What is the Money Flow Index (MFI) indicator?

 

In the family of oscillators, such as RSI, ROC or stochastic oscillator, MFI (Money Flow Index) is a low-profile, yet important, technical analysis tool used to generate overbought or oversold signals. 

 

Just like with other oscillators, analysts place the MFI indicator between two extreme values from 0 to 100 and use 90 and 10 levels to identify overbought or oversold conditions, respectively. 

 

Compared to other oscillators, Money Flow Index uses price and volume to signify a sell or buy opportunity for an asset. Traders implement it to define divergences, which alert them to be prepared for a trend change.

 

Oscillators, such as MFI, are most advantageous when it’s hard to spot a clear trend in a stock price. Investors find it one of the most important tools and combine it with other technical indicators, such as RSI, MACD, Stochastics and more. 

 

1. Divergence on the MFI chart

Let’s say the MFI line indicates an uptrend or a downtrend, and that coincides with a general price movement. In this scenario, everything is pretty straightforward, right? Because you know where things are going. 

 

But the best way to use this particular indicator is actually quite an opposite situation. Say, you’ve implemented other tools, such as MACD and Bollinger, but still not sure about your next move. 

 

The so-called divergence potentially identifies a reversal in the prevailing price or trend. In our case, it describes the situation where the MFI oscillator takes a different direction than the asset’s price.

 

2. Calculation of the MFI index

To understand how the index works, let’s see how we can calculate it. In order to calculate MFI, you need to go through several stages.  First of all, analysts define the period in question and the typical price (TP) during this period. 

 

TP = (High + Low + Close) / 3

 

To clarify the formula, High is the highest price of the asset, Low is the lowest price, Close is the close price of the period.

 

Then we need to define the amount of the Money Flow (MF). 

 

MF = TP * Volume

 

Now, we need to see if the money flow for a selected period of time is positive or negative.

 

How can we do that?

 

If today’s typical price is lower than yesterday’s, the money flow is considered negative, and vice versa. But what about the money flow for the whole selected period? To get the answer, let’s sum up all the positive MFs as well as all the negative ones. 

 

The next step in the calculation of MFI is the money ratio. Divide the positive money flow by the negative money flow.

 

MR = Positive MF / Negative MF

 

Now that we know the money ratio, we can calculate the Money Flow Index.

 

MFI = 100 – (100/ (1+MR))

 

That being said, the Money Flow Index indicator, climbing over 80 or falling under 20, identifies a potential peak or bottom of the market.
 

 

 

The MFI indicator is an oscillator or a technical indicator that traditional and crypto traders use to generate overbought or oversold signals. 

 

To calculate the number, from 0 to 100, and see if it’s a bearish or bullish market, it’s necessary to apply the formula. There is a much easier way: use TradingView and analyze the MFI charts from there.

 

That being said, generally traders simply analyze the MFI charts and look for the so-called divergence that potentially identifies a reversal in the prevailing price or trend. It’s especially useful in combination with other trading indicators. 
 

You use tool filter coin with Mfi indicator :

 

So you might want to apply this indicator when looking for one more proof to see if your potential move is right or wrong, to make sure the pullback is over, or to confirm a new high or low when multiple waves in price are observed