when used together uptick and downtick volumes calculate a stock s net volume the resulting difference between the two the net volume is the technical indicator that helps investors determine whether there s a bullish or bearish trend if the difference between the uptick and downtick volumes is positive the net volume is bullish by contrast a negative result means a bearish course 
special considerationsas noted earlier uptick volume is a subset of technical analysis this is the theory that investors employ when using charts to see movements and patterns in stock prices and volumes over time technical analysis is less concerned with the actual fundamentals of a particular stock and more with the movements indicating buy and sell opportunities on the other hand fundamental stock analysis is of course very important for anyone who wants to buy and hold a solid company for many years fundamental analysis looks at a company s vital health statistics such as cash flow product pipeline and management track record fundamental analysis can be of less interest to day traders and others getting in and out of stocks quickly through their reliance on technical analysis to make money other trading indicators such as the accumulation area and the joseph effect help determine the stock price and volume momentum seasoned investors typically use several models simultaneously to help avoid the pitfalls of false signals that often present themselves in a single model due to other activities occurring outside of that particular model investopedia does not provide tax investment or financial services and advice the information is presented without consideration of the investment objectives risk tolerance or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal 