What are ICT Macro Times – Best Method to Trade Them
ICT Macro times are basically short intervals of time during which the algorithm seeks liquidity or reprices the fair value gaps. Foundation of these ICT Macros lies on ICT time and price theory.
A macro is “A short order of instructions that creates an event in price delivery” as said by the ICT himself.
ICT macros are not the complete trading strategies but they can add confluence to your trading while maximizing your gains. They happen in London session, New-York AM session, New-York lunch hour and New-York PM session.
This article will let you know all about the ICT macro times and their trading with the examples.
What are ICT Macro Times?
A macro is “A short order of instructions that creates an event in price delivery” as said by the ICT himself. ICT Macro times are basically short intervals of time during which the algorithm seeks liquidity or reprices the fair value gap. As mentioned earlier they are based on ICT time and price theory.
You can use ICT macros to enhance your trading strategy and gain better results because these add confluence to your trading strategy.
In his 2024 Mentorship ICT mentioned that “ICT macro happens in every single hour containing last 10 minutes of closing hour and first 10 minutes of opening hour” with few exceptions mentioned in this blog.
Michael Huddleston also mentioned in his 2024 Mentorship that “Last hour has four macros” which means an ICT Macro occur after every 15 minutes in the last hour. ICT macros were initially introduced by the Michael Huddleston back in the year 2023 and this is how they look like in the chart.
How ICT Macros Work?
As we discussed earlier during the ICT macro times the algorithm either seeks liquidity (sell side or buy side) or it may look to balance the imbalance (fair value gap) in price.
Your trading setup may form before the ICT macro time but the ICT macros can add volatility in the price resulting into a quick move to hunt the liquidity.
Sometimes a trading setup may form during the ICT macro times and can hit the target during this time too.
So before opening of any ICT macro you have to mark the imbalance and draw on liquidity above and below the current market price.
You don’t need a potential bias but the direction of price for that specific time period to trade ICT macros.
You can find the direction by using some of the tips given below.
(I) If price has taken the sell side liquidity then you can expect price to move up to take buy side liquidity or balance any imbalance of price left above.
(II) If price has taken the buy side liquidity then you can expect price to move down to take sell side liquidity or balance any imbalance of price left below.
After having a clear direction of market you can wait for an ICT Macro opening and initiate a trade.
You can also use the ICT macros in conjunction with other ICT trading strategies like the ICT 2022 Trading Model or ICT silver bullet to maximize your profits. A real ICT macro time example is given below.
In the picture above you can see the US30 15-Minutes chart before the 09:50 AM Macro and price has already taken the buy side liquidity.
Now it is US30 05-Minutes chart and you can see that after 09:50 AM session ICT Macro, price shifted its structure to the sell side.
• So the buy side has been taken and price is looking for sell-side liquidity.
• After the ICT Market Structure Shift price traded back to the ICT Fair Value Gap.
• A sell trade has been executed at the Mean Threshold of fair value gap with stop loss above the FVG candle’s high.
• For Take profit we targeted the relative equal lows and price almost grabbed the low, delivering 40 handles with 1:3 risk reward ratio
ICT Macro Times EST & GMT
Below we have tabulated macro times in both EST & GMT time frame so you do not have confusion in what ever time zone you are.
ICT Macros EST Time GMT Time
London Macro 02:33 AM to 03:00 AM 06:33 AM – 07:00 AM
London Macro 04:03 AM to 04:30 AM 08:03 AM – 08:30 AM
New-York AM Maco 08:50 AM to 09:10 AM 12:50 PM – 01:10 PM
New-York AM Maco 009:50 AM to 10:10 AM 01:50 PM – 02:10 PM
New-York AM Maco 10:50 AM to 11:10 AM 02:50 PM – 03:10 PM
New York Lunch Macro 11:50 AM to 12:10 PM 03:50 PM – 04:10 PM
New York PM Macro 01:10 PM to 01:40 PM 05:10 PM – 05:40 PM
New York Last Hour Macro 03:15 PM to 03:45 PM 07:15 PM – 07:45 PM
Types of Liquidity for ICT Macros
(I) Previous day high/low draw on liquidity.
(II) Previous session high/low draw on liquidity.
(III) Established High/Low on 15 Minutes chart.
(IV) Previous week high/low draw on liquidity.
(V) Return to current/old week opening gap.
(VI) Expansion away from current/old week opening gap.
(VII) Relative Equal Highs or Lows.
