Market Facilitation Index Indicator or MFI is used to see the strengths and weaknesses of price movements. This indicator’s absolute values alone cannot provide any trading signals, unlike its dynamics in relation to the dynamics of the volume. In this article, let us discuss the setup guide and usage of this lesser-known technical indicator.
What is the Market Facilitation Index Indicator?
Trader and author Bill Williams invented the Market Facilitation Index indicator. He described it as a measure of market reaction to the new volume level. The indicator does this by looking at how much the price has moved alongside tick volume at the time. And then subsequently assigning a market facilitation value. Bill Williams demonstrates this value as the market’s willingness to move the price.
The Formula for the MFI Indicator
In order to calculate the Market Facilitation Index one needs to subtract the lowest bar price from the highest bar price. And then divide it by the volume.
- MFI = (HIGH – LOW) / VOLUME
Here:
- HIGH — the highest price of the bar;
- LOW — the lowest price of the bar;
- VOLUME — the volume of the current bar.
Setting up the Market Facilitation Index on a Charting Platform?
Here, I will show you the way by which you can apply the Market Facilitation Index on your charting platform. For example, I place Zerodha Kite and Upstox Pro, the two most popular charting & trading platforms in India.
On Zerodha Kite
First, log in to your Zerodha Kite Charting and Trading Platform. Then open any chart of your preferred script. On the charting window, you will find the STUDIES section. There put the name of the indicator and click on it.
Check the MFI indicator in action in the HDFC share price chart.
The bars of this indicator are divided into four colors depending on the price movement and the volume. These colors will be described later.
On Upstox Pro
In Upstox Pro, also, the process is as same as Zerodha Kite. The customization option is available here like Kite. Just write down the name of the indicator, and hit the apply button.
Interpretation of the Color-coded Bars in the Market Facilitation Index
So, let’s get into the details of colors in the indicator.
Green Bar
The green bar in this indicator indicates that the price movement is increasing and the volume is growing. Maximum traders at this point are entering the market and they are trading in the same direction as the price move which causes it to grow in strength. This means that if a trader is looking to enter the trade in the direction of the move now can be a good time. Vice versa, if a trader were looking to trade against the market direction trader, they may want to hold off. This can also apply to open positions as if the indicator is showing movement against the trader’s open position this could be a good time to get out.
Brown Bar (Fade Bar)
The brown bar in this indicator indicates that there is a weakening of the momentum of the price move. This suggested that traders are losing interest in the current move or that the trend is coming to an end. The traders should avoid entering into a position in the same direction as the trend. More time use this bar as an indicator for a market reversal and trade against the starting trend.
Fake Bar (Blue Bar)
The blue bar in this indicator indicates that the strong move could be due to speculation and not an indication of a trend as it is short-lived. This is not a bar that a trader would want to enter into a trade in the same direction as the move. The bar looks at the disconnect between price moves and the volume of trades it took to cause them.
Squat Bar (Pink Bar)
A pink bar in this indicator indicates a high volume with little price movement caused by traders entering the market in both directions. This can often be a strong move in either direction giving traders the chance to make a quick profit. This indicator also can predict the strength, it cannot predict the direction of the following move.
The MFI or Market Facilitation Index indicator can work with all time frames and all market conditions.
Some Popular Strategies of the Market Facilitation Index
- When Market Facilitation Index increases and volume increases it indicates that a) the number of players coming into the market increases (volume increases) b) And, the new coming players’ open positions in the direction of bar development pick up speed.
- If the Market Facilitation Index falls and volume falls. It reflects the market participants are not interested anymore.
- Now, when the Market Facilitation Index increases, reversely the volume, falls. It means that the market is not supported by the volume of traders. And the price is changing because of the speculations of the floor traders (brokers and dealers).
- Lastly, when the Market Facilitation Index falls, the volume increases. There is a battle between the two bulls and bears. It was characterized by a large sell-and-buy volume. Here, the price is not changing significantly since the forces are equal.
Features of the Market Facilitation Index Indicator
However, using MFI one will be able to say 3 important things:
- Whether the current trend is strong enough to trade.
- When a new trend starts.
- When it’s better to avoid the current trading.
FAQ
The Market Facilitation Index (MFI) is an indicator that analyses the amount of price movement in relation to volume for a specific security. To read this technical indicator, traders look for significant spikes or declines in MFI values relative to the previous sessions, which can signify increased buying interest, selling pressure, and possible changes in trend.
No, there is no one-size-fits-all answer when discussing RSI vs MFI as both indicators measure different aspects of momentum within the market. As such they may sometimes contradict each other so it’s important to assess both indicators together before making any trading decisions.
The Market Facilitation Index (BW MFI), also referred to as the Volume Weighted Size Indicator (VWI), was created by Bill Williams and measures the market’s willingness to move a currency pair’s price given certain amounts of volume or liquidity entering and exiting at any given time.
The Market facilitation index is an oscillator-type indicator designed by Bill Williams that displays how much cost increases due to additional units traded during high volumes compared with typical volumes that allow traders to predict potential trends.
Conclusion
So, the absolute values of the Market Facilitation index are reflected by the histogram’s bars. And, the comparison of the index and volume dynamics are given in colors that are vital in terms of reading the indicator signs. Overall, we can use this indicator in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the price movement.