Adaptive Volume‐Demand‐Index (AVDI)Demand Index (according to James Sibbet) – Short Description
The Demand Index (DI) was developed by James Sibbet to measure real “buying” vs. “selling” strength (Demand vs. Supply) using price and volume data. It is not a standalone trading signal, but rather a filter and trend confirmer that should always be used together with chart structure and additional indicators.
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\ 1. Calculation Basis\
1. Volume Normalization
$$
\text{normVol}_t
= \frac{\text{Volume}_t}{\mathrm{EMA}(\text{Volume},\,n_{\text{Vol}})_t}
\quad(\text{e.g., }n_{\text{Vol}} = 13)
$$
This smooths out extremely high volume spikes and compares them to the average (≈ 1 means “average volume”).
2. Price Factor
$$
\text{priceFactor}_t
= \frac{\text{Close}_t - \text{Open}_t}{\text{Open}_t}.
$$
Positive values for bullish bars, negative for bearish bars.
3. Component per Bar
$$
\text{component}_t
= \text{normVol}_t \times \text{priceFactor}_t.
$$
If volume is above average (> 1) and the price rises slightly, this yields a noticeably positive value; conversely if the price falls.
4. Raw DI (Rolling Sum)
Over a window of \$w\$ bars (e.g., 20):
$$
\text{RawDI}_t
= \sum_{i=0}^{w-1} \text{component}_{\,t-i}.
$$
Alternatively, recursively for \$t \ge w\$:
$$
\text{RawDI}_t
= \text{RawDI}_{t-1}
+ \text{component}_t
- \text{component}_{\,t-w}.
$$
5. Optional EMA Smoothing
An EMA over RawDI (e.g., \$n\_{\text{DI}} = 50\$) reduces short-term fluctuations and highlights medium-term trends:
$$
\text{EMA\_DI}_t
= \mathrm{EMA}(\text{RawDI},\,n_{\text{DI}})_t.
$$
6.Zero Line
Handy guideline:
RawDI > 0: Accumulated buying power dominates.
RawDI < 0: Accumulated selling power dominates.
2. Interpretation & Application
Crossing Zero
RawDI above zero → Indication of increasing buying pressure (potential long signal).
RawDI below zero → Indication of increasing selling pressure (potential short signal).
Not to be used alone for entry—always confirm with price action.
RawDI vs. EMA_DI
RawDI > EMA\_DI → Acceleration of demand.
RawDI < EMA\_DI → Weakening of demand.
Divergences
Price makes a new high, RawDI does not make a higher high → potential weakness in the uptrend.
Price makes a new low, RawDI does not make a lower low → potential exhaustion of the downtrend.
3. Typical Signals (for Beginners)
\ 1. Long Setup\
RawDI crosses zero from below,
RawDI > EMA\_DI (acceleration),
Price closes above a short-term swing high or resistance.
Stop-Loss: just below the last swing low, Take-Profit/Trailing: on reversal signals or fixed R\:R.
2. Short Setup
RawDI crosses zero from above,
RawDI < EMA\_DI (increased selling pressure),
Price closes below a short-term swing low or support.
Stop-Loss: just above the last swing high.
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4. Notes and Parameters
Recommended Values (Beginners):
Volume EMA (n₍Vol₎) = 13
RawDI window (w) = 20
EMA over DI (n₍DI₎) = 50 (medium-term) or 1 (no smoothing)
Attention:\
NEVER use in isolation. Always in combination with price action analysis (trendlines, support/resistance, candlestick patterns).
Especially during volatile news phases, RawDI can fluctuate strongly → EMA\_DI helps to avoid false signals.
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Conclusion The Demand Index by James Sibbet is a powerful filter to assess price movements by their volume backing. It shows whether a rally is truly driven by demand or merely a short-term volume anomaly. In combination with classic chart analysis and risk management, it helps to identify robust entry points and potential trend reversals earlier.
