Traders often over look trading volume, they pay it lip service, but they do not grasp the effect it can have on their trading system. When I was first told this by a friend who was trying to help get out of a slump, it didn't sink in right away.

I thought that the volume was interesting, but I did not see any great need to use it. It didn't seem to me that it would change my trading. Then, he asked me if I would be a better trader if I could read minds. I immediately said, of course anybody would! He then told me that in effect that volume indicators were reading the mind of the entire market at once. I became interested in what he was saying, as he explained volume I realized he was right.

Explaining volume can be a lengthy process, so as not to bore anyone, I will cut to the chase. When reading volume, you should pair it with a Japanese candlestick chart. Essentially, what you are looking for is unusual volume spikes along with price movements. If the price climbs higher on a 10 minute candle and during that 10 minute candle the volume spiked up, you may have a trade to watch. On the next candle if a continued move to higher prices, along with strong volume occurs then you probably have a stable trend toward higher prices. I generally like to see at least one more indicator. Such as a moving average crossover.