Volume Weighted Average Price

Introduction

In financial markets, traders and investors are always looking for tools to help them make informed decisions about buying and selling assets. One such tool that has gained popularity in recent years is Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP). A VWAP is an algorithm that determines the average price a security has traded for a day, weighted by the volume of trades. It is commonly used by institutional traders to execute large orders while minimizing market impact. 

By understanding how VWAP works and how to use it, traders can gain a competitive edge in the markets and make more informed trading decisions. Let’s Volume Weighted Average Price meaning, importance, and limitations in detail.

What Is the Volume-Weighted Average Price (VWAP)?

The Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP) is a technical analysis indicator used to evaluate the average price at which a particular security trades during a given time frame. Unlike simple moving averages, which calculate an average price based on time alone, VWAP takes into account the volume of trades at each price level. This means that the price of larger trades has a greater influence on the VWAP than smaller trades.

VWAP is often used by institutional traders who need to execute large orders for a day or longer. By benchmarking their performance against the VWAP, they can determine whether their trades were executed at a favourable price or not. Additionally, VWAP can be used as a tool for identifying potential support and resistance levels, as well as trend reversals.
 

Understanding the Volume-Weighted Average Price (VWAP)

While the VWAP can provide valuable insights into the direction of a security's price movement, understanding how it works can be beneficial for traders who wish to use it to improve their trading strategies. Traders typically use VWAP as a benchmark for their trades, aiming to buy below VWAP and sell above it. This approach can be particularly effective in trading large volumes of shares, as it enables traders to execute trades while minimizing the impact of their orders on the market.

In addition to serving as a benchmark for trades, VWAP can also provide insight into the overall liquidity of a security, as well as the strength of buying or selling pressure. By understanding the VWAP and how it relates to price movement, traders can make more informed trading decisions and improve their overall performance. Overall, VWAP is an essential tool for traders and investors alike, and mastering its intricacies can lead to more profitable trades and better investment decisions.
 

How to Calculate VWAP?

The VWAP (volume weighted average price) is calculated daily using intraday data, starting from the market's opening and ending at its closing time. The Volume Weighted Average Price formula is:

VWAP = (Cumulative (Price * Volume) ÷ (Cumulative Volume)

Example:

To begin calculating the VWAP for a stock, the first step is to compute the typical price, which is obtained by taking the average of the high, low, and closing prices for the day. For instance, if the high, low, and closing prices of a stock are 20, 15, and 18, respectively, then the typical price would be calculated as:

[(20+15+18)/3], which equals 17.67.

After computing the typical price, the next step is to multiply it by the volume for the day. For instance, if the volume for the day is 20, then the result of multiplying the typical price by the volume would be:

17.67 * 20 = 353.33.

The cumulative volume for the day can also be tracked by adding up the volume as it aggregates throughout the day. For example, if the cumulative volume for the day is 78, then using the VWAP formula [(typical price * volume) / cumulative volume], the VWAP for the day can be computed as:

353.33 / 78, which equals 4.53.

Investors can compute the VWAP for every data point in the stock chart by calculating it for each period. The VWAP results are then presented as a line on the stock chart. However, it's not always necessary for investors to manually compute the VWAP, as trading software typically computes it automatically. Instead, the trader only needs to specify the desired number of periods for the VWAP calculation.
 

How Is VWAP Used?

Traders use VWAP in various ways to guide their decision-making process. One approach involves using VWAP as a tool to confirm trends and create trading rules based on it. For instance, if a stock's price is below VWAP, traders may interpret it as undervalued, and if it's above VWAP, they may consider it overvalued. If a stock's price moves above VWAP, traders may go long, and if it moves below VWAP, they may sell their positions or initiate short positions.

Institutional buyers, including mutual funds, also rely on VWAP to reduce their market impact when entering or exiting stocks. As such, they will attempt to purchase stocks below the VWAP or sell them above it. This way, their actions help push the price back towards the average rather than away from it.
 

Importance of Volume Weighted Average Price

Investors have found VWAP to be a valuable tool for various reasons:

1.    It can be used to determine whether the market is bullish or bearish

When the price is below the VWAP, it indicates a bearish market, whereas a price above the VWAP signifies a bullish market. In a bullish market, buying pressure increases, and the chart's trend line moves upward. Conversely, in a bearish market, the selling pressure intensifies, causing the stock chart's trend line to decline. These dynamics make VWAP a useful indicator for investors to gauge market sentiment and make informed trading decisions.

2.    You will realize when to sell or buy

Investors who utilize VWAP as a technical analysis tool exercise patience and do not act on a signal to buy a stock immediately. Rather, they wait for a favourable price to enter the market. When purchasing a stock trading below the VWAP line, traders will typically not pay more than the stock's average price.

By using the VWAP line as an indicator, traders can identify opportunities to buy stocks at a lower price, potentially leading to higher profits upon selling. The VWAP provides valuable insights to investors, enabling them to make more informed decisions when entering and exiting positions in the market.

3.    Compared to moving averages, it is a better tool

When it comes to technical analysis, moving averages are a popular tool for measuring market trends and identifying potential buying and selling opportunities. However, compared to moving averages, the Volume Weighted Average Price provides a more accurate representation of a stock's true average price. This is because VWAP takes into account the volume of shares traded at each price point, giving more weight to prices with higher trading volumes. As a result, the VWAP is less affected by extreme price movements or abnormal trading volumes, making it a more reliable indicator of a stock's true value. 

In short, for investors seeking a more precise tool for technical analysis, the VWAP is a better option than moving averages.
 

The Difference Between VWAP and a Simple Moving Average

The Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP) and a simple moving average (SMA) are both technical analysis indicators that can be used to evaluate the average price of a security over a given time frame. However, there is a key difference between the two. While an SMA calculates an average price based on time alone, VWAP takes into account both the price and volume of trades. This means that the price of larger trades has a greater influence on the VWAP than smaller trades. As a result, VWAP can provide a more accurate representation of the true average price of a security, particularly when trading large volumes of shares.

Limitations of VWAP

The VWAP indicator is designed to be used daily and resets at the beginning of each new trading day. Attempting to calculate an average VWAP over several days can lead to inaccuracies and distortions.

While some institutions may rely on buying below the VWAP or selling above it, it is important to consider other factors as well. In a strong uptrend, the price may continue to rise without dropping below the VWAP, so waiting for a drop below it may result in missed opportunities.

VWAP is a historical indicator and does not possess predictive qualities or calculations. It is tied to the opening price range of the day, and as the trading day progresses, its lag increases. For example, a one-minute VWAP calculation after 330 minutes of trading may resemble a 390-minute moving average by the end of the trading day.
 

Conclusion

The Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP) is a trading algorithm that calculates the average price a security has traded at throughout the day, weighted by the volume of each trade. By understanding how VWAP works and how to use it, traders can gain a competitive edge in the markets and make more informed trading decisions.