Market breadth: how many stocks are really participating?
An index can rise while most stocks fall. Market breadth measures how widely a move is shared, which helps judge whether a rally is healthy or narrow.
Open the free scannerThe core measures
- % of stocks above the 50-day and 200-day average: the share of the market in a short- and long-term uptrend.
- New 52-week highs: how many stocks made a fresh high today.
- Advancers and decliners: how many liquid stocks rose versus fell.
Reading it
Rising indices with rising breadth are broad and healthier. Rising indices with falling breadth are narrow: a few heavy stocks hide weakness underneath. Very low readings often mark washed-out conditions, while very high readings show a stretched, crowded market.
Using breadth with a scanner
Breakout setups tend to work better when breadth is improving and worse when it is collapsing. The scanner’s breadth view lets you check this before acting on any screen.
Frequently asked questions
What is market breadth?
A set of measures of how many stocks take part in a market move, such as the percentage trading above their 50- or 200-day average.
Which breadth level is bullish?
There is no fixed level. Many traders watch the direction and compare the reading with its own history rather than using a single cut-off.
Is breadth available for both markets?
Yes, for the Indian market (NSE).