mmm, a couple of points.
imo the actual open/close is only important where it relates to a legitimate trading period which I'd define as the opening and closing of dealing books (mainly daily). Some importance on the close at the end of recognised accounting periods (weekly, monthly, yearly) but manipulation here?
On the other hand it seems important to know which way prices are moving whatever the time frame is used (eg: I like to buy when the price is moving up through my entry point and not down to it ) and candlesticks do it for me.
People often talk about keeping track of the wider time frame perspective and I find melding candlesticks quite a good way of seeing how prices are moving over the longer term. eg: I'm mainly eod so my primary chart is daily candlesticks but I can alter it to 2 day, 3 day, 4 day etc easily without dashing to another chart. Do you guys have that facility on the intraday periods?
good trading
jon