Gap Analysis Tools
MarketAlpha includes gap indicators that help you identify meaningful gap-ups and gap-downs between the previous day’s regular close and the next regular open.
Gap metrics are not only measured as percent change. Some gap metrics also include icons that highlight whether the open is interacting with prior-day structure, which helps separate structural gaps from random noise.
Main Gap Metrics
Change Pre Market
Change Pre Market measures the percent change between the latest pre-market price and the previous regular close.
This acts as the implied gap heading into the regular session.
Gap From Last Close
During the regular session, Gap From Last Close measures the regular market opening price versus the previous day’s close.
This metric can display icons when the regular open is:
- Above the previous day’s resistance (green icon)
- Below the previous day’s support (red icon)
Support and resistance in MarketAlpha can come from any chart indicator or structure, including:
- Trendlines
- Fibonacci levels
- Moving averages
- AVWAPs
- Prior pivots and clustered levels
Gap Over High / Low
Gap Over Previous High / Below Previous Low measures whether the open is beyond the prior day’s full range, and by how much.
This is useful for finding stronger gaps that may leave less nearby structure in the way.
This metric also includes its own icon logic, including Screw Gaps. These flag gaps that flip the prior day’s context by opening beyond the prior day’s range in the opposite direction.
Common interpretations:
- Prior day closed bullish, but the next open is bearish and below the prior day’s low
- Prior day closed bearish, but the next open is bullish and above the prior day’s high
This helps surface gaps that are not just large, but structurally disruptive relative to the prior session.
Gap History
If you need more context, MarketAlpha also provides gap metrics from previous days.
Open the Columns Sidebar and go to Gaps to add historical gap columns into your table.
How to Scan Gaps Fast
Community Filter Groups
The fastest way to scan gap behavior:
- Open the Data Filter Sidebar
- Go to Community Filter Groups → Gaps
- Apply ready-made filters such as:
- Gaps over resistance / under support
- Gaps over previous high / below previous low
- Screw gaps
- Gap-and-go style scans
- Other gap templates
Strategy Filter Groups
For more complete setups, use Strategy Filter Groups, which combine gap behavior with other conditions such as:
- Liquidity and volatility thresholds
- Risk/Reward requirements
- Low Path to Target filters
- Pattern or momentum confirmation
AI Setups Profiles
You can also use AI Setups screener profiles. These are designed to surface gap setups that already align with:
- Higher Risk/Reward
- Cleaner Path to Target
Gap Scans in Group Screener
Gap filters and columns are also available in the Group Screener.
A practical workflow is:
- Apply a gap filter (or add a gap column) in Group Screener
- Sort to find where gap activity is concentrated
- Left click a group and drill down to isolate the specific companies behind it in the Ticker Screener
Summary
MarketAlpha’s gap tools measure gaps across sessions, highlight when the regular open is above resistance or below support, identify gaps beyond the prior day’s range, and provide multiple scanning paths — from quick community filters to full strategy templates and AI setup profiles.