Best Time Frame for ICT Macros
As the ICT macros involves a short interval of time to trade, so primarily the lower timeframes are ideal to trade using ICT macros.
You can use 15-Minute time frame to find the direction and spot the liquidity or imbalance in price.
While to execute a trade you should use lower timeframes like 5-Minute 3-Minute or 1- Minute.
Best Pair for ICT Macros
The ICT Macro strategy was initially developed and tested on indices such as NASDAQ (NQ Futures) and E-mini (S&P 500), which proved to be the most effective trading instruments for this approach.
However over time, traders began applying the ICT Macro strategy to the forex and metals markets, yielding outstanding results.
Today, the ICT Macro strategy has demonstrated its efficacy across major forex pairs like GBP/USD and EUR/USD, as well as on precious metals like XAU/USD, showcasing its versatility and reliability in diverse trading environments.
Best ICT Macro Time to Trade
New York AM macro can be the best macro time to trade because of the New-York session volatility and its overlapping with the London session. Along with this most of the news release during this time.
If you are trading the stocks futures or Indexes, then the 09:50 to 10:10 NY-AM macro can be the ideal for you because the New-York stock market is open during this time.
ICT Macro Times Indicator
You can add the ICT Macros [LuxAlgo] indicator on your charts in Trading View .
You just need to go to the indicators tab in trading view and search ICT Macros.
You will see the ICT Macros [LuxAlgo] indicator on the 1st or 2nd position. To apply the indicator, just click on it & it will get activated.
It is important to mention here that it only works on 05-minutes or lower timeframes.
You can also go to the indicator setting to personalize it according to your choice.
FAQs about ICT Macro Times
Here are some brief answers to frequently asked questions about ICT Macro Times.
What are ICT Macro Times?
ICT Macro Times are specific intervals during which the algorithm seeks liquidity or reprices the fair value gap, based on ICT’s time and price theory.
How do ICT Macros work?
ICT Macros create events in price delivery by seeking liquidity or balancing price imbalances during designated time periods. Why should I incorporate
ICT Macros into my trading strategy?
Incorporating ICT Macros can enhance your trading strategy by adding confluence and improving the potential for profitable trades.
When do ICT Macros occur?
ICT Macros typically occur during the London session, New York AM session, New York lunch hour and New York PM session.
What is a macro in trading terms?
A macro is described by ICT as a “short order of instructions that creates an event in price delivery.
What types of liquidity should I look for during ICT Macros?
Look for previous day highs/lows, established highs/lows on charts and relative equal highs/lows as liquidity draws.
What time frame is best for trading ICT Macros?
Lower time frames, particularly 1-minute to 15-minute charts, are ideal for spotting liquidity and executing trades during ICT Macros.
Which trading pairs work best with ICT Macros?
The ICT Macro strategy is effective with major forex pairs like GBP/USD and EUR/USD & for precious metals like XAU/USD.
What are the best times to trade ICT Macros?
New York AM macros are generally considered the best time due to high volatility and overlapping trading sessions.
Can I trade stocks using ICT Macros?
Yes, ICT Macros can be applied to stock futures and indices, particularly during the New York AM session. How can I identify
ICT Macro times on my trading chart?
You can use the ICT Macros [LuxAlgo] indicator on Trading View to identify these times and visualize macro events.
What is the role of liquidity in ICT Macros?
Liquidity is essential during ICT Macros as it indicates where price may move, allowing traders to capitalize on potential market shifts. How many
ICT Macros occur in the last hour of trading?
According to ICT, there are four macros that occur during the last hour, with an event happening every 15 minutes.
Can ICT Macros be used with other trading strategies?
Yes, ICT Macros can be effectively combined with other ICT trading strategies, such as the ICT 2022 Model or the
ICT Silver Bullet. Is there a specific indicator for ICT Macros?
Yes, the ICT Macros [LuxAlgo] indicator can be found on Trading View and is suitable for use on 5-minute or lower time frames.
Are there any exceptions to ICT Macro timings?
Yes, while ICT Macros generally occur within specified time frames, there may be exceptions as mentioned in ICT’s mentorship materials.
What is the importance of the last 10 minutes of trading?
The last 10 minutes of closing and the first 10 minutes of opening hours are critical, as they often experience heightened volatility and liquidity changes.
What can impact the effectiveness of ICT Macros?
Market conditions, economic news releases and trader sentiment can impact the effectiveness of ICT Macros.
Can beginners effectively trade using ICT Macros?
Yes, beginners can benefit from understanding and using ICT Macros, especially when combined with other foundational trading strategies.
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