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N-Candles Sequence Strategy

Overview

The N-Candles Sequence strategy replicates the behaviour of the original MetaTrader expert "N-_Candles_v7" using the StockSharp high-level API. It monitors finished candles and looks for a configurable number of consecutive bullish or bearish bodies. When a qualifying streak is present, the strategy opens a position in the same direction and manages it with configurable take profit, stop loss, trailing stop, trading hours filter, and floating profit lock.

Trading Logic

  • Evaluate each finished candle and classify it as bullish, bearish, or neutral (doji). Neutral candles reset the streak counter and can trigger the "black sheep" behaviour.
  • Maintain a running count of consecutive candles with the same body direction. Once the count reaches the configured threshold, the current direction becomes the active pattern.
  • When a bullish streak is active the strategy attempts to open a long position; when a bearish streak is active it attempts to open a short position. Only one net position is held at a time.
  • If a candle breaks the uniform direction ("black sheep"), the strategy reacts according to the selected closing mode: close everything, close only opposite positions, or close only positions aligned with the previous streak.
  • Optionally restrict entries to a trading window defined by start and end hours (inclusive).
  • Continuously monitor the open position for take profit, stop loss, trailing stop updates, and the floating profit threshold.

Position and Risk Management

  • The initial protective stop and target are calculated from pip distances converted with the instrument price step. These levels are recalculated each time a new position is opened.
  • Trailing stop logic mimics the original expert: once price travels by the trailing distance plus step, the stop is moved to maintain the trailing distance.
  • A floating profit guard (MinProfit) closes the entire position once the open profit exceeds the configured value.
  • The MaxPositionVolume parameter prevents entries if the requested volume is above the allowed limit. MaxPositions works as a guard against re-entry when a position is already active.
  • All exits call market orders to flatten the net position because the StockSharp strategy operates in a netting environment.

Parameters

Name Description
ConsecutiveCandles Number of candles with identical direction required to trigger a signal.
OrderVolume Market order volume used for entries and exits.
TakeProfitPips Take profit distance expressed in pips. Set to zero to disable.
StopLossPips Stop loss distance expressed in pips. Set to zero to disable.
TrailingStopPips Trailing stop distance. Set to zero to disable trailing.
TrailingStepPips Additional distance required before the trailing stop is moved.
MaxPositions Maximum number of simultaneous entries per pattern (the strategy keeps a single net position).
MaxPositionVolume Upper bound for the allowed net volume.
UseTradeHours / StartHour / EndHour Enable and configure the trading time window (inclusive).
MinProfit Floating profit threshold that triggers a full exit.
ClosingBehavior Defines how to react when a "black sheep" candle appears.
CandleType The candle series used for calculations.

Notes and Assumptions

  • The strategy operates with net positions; hedging-style multiple tickets are not created. This differs from the original expert where several hedged positions could coexist.
  • Floating profit is approximated as (current price - entry price) * volume for long positions and the inverse for short positions.
  • The pip conversion relies on the instrument PriceStep. For symbols where the minimal step is not provided, a default 0.0001 pip is assumed.
  • No Python port is provided, as requested.
using System;
using System.Linq;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using Ecng.Common;
using Ecng.Collections;
using Ecng.Serialization;
using StockSharp.Algo.Indicators;
using StockSharp.Algo.Strategies;
using StockSharp.BusinessEntities;
using StockSharp.Messages;

namespace StockSharp.Samples.Strategies;



