Developed by Marc Chaikin, Chaikin Money Flow measures the amount of Money Flow Volume over a specific period. Money Flow Volume forms the basis for the Accumulation Distribution Line. Instead of a cumulative total of Money Flow Volume, Chaikin Money Flow simply sums Money Flow Volume for a specific look-back period, typically 20 or 21 days. The resulting indicator fluctuates above/below the zero line just like an oscillator. Chartists weigh the balance of buying or selling pressure with the absolute level of Chaikin Money Flow. Chartists can also look for crosses above or below the zero line to identify changes on money flow.
The Accumulation Distribution Line was developed by Marc Chaikin to measure the cumulative flow of money into and out of an index or security. The Accumulation/Distribution Line can be compared to the OBV (On Balance Volume), which adds or subtracts volume depending on the closing price. Marc Chaikin chose a different approach, instead of relying on the closing price, he used CLV (Close Location Value).