Initial Balance Indicator for NinjaTrader 8
Automatically marks the high and low of the first 5 minutes after the market opens. Extends these levels and calculates percentage-based targets that persist throughout the trading session.
See It in Action
Watch how the Initial Balance indicator marks key levels and extensions on your NinjaTrader charts.
The Opening Range, Automated
The first minutes after the market opens often set the tone for the entire session. This indicator captures that range automatically and gives you reference levels to work with all day.
Marks the IB High & Low
At the end of the configured time window (default: 9:30-9:35 AM ET), the indicator draws horizontal lines at the highest high and lowest low. These levels extend to the right edge of your chart so you can reference them throughout the day.
Draws the Midpoint
A dashed line marks the middle of the Initial Balance range. Many traders watch for price to test and react to this midpoint as a reference for intraday mean reversion.
Projects Extension Levels
Beyond the IB high/low, the indicator calculates extension levels at 100%, 150%, 200%, 300%, 400%, and 500% of the IB range. Toggle each level on/off to keep your chart clean or show all potential targets.
Timezone-Aware
Times are specified in Eastern Time (ET) and automatically converted to your NinjaTrader timezone settings. If you\'re trading from Europe or Asia, the indicator handles the conversion.
Common Trading Applications
The Initial Balance provides objective reference points. Here's how traders typically incorporate these levels into their decision-making.
Breakout Trades
When price breaks above the IB High or below the IB Low with momentum, some traders look for continuation in that direction. The extension levels (100%, 200%, etc.) provide potential target areas. A break of the IB range suggests the market has accepted prices outside that initial balance zone.
- Entry: After price closes outside the IB range
- Stop: Just inside the IB range
- Target: Next extension level
Fade the Failed Breakout
Not every break of the IB range leads to continuation. When price pokes outside the range but quickly returns inside, some traders interpret this as a failed breakout and look to trade in the opposite direction. The midpoint becomes a natural first target.
- Look for a wick beyond the IB level with a close back inside
- Target the IB midpoint or opposite IB extreme
- Works best in choppy, rotational market conditions
Midpoint as Reference
Throughout the session, the IB midpoint serves as a value area reference. When price moves away from the midpoint and returns to test it, some traders use this as a decision point—either expecting a bounce (mean reversion) or a break through (continuation).
- Use in combination with other confluence (VWAP, prior day levels)
- Provides a simple above/below directional bias
- Good for quick scalps when price revisits the midpoint
On Real Futures Charts
See how the Initial Balance indicator looks on ES and NQ futures across different days and market conditions.
Indicator Settings
Customize the indicator to match your trading preferences.
| Setting | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Start Time (ET) | 09:30 | When the IB calculation begins |
| End Time (ET) | 09:35 | When the IB range is finalized |
| Extend Lines Until (ET) | 16:00 | Lines stop drawing after this time |
| IB Color | Tan | Color for all IB lines and extensions |
| Show 100% Levels | On | Toggle 100% extension lines |
| Show 150% Levels | Off | Toggle 150% extension lines |
| Show 200% Levels | On | Toggle 200% extension lines |
| Show 300% Levels | On | Toggle 300% extension lines |
| Show 400% Levels | On | Toggle 400% extension lines |
| Show 500% Levels | On | Toggle 500% extension lines |
When the IB calculation begins
When the IB range is finalized
Lines stop drawing after this time
Color for all IB lines and extensions
Toggle 100% extension lines
Toggle 150% extension lines
Toggle 200% extension lines
Toggle 300% extension lines
Toggle 400% extension lines
Toggle 500% extension lines
What Users Say
Trusted by futures traders worldwide
Saves me so much time every morning. Used to draw these by hand—now I just open my chart and boom, levels are already there.
Those first 5 minutes are everything for my strategy. This does exactly what it says—marks the range and gives you extensions. Simple and it just works.
Perfect for opening range breakouts. Extension levels give me profit targets and that midpoint is clutch for finding re-entries.
I run this with volume profile. When the IB levels match up with high volume areas, those become my go-to support and resistance for the whole day.
