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Overview

Active Buy/Sell Volume displays buy and sell volume as separate series with built-in statistical anomaly detection. Unlike standard volume bars that show total volume, this indicator splits it into aggressive buying and aggressive selling, then highlights bars where volume significantly exceeds the rolling average. This is the go-to indicator for spotting institutional-size activity hidden within normal market noise.

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How It Works

For each bar, the indicator:
  1. Separates total volume into buy volume (trades executed at the ask) and sell volume (trades executed at the bid).
  2. Displays them as separate columns in the subchart.
  3. Computes a rolling average and standard deviation over the calculationPeriod.
  4. Flags bars where volume exceeds the rolling mean by more than stdDevMultiplier standard deviations.
  5. Renders anomaly bars in distinct colors and places a dot marker above/below them.

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Chart Type

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Settings

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Core Parameters

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Colors

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Display Options

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Anomaly Detection

The anomaly system is the core feature of this indicator. It uses a simple but effective statistical model:
When a bar qualifies as an anomaly:
  • The bar is rendered in the anomaly color (lime green for buy, orange for sell).
  • A dot marker of dotSize pixels is placed above (buy) or below (sell) the bar.

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Tuning the Detection

Anomaly bars in volume often coincide with institutional activity. Look for direction confirmation — an anomaly buy bar at support is more significant than one in the middle of a range.

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Interpretation

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Normal vs. Anomaly Bars

Normal bars (green/red) represent typical market activity within the expected range. Anomaly bars (lime/orange) represent statistically significant deviations — something unusual happened.

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Anomaly Patterns

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Volume Asymmetry

When buy anomalies appear but sell volume remains normal (or vice versa), there is a clear directional asymmetry. This is often more significant than overall volume spikes because it shows one-sided aggression.
The minVolumeThreshold parameter is useful on lower timeframes where small trades can create statistical noise. Set it above the typical small-trade size for your market to focus on meaningful activity.

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Display Modes

While the default columns mode is most intuitive for volume data, other modes are available:

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Practical Examples

  • Support defense: Price tests support, anomaly buy bar appears — institutional buyer stepping in, strong bounce signal.
  • Breakout confirmation: Price breaks resistance with anomaly buy volume — real demand behind the move.
  • Exhaustion detection: Anomaly sell bar after extended downtrend, price stabilizes — selling climax, potential bottom.
  • Absorption: Anomaly buy bars with flat price — someone is buying heavily but price is not moving, absorption by passive sellers (or vice versa).
Anomaly detection is backward-looking by nature. The rolling period establishes what is “normal,” so the first calculationPeriod bars on any chart will not produce reliable anomaly signals.