Dictionary - Volume

Volume
	Volume is the measure of the number of shares or contracts exchanged over a given period of time. Volume figures are available for individual shares or entire markets.
	Example: A volume figure of 1 000 over a one minute period on GOOG indicates that 1 000 shares changed hands over that minute. This could be one transaction or the sum of several individual transactions. Volume is typically displayed as a histogram on a price chart and measures the volume for the corresponding candlestick or bar. Volume is typically reported to data providers by exchanges. Due to the decentralised nature of the foreign exchange market it is very difficult to report volume figures for any currency pair. Any volume figures available are usually based on the data of several large banks and although not accurate for the entire market the can be seen as proportional. Technical analysis places great emphasis on volume when evaluating the strength and reliability of trends or price fluctuations. Usually the greater the volume the more reliable or valid the move.