Average directional movement index rating
A smoothed version of ADX — the average of the current ADX and the ADX from several periods earlier — used to confirm whether trend strength is holding up.
What the numbers mean
The first number is the ADX period; the rating averages today's ADX with the ADX from that many bars ago. Averaging across the gap smooths the line further and gives a reference point for whether trend strength is building or fading.
- 14 — the ADX period
- 14 bars back — the reference point ADXR averages against today's reading
How it is used
Used as a slower confirmation of ADX: ADX above ADXR suggests trend strength is still building, and the crossover between the two is treated as a change in that regime.
- ADX above ADXR → trend strength still building
- ADX below ADXR → trend strength fading
- Used mostly to rank which markets are trending most strongly right now
How it relates to everything else
ADXR is ADX with a longer memory, so the two are read as a pair exactly like a fast and slow moving average — the crossing between them marks a change in trend-strength regime rather than in price direction.
- ADX crossing above ADXR → strengthening trend conditions
- Both above 25 → the most reliable environment for trend systems
- Slower than ADX, so treat it as confirmation rather than as an alert
What to watch for
Doubling the smoothing doubles the delay. By the time ADXR confirms, much of the move it describes has usually happened.