Average directional movement index

The average directional movement index (A.D.X.) was developed in 1978 by J. Welles Wilder as an indicator of trend strength in a series of prices of a financial instrument.^[1] A.D.X. has become a widely used indicator for technical analysts, and is provided as a standard in collections of indicators offered by various trading platforms.

Calculations

The A.D.X. is a combination of two other indicators developed by Wilder, the positive directional indicator (abbreviated +DI) and negative directional indicator (-DI).^[2] The A.D.X. combines them and smooths the result with a smoothed moving average.

To calculate +DI and −DI, one needs price data consisting of high, low, and closing prices each period (typically each day). One first calculates the directional movement (+DM and −DM):

UpMove = today's high − yesterday's high

DownMove = yesterday's low − today's low

if UpMove > DownMove and UpMove > 0, then +DM = UpMove, else +DM = 0

if DownMove > UpMove and DownMove > 0, then −DM = DownMove, else −DM = 0

After selecting the number of periods (Wilder used 14 days originally), +DI and −DI are:

+DI = 100 times the smoothed moving average of (+DM) divided by average true range

−DI = 100 times the smoothed moving average of (−DM) divided by average true range

The smoothed moving average is calculated over the number of periods selected, and the average true range is a smoothed average of the true ranges. Then:

A.D.X. = 100 times the smoothed moving average of the absolute value of (+DI − −DI) divided by (+DI + −DI)

Variations of this calculation typically involve using different types of moving averages, such as an exponential moving average, a weighted moving average or an adaptive moving average.

Interpretation

The A.D.X. does not indicate trend direction or momentum, only trend strength.^[3] It is a lagging indicator; that is, a trend must have established itself before the A.D.X. will generate a signal that a trend is under way. A.D.X. will range between 0 and 100. Generally, A.D.X. readings below 20 indicate trend weakness, and readings above 40 indicate trend strength. An extremely strong trend is indicated by readings above 50. Alternative interpretations have also been proposed and accepted among technical analysts. For example it has been shown how A.D.X. is a reliable coincident indicator of classical chart pattern development, whereby A.D.X. readings below 20 occur just prior to pattern breakouts.^[4]

Timing

Various market timing methods have been devised using A.D.X.. One of these methods is discussed by Alexander Elder in his book Trading for a Living. According to Elder, there is a buy signal when the A.D.X. peaks and starts to decline when the +DI is above the -DI. With this strategy you would sell when the A.D.X. stops falling and goes flat.^[5]

References

1. J. Welles Wilder, Jr. (June 1978). New Concepts in Technical Trading Systems. Greensboro, NC: Trend Research. ISBN 978-0894590276.
2. Michael D. Sheimo (1998). Cashing in on the Dow: using Dow theory to trade and determine trends in today's markets. CRC Press. p. 87. ISBN 9780910944069.
3. Newsome, Jerremy (2013-07-25). "One of my favorite technical indicators…". Trade Smart University. Archived from the original on 2013-07-27. Retrieved 2013-07-31.
4. Chesler, Daniel (Winter 2000). "Volatility and Structure: Building Blocks of Classical Chart Pattern Analysis". Market Technicians Association. Archived from the original on 2014-06-20.
5. Alexander Elder (Winter 1993). Trading for a Living. John Wiley & Sons. p. 141. ISBN 0471592242.