Super reliable. Been using it on RTY for 6 months now and it's part of my morning routine. Timezone stuff works perfect every time.
Best 49 bucks I've spent on a trading tool. Does one thing and does it perfectly. No BS, no repainting, just clean levels that help you plan the day.
NinjaTrader Indicator Pricing & Packages
Choose the option that works best for your trading needs. All purchases include free lifetime updates and personal support from a fellow trader.
Single Indicator
Focus on one powerful tool that gives you a precise edge in identifying trading setups.
$49 /one-time
- 1 Indicator
- Lifetime updates
- Email support
Traders Complete Bundle
Complete suite of professional trading tools for serious futures traders. Get all current indicators plus every new indicator released in the future.
$299 /one-time $980
- 5 Core Indicators
- Initial Balance (IB), Intraday Key Levels, Inverse Fair Value Gap (iFVG), Opening Range Breakout (ORB), Overnight Sessions
- All Advanced Indicators
- Delta Profile, Dynamic Standard Deviations, Profit Forecast, Relative Volume (RVOL), Session-Anchored-VWAP
- All future indicators
- Lifetime updates
- Priority email support
Traders Starter Bundle
$149 /one-time $245
- 5 Core indicators
- Initial Balance (IB), Intraday Key Levels, Inverse Fair Value Gap (iFVG), Opening Range Breakout (ORB), Overnight Sessions
- Lifetime updates
- Priority email support
Common Questions
- The Initial Balance (IB) is the price range established during the first period of trading after the market opens. Traders define this differently—some use the first 5 minutes (9:30-9:35 AM ET), others prefer the first 30 minutes, or even the first hour. The indicator is fully configurable so you can set it to match your specific setup. The high and low of your chosen period create reference levels that many traders watch throughout the session.
- Yes. You can set any start and end time in the indicator settings. Some traders use 5 minutes (9:30-9:35), others use 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or even the first hour. The indicator calculates the high/low and extensions based on whatever time window you configure.
- Extensions are calculated as multiples of the IB range. For example, if the IB range is 10 points (IB High at 5000, IB Low at 4990), then the 100% extension above would be 5000 + 10 = 5010, and the 100% extension below would be 4990 - 10 = 4980. The 200% extension would add 20 points, and so on.
- The indicator works on any instrument in NinjaTrader 8—futures, stocks, forex, or crypto. It's most commonly used on index futures (ES, NQ, YM, RTY) where the regular trading hours open at 9:30 AM ET creates a natural reference point.
- Both indicators track opening ranges, but they serve different purposes. The Initial Balance indicator focuses on the first 5 minutes and calculates percentage-based extension levels (100%, 200%, etc.). The AM-ORB indicator tracks a longer opening range (typically 30-60 minutes) and draws a box with a midline. Some traders use both—IB for early momentum and ORB for broader context.
Start Every Session with Structure
The Initial Balance gives you objective levels from the moment the market opens. No more manually drawing lines or guessing where to look.
One-time purchase · Lifetime updates · Instant access
Futures and forex trading contains substantial risk and is not for every investor. An investor could potentially lose all or more than the initial investment. Risk capital is money that can be lost without jeopardizing ones' financial security or life style. Only risk capital should be used for trading and only those with sufficient risk capital should consider trading. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.
Testimonials appearing on this website may not be representative of other clients or customers and is not a guarantee of future performance or success.
Hypothetical performance results have many inherent limitations, some of which are described below. No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve profits or losses similar to those shown; in fact, there are frequently sharp differences between hypothetical performance results and the actual results subsequently achieved by any particular trading program. One of the limitations of hypothetical performance results is that they are generally prepared with the benefit of hindsight. In addition, hypothetical trading does not involve financial risk, and no hypothetical trading record can completely account for the impact of financial risk of actual trading. For example, the ability to withstand losses or to adhere to a particular trading program in spite of trading losses are material points which can also adversely affect actual trading results. There are numerous other factors related to the markets in general or to the implementation of any specific trading program which cannot be fully accounted for in the preparation of hypothetical performance results and all which can adversely affect trading results.