Accumulation & Distribution Zones

Real-time Indicator

Zone detection is triggered when alternating pivot highs and lows form a converging pattern.

Event	Lag	Detail
Zone creation	≈ pivot_length bars	Pivot confirmation requires pivot_length bars on each side (default 5)
Pattern match	0 bars	Checked immediately when a new pivot is confirmed

Formula for custom params: lag ≈ pivot_length (pivot confirmation delay)

Accumulation & Distribution Zones detects Wyckoff-style converging price patterns — alternating swing highs and lows that form a narrowing price range, signaling that smart money is either accumulating (bullish) or distributing (bearish) before a breakout.

How it works:

1. Detect pivot highs and lows using pivot_length bar lookback
2. Track alternating swing points (must alternate between highs and lows)
3. Check for converging pattern:
   • Accumulation: Rising lows (higher lows) + falling highs (lower highs), starting from a swing low
   • Distribution: Falling highs (lower highs) + rising lows (higher lows), starting from a swing high
4. Report zone boundaries from the oldest to newest swing point in the pattern

Two detection modes:

• Fast — requires 4 alternating swing points (2 highs + 2 lows)
• Slow — requires 6 alternating swing points (3 highs + 3 lows) for higher conviction

def accumulation_distribution_zones(
    data: Union[PdDataFrame, PlDataFrame],
    pivot_length: int = 5,
    mode: str = "fast",
    high_column: str = "High",
    low_column: str = "Low",
    close_column: str = "Close",
    accumulation_column: str = "adz_accumulation",
    distribution_column: str = "adz_distribution",
    zone_top_column: str = "adz_zone_top",
    zone_bottom_column: str = "adz_zone_bottom",
    zone_left_column: str = "adz_zone_left",
    zone_right_column: str = "adz_zone_right",
) -> Union[PdDataFrame, PlDataFrame]:

Example

from pyindicators import (
    accumulation_distribution_zones,
    accumulation_distribution_zones_signal,
    get_accumulation_distribution_zones_stats,
)

# Calculate Accumulation & Distribution Zones
df = accumulation_distribution_zones(df, pivot_length=5, mode="fast")

# Extract signal
df = accumulation_distribution_zones_signal(df)

# Get statistics
stats = get_accumulation_distribution_zones_stats(df)
print(f"Accumulation zones: {stats['total_accumulation']}")
print(f"Distribution zones: {stats['total_distribution']}")
print(f"Total: {stats['total']}")

Output Columns:

• adz_accumulation: 1 on accumulation zone confirmation bar, else 0
• adz_distribution: 1 on distribution zone confirmation bar, else 0
• adz_zone_top: Top price boundary of the detected zone (NaN otherwise)
• adz_zone_bottom: Bottom price boundary of the detected zone (NaN otherwise)
• adz_zone_left: Bar index of the oldest swing point in the zone
• adz_zone_right: Bar index of the most recent swing point in the zone

Detection Modes:

Mode	Required Swings	Description
Fast	4 (2H + 2L)	Quick detection, lower conviction
Slow	6 (3H + 3L)	More swing points required, higher conviction

Pattern Structure:

Pattern	Starting Swing	Highs	Lows	Implication
Accumulation	Low	Falling (lower highs)	Rising (higher lows)	Bullish breakout expected
Distribution	High	Falling (lower highs)	Rising (higher lows)	Bearish breakdown expected

Signal Values (from accumulation_distribution_zones_signal):

• 1: Accumulation zone detected (potential long)
• 0: Neutral
• -1: Distribution zone detected (potential short)