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ICT Power of Three (AMD) Explained

Power of Three, often shortened to AMD, describes Accumulation, Manipulation and Distribution. ICT traders use the model to organize ideas about how price may behave around a range or session.

Educational note: ICT is a trading framework. Examples on this page are educational and do not guarantee a trading outcome. Test any rules before risking capital.

Accumulation

Accumulation is commonly used to describe a period where price develops within a range before a larger move. It is an interpretation, not direct evidence of who is accumulating orders.

Manipulation

Manipulation refers to a move beyond a visible high or low interpreted as a false break or liquidity event. Not every breakout is a manipulation phase.

Distribution

Distribution is the directional phase some AMD interpretations expect after the range and liquidity event. Markets can remain range-bound or behave differently.

How to study AMD

Define the range, reference high/low, sweep rule and directional confirmation. Backtest the complete sequence rather than labeling it after the outcome.

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