Now, we can expect the price to either bounce off or break out from these levels. Since we dont know what price will be doing at these levels yet, we have to pay attention to the tick volume indicator. This can give us an indication as to who pushes the market buyers or sellers.
We have explained earlier that a true breakout is identified when there is a sudden spike in the underlying tick volume when the price breaks a specific key level.
So, from the chart below, we can see that the tick volume confirms that this breakout is real. In that case, you can immediately enter a long buying position by relying solely on the tick volume indicator. Or, you can wait for a bullish candlestick pattern and open a long position.
Finally, risk management is equally as important as trade execution. So, its advisable to have a mechanical approach toward setting our stop loss and target profit points. As seen in the chart above, the stop loss is placed some pips above the bullish candlestick pattern while we place our target profit at 3R.
Just like every indicator, the tick volume has its pros and cons, and it is better to be aware of them so as to know when and how to apply them to your overall trading plan. Here are some of the most important ones:
Like all indicators and technical analysis tools, the Tick Volume Indicator serves as a useful proxy for actual trading volume, which is often more available in the commodity and stock market rather than in the forex market.
Nonetheless, this indicator allows traders to gauge market sentiment and activity levels, providing insights into potential market movements. It is especially useful for traders who use the volume trading strategy when traders particularly aim to identify breakout levels or trading ranging markets.
Pros
Despite its usefulness, the Tick Volume Indicator has certain limitations. One major drawback is its dependence on the brokers data feed, which can vary, leading to inconsistencies in the tick volume figures provided by different online brokers. This can certainly affect the reliability of the indicator.
Other limitations of the tick volume indicator include:
Cons
Here are the frequently asked questions about the Tick Volume Indicator:
Volume ticks measure the number of price changes (ticks) in a security during a given timeframe. Each trade is counted as a tick, regardless of its size. These ticks are then visualized as bars on a chart, providing a graphical representation of trading activity over time.
The Tick Volume Indicator helps in understanding market sentiment and the intensity of trading activity. It can indicate whether the market is leaning towards buying or selling, show the strength or weakness of a trend, and help in spotting potential reversals, breakouts, or periods of consolidation.
Tick volume, which is often used in futures markets, counts the number of price changes in a security, irrespective of the volume of each trade, whereas real volume represents the total number of shares or contracts traded. Real volume shows the actual quantity traded, while tick volume gives an indication of trading activity and market dynamics but not the specific trade sizes.
by Laurus12 » Wed Apr 07, pm
Hi. I read the new post "Pivot signal" by LordTwig where he mentions "how many Buys and How many Sells have occurred in timeframes" and I have found the TicksSeparateVolume which shows how many up and down ticks for every candle in a chosen time frame with green (buyers) and red (sellers) bars and a numbers display. I addition I repost the TheTick oscillator which shows the result or weight of each volume in relations to a zero line. I think both indicators together gives a very good picture and perspective of what is going on.
The TicksSeparateVolume confirms that the TheTick is exactly the kind of tick oscillator I have been looking for. The thing I do not like about the MT4 version of TheTick is that because of the auto scale function of MT4 the lower volume lines sometimes gets too truncated when higher volume lines appears. Maybe this would be better in a Marketscope version.
If you guys could make both these indicators, that would be great. I have added the MT4 formulas for both and two pictures below for different time frames which shows how the two indicators looks like and confirms each other.
Thanks,
Laurus12
*******************************************************************************
TicksSeparateVolume:
**************************
#property indicator_separate_window
#property indicator_buffers 2
#property indicator_minimum 0
#property indicator_color1 SeaGreen
#property indicator_color2 Crimson
double UpTicks[];
double DownTicks[];
//++
//
Trading volume is a numerical indicator of the total quantity of a specific asset that has been traded within a specific period.
Trading volume is typically applied to assets that are traded via exchanges, including (but not limited to):
Trading volume usually shows several things, including how many transactions have occurred, and the monetary value of the quantity that was bought or sold. This indicator is most typically used with stocks and shares. However, trading volume is also important in Forex, or in trading any other asset.
Volume is a key metric in Forex trading as it relates closely to liquidity.
The liquidity of a currency tells you how much of it is available in the market right now and how easy or difficult it will likely be to sell or buy.
When trading currency pairs, the liquidity dictates how easily you can open and close positions at the price you want.
Advanced charts are available in Forex which usually show the trading volume as a bar chart underneath the price graph. Most platforms have tools available so you can find the trading volume for a currency pair for a specific date range – such as the previous week or day.
