On Balance Volume + Trend + Divergences

Mar 7, 2021

Static chart image
Volume Based
Signals
Oscillators
Divergences

The On Balance Volume + Trend + Divergences indicator enhances the standard OBV calculation by integrating trend-based coloring and automated divergence detection to identify potential price reversals.

Usage

The tool can be used to identify trend direction and momentum shifts through the On Balance Volume (OBV) line. The line changes color based on its position relative to its 20-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA); a green line indicates bullish momentum (OBV > EMA), while a red line indicates bearish momentum (OBV < EMA).

Users can also monitor the chart for "Bull" or "Bear" labels, which signify regular divergences between price and volume flow. Regular bullish divergences occur when price makes a lower low while OBV makes a higher low, suggesting a potential upward reversal. Regular bearish divergences occur when price makes a higher high while OBV makes a lower high, suggesting a potential downward reversal. Hidden divergences can also be enabled to identify trend continuation opportunities.

Details

The script calculates cumulative volume based on price change direction (On Balance Volume). To provide better analytical depth, it applies a 20-period EMA to the OBV values to determine the short-term trend of volume flow. The divergence engine utilizes pivot points (defined by left and right lookback settings) to compare price peaks and valleys against the corresponding peaks and valleys in the OBV oscillator.

Settings

  • Divergences: A toggle to assist in visual organization of the divergence settings.
  • Pivot Lookback Right: The number of bars to the right of a pivot point required for confirmation.
  • Pivot Lookback Left: The number of bars to the left of a pivot point required for identification.
  • Max of Lookback Range: The maximum number of bars to look back when searching for a previous pivot to compare for divergence.
  • Min of Lookback Range: The minimum number of bars to look back when searching for a previous pivot.
  • Plot Bullish / Hidden Bullish: Toggles for the visibility of regular and hidden bullish divergence labels and lines.
  • Plot Bearish / Hidden Bearish: Toggles for the visibility of regular and hidden bearish divergence labels and lines.

FAQ

How do I use the OBV color change?

The color change serves as a trend filter. When the OBV line turns green, it indicates that volume-weighted momentum is positive relative to its recent average. When it turns red, volume flow is predominantly negative.

What is the difference between Regular and Hidden Divergences?

Regular divergences typically signal a trend reversal, while hidden divergences often signal a trend continuation. You can enable Hidden Divergences in the settings menu.

How can I access On Balance Volume + Trend + Divergences?

You can get access on the LuxAlgo Library for charting platforms like TradingView, MetaTrader (MT4/MT5), and NinjaTrader for free.

Free access on the following platforms
tradingviewSymbolTradingView
Open in your browser

This in-app browser is not compatible with Get Access from the library.

Tap the menu (...) at the top of your screen and select "Open in Browser", "Open in Safari", or "Open in Chrome" to continue.

ninjatraderNinjaTrader
Open in your browser

This in-app browser is not compatible with Get Access from the library.

Tap the menu (...) at the top of your screen and select "Open in Browser", "Open in Safari", or "Open in Chrome" to continue.

metatrader4MetaTrader 4/5
Open in your browser

This in-app browser is not compatible with Get Access from the library.

Tap the menu (...) at the top of your screen and select "Open in Browser", "Open in Safari", or "Open in Chrome" to continue.

thinkorswimThinkorswim
Open in your browser

This in-app browser is not compatible with Get Access from the library.

Tap the menu (...) at the top of your screen and select "Open in Browser", "Open in Safari", or "Open in Chrome" to continue.

Trading & investing are risky and many will lose money in connection with trading and investing activities. All content on this site is not intended to, and should not be, construed as financial advice. Decisions to buy, sell, hold or trade in securities, commodities and other investments involve risk and are best made based on the advice of qualified financial professionals. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Hypothetical or Simulated performance results have certain limitations. Unlike an actual performance record, simulated results do not represent actual trading. Also, since the trades have not been executed, the results may have under-or-over compensated for the impact, if any, of certain market factors, including, but not limited to, lack of liquidity. Simulated trading programs in general are designed with the benefit of hindsight, and are based on historical information. No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve profit or losses similar to those shown.

Testimonials appearing on this website may not be representative of other clients or customers and is not a guarantee of future performance or success.

As a provider of technical analysis tools and strategies, we do not have access to the personal trading accounts or brokerage statements of our customers. As a result, we have no reason to believe our customers perform better or worse than traders as a whole based on any content, tool, or platform feature we provide.

Charts used on this site are by TradingView in which the majority of our technical indicators are built on. TradingView® is a registered trademark of TradingView, Inc. www.TradingView.com TradingView® has no affiliation with the owner, developer, or provider of the Services described herein.

Market data is provided by CBOE, CME Group, BarChart, Massive, CoinAPI. Select U.S. equities data is provided through Massive. CBOE BZX real-time U.S. equities data is licensed from CBOE and provided through BarChart. Real-time futures data is licensed from CME Group and provided through BarChart. Select cryptocurrency data, including major coins, is provided through CoinAPI. All data is provided “as is” and should be verified independently for trading purposes.

This does not represent our full Disclaimer. Please read our full disclaimer.

© 2026 LuxAlgo Global, LLC.