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Smart Money Technique Divergence (SMT) definition
When correlated assets (e.g. NQ and ES) fail to make matching highs or lows, signaling hidden strength or weakness.
This page is the short definition. For rules, worked NQ examples and invalidation, read the full SMT Divergence guide.
What it means in ICT
SMT divergence reveals where one index is absorbing liquidity differently from its peer. The diverging asset often leads the reversal.
NQ example
If ES makes a new daily high but NQ fails to follow, bearish SMT suggests NQ may lead the reversal lower.
Related guides
Practice Smart Money Technique Divergence in replay
Load a historical NQ session and watch for smart money technique divergence bar-by-bar, with ICT overlays drawn automatically.
Data & methodology
All NQ and MNQ examples use Databento GLBX.MDP3 1-minute OHLCV candles for continuous front-month E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures, aggregated to higher timeframes (5m, 15m, 1h, 4h, 1D, 1W) so every bar agrees across timeframes. Sessions cover the full CME Globex day, 18:00–17:00 ET. ICT overlays are drawn algorithmically from the same price data used in the replay trainer.