Negative Directional Indicator (-DI)

What is the Negative Directional Indicator (-DI)?

The Negative Directional Indicator (-DI) measures the presence of a downtrend and is part of the Average Directional Index (ADX). If -DI is sloping upward, it's a sign that the price downtrend is getting stronger.

This indicator is nearly always plotted along with the Positive Directional Indicator (+DI).

Image by Sabrina Jiang © Investopedia 2021

The Formula for the Negative Directional Indicator (-DI) Is

-DI = S -DM ATR where: -DM = Negative directional movement -DM = Prior Low − Current Low S -DM = Smoothed -DM S -DM = ∑ t = t − 1 4 t -DM − ( ∑ t = t − 1 4 t -DM 1 4 ) + Current -DM ATR = Average True Range \begin{aligned} &\text{-DI} = \frac { \text{S -DM} }{ \text{ATR} } \\ &\textbf{where:} \\ &\text{-DM} = \text{Negative directional movement} \\ &\phantom{\text{-DM}} = \text{Prior Low} - \text{Current Low} \\ &\text{S -DM} = \text{Smoothed -DM} \\ &\phantom{\text{S -DM} } = \sum_{t = t - 14}^t { \text{-DM} } - \left ( \frac{ \sum_{t = t - 14}^t {\text{-DM} } } {14} \right ) + \text{Current -DM} \\ &\text{ATR} = \text{Average True Range} \\ \end{aligned} -DI=ATRS -DMwhere:-DM=Negative directional movement-DM=Prior Low−Current LowS -DM=Smoothed -DMS -DM=t=t−14∑t-DM−(14∑t=t−14t-DM)+Current -DMATR=Average True Range

How to Calculate the Negative Directional Indicator

1. Calculate -DI by finding -DM and True Range (TR).
2. -DM = Prior Low - Current Low
3. Any period is counted as a -DM if the Previous Low - Current Low > Current High - Previous High. Use +DM when Current High - Previous High > Previous Low - Current Low.
4. TR is the greater of the Current High - Current Low, Current High - Previous Close, or Current Low - Previous Close.
5. Smooth the 14-periods of -DM and TR using the formula below. Substitute TR for -DM to calculate ATR. [The calculation below shows a smoothed TR formula, which is slightly different than the official ATR formula. Either formula can be used, but use one consistently].
6. First 14-period -DM = Sum of first 14 -DM readings.
7. Next 14-period -DM value = First 14 -DM value - (Prior 14 DM/14) + Current -DM
8. Next, divide the smoothed -DM value by the smoothed TR (or ATR) value to get -DI. Multiply by 100.

What Does the Negative Directional Indicator Tell You?

The -DI line is used in conjunction with the +DI line to help show the direction of the trend.

When -DI is above +DI then the trend is down, or at least downward movement is outpacing upward movement recently. If +DI is above -DI, then the trend is up, or upward price movement is outpacing downward price movement recently.

Because these two lines can indicate trend direction, crossovers are sometimes used as trade signals. The -DI crossing above the +DI signals a down move price, and is, therefore, a sell or short trade signal. A buy signal occurs if the +DI crosses above the -DI.

These indicators are part of the Average Directional Index (ADX) system. The addition of the ADX line, which is a smoothed average of the difference between the +DI and -DI, helps traders see how strong the current trend is. Typically, readings above 20 on the ADX, and especially above 25, show a strong trend is present.

Traders can utilize all the elements in the ADX system to help make better trading decisions. For example, the +DI and -DI lines show the trend direction and crossovers. ADX shows trend strength, so a trader may decide to only take long trades when ADX is above 20 and the +DI is above, or crossing, the -DI.

The Differences Between the Negative Directional Indicator and a Moving Average

A moving average takes the average price of an asset over a set time period. The Negative Directional Indicator (-DI) is only concerned with the prior low relative to the current low, when applicable. Because of this, the -DI is not an average, even though it may sometimes appear to track the price when the price is falling.

Due to the different calculations of the two indicators, the -DI and the moving average will provide the trader with different information.

Limitations of Using the Negative Directional Indicator

The -DI provides limited information on its own. It is much more useful when combined with the +DI line. By looking at the relationship between the two lines traders can better assess whether upward or downward price movement is stronger.

Because traders often look at the relationship between these two lines, and crossovers, it should be noted that +DI and -DI lines may intersect frequently. This can result in whipsaws. Whipsaws are when the lines cross back and forth, triggering trades, but the price of the asset doesn't follow through and the trader loses money.

Savvy investors use other forms of technical and fundamental analysis to confirm what the DI lines are suggesting.