/// <summary>
/// Strategy that searches for N identical candles in a row and trades in the direction of the streak.
/// Implements optional take profit, stop loss, trailing stop, trading hours filter and profit lock.
/// </summary>
public class NCandlesSequenceStreakStrategy : Strategy
{
	private readonly StrategyParam<int> _consecutiveCandles;
	private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _orderVolume;
	private readonly StrategyParam<int> _takeProfitPips;
	private readonly StrategyParam<int> _stopLossPips;
	private readonly StrategyParam<int> _trailingStopPips;
	private readonly StrategyParam<int> _trailingStepPips;
	private readonly StrategyParam<int> _maxPositions;
	private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _maxPositionVolume;
	private readonly StrategyParam<bool> _useTradeHours;
	private readonly StrategyParam<int> _startHour;
	private readonly StrategyParam<int> _endHour;
	private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _minProfit;
	private readonly StrategyParam<ClosingModes> _closingBehavior;
	private readonly StrategyParam<DataType> _candleType;

	private int _streakCount;
	private int _lastDirection;
	private int _patternDirection;
	private int _entriesInDirection;
	private bool _blackSheepTriggered;
	private bool _hasPosition;
	private decimal _entryPrice;
	private decimal _pipSize;
	private decimal? _longStop;
	private decimal? _longTake;
	private decimal? _shortStop;
	private decimal? _shortTake;

	/// <summary>
	/// Defines how positions are closed when a "black sheep" candle appears.
	/// </summary>
	public enum ClosingModes
	{
		/// <summary>Close every open position.</summary>
		All,

		/// <summary>Close positions opposite to the previously detected streak.</summary>
		Opposite,

		/// <summary>Close positions that follow the previously detected streak.</summary>
		SameDirection
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Initializes a new instance of the <see cref="NCandlesSequenceStreakStrategy"/> class.
	/// </summary>
	public NCandlesSequenceStreakStrategy()
	{
		_consecutiveCandles = Param(nameof(ConsecutiveCandles), 4)
		.SetGreaterThanZero()
		.SetDisplay("Consecutive Candles", "Number of candles with identical direction", "Pattern")
		
		.SetOptimize(2, 10, 1);

		_orderVolume = Param(nameof(OrderVolume), 0.01m)
		.SetGreaterThanZero()
		.SetDisplay("Order Volume", "Volume used for market orders", "Risk");

		_takeProfitPips = Param(nameof(TakeProfitPips), 50)
		.SetGreaterThanZero()
		.SetDisplay("Take Profit (pips)", "Distance for the take profit target", "Risk")
		
		.SetOptimize(10, 200, 10);

		_stopLossPips = Param(nameof(StopLossPips), 50)
		.SetGreaterThanZero()
		.SetDisplay("Stop Loss (pips)", "Distance for the protective stop", "Risk")
		
		.SetOptimize(10, 200, 10);

		_trailingStopPips = Param(nameof(TrailingStopPips), 10)
		.SetDisplay("Trailing Stop (pips)", "Distance used when trailing is active", "Risk");

		_trailingStepPips = Param(nameof(TrailingStepPips), 4)
		.SetDisplay("Trailing Step (pips)", "Additional distance before moving the trailing stop", "Risk");

		_maxPositions = Param(nameof(MaxPositions), 2)
		.SetGreaterThanZero()
		.SetDisplay("Max Positions", "Maximum number of sequential entries in the same direction", "Risk");

		_maxPositionVolume = Param(nameof(MaxPositionVolume), 2m)
		.SetGreaterThanZero()
		.SetDisplay("Max Position Volume", "Maximum volume allowed for an open position", "Risk");

		_useTradeHours = Param(nameof(UseTradeHours), false)
		.SetDisplay("Use Trade Hours", "Enable intraday trading window", "Timing");

		_startHour = Param(nameof(StartHour), 11)
		.SetDisplay("Start Hour", "First trading hour (0-23)", "Timing");

		_endHour = Param(nameof(EndHour), 18)
		.SetDisplay("End Hour", "Last trading hour (0-23)", "Timing");

		_minProfit = Param(nameof(MinProfit), 3m)
		.SetDisplay("Min Profit", "Close positions when floating profit exceeds this value", "Risk")
		
		.SetOptimize(1m, 20m, 1m);

		_closingBehavior = Param(nameof(ClosingBehavior), ClosingModes.All)
		.SetDisplay("Black Sheep Closing", "Reaction when the streak is broken", "Pattern");

