Price breaking above the previous high with an expanded range (1.5x ATR) and high volume. Indicates a powerful momentum ignition.
The Average True Range (ATR, 14-period) measures the average daily price swing over the last 14 bars, accounting for gaps. The 1.5x ATR filter means today's range (high minus low) is 50% larger than that recent average -- a significantly above-normal bar. This quantifies range expansion rather than just a directional move. The "close above prior high" filter adds directional confirmation: the expansion moved with buyers in control. Volume above 1.5x the 20-period average confirms participation beyond normal baseline activity. All three conditions are required simultaneously: a wide bar that closes bullishly with elevated volume. A wide bar with average volume or no directional close would not trigger this screen.
Range Expansion is primarily used on the 5-Min chart for intraday trades and on the 5-Min chart for swing setups. On the 5-min, it typically fires during high-volatility windows: the first 30-60 minutes after open, post-catalyst moves, and sector-driven momentum runs. The main failure mode is entering after the expansion bar is complete -- by the time the bar closes and the screen fires, price may have already moved 50-80% of the intended trade distance. More experienced traders watch for range expansion developing in real time and enter mid-bar rather than waiting for close confirmation. A second failure mode is isolated range expansion in the absence of trend context: a single wide bar in a sideways stock often sees immediate mean reversion as the expansion bar cools. For setups building into range expansion from a compression base, see NR4 Squeeze and Bollinger Squeeze Break Bull.
Educational references. Videos may not match this screen's exact filters.
This screen identifies stocks where the current candle's range exceeds 1.5x the Average True Range (14-period), price has closed above the prior high, and volume is at least 1.5x the 20-period average. It captures the moment a stock breaks into a materially larger-than-normal bar after prior compression or range contraction, validated by both a directional close and elevated volume. Currently 2 stocks match. Intraday momentum traders and breakout traders use this to identify stocks entering a high-velocity expansion phase. Common search phrases: "range expansion breakout stocks", "ATR expansion day trading", "high range breakout volume signal".