A 'poor high' is a market profile high formed by only 1-2 single prints, indicating the upper extreme was not auction-accepted. These unfinished highs typically get revisited and sold, making them short targets on return.
- Identify recent daily high formed with minimal time-at-price (thin profile at top)
- Price returns to the poor high level (can be days or weeks later)
- Bearish rejection at level: wick, small body, or outright bearish close
- Enter short on bearish confirmation candle
- Stop: above the poor high (tight. It shouldn't be exceeded meaningfully)
- Target: value area low of that session, or 3R
A poor high reveals unfinished business. The auction wasn't satisfied at that level because no two-way trade occurred. Markets have a strong tendency to return to and clean up unfinished auctions. The wider the poor high (more subsequent rejection), the stronger the short signal.