The TICK indicator measures intraday momentum in New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) stocks by tracking the difference between upticking stocks (last price higher than previous price) and downticking stocks (last price lower than previous price). The TICK subtracts the number of downticking stocks from the number of upticking ones to generate a momentum snapshot of the market at any given time.

Traders typically use the TICK indicator to gauge the level of buying or selling pressure throughout the day. If the TICK reading is high, the market is showing internal strength, which is different from the outward price movement.