Optimal Value Area plots point of control and 3 key regions

Optimal Value Area

Don’t overpay on entries.

Optimal Value Area shades areas of a bar according to the volume levels that took place within it.

The Volume Point of Control (POC) shows the price at which the most volume was transacted. The three Value Areas zones show the areas where 90%, 60% and 30% of the bar’s volume was transacted.

NinjaTrader chart showing Optimal Value loaded on bars showing point of control and value areas

Habitually entering on the close of a bar rather than waiting for a pullback into one of these Value Areas means you are consistently overpaying to get into a trade. Over time, these overpayments add up.

Optimal Value Area encourages you to consider not only whether to enter, but where to enter.

NinjaTrader chart showing Optimal Value and how it can be used to find value on trade entries

Value Areas gaps can also reveal areas of low liquidity that frequently as magnets for price in the near future. Large gaps between 70% bar value areas are often traded back through until contiguous 70% Value Areas form.

NinjaTrader chart showing Optimal Value and how gaps can indicate magnet areas for price

Optimal Value Area thus provides two key pieces of data: very short term tactical information for better value on trade entries, and longer-term strategic information for zones where the market may return to fill. Strategic information can help reveal unfolding market structure and inform exit targets.

Optimal Value Area is also strategy builder compatible, so that you can place orders to enter or exit at a Value Area High / Low or Point of Control.

NinjaTrader chart showing Optimal Value and trade automation

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Optimal Value Area

Don’t overpay on entries.

Optimal Value Area shades areas of a bar according to the volume levels that took place within it.

The Volume Point of Control (POC) shows the price at which the most volume was transacted.

The three Value Areas zones show the areas where 90%, 60% and 30% of the bar’s volume was transacted.

Habitually entering on the close of a bar rather than waiting for a pullback into one of these value areas means you are consistently overpaying to get into a trade. Over time, these overpayments add up.

Optimal Value Area encourages you to consider not only whether to enter, but where to enter.

Optimal Value Area is also strategy builder compatible, so that you place orders to enter at a Value Area High or Low or Point of Control.

Risk Disclosure –Futures and forex trading contains substantial risk and is not for every investor. An investor could potentially lose all or more than the initial investment. Risk capital is money that can be lost without jeopardizing one's financial security or lifestyle. Only risk capital should be used for trading and only those with sufficient risk capital should consider trading. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.

Hypothetical performance results have many inherent limitations, some of which are described below. No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve profits or losses similar to those shown; in fact, there are frequently sharp differences between hypothetical performance results and the actual results subsequently achieved by any particular trading program. One of the limitations of hypothetical performance results is that they are generally prepared with the benefit of hindsight. In addition, hypothetical trading does not involve financial risk, and no hypothetical trading record can completely account for the impact of financial risk of actual trading. for example, the ability to withstand losses or to adhere to a particular trading program in spite of trading losses are material points which can also adversely affect actual trading results.

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