Absolute Breadth Index - ABI

DEFINITION of 'Absolute Breadth Index - ABI'

A market indicator used to determine volatility levels in the market without factoring in price direction. It is calculated by taking the absolute value of the difference between the number of advancing issues and the number of declining issues. Typically, large numbers suggest volatility is increasing, which is likely to cause significant changes in stock prices in the coming weeks.

BREAKING DOWN 'Absolute Breadth Index - ABI'

This tool is classified as a breadth indicator because the advancing/declining values are the only values used to create it. This index can be calculated using any exchange or a subset of an exchange, but traditionally the New York Stock Exchange has been the accepted standard.

To learn more on how to use this indicator, check out "What are the best technical indicators to complement the Haurlan Index?"