The best-case scenario is one when volume surges without an accompanying surge in price. That typically means the buyers of a stock are more aggressive than the sellers. And once they take out the last shares the sellers have, the price just pops. It is difficult, if not impossible, to time the minute of the day when the stock will make its move. But when you see this combination of sideways price movement, an increase in volume trends, and an increase in on-balance volume, that typically means the stock are heading higher.