FAQ¶
Common questions about the SPY Imbalance dashboard.
Signals¶
Why am I not seeing any markers at the very start of the session?
The algorithm needs at least 5 minutes of data to establish a baseline before it can flag anything. Signals start appearing a few minutes after 09:30 ET.
Why is the 09:30 and 15:59 candle never flagged?
The opening and closing minutes of every session carry structurally outsized volume — they would always trigger. Excluding them keeps the rest of the chart clean and meaningful.
A candle had massive volume but no marker. Why?
Both conditions must be true simultaneously: the volume must exceed the rolling threshold and one side must clearly dominate. If buying and selling were both elevated equally, that is not a directional signal — it is two-sided activity, which the algorithm correctly ignores.
Can I use these signals as trade entries?
The markers highlight statistically unusual one-sided flow — they are an informational tool, not a recommendation. A ▲ B marker does not guarantee price will continue higher, and a ▼ S marker does not guarantee a move lower. Always use your own judgement and risk management.
Data freshness¶
How often does the chart update?
The chart refreshes automatically every few seconds while the ● LIVE indicator is visible. No manual refresh is needed.
The LIVE indicator disappeared. What happened?
The browser lost its connection to the server. Refresh the page to reconnect.
How far back does historical data go?
The dashboard stores every trading session since the data collection began. Use the Date dropdown to browse any available historical day.
Chart behaviour¶
Why does the chart sometimes show fewer candles when I first load it?
If you load the page early in the session, only the candles that have completed so far are shown. The chart grows as each minute closes.
What timezone are the candles in?
All times are displayed in Eastern Time (ET), which is the standard US equity market timezone.
What does the height of a delta bar represent?
The absolute difference between buy volume and sell volume for that minute. Taller bar = more aggressive one-sided flow, regardless of which side won.