A Terrific Day of Emini Trading Using Tick and Time Charts
A terrific day of emini trading unfolded recently. Indices moved sharply. This created clear opportunities. Traders blended tick and time charts. The combination revealed momentum perfectly.
This was one of those days we call a red letter day, with the ES emini, the YM emini and the NQ emini all delivering wonderful trading oppportunities for the scalping intraday index trader using the Quantum Trading tools and indicators. Here, we used a blend of time-based and non-time-based charts, with the Renko and tick charts revealing momentum, then blended with the time-based charts to apply volume price analysis.
Here, the Tickspeedometer is the go-to indicator, delivering the real-time optimal tick speeds for our tick charts, and with the Renko Optimiser also offering the same, a powerful combination of non-time-based charts to support our time-based analysis. The best of both.
Why Tick and Time Charts Shine Together
Time charts show fixed intervals. Tick charts group by trades. This removes time noise. In fast emini markets like ES or NQ, tick charts capture surges. Time charts provide context. Volume price analysis (VPA) confirms signals—high tick speed with volume shows conviction.
Practical Highlights from the Day
The session started with consolidation. Tick charts showed low participation. Breakout came on rising tick speed and volume. Time charts aligned with higher timeframe trend. Quantum TickSpeedometer on NinjaTrader flagged surges early. Entries on pullbacks delivered quick profits.
Lessons for Emini Traders
Terrific days reward preparation. Blend tick for timing and time for direction. Avoid low-volume traps. Anna Coulling’s VPA approach with Quantum tools turns volatility into consistent wins. Patience and confirmation are key.
This was a terrific day for emini trading. Tick and time charts with Quantum indicators make spotting momentum reliable. Apply this combo for your next strong session.
Why Non-Time-Based Charts Reveal Momentum Better
Non-time-based charts are a game-changer for traders. They form bars based on activity, not clock time. Tick charts use a fixed number of trades per bar. Renko uses price movement. This independence from time reveals true market momentum. Candles appear at the speed the market moves.
Traditional Time Charts Distort Momentum
Time-based charts add bars every minute or hour. Quiet periods produce flat candles. Busy periods cram action into one bar. This hides surges. Momentum looks inconsistent. Volume price analysis (VPA) struggles with distorted signals.
How Tick Charts Show Real Momentum
Tick charts set a number of ticks per bar (e.g., 233 or 500). High activity = more bars quickly. Low activity = fewer. Bars form at market speed. Fast bar creation signals strong participation—buyers or sellers dominating. Slow bars show fading interest.
VPA confirms—high volume on fast tick bars shows conviction. Low volume with speed warns of traps.
Renko Charts for Clean Momentum Views
Renko forms bricks on price moves (e.g., 10 pips). No bricks in ranges. Long runs reveal sustained momentum. Quantum Renko Optimizer on NinjaTrader auto-sizes for volatility.
Advantages for Traders
Non-time-based charts cut noise. Momentum appears pure. Scalpers spot surges early. Swing traders see trends clearly. VPA integrates perfectly—volume validates activity-driven bars.
Quantum TickSpeedometer on NinjaTrader measures velocity live. This enhances momentum reads.
Non-time-based charts reveal momentum the market truly feels. Independent of time, they show participation speed. VPA with Quantum tools turns this into disciplined trades.
By Anna Coulling
Creator of Volume Price Analysis