Nasdaq (US 100 Cash CFD) Analysis Using ICT 2022 Model
Timeframe: 15m, 1h, 4h, Daily
Date: April 2, 2025
1. Market Structure & Bias
Higher Timeframe (Daily & 4H) – Bearish
- Daily Chart:
- Price closed at 19,190.8, down -225.4 (-1.16%).
- Lower highs (LH) and lower lows (LL) suggest a downtrend.
- Recent swing high at 19,500.0 (resistance) and swing low at 18,140.2 (support).
- Judas Swing Likely: A fake breakout above 19,500.0 before a drop.
- 4H Chart:
- Price rejected 19,343.0 (high) and fell to 19,185.3, confirming bearish momentum.
- Liquidity Grab: The high at 19,343.0 could be a liquidity sweep before a drop.
1H & 15m – Short-Term Bearish
- 1H Chart: Lower highs forming, with resistance at 19,250.5.
- 15m Chart: Price struggling below 19,200.0, indicating weakness.
2. Judas Swing & Liquidity Pools
- Judas Swing Expected:
- A fake breakout above 19,300-19,500 (liquidity grab) before a reversal down.
- If price rallies into 19,300-19,500, expect a sell-off towards 18,800-18,500.
- Liquidity Levels:
- Sell-Side Liquidity (SSL): Above 19,300-19,500 (stop hunts).
- Buy-Side Liquidity (BSL): Below 18,800-18,500 (where shorts may cover).
3. Trading Plan for Today (April 2, 2025)
Trade Direction: SELL (Preferably After a Rally)
- Ideal Entry:
- Wait for a pullback to 19,300-19,500 (Judas swing zone).
- Look for bearish rejection (wick, order block break) to short.
- Targets:
- First TP: 19,000 (previous low).
- Second TP: 18,800-18,500 (daily support).
- Stop Loss: Above 19,500 (liquidity zone).
Alternative Scenario (If No Rally):
- If price breaks 19,000 without a rally, look for continuation shorts with TP 18,800.
4. Why Not Buy?
- No Strong Bullish Structure:
- Price is making lower highs on all timeframes.
- Daily candle closed bearish.
- Liquidity is above, not below (market needs to trap buyers before dropping).
Final Verdict
✅ Trade Today: SELL (After Rally into 19,300-19,500)
❌ Avoid Buying – Bearish Momentum Dominates
📉 Judas Swing Expected: Fake Breakout Above 19,500 Before Drop
Key Levels:
- Resistance: 19,300-19,500 (Sell Zone)
- Support: 19,000 → 18,800 → 18,500 (Targets)
Trade Safely! 🚀
Nasdaq (US 100) Judas Swing Trading Plan
1. Optimal Entry Timing
Key Window: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
- Peak NY session liquidity when Judas swings frequently occur
- Watch for rally into 19,300-19,500 during this period
- London traders exiting positions often create reversal opportunities
2. Entry Timeframe & Trigger
Primary Chart: 15-Minute
For precision entries using ICT concepts:
Confirmation Tools:
- FVG (Fair Value Gap):
- Look for bearish FVG after rejection at 19,300-19,500
- Example: Price spikes to 19,450 then drops sharply, leaving FVG below
- MSS (Market Structure Shift):
- Wait for lower high break after Judas swing (e.g., drop below 19,250)
- CIS (Change of Institutional Structure):
- Break of 15m swing low (e.g., 19,180) confirms bearish continuation
3. Trading the Judas Swing (Step-by-Step)
Pre-Setup:
- Mark liquidity pools at 19,300-19,500 (above) and 19,000 (below)
- Set price alerts at key levels
Execution:
- Short Entry: After price wicks into 19,450 with rejection (pinbar, FVG close below)
- Stop Loss: 10-15 pips above Judas swing high (19,515)
- Targets:
- TP1: 19,100 (first liquidity pool)
- TP2: 18,800 (daily support)
Confirmation:
- Volume spike on rejection
- RSI divergence on 15m chart
- Order flow showing aggressive sellers
4. Why This Strategy Works
- Judas Swing Logic: Market lures buyers above 19,300, traps them, then reverses
- ICT Alignment: FVG/MSS entries align with institutional sell-side liquidity grabs
- New York Session: High participation increases probability of planned moves
5. Backup Plan (If No Clear Judas Swing)
- Alternative Entry: Wait for 15m bearish MSS below 19,200 with IFVG fill
- Conservative Approach: Trade the retest of 19,300 if price rejects again
- No Trade: If price holds above 19,500, wait for clearer structure
Trade Summary
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Best Time | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST (NY Session Liquidity Peak) |
| Entry Chart | 15-minute (FVG/MSS/CIS confirmation) |
| Trigger | Wicked rejection at 19,300-19,500 + FVG close below |
| Stop Loss | 19,515 (Above Judas high) |
| Targets | 19,100 → 18,800 |
| Risk/Reward | 1:3+ (Example: 50-pip SL, 150-300 pip TP) |
✗ Avoid buying - Bearish momentum dominates
Pro Tip:
Use a limit order at the FVG edge (e.g., 19,400) to avoid chasing price. Monitor order flow for confirmation.