		_candleType = Param(nameof(CandleType), TimeSpan.FromHours(4).TimeFrame())
		.SetDisplay("Candle Type", "Type of candles to analyze", "General");
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Required number of candles with the same direction.
	/// </summary>
	public int ConsecutiveCandles
	{
		get => _consecutiveCandles.Value;
		set => _consecutiveCandles.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Volume for market orders.
	/// </summary>
	public decimal OrderVolume
	{
		get => _orderVolume.Value;
		set => _orderVolume.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Take profit distance expressed in pips.
	/// </summary>
	public int TakeProfitPips
	{
		get => _takeProfitPips.Value;
		set => _takeProfitPips.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Stop loss distance expressed in pips.
	/// </summary>
	public int StopLossPips
	{
		get => _stopLossPips.Value;
		set => _stopLossPips.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Trailing stop distance in pips.
	/// </summary>
	public int TrailingStopPips
	{
		get => _trailingStopPips.Value;
		set => _trailingStopPips.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Additional step before the trailing stop is moved.
	/// </summary>
	public int TrailingStepPips
	{
		get => _trailingStepPips.Value;
		set => _trailingStepPips.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Maximum number of consecutive entries in the same direction.
	/// </summary>
	public int MaxPositions
	{
		get => _maxPositions.Value;
		set => _maxPositions.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Maximum allowed volume for an open position.
	/// </summary>
	public decimal MaxPositionVolume
	{
		get => _maxPositionVolume.Value;
		set => _maxPositionVolume.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Enables the trading hours filter.
	/// </summary>
	public bool UseTradeHours
	{
		get => _useTradeHours.Value;
		set => _useTradeHours.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// First trading hour (inclusive).
	/// </summary>
	public int StartHour
	{
		get => _startHour.Value;
		set => _startHour.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Last trading hour (inclusive).
	/// </summary>
	public int EndHour
	{
		get => _endHour.Value;
		set => _endHour.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Minimum floating profit that forces the strategy to close all positions.
	/// </summary>
	public decimal MinProfit
	{
		get => _minProfit.Value;
		set => _minProfit.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// How to handle positions when the streak is broken.
	/// </summary>
	public ClosingModes ClosingBehavior
	{
		get => _closingBehavior.Value;
		set => _closingBehavior.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Candle type used for calculations.
	/// </summary>
	public DataType CandleType
	{
		get => _candleType.Value;
		set => _candleType.Value = value;
	}

	/// <inheritdoc />
	public override IEnumerable<(Security sec, DataType dt)> GetWorkingSecurities()
	{
		return [(Security, CandleType)];
	}

	/// <inheritdoc />
	protected override void OnReseted()
	{
		base.OnReseted();
		ResetState();
	}

	private void ResetState()
	{
		_streakCount = 0;
		_lastDirection = 0;
		_patternDirection = 0;
		_entriesInDirection = 0;
		_blackSheepTriggered = false;
		_hasPosition = false;
		_entryPrice = 0m;
		_pipSize = 0m;
		_longStop = null;
		_longTake = null;
		_shortStop = null;
		_shortTake = null;
	}

	/// <inheritdoc />
	protected override void OnStarted2(DateTime time)
	{
		base.OnStarted2(time);

		if (UseTradeHours && StartHour >= EndHour)
		throw new InvalidOperationException("Start hour must be less than end hour when the trading window is enabled.");

		_pipSize = CalculatePipSize();

		var subscription = SubscribeCandles(CandleType);
		subscription.Bind(ProcessCandle).Start();
	}

	private void ProcessCandle(ICandleMessage candle)
	{
		if (candle.State != CandleStates.Finished)
		return;

