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Keltner Channel Reversal Strategy

Volatility-based channels can highlight overextended moves. This method fades price when it pushes outside the Keltner Channel, anticipating a snap back toward the middle line. It uses an exponential moving average and ATR to size the channel width.

Testing indicates an average annual return of about 106%. It performs best in the stocks market.

As each candle completes, the strategy checks whether the close is beyond the upper or lower band and whether the candle direction agrees. Bullish candles closing below the lower band spark long entries, while bearish candles above the upper band prompt shorts. Positions exit once price crosses the middle band or when the ATR-based stop is reached.

By trading in the opposite direction of short‑term extremes, the system seeks quick mean reversion moves within a broader range.

Details

  • Entry Criteria: Close outside Keltner Channel in the direction of the candle.
  • Long/Short: Both.
  • Exit Criteria: Price crossing middle band or stop-loss.
  • Stops: Yes, ATR based.
  • Default Values:
    • EmaPeriod = 20
    • AtrPeriod = 14
    • AtrMultiplier = 2.0
    • StopLossAtrMultiplier = 2.0
    • CandleType = 5 minute
  • Filters:
    • Category: Mean Reversion
    • Direction: Both
    • Indicators: Keltner Channel
    • Stops: Yes
    • Complexity: Basic
    • Timeframe: Intraday
    • Seasonality: No
    • Neural networks: No
    • Divergence: No
    • Risk level: Medium
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;

using Ecng.Common;

using StockSharp.Algo.Indicators;
using StockSharp.Algo.Strategies;
using StockSharp.BusinessEntities;
using StockSharp.Messages;

namespace StockSharp.Samples.Strategies;

/// <summary>
/// Fades a directional outside close against separately configured EMA/ATR bands.
/// Exits at the EMA or native actual-fill protection with frozen signal ATR distance.
/// </summary>
public class KeltnerChannelReversalStrategy : Strategy
{
	private readonly StrategyParam<int> _emaPeriod;
	private readonly StrategyParam<int> _atrPeriod;
	private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _atrMultiplier;
	private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _stopLossAtrMultiplier;
	private readonly StrategyParam<DataType> _candleType;
	private Order _pendingOrder;
	private Unit _stopDistance;
	private bool _protectionStarted;

	public int EmaPeriod { get => _emaPeriod.Value; set => _emaPeriod.Value = value; }
	public int AtrPeriod { get => _atrPeriod.Value; set => _atrPeriod.Value = value; }
	public decimal AtrMultiplier { get => _atrMultiplier.Value; set => _atrMultiplier.Value = value; }
	public decimal StopLossAtrMultiplier { get => _stopLossAtrMultiplier.Value; set => _stopLossAtrMultiplier.Value = value; }
	public DataType CandleType { get => _candleType.Value; set => _candleType.Value = value; }

	public KeltnerChannelReversalStrategy()
	{
		_emaPeriod = Param(nameof(EmaPeriod), 20).SetGreaterThanZero()
			.SetDisplay("EMA Period", "Close EMA length for middle band", "Indicators");
		_atrPeriod = Param(nameof(AtrPeriod), 14).SetGreaterThanZero()
			.SetDisplay("ATR Period", "Wilder ATR length for channel width and stop", "Indicators");
		_atrMultiplier = Param(nameof(AtrMultiplier), 2m).SetNotNegative()
			.SetDisplay("ATR Multiplier", "ATR multiple for channel width", "Indicators");
		_stopLossAtrMultiplier = Param(nameof(StopLossAtrMultiplier), 2m).SetNotNegative()
			.SetDisplay("Stop ATR Multiplier", "Frozen entry ATR distance; zero disables the stop", "Protection");
		_candleType = Param(nameof(CandleType), TimeSpan.FromMinutes(5).TimeFrame())
			.SetDisplay("Candle Type", "Keltner and stop candle timeframe", "General");
		OrderRegistering += order => _pendingOrder = order;
	}

	public override IEnumerable<(Security sec, DataType dt)> GetWorkingSecurities()
		=> [(Security, CandleType), (Security, DataType.Level1)];

	protected override void OnReseted()
	{
		base.OnReseted();
		_pendingOrder = null;
		_stopDistance = null;
		_protectionStarted = false;
	}

	protected override void OnStarted2(DateTime time)
	{
		base.OnStarted2(time);
		_pendingOrder = null;
		_stopDistance = null;
		_protectionStarted = false;
		var ema = new ExponentialMovingAverage { Length = EmaPeriod };
		var atr = new AverageTrueRange { Length = AtrPeriod };
		foreach (var field in new[] { Level1Fields.BestBidPrice, Level1Fields.BestAskPrice })
		{
			var quotes = new Subscription(DataType.Level1, Security);
			quotes.MarketData.BuildField = field;
			SubscribeLevel1(quotes).Bind(ObserveProtectionQuote).Start();
		}
		var candles = SubscribeCandles(CandleType);
		candles.BindEx(ema, atr, ProcessCandle, false).Start();
		var area = CreateChartArea();
		if (area != null)
		{
			DrawCandles(area, candles);
			DrawIndicator(area, ema);
			DrawIndicator(area, atr);
			DrawOwnTrades(area);
		}
	}

	private void ObserveProtectionQuote(Level1ChangeMessage quote)
	{
		// Native protection evaluates executable quotes between finished signal candles.
	}

	private void ProcessCandle(ICandleMessage candle, IIndicatorValue emaValue, IIndicatorValue atrValue)
	{
		if (candle.State != CandleStates.Finished || !emaValue.IsFormed ||
			!atrValue.IsFormed || !IsFormedAndOnlineAndAllowTrading())
			return;
		if (_pendingOrder is not null && _pendingOrder.State is not (OrderStates.Done or OrderStates.Failed))
			return;
		var middle = emaValue.GetValue<decimal>();
		var atr = atrValue.GetValue<decimal>();
		var lower = middle - atr * AtrMultiplier;
		var upper = middle + atr * AtrMultiplier;
		var close = candle.ClosePrice;
		if (Position > 0m && close >= middle)
			SellMarket(Position);
		else if (Position < 0m && close <= middle)
			BuyMarket(Math.Abs(Position));
		else if (Position == 0m && close < lower && close > candle.OpenPrice)
			Enter(Sides.Buy, atr);
		else if (Position == 0m && close > upper && close < candle.OpenPrice)
			Enter(Sides.Sell, atr);
	}

	private void Enter(Sides side, decimal atr)
	{
		var distance = atr * StopLossAtrMultiplier;
		_stopDistance ??= new Unit(distance);
		_stopDistance.Value = distance;
		if (!_protectionStarted && distance > 0m)
		{
			StartProtection(new Unit(), _stopDistance, useMarketOrders: true, isLocalStop: true);
			_protectionStarted = true;
		}
		RegisterOrder(new Order
		{
			Security = Security,
			Portfolio = Portfolio,
			Type = OrderTypes.Market,
			Side = side,
			Volume = Volume,
			Comment = "Keltner reversal entry",
		});
	}
}