Market Breadth
A measure of how many stocks are participating in a market move, used to assess the health and sustainability of a trend.
Explained Simply
Market breadth looks beyond headline index performance to see whether the broader market is confirming or diverging from the trend. Common breadth indicators include the advance/decline ratio (how many stocks are rising vs. falling), the percentage of stocks above their 200-day moving average, and the McClellan Oscillator. When the S&P 500 makes new highs but fewer stocks are participating (narrowing breadth), it signals a fragile rally driven by a handful of large-cap stocks — a classic warning sign of an impending reversal. Strong breadth — where many stocks across sectors are advancing together — confirms a healthy, sustainable trend. Breadth divergences often precede market turning points by weeks or months.
How Tradewink Uses Market Breadth
Tradewink monitors market breadth indicators as part of its regime detection system. The AI tracks the advance/decline line, percentage of stocks above key moving averages, and new highs vs. new lows. When breadth diverges negatively from index performance, the system reduces overall exposure and shifts toward defensive strategies. Breadth readings are included in the AI's market briefings that users receive at market open and close.
Related Terms
Learn More
Market Sentiment Indicators: 8 Tools to Gauge Investor Emotion
Learn the top market sentiment indicators including the Fear and Greed Index, VIX, put/call ratio, AAII survey, and more. Use sentiment to find contrarian trading opportunities.
Fear and Greed Index Explained: How to Use It for Trading in 2026
The Fear and Greed Index measures market sentiment on a scale from 0 (extreme fear) to 100 (extreme greed). Learn how it works, what drives it, and how to use it to time trades.
What Is AI Trading? A Complete Guide for 2026
AI trading uses artificial intelligence to analyze markets, identify opportunities, and execute trades. Learn how it works, its advantages over manual trading, and how to get started.
Previous
Earnings Surprise
Next
On-Balance Volume (OBV)
See Market Breadth in action
Tradewink uses market breadth as part of its AI trading signal pipeline. Start getting signals that use this concept to find real opportunities.