There are several key factors which affect trading volume.
Advantages
Trading volume can be an excellent indicator. It allows you to gain insight and a clearer understanding of current market conditions and trends for specific currency pairs. You can, therefore, use volume to aid your decision-making process of when to buy and sell.
One of the most common uses of Forex trading volume is to confirm a price actionreversal. Reversals are important identifying points as they are typically points when you may want to buy or sell due to the attractive risk reward ratio.
Disadvantages
While trading volume is an excellent tool for Forex trading, it also has some limitations. This is often why traders are cautious to rely on it for decision-making.
The main drawback is the lack of a centralized exchange for spot Forex, unlike the stock market. This means that truly accurate volume data in spot Forex is simply not available.
For example, let’s say you want to look at the trading volume of GBP/USD. The reality is that you are only seeing the volume in relation to the Forex broker or exchange you are using. This may well not be an accurate reflection of the global trading volume in that currency pair.
There are several types of volume which can be used as an indicator in Forex trading. They can be outlined as follows:
Tick Volume
This is one of the most common indicators and most exchanges and brokers offer this metric. Tick volume relates to market activity and participation. A single tick is equal to a single change in a currency pair's price either up or down. Tick volume is very easy to measure, you just need an indicator that counts the number of ticks – movements in the price – over a period. Of course, there is no guarantee that tick volume matches actual volume.
VWAP (Volume-Weighted Average Price)
This is used to show the average price of a currency pair over a hour period, weighted by volume. This produces a true average of where the pair changed hands, by weight, not time.
OBV (On-Balance Volume)
This is used to show bullish and bearish trends for a specific day. OBS can also be used to identify breakouts, and to show price movements.
MFI (Money Flow Index)
This technical indicator is used to show if a specific currency or pair has been oversold or overbought. If the MFI index is below 20, it's oversold, whereas if it's over 80, it's overbought.
A relatively high trading volume means several things:
Most obviously, it means that a lot of traders are buying and selling this currency pair. More volume equals more trading activity.
A high trading volume generally means that the currency pair has greater liquidity. More people are buying and selling, as a result, you are far more likely to be able to close and open the position you want – and more quickly.
Higher trading volumes also usually mean that a trend is either starting or is already in motion. You can use the trading volume to gauge whether the momentum of a trend is continuing or declining. For example, if the volume is increasing, you can see that the current trend is continuing. Just be aware that a high trading volume doesn’t automatically mean high currency prices.
Generally, a high trading volume is beneficial. It means that you can usually buy and sell quickly and do not end up stuck in a poor trading position. You should also be aware, however, that currency prices often fluctuate in price a lot during volume increases.
A low trading volume also has several important meanings. Firstly, in contrast to a high volume, it means there are fewer traders buying and selling that currency pair.
Secondly, a low trading volume usually means low liquidity. This is not great for Forex trading. Low liquidity means that there are fewer available traders and trades to potentially buy from or sell to. As a result, you may struggle to close positions and may get stuck in trades. This could ultimately mean that you must buy or sell for less or more than you originally anticipated. However, the good news is that Forex liquidity is so relatively high that even when volume is low, it is rarely a problem getting an order filled. The problem is more likely to be slippage than requotes.
As there is no centralized volume data available in spot Forex, volume is often overlooked or misunderstood by Forex traders. This is a shame, as it can be a useful technical tool, especially for identifying major reversals, where the risk reward potential is high.
If the price is making a long-term high or low, a large volume of buying or selling is typically needed to turn the price around effectively. So, if you see a large reversal candlestick in a place like that, and you can see the volume, and it is above average, then you have a confirmation that this is likely to be an effective reversal rather than a fake one.
The difficulty Forex traders face is in getting access to reliable volume data in a decentralized market. There are three main ways Forex traders can do this:
Use Forex futures volume data, which is publicly available. This is a large, centralized exchange so the data should be quite reliable.
Many brokers offer clients access to their own volume data. However, this is just the data from one broker, so unless the broker is very large, it may not be very useful, and even then, it is somewhat suspect.
Use a tick volume indicator on a major price feed. Some studies have shown a correlation between tick and real volume in financial markets, but this remains questionable. For example, it is possible for price to fluctuate little from second to second despite huge volumes of orders being processed.
The best course of action is probably to use Forex futures volume data.
Is low volume bullish or bearish?
Low trading volume typically indicates the continuation of a trend, or consolidation.
Yes, trading volume is important. It is linked closely to liquidity. For example, a higher trading volume usually means greater liquidity which is beneficial. Also, volume can help identify trends and their likelihood of continuing.
