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This is an indicator used in charts and technical analysis.
It refers to the average volume of a security, commodity or
index constructed in a period as short as a few minutes or
as long as several years and shows trends for the latest
interval. As each new variable is included in calculating
the average, the last variable of the series is deleted.
This has to be one of the most important tools
for our indicators. This is where you select the moving average
period to apply to the volume. Normally, volume can be somewhat
turbulent and you may see spikes here and there due to some
large trades. With the volume moving average (VMA) you can
smooth out those fluctuations so you can see where the general
direction of the volume is going (i.e. increasing or
decreasing).
Generally, when an index decreases and a
volume moving average increases at the same time, you can
expect a reversal in the index at the point the VMA spike
peaks and begins to decrease again. The same is true for
when an index is increasing.
On the charts below you can see a
view of charts with and without VMA for the NASDAQ Exchange.NASDAQ, 12/17/2001 -
12/21/2001, Chart without VMA.

As you
can see, it's difficult to recognize signals on the above chart
without a VMA. Yes, if you have more then 20 years U.S. markets
experience it would be enough, but it's much easier if you have
a VMA:
NASDAQ, 12/17/2001 - 12/21/2001,
Chart VMA - 30 min.
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