Cumulative Volume Delta (CVD)

Cumulative difference between up and down volume

Overview

Cumulative Volume Delta tracks the running total of up volume minus down volume. A rising CVD shows bulls dominating; falling CVD shows bears dominating. CVD divergences from price are powerful predictors of reversals.

Key Use: Identify hidden buying or selling pressure before price reversal.

Formula

CVD = Cumulative(Up Volume - Down Volume)

Up Volume = Volume on bars closing higher than previous

Down Volume = Volume on bars closing lower than previous

Rising CVD

Cumulative up volume > down volume - bulls in control

Falling CVD

Cumulative down volume > up volume - bears in control

Use Cases

Divergence Signals

Price at new high but CVD declining = sellers control; reversal warning

Trend Confirmation

Rising price + rising CVD = strong uptrend; buyers dominate

Hidden Momentum

CVD divergences reveal institutional flows before retail notices

Characteristics

✓ Advantages

  • • Early divergence detection
  • • Shows actual volume direction
  • • Institutional flow indicator

⚠ Limitations

  • • Needs up/down volume data
  • • Not all platforms provide data
  • • Very cumulative (affects scaling)

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