What is considered high volume?
Generally, high volume is volume 25% or more above the average of the previous two weeks.
What is considered low volume?
Generally, low volume is volume 25% or more below the average of the previous two weeks.
Marco Steiner
Marco began his trading career in Forex and stock markets in , before branching out into crypto, blockchain technology, and decentralized applications. Marco's interest in capital markets was triggered while studying for an economics degree at WU Vienna after a friend started trading Forex. The Forex market remains the market Marco is most passionate about.
Traders leverage tick volume to distinguish between genuine market movements and noise, particularly during low-liquidity periods. This indicator enhances decision-making by offering a nuanced understanding of trading pressure.
In this article, we will discuss everything about the tick volume indicator.
Tick volume refers to the number of price changes (ticks) that occur in any currency pair during a given time period, such as a minute or an hour. Unlike traditional volume measurements, which count the total number of shares or contracts traded, tick volume focuses on the number of price changes, whether the price moves up or down by the smallest increment.
The tick volume indicator is commonly used in technical analysis to assess the level of market activity and the intensity of trading pressure. It is especially useful in markets where traditional volume data may be limited or unreliable. Traders and analysts use tick volume to confirm trends, identify potential reversals, and gauge the strength of price movements.
High tick volume during price advances or declines signals strong market interest, indicating the robustness of the ongoing price movement and vice versa.
1- Choose a time frame: Decide the time frame for which the trader wants to calculate tick volume. Common time frames include one minute, five minutes, 15 minutes, and so on.
2- Count ticks: For each price change (up or down) within the chosen time frame, count one tick. Traders can do this manually or use trading software that provides tick volume data.
3- Sum up the ticks: Add up the total number of ticks for the entire chosen time frame. This total represents the tick volume for that specific period.
4- Repeat for desired periods: If a trader wants to analyze tick volume for multiple time frames, repeat the process for each period of interest.
Utilizing the tick volume indicator in forex involves strategic integration into the trading analysis to glean insights into market activity and potential price movements.
To confirm trends using the tick volume indicator in forex, it is essential to pay close attention to the volume of price changes. During uptrends, a notable increase in tick volume is observed, indicating heightened market activity and reinforcing the strength of the upward trend and vice versa. Monitoring these volume dynamics is fundamental for traders seeking validation of existing trends.
Traders should be vigilant for substantial changes in tick volume, especially after extended trends. Such changes often signal a shift in market sentiment, providing early indications of a possible reversal. With this information, traders can adjust their strategies promptly to capitalize on emerging opportunities or mitigate risks associated with market reversals.
During breakout situations, the tick volume indicator becomes a key tool for assessing the strength and validity of the breakout. Heightened tick volume signifies increased market interest, affirming the credibility of the breakout. Traders can use this confirmation to make more informed decisions, as the substantial volume during breakouts supports the notion of sustained market momentum in the direction of the breakout.
Divergence analysis involves a nuanced comparison of tick volume with price movements to identify potential shifts in market trends. By closely examining the relationship between tick volume and price, traders can gain insights into changing market conditions. This analytical approach enhances the ability to anticipate trend shifts, empowering traders to adjust their positions proactively based on the evolving dynamics of the market.
By relying on tick volume for confirmation, traders can enhance their confidence in trading decisions. This filtering mechanism ensures that signals are validated by the underlying market activity, contributing to a more accurate interpretation of trading signals and reducing the likelihood of false or misleading indications.
Assessing market strength is a critical aspect of using the tick volume indicator. High tick volume during price advances or declines indicates robust market interest, reinforcing the strength of the ongoing price movement and vice versa.
Integrating tick volume analysis with classic price patterns provides a comprehensive approach to decision-making. By combining insights from tick volume with established price patterns, traders can enhance the reliability of confirmation and divergence signals.
The tick volume indicator helps identify market strengths and divergences, which is crucial for strategic decision-making in trading. When used judiciously alongside complementary indicators such as Moving Averages and Bollinger Bands, the tick volume indicator enhances precision, contributing to more informed trading decisions.
Disclaimer:
Ben Clay is a skilled and experienced CFD trading professional and writer with 14 years of experience in the industry. As a part of the Blueberry Markets team, Ben is known for his ability to simplify complex concepts into insightful and engaging content. His profound understanding of CFD trading, coupled with his exceptional communication skills, has established him as a trusted contributor who delivers insightful information to a wide audience.
Expertise: Forex and CFD trading
Category: Quantum Trading Indicators
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