Accumulation Distribution measures buying and selling pressure by combining price and volume, helping commodity traders spot whether a trend is being supported or weakening.
This page covers what accumulation distribution is, what the indicator shows, and how traders can use the accumulation distribution line in trading.
We include a detailed guide on interpreting the volumes presented by the accumulation distribution line, as well as a list of regulated brokers that offer demo accounts to practice the technique.
What Is Accumulation Distribution?
Accumulation Distribution uses volume to confirm price trends or warn of weak movements that could result in a price reversal.
- Accumulation: Volume is considered to be accumulated when the day’s close is higher than the previous day’s closing price. Thus the term “accumulation day”
- Distribution: Volume is distributed when the day’s close is lower than the previous day’s closing price. Many traders use the term “distribution day”
Therefore, when a day is an accumulation day, the day’s volume is added to the previous day’s Accumulation Distribution Line.
The Distribution Line
Similarly, when a day is a distribution day, the day’s volume is subtracted from the previous day’s Accumulation Distribution Line.
The main use of the Accumulation Distribution Line is to detect divergences between the price movement and volume movement.
Volume Interpretation
The suggested interpretation of volume goes as follows:
- Increasing and decreasing prices are confirmed by the increasing volume.
- Increasing and decreasing prices are not confirmed and warn of future trouble when the volume is decreasing.
High #1 to High #2
The Nasdaq 100 made an equal high (i.e. Double Top formation) at High #2; however, the Accumulation Distribution Line failed to make an equal high, in fact, it made a lower high.
On average, less volume was transacted on the move higher at High #2 than occurred on the first move higher at High #1; thus, this could be interpreted as there being less strength and conviction behind the rally in the Nasdaq the second move higher.
This failure of the Accumulation Distribution Line signaled a strong bearish divergence.
High #3 to High #4
Again, the Accumulation Distribution line made a lower high, even though the Nasdaq 100 this time made a higher high.
This bearish divergence warned that the second move to make a higher high in price lacked conviction.
Low #1 to Low #2
The bearish divergence from Low #1 to Low #2 confirmed the later bearish divergence of High #3 to High #4.
On average, more volume was occurring on down days than up days, even while the Nasdaq 100 was making higher highs and higher lows, which usually is considered a sign of strength.
In summary, the Accumulation Distribution Line is a very effective tool to confirm price action and show warnings of potential price reversals.
Other Useful Indicators
It is important to incorporate volume into price analysis, and the Accumulation Distribution Line is one of many indicators to do just this.
Other indicators that include price and volume analysis and could be considered more accurate than the Accumulation Distribution Line include:
How To Start Technical Trading
If you are interested in trading stocks & commodities using technical analysis, have a look at our reviews of these regulated brokers available in to learn which charting & analysis tools they offer:
Further Reading on Volume Indicators
These volume tools complement Accumulation Distribution: Accumulative Swing Index, Herrick Payoff Index, and Open Interest.
Technical analysis is most widely used in CFD and forex trading. If you’re ready to apply these techniques, browse our vetted CFD brokers or forex brokers.
Update history
This page was revised 5 times between August 2020 and April 2026.
Added broker recommendation links and callout directing readers to CFD and forex broker guides in Further Reading section.
Refocused Further Reading section to emphasize volume indicator tools relevant to Accumulation Distribution, removing generic technical analysis links and broker references.
Added introductory section, reorganized content with table of contents, expanded "Other Useful Indicators" list, rewrote "Further Reading" section with more specific trading guides, and removed redundant volume reference.
Added introductory paragraph on divergence detection, restructured volume analysis into subsections with heading hierarchy, corrected spelling errors, and expanded conclusion with related indicators.
Moved cross-reference to Volume to the top of the Volume Interpretation section for improved readability.
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