How the Money Flow Index and Relative Strength Index Differ (2024)

The money flow index (MFI) represents the volume-weighted adaptation of the more widely used relative strength index (RSI). The RSI tracks market momentum through the speed and change in price movements, in contrast tothe MFI that more carefully watches buying and selling pressure based on trading volume fluctuations.

Differences in MFI and RSI Tracking

The RSI has become very popular among traders and technical analysts. Typically charted over a 14-day look-back period, the RSI is both range-bound and smoothed, making interpretations straightforward and easy to combine with other indicators. The basic building blocks of the RSI formula are the average gains and average losses within a security's price changes.

The formula for the MFI, on the other hand, uses a typical price and compares it with several different evaluations of money flows in and out of the security. Based on the theory that volume precedes price, the MFI acts as a more ambitious leading indicator than the RSI. Notably, 14-day periods are also the default with the MFI.

Strengths of MFI and RSI

Both indicators are momentum oscillators, though they are generally regarded to have different strengths.

Many traders consider the RSI to be more reliable in showing bull and bear trends using its center line, spotting divergences and overbought/oversold conditions when contrasted with price action. The MFI (as a stronger leading tool)more consistently leaves traditional price action and is best suited to spot reversals and failed signals. Divergences are more serious with the MFI, which introduces volume to magnify the difference between trend strength and price perception.

Despite their similarities, the MFI and the RSI can actually be used in conjunction to confirm signals. The MFI is less of a traditional oscillator, and its underlying formula is largely based on volume, sharing almost none of the average price movement biases of its cousin.

How the Money Flow Index and Relative Strength Index Differ (2024)

FAQs

How the Money Flow Index and Relative Strength Index Differ? ›

The Money Flow Index (MFI) is a momentum indicator

momentum indicator
Description. The Momentum Oscillator measures the amount that a security's price has changed over a given period of time. The Momentum Oscillator is the current price divided by the price of a previous period, and the quotient is multiplied by 100. The result is an indicator that oscillates around 100.
https://www.fidelity.com › momentum-oscillator
that measures the flow of money into and out of a security over a specified period of time. It is related to the Relative Strength Index (RSI) but incorporates volume, whereas the RSI only considers price.

What is the difference between index and relative strength? ›

RS provides a comparative analysis between specific security and the market. Meanwhile, RSI offers a deeper dive into the security's own price momentum, indicating possible price reversals due to overbought or oversold conditions. Savvy traders harness these dual insights to make informed trading decisions.

What is the difference between RSI and Chaikin money flow? ›

Chaikin Money Flow Indicator vs Money Flow Index

Many traders regard this indicator as a volume-weight relative strength index (RSI), calculated by averaging price gains and losses over time (usually 14 days).

What is the difference between RSI and MFI divergence? ›

The MFI and RSI are very closely related. The main difference is that MFI incorporates volume, while the RSI does not. Proponents of volume analysis believe it is a leading indicator. Therefore, they also believe that MFI will provide signals, and warn of possible reversals, in a more timely fashion than the RSI.

What is the difference between RSI and MFI reddit? ›

The Money Flow Index (MFI) is a technical indicator that gives you the rate at which money flows in and out of a security. The main difference with the RSI is that the MFI uses volumes as part of the calculations, which can be very useful as volumes provide a better perspective on market sentiment.

What is the difference between relative strength index and money flow index? ›

The Money Flow Index (MFI) is a momentum indicator that measures the flow of money into and out of a security over a specified period of time. It is related to the Relative Strength Index (RSI) but incorporates volume, whereas the RSI only considers price.

How do you explain relative strength index? ›

RSI measures the speed and magnitude of a security's recent price changes to evaluate overvalued or undervalued conditions in the price of that security. The RSI can do more than point to overbought and oversold securities.

How accurate is the Chaikin money flow indicator? ›

Chaikin money flow may work better in certain market conditions. For example, it can be more reliable in trending markets than in sideways or range-bound markets. Confirmation. Although Chaikin money flow can provide valuable insights, it should not be the sole basis for trading decisions.

What does chaikin money flow tell you? ›

Chaikin Money Flow is an oscillator that measures buying and selling pressure over a set period of time. At its most basic, money flow favors the bulls when CMF is positive and the bears when negative. Chartists looking for quicker money flow shifts can look for bullish and bearish divergences.

What is the difference between MFI and CMF indicator? ›

In simplest terms, MFI is a momentum indicator that gauges the flow of money into and out of a security. However, the Money Flow Index is significantly different from the CMF since it utilizes volume and recent price action to measure momentum. In many aspects, it resembles the Relative Strength Index (RSI).

Which RSI indicator is best? ›

We recommend using the moving average convergence divergence (MACD) and moving average crossovers. The RSI can maintain overbought readings for quite some time, while the MACD can show divergence by turning down as the price advances, further indicating that the market is overextended and may retrace.

How to interpret money flow index? ›

Money Flow Index (MFI) is an indicator that measures the selling and buying pressure by analyzing price and volume data. The MFI indicator swings between 0 and 100. Sell when the MFI rises above 80 as it indicates an overbought condition and buy when the MFI falls below 20 as it indicates an oversold condition.

What is a better indicator than RSI? ›

Understanding Moving Average Convergence Divergence (Macd)

One of the advantages of MACD is that it can provide more information on both momentum and trend direction compared to other indicators such as RSI.

What is the difference between MFI and non MFI? ›

MFI certification ensures that the cable meets Apple's strict quality benchmarks and is thus guaranteed to work with all your Apple devices. MFI-certified cables are also subjected to rigorous testing, meaning that you can be sure that they will stand up to regular use.

Do professional traders use RSI? ›

The RSI is a widely used technical indicator and an oscillator that indicates a market is overbought when the RSI value is over 70 and indicates oversold conditions when RSI readings are under 30. Some traders and analysts prefer to use the more extreme readings of 80 and 20.

What indicators are like MFI? ›

It belongs to the broader indicator group of Oscillators and its mechanics are very similar to the popular Relative Strength Index (RSI); but while RSI is momentum-based, MFI is volume-weighted. Basically, MFI is RSI with volume integrated.

What is the difference between true strength index and Relative Strength Index? ›

Relative Strength Index (RSI)

While both RSI and TSI identify overbought and oversold conditions, the TSI's double smoothing process helps to reduce noise and provide more accurate signals.

What is relative strength vs S&P 500? ›

Relative Strength to S&P 500

The relative-strength graph measures the price return of a stock versus the price return of the S&P 500 index. It is calculated by taking the month-end price of the stock and dividing by the index price for the same period.

What is the difference between strength and relative strength? ›

Relative strength is more meaningful when comparing individuals with differences in weight. However, absolute strength is useful when comparing two individuals of the same weight.

How to calculate relative strength of a stock compared to index? ›

The Relative Strength Comparison indicator is calculated by dividing one security's price by a second security's price (the "base" security). The result of this division is the ratio, or relationship, between the two securities.

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