Process by which, over a period of time, a large or excess supply of stock or futures contracts is absorbed by increasing demand from buyers. Generally, there is little price action until the sellers have been exhausted. Then buyers dominate and price tends to rise.

The number of stocks or bonds or commodities which have advanced in a given time period compared to the number which have declined. The difference (breadth) is considered important in gauging the strength or weakness of the market. Daily observations are the most common.

The number of stocks advancing divided by the number of stocks declining over a particular time period. See Breadth Ratio.