Accumulation Distribution Oscillator

Chaikin Accumulation Distribution Oscillator (ADO) is a momentum indicator which is similar to the previously released Chaikin Accumulation Distribution Line (ADL) but using the exponential moving average formulas used by MACD.

ADO is essentially the difference between 3 and 10 periods Exponential Moving Averages. For example, for a daily chart it would be the difference between the EMAs for 3 days and 10 days. 

ADO is used to detect directional changes in ADL by measuring the momentum of the movements - the first signal for a change of a trend. ADO generates a signal when the line crosses below or above the zero line.

ADO can also indicate bearish or bullish divergence:

  • If the price is rising and AD is falling (negative divergence) can indicate a bearish market
  • If the price is falling and AD is rising (positive divergence) can indicate a bullish market