		// no indicators to check formation

		UpdateTrailingStops(candle);
		ManageFloatingProfit(candle);

		var direction = GetCandleDirection(candle);

		if (direction == 0)
		{
			HandlePatternBreak();
			_lastDirection = 0;
			_streakCount = 0;
			return;
		}

		if (_lastDirection == direction)
		{
			_streakCount++;
		}
		else
		{
			if (_lastDirection != 0)
			HandlePatternBreak();

			_lastDirection = direction;
			_streakCount = 1;
		}

		if (_streakCount >= ConsecutiveCandles)
		{
			if (_patternDirection != direction)
			{
				_patternDirection = direction;
				_entriesInDirection = 0;
				_blackSheepTriggered = false;
			}

			if (direction > 0)
			TryEnterLong(candle);
			else
			TryEnterShort(candle);
		}

		ManageExits(candle);
	}

	private void ManageFloatingProfit(ICandleMessage candle)
	{
		if (MinProfit <= 0m || Position == 0m || !_hasPosition)
		return;

		var floating = CalculateOpenProfit(candle.ClosePrice);
		if (floating >= MinProfit)
		ClosePosition();
	}

	private void TryEnterLong(ICandleMessage candle)
	{
		if (OrderVolume <= 0m || OrderVolume > MaxPositionVolume)
		return;

		if (_entriesInDirection >= MaxPositions)
		return;

		if (UseTradeHours && !IsWithinTradeHours(candle.CloseTime))
		return;

		if (Position < 0m)
		{
			BuyMarket(Math.Abs(Position));
			ResetPositionState();
			return;
		}

		if (Position != 0m)
		return;

		BuyMarket(OrderVolume);
		InitializeLongState(candle.ClosePrice);
	}

	private void TryEnterShort(ICandleMessage candle)
	{
		if (OrderVolume <= 0m || OrderVolume > MaxPositionVolume)
		return;

		if (_entriesInDirection >= MaxPositions)
		return;

		if (UseTradeHours && !IsWithinTradeHours(candle.CloseTime))
		return;

		if (Position > 0m)
		{
			SellMarket(Position);
			ResetPositionState();
			return;
		}

		if (Position != 0m)
		return;

		SellMarket(OrderVolume);
		InitializeShortState(candle.ClosePrice);
	}

	private void InitializeLongState(decimal entryPrice)
	{
		_hasPosition = true;
		_entryPrice = entryPrice;
		_entriesInDirection = 1;
		_blackSheepTriggered = false;

		var stopDistance = StopLossPips > 0 ? ToPrice(StopLossPips) : (decimal?)null;
		var takeDistance = TakeProfitPips > 0 ? ToPrice(TakeProfitPips) : (decimal?)null;

		_longStop = stopDistance.HasValue ? entryPrice - stopDistance : null;
		_longTake = takeDistance.HasValue ? entryPrice + takeDistance : null;
		_shortStop = null;
		_shortTake = null;
	}

	private void InitializeShortState(decimal entryPrice)
	{
		_hasPosition = true;
		_entryPrice = entryPrice;
		_entriesInDirection = 1;
		_blackSheepTriggered = false;

		var stopDistance = StopLossPips > 0 ? ToPrice(StopLossPips) : (decimal?)null;
		var takeDistance = TakeProfitPips > 0 ? ToPrice(TakeProfitPips) : (decimal?)null;

		_shortStop = stopDistance.HasValue ? entryPrice + stopDistance : null;
		_shortTake = takeDistance.HasValue ? entryPrice - takeDistance : null;
		_longStop = null;
		_longTake = null;
	}

	private void ManageExits(ICandleMessage candle)
	{
		if (!_hasPosition)
		return;

		if (Position > 0m)
		{
			if (_longStop.HasValue && candle.LowPrice <= _longStop.Value)
			{
				SellMarket(Position);
				ResetPositionState();
				return;
			}

