{"id":646,"date":"2020-11-04T16:39:20","date_gmt":"2020-11-04T21:39:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.qatsystems.com\/analytics\/?page_id=646"},"modified":"2026-04-19T18:40:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T22:40:20","slug":"determining-daily-intra-day-direction-is-it-possible","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.qatsystems.com\/analytics\/determining-daily-intra-day-direction-is-it-possible\/","title":{"rendered":"Determining Daily Intra-Day Direction \u2013 Is it possible? (Original)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n Original Article Context:<\/strong>
\n This article represents the original exploration of whether intraday direction could be determined using measurable relationships between price and distance.
\n It reflects the early development of the ideas that later evolved into the Intra-Day Momentum Method.\n <\/p>\n

\n A refined version of this research is available in the Research Library, where these concepts are presented within a structured analytical framework.\n <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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\n Successful speculation starts with observation. Instead of looking at charts, I have designed a methodology for determining intra-day direction based on \u2018measured moves\u2019 and created applications to answer my questions regarding trade-able tendencies and to assist in my research.\n <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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The Core Question<\/h2>\n

\n The first thought that comes to mind, when considering the question \u2013 \u201cIs it possible to determine intra-day market direction\u201d, must be, what is likely to happen by the end of the day?\n <\/p>\n

\n To answer this question with any degree of certainty generally requires an understanding of how often, historically, the Open and Close have been within close proximity to each other in relation to the overall range of a trading day.\n <\/p>\n

\n If these prices are close in proximity frequently, it would not be possible to determine the daily direction, and non-directional patterns of uncertainty would litter the daily price chart.\n <\/p>\n

\n If these prices are a good distance apart, a reasonable portion of the time, on a daily basis, then it is quite possible that one could calculate a measurement to allow them to determine the daily direction, with some degree of certainty.\n <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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Defining Uncertainty<\/h2>\n

\n The pattern of uncertainty is called a \u2018Doji\u2019, when one looks at a chart. A Doji Pattern is defined as when the Open and Close are \u2018virtually equal\u2019.\n <\/p>\n

\n Let\u2019s assume that we want to allow ourselves to determine what uncertainty actually means. For demonstration purposes, let\u2019s define it as being when the relationship of the Open and Close are within 50% of the entire day\u2019s range, from each other.\n <\/p>\n

\n This would be a sign that the market was \u2018somewhat\u2019 uncertain about its position \u2013 Bullish or Bearish.\n <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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Expansions and Contractions \u2013 The Two Phases of All Markets<\/h2>\n

\n In considering the question of what a market will do from Open to Close it is important to consider if a stock\/market is in a phase of expansion or contraction.\n <\/p>\n

\n In intra-day trading, all markets have two phases: expansions and contractions; therefore, 50% of the time, the market expands and 50% of the time, the market contracts.\n <\/p>\n

\n What works well in one phase is not likely to work as well in another phase, because the two are totally opposite in price action.\n <\/p>\n

\n During times of expansion, it would be reasonable to assume that Breakout Strategies and \u2018trend following\u2019 trading styles would have a better opportunity for success.\n <\/p>\n

\n During phases of contraction, Reversal Strategies and \u2018reversion to the mean\u2019 trading styles would be better suited.\n <\/p>\n

\n The key is to find which is likely to occur during the next trading day. This can often be achieved by filtering or testing for specific price patterns that occur on the daily charts and determining what patterns indicate which phase, expansion or contraction, is near.\n <\/p>\n

\n Expansions often occur after periods of consolidation, over any time frame. Contractions occur after periods of expansions as markets have tendencies to thrust and pause.\n <\/p>\n

\n The thrust is the expansion and the pause is the contraction. This phenomenon has been in place as long as markets have been traded.\n <\/p>\n

\n If the market did not expand or contract, it would be predictable.\n <\/p>\n

\n Another factor worth considering is that volume in contractions is often less than volume in expansions.\n <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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The Open<\/h2>\n

\n Historical price movement from Open to Close of a stock is a good predictor of what may happen during a given day.\n <\/p>\n

\n What percentage of the time is the Open of the day equal to the High or Low of the day?\n <\/p>\n

\n If this value is relatively high \u2013 above 3\u20135%, it is likely that the market may have a higher tendency to trend well on an intra-day basis.\n <\/p>\n

\n Such is the case for some Sector-based ETF\u2019s, which, from my research, have tendencies to be some of the best intra-day trending markets.\n <\/p>\n

\n Market-based ETF\u2019s, such as the SPY, DIA, QQQ tend to have a much lower probability that the Open will be the High or Low for the day.\n <\/p>\n

\n This implies that Market-based ETF\u2019s will likely need to travel a further distance in price from the Open before the daily direction is confirmed.\n <\/p>\n

\n It also implies that there is a higher probability of reversal off the Open in market-based ETF\u2019s.\n <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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Structural Observation<\/h2>\n

\n The math works in a logical sequence, as one would expect, for most markets.\n <\/p>\n

\n 50% of the time, a market\u2019s Open and Close are within 50% of the entire day\u2019s range from each other.\n <\/p>\n

\n 50% of the time, the day\u2019s Open and Close are more than 50% of the entire day\u2019s range apart from each other.\n <\/p>\n

\n Therefore, if one could estimate how large the day\u2019s range will be, he\/she would be able to determine the market direction 50% of the time.\n <\/p>\n

\n While this concept is very intriguing, if the Open and Close appear in close proximity relative to the day\u2019s range, this creates a situation where a reversal or mean-reverting tendency would dominate.\n <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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Daily Range<\/h2>\n

\n The overall daily range is important as we must have something to work with.\n <\/p>\n

\n When analyzing stocks or markets that do not move a reasonable distance in price (less than 1.00 from High to Low), these methods are not of much help in determining daily direction.\n <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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The Intra-Day Momentum Method<\/h2>\n

\n Taking these factors into consideration, I developed a method for determining daily direction that allows me to ascertain, with a reasonable degree of certainty, intra-day market direction.\n <\/p>\n

\n When developing this method, I created directional price levels using mathematical equations to determine the probabilities of certain events occurring.\n <\/p>\n

\n I found that for the most part, as a market moves in one direction, the higher the probability it will close in that direction.\n <\/p>\n

\n This finding raises another question altogether: \u201cDo profit targets actually help or hurt overall performance?\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\n I found a calculation that historically allowed for a 50% probability that many markets would close above this number.\n <\/p>\n

\n It typically takes a larger move to the downside for a market to confirm daily direction Down than it does to confirm direction Up.\n <\/p>\n

\n This 50% phenomenon confirms that stocks behave differently in expansions and contractions.\n <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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Reversal Behavior<\/h2>\n

\n An understanding of a stock\u2019s behavior can be enhanced by defining when a Long or Short day may occur based on chart patterns.\n <\/p>\n

\n It is also possible to define when a reversal may be likely due to specific price patterns on daily charts.\n <\/p>\n

\n Initially, I found calculations that historically allowed for reversals approximately 30% of the time across many markets.\n <\/p>\n

\n A reversal is defined as a day where both the Long Level Up and the Short Level Down are reached in the same day.\n <\/p>\n

\n Further refinements reduced this probability to less than approximately 25% for many stocks.\n <\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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Todd Hudson \u2013 QAT Systems<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n

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Continue Exploring<\/h3>\n
\n View Refined Research<\/a>
\n Return to Research<\/a>
\n Explore Framework<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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