Trade Smarter, Not Harder: A Guide to the Demand Index

Some indicators are only available on very few platforms, making them rare indicators. The limited availability of these indicators itself is a compelling reason to take a keen interest in them. The Demand Index indicator is one such rare indicator. Intelligent traders understand the importance of investing time in learning indicators that are less known. Let’s master this indicator to gain an edge over our competitors in the competitive field of crypto trading.      

1. What’s Demand Index 

The Demand Index indicator is a popular technical indicator that utilises both price and volume data to evaluate the levels of buying and selling pressure influencing an asset. 

2. The Origin of Demand Index: What You Should Know 

James Sibbet, a financial expert, created the Demand Index indicator. He wanted a more sophisticated way to understand the balance between people who want to buy an asset and those who want to sell it. 

3. Calculating Demand Index: The Simplest Explanation 

Calculating the Demand Index is complex. Before going deep into the formula, it is better to know about its parameters. 

The Demand Index formula has four important parameters:

• Price: You shart with a series of prices. Typically, this is the closing price of an asset, but you can use other values like the midpoint between the high and low prices.

• Constant: There is a constant value, which is usually set to 5, but you can adjust it.

• Periods: This represents how far back in time you want to look. It is used to calculate moving averages within the formula.

• HighLowBars: It is the number of trading bars used to find the highest high and lowest low values.

Time to explore the calculation part.

• First, calculate buying and selling pressure. Buying pressure is when the current price is higher than the previous day’s price, and selling pressure is when it is lower.

• Then, you calculate the Demand Index using those pressures, the constant, and the periods you chose. This formula gives you a number that can range from 100 to -100. 

4. Launching Demand Index on a TradingView Chart: Basic Steps 

To launch the Demand Index on a TradingView chart, follow these basic steps:

• Open a TradingView chart for the asset you are interested in.
• Click on the ‘Indicator’s button at the top of the chart.
• In the search bar, type ‘Demand Index’ and select it from the list of available indicators.
• You can customise the indicator by adjusting parameters like the price type, constant, periods, and high/low bars. 
• Click ‘OK’
• Start analysis 

5. How to Interpret Demand Index 

Divergence is the price signal a trader generally looks for in this indicator. If the the Demand Index line diverges from the price and moves in the opposite direction, it is an important trading signal. 

Beyond this general idea, there are six important rules the developer itself coined at the time of introduction of this indicator. In order to have a better or deeper interpretation, understanding these rules is important.  

5.1. Six Rules of Demand Index 

When the indicator was originally published, Mr. Sibbet introduced six rules in order to help users use the indicator in the best possible way. 

These rules are:

• Bearish Divergence

When the Demand Index diverges from the price and moves in the opposite direction, it is a sign of a potential bearish (downward) market trend.

• New Highs 

After the Demand Index reaches an extreme peak, prices often trend to rally to new highs. This suggests a bullish (upward) market trend.

• Top Indicator 

When prices rise but the Demand Index remains low, it can indicate a market top. In simple terms, it might be a good time to consider selling.

• Zero Line Crossing 

If the Demand Index crosses through the zero line, it can signal a change in the market trend.

• Near Zero 

When the Demand Index hovers close to the zero line, it suggests weak price movement that is unlikely to last for long.

• Long-term Divergence 

If a long-term divergence between the Demand Index and price develops, it can predict a major market top or bottom. This is a strong indicator for potential trend reversals. 

Endnote 

In conclusion, the Demand Index indicator, developed by financial expert James Sibbest, integrates price and volume date to assess buying and selling pressure in an asset. Its complex calculation involves parameters like price, constant, periods, and HighLowBars. Utilising TradingView facilities easy application, allowing customisation of key parameters. Traders focus on divergence for crucial signals, guided by six rules established by Sibbet. These rules encompass bearish divergence, new highs, top indicators, zero line crossing, near-zero conditions, and long-term divergence, providing valuable insights for market trend analysis.

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