Real-Time Scanner
The Real-Time Scanner is a pre-market gapper detection system that identifies stocks making significant moves before the regular trading session opens. It combines gap detection, volume analysis, and catalyst identification to surface actionable opportunities.
Overview
Pre-market trading often reveals institutional positioning ahead of the regular session. Stocks that gap significantly with volume often continue their moves as the broader market opens and participants react to overnight news. The scanner monitors these developments in real-time.
What This Feature Provides
- Gap Detection — Stocks opening significantly above or below prior close
- Volume Analysis — Real-time relative volume calculations
- Technical Scoring — Quality assessment of gap setups
- Catalyst Display — News headlines driving price movement
- Price Charts — Visual representation of price action
- Audio Alerts — Notifications for new high-scoring candidates
- Heat Map View — At-a-glance visualization of gap universe
Why It Matters
Pre-market gaps represent:
- Information advantage — See institutional positioning before open
- Trading opportunities — Early awareness of catalyst events
- Risk awareness — Know which positions may gap against you
- Market sentiment — Overall gap distribution indicates market tone
Scanner Operation
Pre-Market Hours
The scanner activates at 4:00 AM Eastern when pre-market trading begins:
| Time (ET) | Activity |
|---|---|
| 4:00 AM | Pre-market opens, scanner activates |
| 4:00-9:30 AM | Real-time monitoring and updates |
| 9:30 AM | Regular session opens |
| 4:00 PM | Session closes |
Universe Coverage
The scanner monitors a tiered universe:
| Tier | Symbols | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Core | S&P 500 | Immediate scan |
| Extended | S&P 1500 | Secondary scan |
| Broad | Russell 3000 | Tertiary coverage |
Higher-tier stocks are scanned first for fastest alerting on major names.
Key Metrics
Gap Percentage
Price change from prior close to current pre-market price:
Gap % = (Pre-market Price - Prior Close) / Prior Close × 100
Interpretation:
- ±1-3%: Minor gap, routine volatility
- ±3-7%: Moderate gap, likely news-driven
- ±7-15%: Significant gap, material catalyst
- ±15%+: Major gap, headline event
Relative Volume (RVOL)
Current volume vs historical average:
RVOL = Current Pre-market Volume / Average Pre-market Volume
Interpretation:
- 1-2x: Normal activity
- 2-5x: Elevated interest
- 5-10x: Significant institutional activity
- 10x+: Exceptional volume, major event
Technical Score
Composite quality measure considering:
- Gap magnitude
- Volume confirmation
- Price location (vs moving averages)
- Resistance/support breaks
- Relative strength
Higher scores indicate higher-quality setups.
VWAP
Volume-Weighted Average Price calculated from pre-market trades:
VWAP = Σ(Price × Volume) / Σ(Volume)
Application:
- Price above VWAP: Bullish bias
- Price below VWAP: Bearish bias
- VWAP as reference for entry/exit levels
Scanner Views
Table View
Default view showing:
- Symbol and company name
- Gap percentage
- Current price
- Pre-market volume
- RVOL
- Technical score
- Brief catalyst headline
Sortable by any column. Filter by gap direction, score, or sector.
Heat Map View
Visual grid showing:
- Color intensity by gap magnitude
- Green for gap-ups, red for gap-downs
- Size by volume or market cap
- Quick pattern recognition
Chart View
For individual symbols:
- Pre-market price action
- Volume bars
- Key levels (prior close, VWAP, resistance)
- Intraday chart updates
Catalyst Identification
The scanner identifies likely gap drivers:
| Catalyst Type | Detection Method |
|---|---|
| Earnings | Earnings calendar match |
| FDA/Clinical | Biotech sector + keyword |
| M&A | News headline analysis |
| Analyst Action | Upgrade/downgrade keywords |
| Guidance | Company announcement |
| Macro | Sector-wide movement |
Catalyst classification helps prioritize and size opportunities.
Audio Alerts
Configurable audio notifications:
| Alert Type | Trigger |
|---|---|
| High Score Gap | Score exceeds threshold |
| Large Gap | Gap percentage exceeds threshold |
| Volume Surge | RVOL exceeds threshold |
| New Entry | New symbol appears in top list |
Alerts can be enabled/disabled and thresholds customized.
How to Use This Feature
Morning Routine
- Open scanner before 8:00 AM for full pre-market coverage
- Sort by score to see highest-quality gaps first
- Review catalysts for top candidates
- Check charts for key levels and price action
- Set alerts for developing situations
Gap Trading Approach
For trading pre-market gaps:
- Identify gap with volume confirmation (RVOL > 2x)
- Verify catalyst — Is the news material?
- Check technicals — Breaking resistance? Above VWAP?
- Wait for pattern — Opening range, consolidation
- Manage risk — Set stops based on structure
Watchlist Building
Use scanner to build intraday watchlists:
- Filter high-score gaps as primary watchlist
- Note key levels (opening price, VWAP, prior highs)
- Track through session for follow-through
- Review at close for next-day setups
Practical Examples
Example 1: Earnings Gap
Tech company reports after close:
- Gaps up 12% in pre-market
- RVOL: 8x average
- Catalyst: Beat and raise guidance
- Score: 8/10
Action: Add to watchlist for potential continuation trade. Watch opening range for entry.
Example 2: Biotech News
Small biotech announces clinical results:
- Gaps up 65% in pre-market
- RVOL: 150x average
- Catalyst: Positive Phase 2 data
- Score: 9/10
Action: High-risk, high-reward setup. Size small, expect volatility.
Example 3: Sector Gap
Multiple energy stocks gapping:
- XLE up 3%
- Multiple oil stocks +2-5%
- Catalyst: Oil price surge overnight
Action: Sector-wide move. Consider sector ETF or strongest individual name.
Limitations
- Pre-market liquidity — Spreads wider, execution can be difficult
- Gap fills are common — Many gaps retrace partially or fully
- False starts — Early gaps can reverse before open
- News evolves — Initial catalyst assessment may be incomplete
- Not all gaps tradeable — Small caps may lack liquidity
Related Features
- Episodic Pivots — Gap candidates for multi-day tracking
- Dark Pool Analytics — Institutional flow context
- Technical Indicators — Understanding score components
Related Concepts
Subscription Access
| Tier | Access Level |
|---|---|
| Free | — |
| Pro | Full access |
| Enterprise | Full access |