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ADX Indicator

What makes trading unique is that it is open to everyone, anyone willing to grow and learn can engage in the process. However, to become a successful trader, you must follow certain strategies. One such strategy is recognising a strong trend and trading  in the same direction. Now comes the real question: how do you know which trend is weak and which one is strong? Well, you may or may not know this but there is a way to tell this. An ADX indicator or Average Directional Index can be your go-to indicator that helps in identifying if a certain trend is relatively strong and worth following or vice versa. 

 

When you follow a strong trend, you improve your chances of profits. Similarly, following a weak trend might lead you to profits. Therefore, it is important to understand the Average Directional Index and its components. Looking to read more about it? Well, stay tuned as we explore the ADX indicator, along with its components, calculation, use, and much more in detail. 

Understanding the Components: +DI, -DI, and ADX

Coined by Welles Wilder Jr., the ADX indicator was initially introduced to understand the directional shift of prices and commodities. However, now it is widely applicable for stocks too. 
 

The basis of this directional movement is formed with two minus and two plus directional indicators. Together, these minus and plus directional indicators are termed DMIs or Directional Movement Indicators. Now, ADX is simply calculated by estimating the average of differences between the plus indicators, i.e., DI+ and minus indicators, i.e., DI-. These directional indicators showcase the trend’s direction and ADX comes in handy to identify its strength. 

 

Also, it is important to understand that the DI can be positive or negative based on the difference between consecutive lows and highs. For instance, DI is positive when the difference between the current high and the initial high is greater between the prior and recent low. Alternatively, DI is negative when the difference between the current and prior low is negative; the DI is negative as well. 

Calculating the Average Directional Index

Now that you know what ADX indicators are and are directional indicators, let's move forward. Let's try and understand how to calculate the Average Directional Index. Well, before starting, you must know that ADX helps you identify the trend's strength. However, you might not be able to tell if the trend is bullish or bearish using the same. Here is what you may tell using the indicator:
 

  1. Helps traders recognize profitable trades.

  2. ADX value comes in handy to tell about non-trending and trending conditions. 

  3. Also, helps scale out anti-trending moves. 

Now, when it comes to calculation, you simply need to remember that ADX is nothing but the average of DI+ and DI-. Generally, an ADX value of 25 or more reflects a strong trend. Similarly, if the value is above 25 but falling, it showcases a weakening trend. 

Interpreting ADX Values: Identifying Trend Strength

When it comes to the Average Directional Index, one of the crucial aspects is its interpretation. Understanding and interpreting ADX accurately is important to understand trends' strengths. However, you also need to understand that the indicator does not have much to do with the reversal of a trend. Now, individuals often confuse a falling ADX with trend reversal, though, it isn't about that and instead speaks of a weakening trend. 
 

To ensure you understand ADX values correctly and can gauge a trend's strength, here are some quick pointers to help. 
 

  • An ADX value of under 25 showcases a weak trend. 

  • An ADX value of more than 25 and rising, reflects a strong and growing trend. 

  • An ADX value exceeding 25 but falling, showcases a weakening trend. 

  • If an ADX value is going down in an uptrend, the price may continue to increase. 

  • A falling ADX value, even if the price is increasing, reflects the loss of momentum of a trend. However, the uptrend exists. 

  • A momentum divergence is created when the price reaches its utmost high and the ADX value reaches its utmost low. This also showcases the chances of negative divergence. 

  • Negative divergence indicates that the momentum of the trend is changing and an uncertainty phase has started to occur. 

Implementing ADX in Your Trading Strategy

Now that you know the importance of ADX, let's know how you may implement it in your trading strategy. ADX helps traders gauge a breakout’s strength, further guiding them if it is going to trend or not. To implement ADX in your trading strategy, consider understanding its value and related significance. For example, if it is more than 25, you might follow a strong trend. 

 

Alternatively, if you see a direct slip-in ADX value, for example, say it was more than 25 earlier but slipped to below 25, then it showcases a weak trend. 

