New York Session Volume Momentum System

New York Session Volume Momentum System

This indicator is specifically designed for stock trading during New York market hours on the 1-hour timeframe. It combines volume spike detection with adaptive volatility bands and directional momentum filtering to identify high-probability entry points during the most liquid trading sessions.
Optimal Usage:

Timeframe: 1-Hour chart (critical for proper signal generation)
Market: U.S. stocks during New York open (9:30 AM - 4:00 PM EST)
Asset Class: Equities with sufficient volume characteristics

Technical Methodology:

Volume Spike Detection:

Continuously monitors volume relative to a 14-period moving average
Identifies abnormal volume events (threshold: 1.0x average) which typically occur at market open and during significant price moves
Volume confirmation reduces false signals during low-liquidity periods

Adaptive Volatility Bands:

Uses an 8-period volatility measurement (Average True Range) to create dynamic upper and lower bands
Bands automatically tighten during volume spikes (0.8x multiplier) to capture early momentum shifts
Trailing mechanism adjusts based on price action to lock in directional bias

Directional Momentum Filter:

Employs dual exponential moving averages (8-period fast, 21-period slow) to determine market bias
When fast MA > slow MA: System only generates buy signals (bullish environment)
When fast MA < slow MA: System only generates sell signals (bearish environment)
Filter can be toggled off for range-bound markets

Signal Generation Logic:

VOL BUY/SELL: High-confidence signals requiring both momentum shift AND volume confirmation
TREND FLIP: All momentum reversals (green to red or red to green) regardless of volume
Signals only trigger on candle close to eliminate intra-bar repainting
Visual labels placed dynamically using volatility-based spacing for clarity

Risk Management Framework:
This system is designed around a fixed risk-reward ratio methodology:

Required Target: 2R (2x your initial risk)
Stop Loss Placement: Place stops beyond the green/red momentum line (not the candle wick). This line represents the validated support/resistance level based on volatility and volume dynamics.
Position Sizing: Calculate risk per trade based on distance from entry to stop loss
Example: If your stop loss is $1 away from entry, your profit target should be $2 away

The 2R target aligns with the statistical distribution of price moves following volume-confirmed momentum shifts on the 1-hour timeframe. Historical testing shows this ratio provides optimal balance between achievable targets and favorable win rates.
Critical Entry Rules:
AVOID EARNINGS REPORTS:
Never trade signals on stocks during their earnings announcement days or the immediate session following earnings releases. Earnings volatility creates unpredictable price action that invalidates the volume/momentum relationship this system relies upon. Always check the earnings calendar before taking positions.
Large Opening Candle Strategy:
If the first 1-hour candle after New York open (9:30-10:30 AM EST) shows an unusually large range:

DO NOT enter immediately on the signal
WAIT for the second candle to form a pullback toward the momentum line
Enter on the pullback candle when price approaches the green (for buys) or red (for sells) momentum line
Benefit: This gives you a much tighter stop loss placement directly below/above the colored line, improving your risk-reward ratio significantly
Why it works: Large opening candles often retrace before continuing, allowing better entry positioning without changing your 2R target

Why 1-Hour and New York Open?
The 1-hour timeframe captures institutional order flow without the noise of lower timeframes while remaining responsive enough for intraday position management. New York market hours provide the highest volume and liquidity for U.S. equities, making volume spike signals more statistically significant and reliable.
Settings Overview:

Volatility Period: 8 (optimized for 1H)
Volatility Multiplier: 3.0
Volume MA Period: 14
Volume Spike Threshold: 1.0
Fast/Slow MA: 8/21 (responsive for hourly trading)
Trend Filter: Enabled by default
Alert options for both VOL signals and all trend flips

Important Disclaimers:
This indicator does not predict future price movements. It identifies historical patterns and volume anomalies based on mathematical calculations. The 2R target is a risk management guideline, not a performance guarantee. Market conditions vary, and not all setups will reach their targets.
Proper position sizing, stop loss discipline, and understanding of market context are essential. This tool is most effective when combined with broader market analysis, sector rotation awareness, and sound trading psychology.
Past signal accuracy does not guarantee future results. All trading involves risk of loss. Users should paper trade and backtest on their specific instruments before risking capital.