What does the Money Flow Index (MFI) represent?

The Money Flow Index (MFI) is a momentum indicator that combines both price and volume to assess the strength of money flowing in and out of a security over a specified period. This makes the correct response reflective of the MFI's foundation in market dynamics. Specifically, the MFI uses the average price along with daily volume to create its calculations, allowing for a measure of buying and selling pressure that can indicate potential trends.

By integrating volume into the price action, the MFI provides insights that can signal overbought or oversold conditions. A higher MFI value suggests that there is more buying pressure than selling pressure, while a lower MFI indicates the opposite. The inclusion of volume in the calculation crucially distinguishes the MFI from other indicators, as it not only considers price movements but also the volume behind those movements.

Understanding this interplay between price and volume helps traders gauge whether a price increase is supported by strong buying or if it might be a mere price spike lacking solid backing. The ability of the MFI to capture this relationship makes it a unique and valuable tool in technical analysis.