 

Consider using ADX with other strategies including price action. This can help you understand the trending price, its movement, and its direction. This way you can create a master strategy to use pullbacks as entry points when price is trending. 

 

However, it is equally important to understand that ADX has certain limitations. For example, it isn't much applicable to slow-moving stocks. Also, ADX itself is a relatively slow indicator. Therefore, before you start using this tool in your trading strategy, make sure to understand and conquer these limitations with suitable solutions. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using ADX

Using the Average Directional Index can help you in several ways. However, it is important to use it correctly. However, investors and traders often make some common mistakes when using ADX. To ensure you do not fall prey to such mistakes, consider having a look at some of them so you're aware and informed. 
 

  1. Using ADX Alone

    One of the most common mistakes that individuals make is using ADX alone. However, it is important to understand that ADX tells you just about a trend’s strength and not direction. This means you also cannot tell if the trend is bearish or bullish. So, it is always better to use ADX with other indicators like Directional Indicators. 

  2. Misinterpreting ADX Values

    The value of ADX ranges between 0 to 100. As mentioned, the value above 25 showcases a strong trend, and anything below is generally looked at as a weak trend. However, traders often confuse these values with trend direction. Also, even if the ADX value is above 25 but falling, the trend is weakening. Thus, it is important to read and understand them properly and not solely focus on them. 

  3. Not Understanding Market Conditions 

    Using ADX in every kind of market can be a common mistake. It is generally considered to be more useful in trading markets instead of choppy ones. Using them everywhere can reflect false signals and thus, can impact your trading decisions negatively. 

Comparing ADX with Other Trend Indicators

As mentioned earlier, ADX can tell you a lot about a trend's strength. However, let's try to understand how it compares with other trend indicators so that you can use them effectively and make better trading decisions. 

  • ADX vs. Moving Averages

Moving averages are known to offer valuable insights on the direction of the trend while ADX has much to do with its strength. ADX alone cannot give much on whether a certain trend is down or up. In that case, you may combine it with other indicators like moving averages to understand the direction and make better choices. 

  • ADX vs. Relative Strength Index

The relative Strength Index comes in handy to understand the price movements, their changes, and speed. ADX, on the other hand, talks about strength irrespective of the momentum of the price. Therefore, RSI can come in handy to identify reversal points. 

  • ADX vs. Chart Patterns and Trendlines

Chart Patterns and Trend Lines are helpful in the visual depiction of trends in the market, potential points of reversal, and much more based on historical price movements. 

Additional read -  Momentum Indicators

Advanced Tips: Enhancing Analysis with ADX

If you've read until here, you already know how the Average Directional Index can help you enhance your analysis and technical trading. However, here are some advanced tips to help you make the most of the ADX indicator. 
 

  1. Use ADX with Directional Indicators

    Directional indicators can help you understand the strength of upward and downward price movements. The relationship between the positive and the negative DI tells about the direction of the trend. Now, you may combine the DIs with an ADX value of above 25 to confirm a strong trend. 

  2. ADX for Planning Exits and Entries

    You can also use ADX value to time your exit and entry points. For example, if the ADX is greater than 25, you may consider entering a trade. Alternatively, in case it is lower than 20, weakening trade can be a sign to exit. 

  3. Combine ADX and Other Indicators for Better Accuracy 

    You may also consider combining ADX with other indicators like moving averages, candlestick patterns, relative strength index, and mode for better accuracy and trading decisions. 

Conclusion

When it comes to technical trading, one of the common formulas is to trade in the trend’s direction. To ensure the same, traders use a variety of strategies, starting from charts to graphs, patterns, and several other indicators. ADX indicator is one such tool that is quite effective in signalling the strength of a trend. It offers valuable insights, starting from entry and exit points to much more. All in all, they come in quite handy to make your trading game go top-notch.
 

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Disclaimer: Investments in the securities market are subject to market risk, read all related documents carefully before investing.

This content is for educational purposes only. Securities quoted are exemplary and not recommendatory.

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