Should the Accumulation/Distribution line be used to measure the actual amount of stock accumulated, or held long term? No. It is a tool used to confirm the trend.
"The Accumulation Distribution Line is a cumulative measure of each period's volume flow, or money flow. A high positive multiplier combined with high volume shows strong buying pressure that pushes the indicator higher. Conversely, a low negative number combined with high volume reflects strong selling pressure that pushes the indicator lower. Money Flow Volume accumulates to form a line that either confirms or contradicts the underlying price trend. In this regard, the indicator is used to either reinforce the underlying trend or cast doubts on its sustainability. An uptrend in prices with a downtrend in the Accumulation Distribution Line suggests underlying selling pressure (distribution) that could foreshadow a bearish reversal on the price chart. A downtrend in prices with an uptrend in the Accumulation Distribution Line indicate underlying buying pressure (accumulation) that could foreshadow a bullish reversal in prices."
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Detect hidden buying or selling pressure with accumulation distribution line
Developed by analyst Marc Chaikin, the accumulation-distribution line (ADL) measures the volume of money flowing into or out of a stock.
Technical traders use ADL as a proxy for underyling buying and selling pressure.
It’s commonly employed to confirm the predictions of other indicators (commonly RSI), and is a close-relation of on-balance volume.
