Rob Booker - ADX Breakout
Definition
Rob Booker’s Average Directional Index (ADX) Breakout is a trend strength indicator that affirms the belief that trading in the direction of a trend and continuing to follow its pull is more profitable for traders, while simultaneously reducing risk.
History
ADX was traditionally used and developed to determine a price’s trend strength. It is commonly known as a tool from the arsenal of Rob Booker, experienced entrepreneur and currency trader.
Calculations
Calculations for the ADX Breakout indicator are based on a moving average of price range expansion over a specific period of time. By default, the setting rests at 14 bars, this however is not mandatory, as other periods are routinely used for analysis as well.
Takeaways
The ADX line is used to measure and determine the strength of a trend, and so the direction of this line and its interpretation are crucial in a trader’s analysis. As the ADX line rises, a trend increases in strength and price moves in the trend’s direction. Similarly, if the ADX line is falling, a trend decreases in strength and price then enters a period of consolidation, or retracement.
Traditionally, the ADX is plotted on the chart as a single line that consists of values that range from 0-100. The line is non-directional, meaning that it always measures trend strength regardless of the position of a price’s trend (up or down). Essentially, ADX quantifies trend strength by presenting in both uptrends and downtrends of the line.
What to look for
The values associated with the ADX line help traders determine the most profitable trades and where risk lies in the current trend. It is important to know how to quantify trend strength and distinguish between the varying values in order to understand the differences in trending vs. non-trending conditions. Let’s take a look at ADX values and what they mean for trend strength.
ADX Value:
0-25: Signifies an absent of weak trend
25-50: Signifies a strong trend
50-75: Signifies a very strong trend
75-100: Signifies an extremely strong trend
To delve into this a bit further, let’s assess the meaning of ADX if it is valued below 25. If the ADX line remains below 25 for more than 30 or so bars, price then enters range conditions, making price patterns more distinguishable and visible to traders. Price will move up and down between resistance and support in order to determine selling and buying interest and may then eventually break out into a trend or pattern.
The way in which ADX peaks, ebs, and flows is also a signifier of its overall pattern and trend momentum. The line can clearly indicate to the trader when trend strength is strong versus when it is weak. When ADX peaks are pictured as higher, it points towards an increase in trend momentum. If ADX peaks are pictured as lower - you guessed it - it points towards a decrease in trend momentum. A trend of lower ADX peaks could be a warning for traders to watch prices and manage and assess risk before a trade gets out of hand. Similarly, whenever there is a sudden move that seems out of place or a change in trend character that goes against what you’ve seen before, this should be a clear sign to watch prices and assess risk.
Summary
The ADX Breakout indicator is a trend strength indicator that analyzes price movements relative to trend strength to signal a user when is best for a trade and when is best to manage risk and assess patterns. As long as a trader recognizes strong trends and assesses the risk of each trade properly, they should have no problem using this indicator and utilizing it to work in their favor. In addition, the ADX helps identify trending conditions, but while doing so, also aids traders in finding strong trends to trade. The indicator can even alert traders to specific changes in trend momentum, allowing them to be primed for risk management.