Information Asymmetry Gradient (IAG)

What is the Information Asymmetry Gradient (IAG)?

The Information Asymmetry Gradient (IAG) is a unique market regime and imbalance detector that quantifies the subtle, directional “information flow” in price and volume. Inspired by information theory and market microstructure, IAG is designed to help traders spot the early buildup of conviction or surprise—the kind of hidden imbalance that often precedes major price moves.

Unlike traditional volume or momentum indicators, IAG focuses on the efficiency and directionality of information transfer: how much “informational energy” is being revealed by up-moves versus down-moves, normalized by price movement. It’s not just about net flow, but about the quality and asymmetry of that flow.

Theoretical Foundation
Information Asymmetry: Markets move when new information is revealed. If one side (buyers or sellers) is consistently more “informationally efficient” per unit of price change, an imbalance is building—even if price hasn’t moved much yet.
Gradient: By tracking the rate of change (gradient) between fast and slow information flows, IAG highlights when a subtle imbalance is accelerating.
Volatility of Asymmetry: Sudden spikes in the volatility of information asymmetry often signal regime uncertainty or the approach of a “surprise” move.
How IAG Works
Directional Information Content: For each bar, IAG estimates the “information per unit of price change” for both up-moves and down-moves, using volume and price action.
Asymmetry Calculation: Computes the difference (or ratio) between up and down information content, revealing directional bias.
Gradient Detection: Calculates both a fast and slow EMA of the asymmetry, then measures their difference (the “gradient”), normalized as a Z-score.
Volatility of Asymmetry: Tracks the standard deviation of asymmetry over a rolling window, with Z-score normalization to spot “information shocks.”
Flow Strength: Quantifies the conviction of the current information flow on a 0–100 scale.
Regime Detection: Flags “extreme” asymmetry, “building” flow, and “high volatility” states.

Inputs:

🌌 Core Asymmetry Parameters
Fast Information Period (short_len, default 8): EMA period for detecting immediate information flow changes.
5–8: Scalping (1–5min)
8–12: Day trading (15min–1hr)
12–20: Swing trading (4hr+)

Slow Information Period (long_len, default 34): EMA period for baseline information context. Should be 3–5x fast period.
Default (34): Fibonacci number, stable for most assets.

Gradient Smoothing (gradient_smooth, default 3): Smooths the gradient calculation.
1–2: Raw, responsive
3–5: Balanced
6–10: Very smooth

📊 Asymmetry Method

Calculation Mode (calc_mode, default "Weighted"):
“Simple”: Basic volume split by direction
“Weighted”: Volume × price movement (default, most robust)
“Logarithmic”: Log-scaled for large moves
Use Ratio (show_ratio, default false):
“Difference”: UpInfo – DownInfo (additive)
“Ratio”: UpInfo / DownInfo (multiplicative, better for comparing volatility regimes)

🌊 Volatility Analysis

Volatility Window (stdev_len, default 21): Lookback for measuring asymmetry volatility.
Volatility Alert Level (vol_threshold, default 1.5): Z-score threshold for volatility alerts.

🎨 Visual Settings

Color Theme (color_theme, default "Starry Night"):
Van Gogh-inspired palettes:
“Starry Night”: Deep blues and yellows
“Sunflowers”: Warm yellows and browns
“Café Terrace”: Night blues and warm lights
“Wheat Field”: Golden and sky blue
Show Swirl Effects (show_swirls, default true): Adds swirling background to visualize information turbulence.
Show Signal Stars (show_stars, default true): Star markers at significant asymmetry points.
Show Info Dashboard (show_dashboard, default true): Top-right panel with current metrics and market state.
Show Flow Visualization (show_flow, default true): Main gradient line with artistic effects.

Color Schemes
Dynamic color gradients adapt to both the direction and intensity of the information gradient, using Van Gogh-inspired palettes for visual clarity and artistic flair.
Glow and aura effects: The main line is layered with glows for depth and to highlight strong signals.
Swirl background: Visualizes the “turbulence” of information flow, darker and more intense as flow strength and volatility rise.

Visual Logic
Main Gradient Line: Plots the normalized information gradient (Z-score), color-coded by direction and intensity.
Glow/Aura: Multiple layers for visual depth and to highlight strong signals.
Threshold Zones: Dotted lines and filled areas mark “Building” and “Extreme” asymmetry zones.
Volatility Ribbon: Area plot of volatility Z-score, highlighting information shocks.
Signal Stars: Circular markers at each “Extreme” event, color-coded for bullish/bearish; cross markers for volatility spikes.
Dashboard: Top-right panel shows current status (Extreme, Building, High Volatility, Balanced), gradient value, flow strength, information balance, and volatility status.
Trading Guide: Bottom-left panel explains all states and how to interpret them.

How to Use IAG
🌟 EXTREME: Major information imbalance—potential for explosive move or reversal.
🌙 BUILDING: Asymmetry is forming—watch for a breakout or trend acceleration.
🌪️ HIGH VOLATILITY: Information flow is unstable—expect regime uncertainty or “surprise” moves.
☁️ BALANCED: No clear bias—market is in equilibrium.
Positive Gradient: Bullish information flow (buyers have the edge).
Negative Gradient: Bearish information flow (sellers have the edge).
Flow >66%: Strong conviction—crowd is acting in unison.
Volatility Spike: Regime uncertainty—be alert for sudden moves.

Tips:
- Use lower periods for scalping, higher for swing trading.
- “Weighted” mode is most robust for most assets.
- Combine with price action or your own system for confirmation.
- Works on all assets and timeframes—tune to your style.

Alerts
IAG Extreme Asymmetry: Extreme information asymmetry detected.
IAG Building Flow: Information flow building.
IAG High Volatility: Information volatility spike.
IAG Bullish/Bearish Extreme: Directional extreme detected.

Originality & Usefulness
IAG is not a mashup of existing indicators. It is a novel approach to quantifying the “surprise” or “conviction” element in market moves, focusing on the efficiency and directionality of information transfer per unit of price change. The multi-layered color logic, artistic visual effects, and regime dashboard are unique to this script. IAG is designed for anticipation, not confirmation—helping you see subtle imbalances before they become obvious in price.

Chart Info
Script Name: Information Asymmetry Gradient (IAG) – Starry Night
Recommended Use: Any asset, any timeframe. Tune parameters to your style.

Disclaimer
This script is for research and educational purposes only. It does not provide financial advice or direct buy/sell signals. Always use proper risk management and combine with your own strategy. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Trade with insight. Trade with anticipation.
— Dskyz, for DAFE Trading Systems