Breadth Indicator

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Definition of 'Breadth Indicator'

A breadth indicator is a technical indicator that measures the overall strength of a market by tracking the number of stocks that are rising versus the number that are falling. Breadth indicators are used to identify potential turning points in the market and to confirm trends.

There are many different types of breadth indicators, but some of the most popular include:

* The Advance/Decline Line: This indicator tracks the difference between the number of stocks that have closed higher and the number that have closed lower. A rising Advance/Decline Line indicates that the market is gaining strength, while a falling Advance/Decline Line indicates that the market is losing strength.
* The New Highs/New Lows Index: This indicator tracks the number of stocks that have closed at new highs versus the number that have closed at new lows. A rising New Highs/New Lows Index indicates that the market is bullish, while a falling New Highs/New Lows Index indicates that the market is bearish.
* The Accumulation/Distribution Line: This indicator tracks the net amount of money that has flowed into or out of stocks over a period of time. A rising Accumulation/Distribution Line indicates that there is bullish buying pressure in the market, while a falling Accumulation/Distribution Line indicates that there is bearish selling pressure in the market.

Breadth indicators can be used to identify potential turning points in the market and to confirm trends. However, it is important to remember that breadth indicators are lagging indicators, which means that they only measure the strength of the market after it has already happened. As a result, breadth indicators should not be used as the sole basis for making investment decisions.

Here are some additional tips for using breadth indicators:

* Breadth indicators are most effective when used in conjunction with other technical indicators.
* Breadth indicators should be used to confirm trends, not to create them.
* Breadth indicators should not be used to make investment decisions in isolation.

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