Average Directional Index – ADX

A group of Directional Indicators – Average Directional Index (ADX), Minus Directional Indicator (-DX) and Plus Directional Indicators (+DX) – were developed by Welles Wilder for the commodities but are also used by investors for analyzing stocks.  This is one entry in a broader collection of tools featured in our guide to technical indicators.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Designed by Welles Wilder for commodity daily charts, but can be used in other markets or other timeframes.
• The price is moving up when +DI is above -DI, and the price is moving down when -DI is above +DI.
• Crosses between +DI and -DI are potential trading signals as bears or bulls gain the upper hand.
• The trend has strength when ADX is above 25. The trend is weak or the price is trendless when ADX is below 20, according to Wilder.
• Non-trending doesn’t mean the price isn’t moving. It may not be, but the price could also be making a trend change or is too volatile for a clear direction to be present.

Final Thoughts

The Directional Movement System indicator calculations are complex, interpretation is straightforward, and successful implementation takes practice. +DI and -DI crossovers are quite frequent and chartists need to filter these signals with complementary analysis.