Quarterly Theory Indicator (ICT) — Session Zones & Smart Signals

The Quarterly Theory Indicator brings the ICT (Inner Circle Trader) session cycle framework directly onto your cTrader chart. Based on the concept that each 24-hour trading day is divided into four distinct 6-hour phases, the indicator automatically identifies and visualizes:

• Q1 – Accumulation (18:00–00:00 NY): Smart money positions quietly
• Q2 – Manipulation (00:00–06:00 NY): False moves & stop hunts
• Q3 – Expansion (06:00–12:00 NY): The real directional move
• Q4 – Distribution (12:00–18:00 NY): Profit-taking & reversals

Key Features

Session Zone Backgrounds Each quarter is shaded with a fully customizable color background and labeled directly on the chart. Colors, opacity, and border thickness are all adjustable. Zones update dynamically on scroll and zoom.

4 Smart Entry Signals

• Q2 Stop-Hunt — detects sweeps of Q1 highs/lows that close back inside, signaling a trap reversal
• Q3 Expansion Entry — fires when price breaks out of the Q2 range, marking the true directional move
• Q3 Pullback Entry — identifies retests of the expansion breakout level for lower-risk entrie
• Q4 Distribution — alerts when price crosses back through the expansion level during the distribution phase

Each signal is drawn as a directional arrow (↑↓) directly on the chart bar where the condition is met.

Built-in Alerts When running on a live bar, the indicator plays a sound and displays an on-screen message for any fired signal — no manual watching required.

Performance Control A configurable Days to Show parameter (1–60 days) limits how far back zones and signals are drawn, keeping RAM usage low even on high-frequency timeframes.

NY Session Alignment Supports both EST (UTC−5) and EDT (UTC−4) offsets, ensuring accurate zone boundaries regardless of your broker's server time.