Daily range is smaller than the range of the previous 3 days (NR4).
An NR4 bar is simply a daily candle whose range (high minus low) is smaller than each of the previous three candles' ranges. This screen applies three comparisons: today's range must be less than yesterday's range, less than two days ago, and less than three days ago. There are no price-direction, volume, or indicator requirements. The screen is deliberately minimal -- its job is to flag compression, not predict direction. The large current stock count (118) reflects this: without directional or volume filters, many stocks are in some form of range contraction at any given time. NR7 Squeeze applies the same concept over seven sessions, producing a smaller, higher-conviction subset. For directional NR4 breakouts with volume, see NR4 Bull Break and NR4 Bear Break.
NR4 is most useful as a watchlist-building tool rather than a direct entry signal. Traders who run this screen are looking for candidates to monitor for the subsequent breakout. The direction of the break is unknown at the NR4 stage -- price could expand bullishly or bearishly, and the NR4 condition itself carries no directional bias. The setup performs best when it occurs in stocks already in a clear trend on a higher timeframe: NR4 in an uptrending stock is more likely to resolve bullishly; NR4 in a downtrending stock more likely bearishly. False breakouts (break above/below the NR4 bar, immediate reversal) are the primary failure mode. For a more selective compression signal, use NR7 Squeeze. For confirmed breakouts with volume, see Bollinger Squeeze Break Bull or High ATR for stocks already in motion.
Educational references. Videos may not match this screen's exact filters.
This screener finds stocks where today's daily range is narrower than each of the prior three sessions -- the definition of an NR4 bar. It identifies four consecutive sessions of equal or decreasing range, signaling a standoff between buyers and sellers that typically precedes a directional expansion. No breakout has occurred yet -- this is the compression setup, not the trigger. Currently 118 stocks match, making it one of the most populated screens on the platform. Swing traders and position traders use it to build a watchlist of stocks coiling for a move. Common search phrases: "NR4 inside bar stocks", "narrow range 4 bar setup", "volatility compression stocks today".