What Is the Money Flow Index (MFI)?
An example of a technical oscillator is the Money Flow Index (MFI), which considers both price and volume information to determine if an asset is now overbought or oversold. It is also feasible to use it to identify divergences, alerting traders to a price trend shift. The oscillator has a range that goes from 0 to 100.
The Money Flow Index, in contrast to more traditional oscillators such as the Relative Strength Index (RSI), takes into account price and volume information rather than relying solely on price data. Because of this, some market observers refer to the MFI as the volume-weighted RSI.
Raw Money Flow is considered positive and contributes to Positive Money Flow if there is an increase from one period to the subsequent price. If the price decline over time causes a negative Raw Money Flow, that amount is added to the negative Negative Money Flow.
What is the Money Flow Index? How to calculate it
In order to determine the Money Flow Index, there are a few processes that need to be taken. You should use a worksheet if you are doing it by hand.
1. Calculate the price considered "typical" for each of the previous 14 periods.
2. Put a checkmark next to each period in which the average price was either greater or lower than the previous period. A positive or negative raw cash flow may be deduced from this.
3. The raw money flow may be calculated by multiplying the usual price by the volume for that time period. You may use either negative or positive values, depending on whether the period was an increase or a decrease (see step above).
4. To determine the money flow ratio, compile a list of all the positive money flows that have occurred throughout the previous 14 periods. Then, divide this total by the total number of negative money flows that have occurred throughout the previous 14 periods.
5. Perform the Money Flow Index (MFI) calculation by using the ratio discovered in step four.
6. Continue to do the computations as the end of each new period approaches, but this time use the data just from the last 14 periods.
The Money Flow Index: What Does It Tell You?
When there is a divergence, it's one of the important ways to utilize the Money Flow Index. When the oscillator moves in the opposite direction of the price, this phenomenon is known as a divergence. This indicates that the current price trend may be about to turn around and go in the other direction.
For instance, if the Money Flow Index is very high and drops below 80 while the underlying security continues to rise, this might hint at a downward price reversal. On the other hand, a very low MFI value that goes above a reading of 20 as the underlying asset continues to sell off is a price reversal indication to the upside.
In addition, traders keep an eye out for greater divergences by monitoring the price and MFI using numerous waves. For instance, a share of the stock reaches its high of $10, then falls to $8, and then recovers to $12. At $10 and $12, respectively, the price has reached two consecutive all-time highs. Assuming the price hits $12 if MFI makes a lower high at that point, the indicator is not validating the new high. This can be an indication that the price will go down.
Potential trading opportunities might be indicated by observing the overbought and oversold levels. It is unusual for a move to occur below 10 or over 90. Traders keep an eye out for the MFI to go back above 10 to indicate a long trade, and they keep an eye out for the MFI to dip below 90 to indicate a short trade.
It may also be beneficial to make further swings away from overbought or oversold conditions. For instance, if the price of an asset is trending upwards, a dip below 20 (or even 30) and then a rise back above it might suggest that a pullback is coming to an end and that the price uptrend is about to resume. The opposite is true for a downward trend. A short-term rally may boost the MFI up to 70 or 80.
The Money Flow Index and Its Limitations
The MFI has the potential to produce erroneous indications. This occurs when the indicator exhibits behavior that suggests a good chance for trading is available. However, the price does not move in the anticipated direction, resulting in a loss transaction. For example, a divergence may not always result in a reversal in price.
It's also conceivable that the indication won't give you a heads-up about anything crucial. For instance, even while there is a chance that divergence may lead to a price reversal part of the time, there is no guarantee that this will always be the case. Because of this, it is strongly suggested that traders use many methods of analysis and risk management rather than relying on a single indication to make their decisions.
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