VPNIndicator

Description

The Volume Positive Negative (VPN) indicator is an oscillator developed by Markos Katsanos. Its main purpose is to detect possible high-volume breakouts. As opposed to setting new highs as potential breakout entries, VPN only does so after volume confirmation.

The VPN indicator is calculated as follows:

  1. The study takes into account two types of volume: positive and negative. Positive volume is the volume related to a bar with typical price at least 1/10 ATR (average true range) greater than the typical price of the previous bar.  The opposite defines the negative volume. If the difference between the typical prices is less than 1/10 ATR, the volume of that bar is not taken into account.
  2. After registering positive and negative volumes during the indicator period, the indicator calculates the sum of each volume over the same period.
  3. The difference between the total positive and total negative volumes is found.
  4. The result is divided by the total volume for the period and multiplied by 100.
  5. The result is smoothed with an exponential moving average.

The resulting VPN plot is a line that oscillates in the -100 to +100 range; however, it tends to oscillate between -80 and +80. Readings higher than the critical value (+10 by default) may indicate a possible bullish breakout. Readings below the negative critical value may signify a possible bearish breakout.

In addition, the indicator displays a moving average of the VPN plot (simple moving average by default).

Input Parameters

Parameter Description
length The indicator period.
ema length The length of the exponential moving average to smooth the result with.
average length The length of the average used in the calculation of the plot VPNAvg.
factor The factor to multiply ATR by when calculating the positive/negative volume.
critical value Readings higher than this value indicate a possible bullish breakout. Readings lower than the opposite of this value indicate a possible bearish breakout.
average type The type of the moving average to be used in the calculation of the VPNAvg plot: simple, exponential, weighted, Wilder's, or Hull.

Plots

Plot Description
VPN The Volume Positive Negative (VPN) indicator plot.
VPNAvg The average Volume Positive Negative (VPN) indicator plot.
CriticalLevel The critical level.

Further Reading

1. "Detecting High-Volume Breakouts" by Markos Katsanos. Technical Analysis of Stocks & Commodities, April 2021.

Example*

*For illustrative purposes only. Not a recommendation of a specific security or investment strategy.

  Past performance is no guarantee of future performance.