The average directional index (ADX) is indicative of the overall strength and direction of a trend. The ADX indicator takes an average of expanding price range values to show whether a security’s current price is in a bullish or bearish phase, and compares it with historical price chart data. The purpose of the average directional movement index is to measure the strength of a trend and create buy or sell signals, depending if the trader should go long or short on an asset.