Chaikin Oscillator¶
Indicators · Volume
Chaikin Oscillator — EMA-difference of the Accumulation/Distribution Line.
The Chaikin Oscillator measures the momentum of money flow. It takes the Accumulation/Distribution line — which tracks whether money is flowing into or out of an instrument — and applies a MACD-style fast-minus-slow EMA difference to it. The result tells you not just whether accumulation is happening, but whether it's accelerating or decelerating. It's an early-warning layer on top of the A/D line: money-flow momentum often shifts before price does.
How it works¶
The block computes the Accumulation/Distribution line (volume weighted by each bar's close-within-range), then subtracts a slow EMA of it from a fast EMA — the Fast EMA (3) minus the Slow EMA (10). When the fast outpaces the slow, A/D momentum is rising (accumulation accelerating); when it lags, distribution is taking over. The output oscillates around zero in a sub-pane, with Bull ↑ / Bear ↓ on the zero cross.
When to use it¶
Use the Chaikin Oscillator to time money-flow shifts and confirm breakouts. A cross above zero signals accumulation momentum turning positive — supportive of a long; a cross below warns of distribution. Its strongest use is confirmation and divergence: a breakout backed by a rising Chaikin Oscillator has real money behind it, while price rising as the oscillator falls warns the move lacks flow. It's a refinement of the raw A/D line — the momentum derivative that reacts sooner. On forex it relies on tick volume.
Example¶
Confirm a breakout has flow: wire bars into the Chaikin Oscillator and require it above zero (accumulation momentum positive) via a Greater Than, combined with your breakout trigger through an And gate into a Buy Signal. Backtest in the Tester.
Tips & gotchas¶
- Momentum of the A/D line — it reacts before the raw line does.
- Zero cross = flow-momentum shift; divergence = a move lacking money.
- Confirmation tool — pair with a price signal for direction.
- Tick volume on forex — a proxy for real flow.
Related blocks¶
Inputs¶
| Socket | Type | What to wire in |
|---|---|---|
| Source | bars |
Price bars (needs HLCV) |
Outputs¶
| Output | Type | Plots as | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChO | series |
Line · sub-pane | Chaikin Oscillator value |
| Bull ↑ | signal |
Signal arrows | ChO crosses above zero |
| Bear ↓ | signal |
Signal arrows | ChO crosses below zero |
Parameters¶
| Parameter | Type | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast EMA | number · 1–100 | 3 |
|
| Slow EMA | number · 2–200 | 10 |
|
| Line color | colour | #29b6f6 |
Reference auto-generated from the block catalog · category Indicators.