VWAP & V-ROC - Future Day Trading

VWAP, also known as Volume-Weighted Averagethe volume is changing at an increasing pace, where
Price, in simple terms is the average price of aas if the V-ROC is a negative number, the volume in
security over an average period of time, weightedthe market is changing at a decreasing pace. How is
for the amount of shares traded over a specificthis figure calculated? Well, first you need to divide
period of time. Many traders, from institutional moneythe volume change of the last X-periods (days,
managers to the average day trader, use the VWAPweeks, months) by the volume over the past
as a major benchmark for the overall order flowX-periods ago; thus resulting in a percentage change
throughout the trading session. For institutional sizeof volume, over the past X-periods (days, weeks
traders, they use the VWAP to evaluate where theand/or months).
best possible entry price might be; for example ifMany investors will use a period of 15-30 days to
their entry is below or above the VWAP at the time.provide them with a relatively short-term idea of
If you are buying shares, it is said to enter thehow volume is flowing in the market. This helps
market at a price below the VWAP for the bestespecially when trying to determine if a rally or a
possible results. This is because many believe if you'resell-off in price is actually legitimate. To do this watch
buying shares, you would be doing so in conjunctionthe V-ROC and see if there is a divergence in the
with volume.V-ROC and the actual price movement; if there is a
The VWAP is also a great way to get a feel fordivergence in the V-ROC and price that might show a
how the volume is flowing into the market for thatreversal or sluggish price movement in the near
day or that week. One of the best ways to use thisfuture. Another way I use the V-ROC is when price
knowledge is to determine what type of market youis trading around a key level of support or resistance.
are trading in; is it a trending market or a choppyThe V-ROC, I have found is very useful when price
one? Once you have answered this question you canis approaching a level of support or resistance
now utilize the full potential of the VWAP. In abecause once price breaks through the line of
non-trending market (choppy) you might want tosupport or resistance it helps to confirm the
consider fading, or buying/selling if price is movingbreak-out with an increase in the V-ROC indicator.
away from the VWAP. Whereas if the market isI have to say both of these indicators were great
trending you want to consider buying the lows andadditions to my shorter and longer-term trading, and
selling the highs into the VWAP.also helped me with my overall interpretation of
The next indicator or tool that I find useful in myvolume in the market. I hope these tools will help you
trading is the V-ROC, also known as the Volumeguys as much as they have me. As always, follow
Rate-of-Change. The V-ROC is a great tool to helpthose rules and best of luck trading.
identify the cyclical movements of volume in theSincerely,
markets. If the V-ROC is a positive number that thenSchool of Trade.