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Trading the Levels › RSI › Levels › Initial balance

RSI Initial Balance (First-Hour High and Low)

Updated Nov 6, 2026, 2:54 AM ET · Initial balance = 9:30–10:30 AM ET
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On Nov 5 RSI's initial balance (first hour) was $11.88 – $12.51, a range of $0.63. The first 5-minute close outside it came at 12:10 PM ET, below the range.
Best for: intradayHold: same dayPrice $11.88 · 15-min delayed
IB high12.51
IB low11.88
IB range$0.63
Price (15-min delayed)11.88

RSI 5-minute chart, Nov 5: initial balance

FIRST HOUR 9:30–10:3011.711.811.91212.112.212.312.412.510a12p2p12.51IB high 12.5111.88IB low 11.8811.89
- - - IB high- - - IB lowShaded = first hour

Where RSI sits in its zone

The delayed price $11.88 is at the middle of its daily zone ($11.39 – $12.23).

11.39 · bottom 25%middletop 25% · 12.23
  • Setups to watch: direction is undecided in the middle. Wait for price to reach one edge, then decide between reversal and breakout.
  • Prior move: RSI moved up from $11.39 (the last daily swing) to $11.88, about 0.5 ATR. The move is not stretched yet.
  • Reversal check: a hammer or bullish engulfing candle near $11.39.
  • Reversal check: a shooting star or bearish engulfing candle near $12.23.
  • Latest daily candle (Nov 5): Evening Star (bearish).
  • Breakout check: RVOL above normal on the break (last day's RVOL: 1.0× on Nov 5).
  • Zone tests: price pushed above the zone top 0 times and fell back, and dipped below the bottom and recovered 0 times. Each test can weaken a zone.
  • Distance: 0.45 ATR to the zone bottom, 0.32 ATR to the zone top (ATR ≈ 1.08).

Why initial balance matters

The initial balance is the range set in the first hour, when the most orders hit the market. How the rest of the day treats it tells traders whether it is a range day (price stays inside) or a trend day (price extends far outside).

How traders use it

  • A break and hold above the IB high is read as a trend day up; below the IB low, down.
  • A narrow initial balance often leads to a bigger move later in the day.
  • A break that fails and returns inside often rotates to the other side of the range.

What happened over the last 10 sessions

  • RSI traded above its initial balance on 2 of 10 days and below it on 8; both sides on 0.
  • The average IB range was $0.74.
  • Gap: RSI opened Nov 5 at $12.39, a gap up of 0.3% from $12.35; the gap was filled.
  • Round numbers nearby: $11.00, $12.00, $13.00.

Combined conditions

  • The 30-minute opening range ($11.88–$12.51) sits inside the first hour. VWAP $11.90.
  • The delayed price is at the middle of the daily zone: wait for an edge.
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How to trade around RSI's initial balance levels

1. IB breakoutA 5-minute close above $12.51 after 10:30 AM with RVOL above normal is read as a trend day up; back inside cancels it.
2. IB breakdownA close under $11.88 with volume is the breakdown signal; a quick reclaim is a failed break that often rotates to the IB high.

For more setups and trading strategies, click here →

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RSI initial balance: last 10 sessions

DateIB highIB lowRangeDay went above?Day went below?
Nov 512.5111.88$0.63NoYes
Nov 412.9012.46$0.44NoYes
Nov 312.3111.75$0.56YesNo
Nov 212.2211.50$0.72NoYes
Oct 3013.3612.18$1.18NoYes
Oct 2915.1313.57$1.56NoYes
Oct 2815.9115.29$0.63NoYes
Oct 2716.3215.88$0.44NoYes
Oct 2616.3015.57$0.73YesNo
Oct 2316.5416.04$0.49NoYes

FAQ

What is RSI's initial balance today?

On Nov 5: high $12.51, low $11.88 (9:30–10:30 AM ET).

On SEPT: the initial balance draws on your chart at 10:30 AM automatically. Try it free →
What is the initial balance in trading?

The high and low of the first hour of regular trading, 9:30 to 10:30 AM ET.

On SEPT: combine the IB with VWAP and zones in one setup alert. Try it free →
How often does RSI break its initial balance?

In the last 10 sessions it went above the IB on 2 days and below it on 8 days.

On SEPT: test IB breakout odds on years of real data. Try it free →
What is the difference between the opening range and the initial balance?

The opening range is the first 5, 15 or 30 minutes; the initial balance is the full first hour.

On SEPT: both draw on the chart, so you can compare them live. Try it free →
What does a narrow initial balance mean?

Often a quiet first hour that leads to a bigger move later, as orders build up.

On SEPT: screen for stocks with a narrow IB and rising RVOL. Try it free →
What are the odds RSI trends beyond its IB?

Odds depend on the IB width, the gap, the trend and RVOL.

On SEPT: test the odds and find the conditions that improve them. Try it free →
Where is RSI in its zone now?

At the middle of the daily zone ($11.39 – $12.23), based on the delayed price.

On SEPT: see RSI's zone position live and let GOAX alert you at the zone edge. Try it free →

Data: SEPT market data engine. Delayed data; real-time levels are on the SEPT platform. Times in Eastern Time. Educational information only, not investment advice. No odds or win rates are shown on this page.