Stock Gap Scanner: Gap from Previous Close
Find opening stock gaps with ChartsWatcher. Screen the dollar or percentage difference between the previous close and today’s open, then add volume.
Understand the metric
What is Gap from close?
Gap from close measures the difference between yesterday’s closing price and today’s opening price. ChartsWatcher offers dollar and percentage versions. The reference pair describes the opening gap itself, unlike change from close, which uses the current price and can keep changing after the open. This distinction matters when a stock subsequently fills or extends its gap.
An illustrative example
Gap from close in practice
A previous close of $50 and an opening price of $53 create a $3 gap, or 6%. If the current price later falls to $51, the original opening gap remains $3 while current change from close is only $1. The filters answer different questions.
Make it part of your workflow
A more deliberate stock screen.
Build a ChartsWatcher opening-gap list, then add change from open to review what happened after the gap appeared. Combine volume and news context with the linked chart to distinguish the opening price discontinuity from the direction and participation of the regular-session move.
ChartsWatcher lets you combine this filter with other criteria in a toplist and rank the results by the columns you care about. Keep the shortlist beside charts, stock news, and watchlists in your own layout.
Explore the screener / toplistBefore you build
A little more detail.
How do I add Gap from close in ChartsWatcher?
Open or create a toplist and add Gap from close to its filter configuration. Choose the available options and the bounds that fit your screen. Combine it with other metrics to narrow the results. Filters can also refine which stocks qualify for an alert.
What should I check when interpreting this filter?
The opening gap does not describe the current distance from yesterday’s close. A stock can reverse, fill the gap or move farther after opening.
From an idea to your own scan.
Use Gap from close with the other conditions that define your setup. Keep matching stocks, charts, and news together, with a configuration you can refine as you go.