Today's volume relative to its usual level. Also called: RVol. Finviro's term: “RVOL”.
What this volume is
Relative Volume (RVOL · Relative Volume) measures today's activity against that stock's own habit: current trading volume divided by its average for the same point in past sessions. A reading of 3.0 means three times the usual activity. Something is going on here today.
Why relative and not absolute
Two million shares is noise in a giant and an earthquake in a quiet stock. The absolute number has no ruler. Relative volume calibrates each stock by its own habit, so the measure is the same across the whole market: where is unusual interest flowing right now? That is the first question scanners ask.
Its decisive use: confirmation
A move without volume is a doubt. A move with volume is a verdict. A resistance breakout on relative volume of 0.6 is an algorithm's stroll through thin liquidity and usually reverses. The same breakout at 4.0 is real institutional participation. Timing is part of the reading: the opening's relative volume is compared with other openings, since volume has a known daily curve.
Hypothetical example
A scanner spots a quiet stock at 5.2 relative volume since the open with no published news. Someone knows, or thinks they do. Put it on a watchlist before the story reaches the headlines. Three days later an acquisition is announced. The unusual volume was the first thread, as it often is.
Common mistake
Chasing every high reading: contract expirations, index rebalances and distribution days inflate volume mechanically with no story. Only an unusual reading with no visible calendar reason deserves investigation.
When high means nothing
Expiration days, index rebalances and distributions inflate volume mechanically, with no story behind it. That is why you check the calendar before explaining any odd reading. Only high relative volume with no visible calendar reason deserves investigation.
Where to see it on the platform
Market scanners show it as a core column and rank by it, and the symbol card compares today's volume with its usual curve.
Market scanners rank by it, and the symbol card compares today's volume with its usual curve.
