CVD Absorption/Exhaustion Indicator

CVD Absorption/Exhaustion Indicator – Explanation
This indicator identifies trading opportunities by analyzing the relationship between price action and Cumulative Volume Delta (CVD) at key pivot points. It implements a professional trading framework that distinguishes between tradeable continuation signals (Absorption) and potential reversal warnings (Exhaustion).
Part 1: Foundation – CVD Calculation
The indicator starts by calculating Cumulative Volume Delta using the Bull & Bear Balance formula:
Volume Pressure Calculation
Bull Power: Measures buying pressure based on candlestick characteristics
Bear Power: Measures selling pressure using the same methodology
Volume Split: Each bar's volume is proportionally divided between bull and bear pressure
Delta: bullVolume - bearVolume (net buying vs selling per bar)
CVD: Running total (ta.cum(delta)) that shows cumulative market order flow
On the chart: Yellow line = raw CVD. White line = optional SMA (20-period default). Fill color = teal when CVD > MA (bullish flow), red when below (bearish flow).
Part 2: Signal Logic – Pivot Detection
The indicator identifies pivot points on the CVD line (not price) using lookback parameters:
Left Bars (lbL=1): Minimum bars to left to form pivot
Right Bars (lbR=2): Bars to right to confirm pivot (also creates offset)
Range Validation
Pivot signals only trigger if the distance between consecutive pivots is between 5-60 bars (adjustable). This filters out noise and ensures meaningful divergence patterns.
Part 3: Trading Framework – PDF Logic
The core innovation is distinguishing two signal types at each pivot:
🟢 BULLISH SIGNALS (at CVD Pivot Lows)
Table
Copy
Signal Type Price Action CVD Action Trading Action Color
Exhaustion Lower Low (LL) Higher Low (HL) AVOID - Reversal warning Transparent Gray
Absorption Higher Low (HL) Lower Low (LL) TRADE - Continuation likely Solid Green
🔴 BEARISH SIGNALS (at CVD Pivot Highs)
Table
Copy
Signal Type Price Action CVD Action Trading Action Color
Exhaustion Higher High (HH) Lower High (LH) AVOID - Reversal warning Transparent Gray
Absorption Lower High (LH) Higher High (HH) TRADE - Continuation likely Solid Red
Part 4: Visualization Mechanism
The indicator uses precision plotting for clarity:
Pivot Lines: Thin vertical lines appear exactly at the pivot bar using offset=-lbR (shifts plot back to correct location)
Conditional Coloring: Lines are transparent (noneColor) unless a valid signal exists
Minimal Labels: Single letters "E" (Exhaustion) or "A" (Absorption) in tiny size to avoid chart clutter
Direction: Labels appear above the line for bullish signals, below for bearish signals
Part 5: How to Read the Chart
Signal Quality Hierarchy
Solid Green/Red lines with "A" = Primary trade signals (Absorption/Continuation)
Transparent Gray lines with "E" = Warning signals (Exhaustion/Reversal) - use for context or exit planning
No lines at pivots = No valid pattern - ignore
Timeframe Usage
Best on: 5-minute to 1-hour charts (as per PDF)
Multi-timeframe: Use the dropdown in settings to analyze higher timeframe signals while trading lower timeframe
Practical Workflow
Wait for solid color "A" signal in the direction of the trend
Confirm with price action (e.g., support/resistance break)
Use "E" signals as profit targets or trend exhaustion warnings
Never trade Exhaustion signals alone – they indicate potential reversals, not entries
Alert System
Four distinct alerts fire on bar close with clear messages:
Exhaustion Bullish: "Price:LL, CVD:HL (Reversal)"
Absorption Bullish: "Price:HL, CVD:LL (Continuation)"
Exhaustion Bearish: "Price:HH, CVD:LH (Reversal)"
Absorption Bearish: "Price:LH, CVD:HH (Continuation)"