			if (_longTake.HasValue && candle.HighPrice >= _longTake.Value)
			{
				SellMarket(Position);
				ResetPositionState();
				return;
			}
		}
		else if (Position < 0m)
		{
			if (_shortStop.HasValue && candle.HighPrice >= _shortStop.Value)
			{
				BuyMarket(Math.Abs(Position));
				ResetPositionState();
				return;
			}

			if (_shortTake.HasValue && candle.LowPrice <= _shortTake.Value)
			{
				BuyMarket(Math.Abs(Position));
				ResetPositionState();
				return;
			}
		}
	}

	private void UpdateTrailingStops(ICandleMessage candle)
	{
		if (!_hasPosition || TrailingStopPips <= 0 || _pipSize <= 0m)
		return;

		var distance = ToPrice(TrailingStopPips);
		var step = TrailingStepPips > 0 ? ToPrice(TrailingStepPips) : 0m;

		if (Position > 0m)
		{
			var threshold = candle.ClosePrice - (distance + step);
			if (candle.ClosePrice - _entryPrice > distance + step && (!_longStop.HasValue || _longStop.Value < threshold))
			_longStop = candle.ClosePrice - distance;
		}
		else if (Position < 0m)
		{
			var threshold = candle.ClosePrice + (distance + step);
			if (_entryPrice - candle.ClosePrice > distance + step && (!_shortStop.HasValue || _shortStop.Value > threshold))
			_shortStop = candle.ClosePrice + distance;
		}
	}

	private void HandlePatternBreak()
	{
		if (_patternDirection == 0 || _blackSheepTriggered)
		return;

		switch (ClosingBehavior)
		{
			case ClosingModes.All:
			ClosePosition();
			break;

			case ClosingModes.Opposite:
			if (_patternDirection > 0 && Position < 0m)
			ClosePosition();
			else if (_patternDirection < 0 && Position > 0m)
			ClosePosition();
			break;

			case ClosingModes.SameDirection:
			if (_patternDirection > 0 && Position > 0m)
			ClosePosition();
			else if (_patternDirection < 0 && Position < 0m)
			ClosePosition();
			break;
		}

		_blackSheepTriggered = true;
		_entriesInDirection = 0;
		_patternDirection = 0;
	}

	private void ClosePosition()
	{
		if (Position > 0m)
		SellMarket(Position);
		else if (Position < 0m)
		BuyMarket(Math.Abs(Position));

		ResetPositionState();
	}

	private void ResetPositionState()
	{
		_hasPosition = Position != 0m;
		_entriesInDirection = _hasPosition ? 1 : 0;

		if (!_hasPosition)
		{
			_entryPrice = 0m;
			_longStop = null;
			_longTake = null;
			_shortStop = null;
			_shortTake = null;
		}
	}

	private decimal CalculateOpenProfit(decimal currentPrice)
	{
		if (!_hasPosition || Position == 0m)
		return 0m;

		var volume = Math.Abs(Position);
		return Position > 0m ? (currentPrice - _entryPrice) * volume : (_entryPrice - currentPrice) * volume;
	}

	private static int GetCandleDirection(ICandleMessage candle)
	{
		if (candle.OpenPrice < candle.ClosePrice)
		return 1;

		if (candle.OpenPrice > candle.ClosePrice)
		return -1;

		return 0;
	}

	private bool IsWithinTradeHours(DateTimeOffset time)
	{
		var hour = time.Hour;
		return hour >= StartHour && hour <= EndHour;
	}

	private decimal ToPrice(int pips)
	{
		return pips * _pipSize;
	}

	private decimal CalculatePipSize()
	{
		var step = Security?.PriceStep ?? 0m;
		if (step <= 0m)
		return 0.0001m;

		var decimals = CountDecimals(step);
		return decimals == 3 || decimals == 5 ? step * 10m : step;
	}

	private static int CountDecimals(decimal value)
	{
		value = Math.Abs(value);
		var decimals = 0;

		while (value != Math.Truncate(value) && decimals < 10)
		{
			value *= 10m;
			decimals++;
		}

		return decimals;
	}
}