fintech-algorithms
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Mass Index

Install and import#

bash
npm install fintech-algorithms
ts
import { massIndex } from "fintech-algorithms/technical-indicators/trend-systems/mass-index";

Signature#

massIndex(input)

Takes the ratio of a 9-period EMA of the high-low range to the 9-period EMA of that EMA, then sums the ratio over a longer window, so range expansion after a contraction pushes the total up.

Parameters#

NameTypeNotes
inputTopicInputbars is the OHLCV series, validated for finite prices, strictly increasing timestamp, a single adjustment basis, non-negative volume, and a high and low that bracket the other prices. From parameters this topic reads sum_period (integer, minimum 2, default 25), the length of the final sum; the two EMA lengths are fixed at 9 and are not configurable. period is still validated by the family, with the same integer-minimum-2 rule, but no branch of this calculation uses it.

Returns#

TopicResult

series and latest carry a single value key. The chained EMAs make the warm-up much longer than sum_period alone suggests.

Warm-up#

The first sum_period + 15 bars (40 by default) positions are null. The first EMA resolves at index 8, the EMA of that EMA at index 16, and the sum then needs sum_period consecutive ratios. With the default sum_period of 25 the first value lands at index 40, so ready_at is 40.

Errors#

  • When parameters.sum_period or parameters.period is present but is not an integer of at least 2 — throws Error
  • When bars is empty, or a bar has a non-finite price, a negative volume, a timestamp not greater than the previous one, or a high below its open, low, or close — throws Error

Complexity: time O(n * sum_period), space O(n).

Worked example#

executed Captured by running this function on the input its own test provides. Real output of real code — but not asserted against a published figure.

Input#

input
{
  "bars": [
    {
      "timestamp": "2024-01-02",
      "basis": "synthetic-unadjusted",
      "open": 100,
      "high": 101.45,
      "low": 98.695,
      "close": 100,
      "volume": 750000,
      "benchmark": 200
    },
    {
      "timestamp": "2024-01-03",
      "basis": "synthetic-unadjusted",
      "open": 101.49111452,
      "high": 103.38381693,
      "low": 100.05480022,
      "close": 101.78791214,
      "volume": 795117,
      "benchmark": 200.56326135
    },
    {
      "timestamp": "2024-01-04",
      "basis": "synthetic-unadjusted",
      "open": 102.45519048,
      "high": 104.6701838,
      "low": 100.91147007,
      "close": 102.9549389,
      "volume": 840234,
      "benchmark": 201.11020913
    }
  ],
  "parameters": {}
}

Call#

massIndex(input)

Returns#

object with 9 fields: topic_id, title, state, ready, ready_at, series, latest, parameters, …

{
  "topic_id": "D07-F02-A14",
  "title": "Mass Index",
  "state": "calculated",
  "ready": true,
  "ready_at": 40,
  "series": {
    "value": [null, null, null, null, null, null]
  },
  "latest": {
    "value": 25.15692329607823
  },
  "parameters": {},
  "diagnostics": {
    "causal": true,
    "input_count": 96
  }
}

Diagrams#

Mass Index — article hero
Mass Index — concept map
Mass Index — decision comparison
Mass Index — worked example

Calculation flow#

Mass Index calculation flow
flowchart LR
    A["ordered OHLC or close observations with explicit window, s"] --> B["Validate order, basis, and finite values"]
    B --> C["Apply the selected Mass Index convention"]
    C --> D["Emit value, readiness, and diagnostics"]
    D --> E["Interpret descriptively; test outcomes separately"]
    B -->|invalid or insufficient| X["Withhold output with a reason"]
Mass Index readiness and evidence states
stateDiagram-v2
    [*] --> Waiting
    Waiting --> Ready: enough valid causal observations
    Waiting --> Rejected: malformed or unsupported input
    Ready --> Calculated: selected formula applied
    Calculated --> Interpreted: diagnostic and limitation retained
    Interpreted --> Ready: next observation arrives
    Rejected --> Waiting: corrected input and deterministic reset

How it works#

This page states the contract — how to call it correctly. The article explains the concept: why it works, and where it breaks.

Read the article →

References#

  • TA-Lib function groups — see linked primary or authoritative record
  • TA-Lib C/C++ API — see linked primary or authoritative record
  • TA-Lib maintained source — see linked primary or authoritative record
  • Evidence decision
  • Level 1 evidence map

The rest of the Trend Systems family#