Why Your Stop Losses Are Always Hit: The Secret Behind Price Action
In the market, there is a very important concept called IPDA
What is IPDA?
Interbank Price Delivery Algorithm (IPDA) is a core concept proposed by Michael J. Huddleston (ICT) to explain the logic behind price behavior in financial markets. It is a hypothetical algorithm that describes how the global market can achieve price delivery and liquidity management through algorithms.
Definition:
IPDA describes a systematic algorithm used to: Manage liquidity: Ensure adequate buy and sell orders are available in the market. Engineer price movements: Trigger traders’ orders, such as stop-losses or pending orders, to fulfill liquidity requirements. Offer fair value: Provide seemingly "fair" prices to attract market participants.
The algorithm primarily targets: Liquidity above/below old highs and lows: Stop-loss orders concentrated around obvious price levels. Inefficient price action (Fair Value Gaps): Filling price inefficiencies created during rapid market moves.
How It Works?
Accumulation: Price consolidates within a range, building up buy and sell orders.
Manipulation: A sharp price move triggers traders’ stop-losses or entices them into taking positions, creating liquidity for institutions.
Distribution: Price eventually moves to the intended target zone, completing liquidity collection and redistribution.
These behaviors are often observed as:
Stop Hunts: Sweeping liquidity at key levels before reversing.
Return to Balance: Price filling imbalances such as Fair Value Gaps or testing Order Blocks.
Practical Applications of IPDA in Trading
Identifying Liquidity Zones: Look for potential stop-loss levels above highs or below lows.
Using SMC Tools: Combine IPDA with tools like Order Blocks, Fair Value Gaps, and Imbalances for a structured approach.
Anticipating Price Targets: Predict where price is likely to move based on liquidity engineering and market context.
Overall,IPDA (Interbank Price Delivery Algorithm) serves as a foundational principle in ICT trading methodologies, asserting that market movements are not arbitrary but systematically governed by a sophisticated algorithm designed to manipulate prices and ensure liquidity for major financial institutions. By analyzing the mechanics and behavioral patterns of IPDA, traders can achieve a more nuanced understanding of price action, enabling them to refine their trading strategies with greater precision and alignment with institutional dynamics.
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