All lessons
Equal highs: a map of possibilities
Similar peaks invite a question; they do not reveal a secret order book.
Separate visible reference prices from unobservable resting orders.
Equal highs are nearby peaks, not necessarily identical ticks. Choose a tolerance and a fixed timeframe before searching for them.
Some traders may place stops or breakout orders near obvious extremes. The chart cannot reveal their exact quantity, current existence or owners.
ICT calls such areas buy-side or sell-side liquidity. Use the vocabulary to map possible reactions, not to declare that every level must be visited.
Sketch two paths: continuation through the band and a crossing that returns. Write the evidence needed to classify either path.
Let’s work through it
- Mark the reference before revealing the outcome.
- Separate visible reference prices from unobservable resting orders.
- Record the result and the conditions that would reject the idea.
Let’s use numbers · hypothetical example
Peaks 120.00 and 120.06 fit our prewritten 0.10 tolerance. Mark a band, then record whether later closes hold above it.
Easy mistakes to watch for
- Mistaken assumption: The exact number of stops.
- Changing the definition after seeing the result.
- Ignoring spread, slippage or the loss limit.
Keep in mind
This is a hypothetical study, not a signal. A chart label cannot identify institutional intentions or guarantee a result; include costs and a predefined loss limit.
Your turn
Compare ten near-equal-high examples with ten single-high examples using the same observation period.
A quick check before we move on
What do similar highs directly establish?
- A visible reference area.
- The exact number of stops.
- A compulsory future target.
Check answer
A visible reference area. The peaks are visible; hidden order quantity and the future route are not.
Sources and further reading
Content reviewed: 29 October 2026
Educational material with hypothetical examples. Trading can cause substantial losses. A course, pattern, stop order or past result cannot guarantee a profit or limit every loss. Practise in simulation and check current rules and product terms in your jurisdiction.
