The On Balance VolumeThe On Balance Volume (OBV) indicator is a technical analysis tool used to measure the cumulative flow of volume in a financial instrument, such as a stock, commodity, or currency ... (OBV) indicator is a technical analysis tool used to measure the cumulative flow of volume in a financial instrument, such as a stock, commodity, or currency pair. Created by Joseph Granville in the 1960s, OBV is designed to provide insights into the strength of price movements and potential reversals.