PD array in gold trading
A PD array is any ICT reference zone where gold may react, such as an order block, fair value gap or old high, ranked by whether it sits in premium or discount.
Also called Premium/discount array, PD arrays, ICT PD array matrix
A PD array (premium/discount array) is ICT’s umbrella term for the reference points price may react to: old highs and lows, order blocks, breaker blocks, fair value gaps, liquidity voids, rejection blocks and others. Arrays above the midpoint of a dealing range are in premium; those below are in discount. The ICT “PD array matrix” ranks them in order.
How it applies to gold trading
The concept turns a cluttered chart into a short list. On a bullish day, a trader looks for discount arrays, such as a bullish order block or fair value gap below equilibrium, as entry zones, and premium arrays above as targets. On a bearish day the logic flips. The best setups often have several arrays overlapping, for example a fair value gap inside an order block at the OTE retracement.
The difficulty is that gold charts contain arrays everywhere on every timeframe. Choosing the dealing range and the timeframe first narrows the list to the few that matter.
Worked example
Example (hypothetical numbers): the 4-hour dealing range is 3,950 to 4,050, equilibrium 4,000. With bullish bias, the discount arrays are a bullish order block at 3,975 to 3,982 and a fair value gap at 3,985 to 3,990. Gold retraces to 3,987, inside the gap and above the order block. A trader buys at 3,988 with a stop below the order block at 3,972.
A common mistake
Buying premium arrays in a bullish market because they look like support. In ICT logic, longs belong in discount.
See also: Premium and discount, Dealing range, Order block, Fair value gap.
Frequently asked questions
What does PD array mean in ICT?
Premium/discount array, any reference zone such as an order block, fair value gap or old high or low, classified by whether it sits above or below equilibrium.
Which PD array is strongest?
ICT ranks them in a matrix, but in practice overlaps of several arrays with higher-timeframe bias tend to give the clearest setups.
How do I decide premium or discount?
Draw the dealing range from swing low to swing high. Above 50% is premium, below 50% is discount.