Term · Liquidity & Trading
Average Daily Traded Value (ADTV)
In briefAverage Daily Traded Value measures the average daily trading turnover of a stock in monetary units rather than just in share counts. For the question of how large a position may practically be, it is more meaningful than pure trading volume.
Definition
Average daily trading value of a stock over a defined period. ADTV measures not only the number of shares but the monetary volume, and is therefore more relevant for position sizes than mere trading volume.
How it is calculated
Formula. ADTV = sum of daily trading turnover in EUR/USD over n days ÷ n.
Why it matters for small caps
In the small-cap space, ADTV determines whether an analysis is practically investable or only looks cheap in theory.
Common misreadings
- A single high-turnover day after news is frequently mistaken for normal liquidity; therefore check the median and longer windows.
In the process
Frequently asked
What is Average Daily Traded Value?
It indicates the monetary amount for which a stock is traded on average per day, measured over a defined period. It thus captures actual tradability better than the number of shares.
How do you use ADTV in position sizing?
You relate the planned position size to the daily turnover in order to estimate whether buying or selling is possible without strong price pressure. For small caps, this often determines the practical investability.
What mistakes happen when evaluating ADTV?
A single high-turnover day after news is easily taken for lasting liquidity. The median and longer time windows are more meaningful.
Related terms
Sources
Primary
EUR-Lex – MiFID II, Richtlinie 2014/65/EU
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/65/oj
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/65/oj
Methodology
Education only, not investment advice. Ranges and thresholds are didactic orientation values, not an official standard.