Technical analysis · Intermediate

On-Balance Volume (OBV)

A 1-minute lesson from the MarketPro academy, one of 26 in technical analysis.

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Short answer

On-Balance Volume (OBV) is a running total that adds a period's volume when price closes higher and subtracts it when price closes lower, turning volume into a single cumulative line that can be compared against price. The underlying idea is that volume tends to lead price: sustained buying or selling pressure should show up in OBV before it becomes obvious on the price chart itself.

On-Balance Volume (OBV) is a running total that adds a period's volume when price closes higher and subtracts it when price closes lower, turning volume into a single cumulative line that can be compared against price.

The underlying idea is that volume tends to lead price: sustained buying or selling pressure should show up in OBV before it becomes obvious on the price chart itself.

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