Market Structure

Market Pressure Index

Composite market internals gauge with VIX integration

A market internals indicator that synthesizes breadth data (TICK, NISS, NVOL, TRIN) with optional VIX-based volatility adjustment to produce a single composite pressure reading. Features three analysis modes (Balanced, Aggressive, Institutional Slow), rolling z-score normalization, regime detection, and gap analysis. Displayed in a separate chart region with fast and slow EMA lines.

Market Pressure Index on a Sierra Chart

The Concept

Market Pressure Index synthesizes multiple market internals — breadth, volume, tick, and stress data — into a single composite reading of market-wide pressure. Rather than monitoring four separate data streams, MPI combines them into one normalized oscillator with regime detection, telling you whether the broad market is under bullish or bearish pressure.

How to Read It

The composite line oscillates around zero with fast and slow EMAs in a separate region.

  • MPI above zero indicates net bullish market pressure — broad internals favor the upside
  • MPI below zero indicates net bearish market pressure — broad internals favor the downside
  • The Fast EMA crossing above the Slow EMA confirms a bullish pressure shift
  • The regime text display provides a plain-language summary of current market conditions

Practical Tips

Requires TICK, NISS, NVOL, and TRIN data studies on the same chart — set up the study references carefully. Three analysis modes are available: Balanced (default), Aggressive (faster reactions), and Institutional Slow (smoother). The optional VIX integration adds a fear/complacency adjustment. Best used as a directional filter for individual instrument entries.

Requirements

  • Requires TICK-SP, NISS-SP, NVOL-SP, and TRIN-SP data studies on the same chart
  • Optional: TICK-NQ and VIX studies for enhanced analysis
  • Displayed in a separate chart region

Input & Settings

1TICK-SP Study ID

The Study ID of the S&P 500 TICK data study on this chart.

2TICK-NQ Study ID (optional)

The Study ID of the NASDAQ TICK data study. When provided, tick scoring blends SP and NQ data. Default: 0 (disabled).

3NISS-SP Study ID

The Study ID of the S&P 500 Net Issues (Advancing minus Declining) study.

4NVOL-SP Study ID

The Study ID of the S&P 500 Net Volume (Up Volume minus Down Volume) study.

5TRIN-SP Study ID

The Study ID of the S&P 500 TRIN (Arms Index) study.

6VIX Study ID (optional)

The Study ID of the VIX index study. When provided with VIX adjustment enabled, adjusts the composite for fear/complacency. Default: 0 (disabled).

7Fast EMA Length

Period for the fast exponential moving average of the composite. Default: 21.

8Slow EMA Length

Period for the slow exponential moving average of the composite. Default: 55.

9MPI Text Line Number

Drawing line number for the on-chart regime text display. Default: 710001.

10MPI Font Size

Font size for the regime text display. Default: 14.

11Mode

Analysis mode controlling rolling window length and regime thresholds. Balanced: 250-bar window, moderate thresholds. Aggressive: 150-bar window, tighter thresholds. Institutional Slow: 400-bar window, wider thresholds. Default: Balanced.

12Gap Text Line Number

Drawing line number for the gap analysis text display. Default: 710002.

13Gap Font Size

Font size for the gap analysis text display. Default: 12.

14Use Robust Statistics (MAD)

When enabled, uses Median Absolute Deviation instead of standard deviation for z-score calculations. Default: No.

15Use VIX Fear Adjustment

When enabled and a VIX study is provided, adjusts the composite based on VIX levels. Default: Yes.

Subgraphs

1Market Pressure Index

Default: Line. The primary composite pressure reading, displayed in cyan.

2MPI Fast EMA

Default: Line. Fast EMA of the composite for trend identification, displayed in green.

3MPI Slow EMA

Default: Line. Slow EMA of the composite for longer-term trend context, displayed in red.

4Zero

Default: Line. The zero reference line separating bullish (above) and bearish (below) pressure.

5Tick Score

Default: Ignore. The individual TICK component score. Can be enabled for debugging.

6Breadth Score

Default: Ignore. The individual breadth (NISS) component score.

7Volume Score

Default: Ignore. The individual volume (NVOL) component score.

8Stress Score

Default: Ignore. The individual stress (TRIN) component score.

9Gap Closure Score

Default: Line. The gap analysis score measuring gap fill progress, displayed in gold.

10Fear Score (VIX)

Default: Ignore. The individual VIX fear adjustment score.

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