The Thinkorswim Premarket Gap Scanner is a powerful tool designed to help traders identify potential opportunities in the market before the trading day begins. This advanced scanner, provided by the TD Ameritrade thinkorswim trading platform, leverages historical data to pinpoint stocks that have significant price gaps between their last trading day's close and the current premarket session. By utilizing this tool effectively, traders can gain a competitive edge and make informed decisions.

Gapping in the stock market refers to a significant price movement in a stock's price, either up or down, from the previous day's close. This can occur due to various factors such as earnings reports, news events, or even rumors. The Premarket Gap Scanner helps traders capitalize on these gaps by providing a list of stocks that have experienced substantial price movements before the market opens.

Understanding Premarket Gaps
Before delving into the Thinkorswim Premarket Gap Scanner, it's crucial to understand the concept of premarket gaps. Premarket gaps occur when a stock's price moves significantly during the premarket session, which takes place between 4:00 AM and 9:30 AM ET. These gaps can present unique trading opportunities, as they often indicate strong buying or selling pressure.

Premarket gaps can be further categorized into two types: up gaps and down gaps. Up gaps occur when a stock's price increases significantly from the previous day's close, indicating strong buying interest. Conversely, down gaps occur when a stock's price decreases significantly, suggesting strong selling pressure. Both types of gaps can present trading opportunities, depending on the trader's strategy and market conditions.
Identifying Up Gaps

Up gaps occur when a stock's price opens significantly higher than the previous day's close. These gaps can be caused by positive news events, such as strong earnings reports or favorable analyst ratings. Traders can use the Premarket Gap Scanner to identify up gaps and capitalize on the increased demand for these stocks. By entering long positions in up-gapping stocks, traders can potentially profit from the continued upward momentum.
However, it's essential to exercise caution when trading up gaps. While these stocks may have strong short-term momentum, they can also be subject to profit-taking or reversal if the underlying fundamentals do not support the price increase. Therefore, it's crucial to conduct thorough research and analysis before entering any trade based on an up gap.
Identifying Down Gaps

Down gaps occur when a stock's price opens significantly lower than the previous day's close. These gaps can be caused by negative news events, such as poor earnings reports or regulatory issues. Traders can use the Premarket Gap Scanner to identify down gaps and capitalize on the increased selling pressure. By entering short positions in down-gapping stocks, traders can potentially profit from the continued downward momentum.
Similar to up gaps, it's essential to exercise caution when trading down gaps. While these stocks may have strong short-term selling pressure, they can also experience a reversal if the underlying fundamentals improve or the negative news is addressed. Therefore, it's crucial to conduct thorough research and analysis before entering any trade based on a down gap.
The Thinkorswim Premarket Gap Scanner in Action

The Thinkorswim Premarket Gap Scanner is designed to help traders quickly identify stocks with significant premarket gaps. The scanner provides a list of stocks that meet the user's specified criteria, such as the size of the gap, the volume of trading activity, and the direction of the gap (up or down). By customizing the scanner's settings, traders can tailor their search to their specific trading strategies and risk tolerance.
Once the scanner has generated a list of potential stocks, traders can further analyze each candidate using the thinkorswim platform's advanced tools. These tools include charting features, technical indicators, and news feeds, allowing traders to make informed decisions about whether to enter a trade based on the premarket gap.




















Customizing the Scanner
To make the most of the Thinkorswim Premarket Gap Scanner, traders can customize its settings to fit their specific trading needs. Some of the customization options include:
- Gap Size: Set the minimum percentage or point size of the gap required for a stock to appear in the results.
- Volume: Filter stocks based on the volume of trading activity, ensuring that only stocks with significant interest appear in the results.
- Gap Direction: Choose to scan for up gaps, down gaps, or both, depending on the trader's strategy.
- Exchanges: Limit the scanner to specific exchanges, such as the NASDAQ or NYSE, to focus on particular sectors or markets.
By customizing these settings, traders can refine their search and focus on stocks that align with their specific trading goals and risk tolerance.
Integrating the Scanner into a Trading Strategy
The Thinkorswim Premarket Gap Scanner is a powerful tool that can be integrated into various trading strategies. Some traders may use the scanner as a starting point for their research, identifying potential stocks to analyze further using other tools and indicators. Others may use the scanner to generate watchlists or trading ideas, allowing them to monitor and act on stocks that meet their specified criteria.
Regardless of the specific trading strategy, it's essential to remember that the Premarket Gap Scanner is just one tool in a trader's toolbox. While it can help identify potential opportunities, it's crucial to conduct thorough research and analysis before entering any trade. By combining the scanner's results with other technical and fundamental indicators, traders can make more informed decisions and improve their overall trading performance.
Incorporating the Thinkorswim Premarket Gap Scanner into a trading strategy can provide traders with a valuable edge in the market. By leveraging the scanner's advanced features and customization options, traders can quickly identify stocks with significant premarket gaps and capitalize on these opportunities. However, it's essential to remember that no tool can guarantee success in the market. By combining the scanner's results with thorough research and analysis, traders can improve their chances of success and build a more robust and profitable trading strategy.