indicator

in·di·ca·tor   (ĭn'dĭ-kā'tər)    n.   One that indicates, especially: A pointer or an index. An instrument used to monitor the operation or condition of an engine, furnace, electrical network, reservoir, or other physical system; a meter or gauge. The needle, dial, or other registering device on such an instrument. Chemistry Any of various substances, such as litmus or phenolphthalein, that indicate the presence, absence, or concentration of another substance or the degree of reaction between two or more substances by means of a characteristic change, especially in color. Ecology A plant or animal whose existence in an area is strongly indicative of specific environmental conditions. Any of various statistical values that together provide an indication of the condition or direction of the economy.

Indicator

Anything used to predict future financial or economic trends.

Investopedia Commentary

In the context of technical analysis, an indicator is a mathematical calculation based on a securities price and/or volume. The result is used to predict future prices. In an economic context, an indicator could be a measure such as the unemployment rate which can be used to predict future economic trends.

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See also: Coincident Indicator, DJIA, Inflation, Interest Rates, Lagging Indicator, Leading Indicator, Technical Analysis

indicator

A variable used to forecast the value or change in the value of another variable. For example, changes in the producer price index are used to forecast subsequent changes in the consumer price index. Likewise, some financial analysts believe a change in the money supply is an indicator of the direction of the stock market. See also technical indicator.

Main Entry: in·di·ca·tor
Pronunciation: 'in-d&-"kAt-&r
Function: noun
: a substance (as a dye) used to show visually usually byits capacity for color change the condition of a solution with respect to the presence of free acid or alkali or some other substance (as in detecting the end point of a titration) indicators>

indicator in·di·ca·tor (ĭn'dĭ-kā'tər)
n.

1. One that indicates, especially a pointer or an index.

2. An instrument used to monitor the operation or condition of an engine, an electrical network, or another physical system; a meter or gauge.

3. The needle, dial, or other registering device on such an instrument.

4. Any of various substances, such as litmus or phenolphthalein, that indicate the presence, absence, or concentration of another substance or the degree of reaction between substances by means of a characteristic change, especially in color.

indicator

any substance that gives a visible sign, usually by a colour change, of the presence or absence of a threshold concentration of a chemical species, such as an acid or an alkali in a solution. An example is the substance called methyl yellow, which imparts a yellow colour to an alkaline solution. If acid is slowly added, the solution remains yellow until all the alkali has been neutralized, whereupon the colour suddenly changes to red

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