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Momentum Breakout Strategy

This breakout system looks for sudden surges in momentum relative to its historical average. When momentum readings exceed the average by a large margin, price may be starting a fast directional move.

Testing indicates an average annual return of about 82%. It performs best in the stocks market.

The strategy buys when momentum rises above the average plus Multiplier times its standard deviation. A short is initiated when momentum falls below the average minus the same multiplier. Positions are closed once momentum returns toward its mean.

Traders who enjoy fast moves may appreciate the clear rules for capturing bursts of strength. A stop-loss based on percentage of price protects against failed breakouts.

Details

  • Entry Criteria:
    • Long: Momentum > Avg + Multiplier * StdDev
    • Short: Momentum < Avg - Multiplier * StdDev
  • Long/Short: Both sides.
  • Exit Criteria:
    • Long: Exit when Momentum < Avg
    • Short: Exit when Momentum > Avg
  • Stops: Yes, percent stop-loss.
  • Default Values:
    • MomentumPeriod = 14
    • AveragePeriod = 20
    • Multiplier = 2
    • StopLossPercent = 2
    • CandleType = TimeSpan.FromMinutes(5) Avg and StdDev are the average and the standard deviation of the last AveragePeriod momentum values, the current one included. The stop is a fixed StopLossPercent of the entry price, watched between candles as well; 0 disables it. An entry signal against an open position reverses it.
  • Filters:
    • Category: Breakout
    • Direction: Both
    • Indicators: Momentum
    • Stops: Yes
    • Complexity: Intermediate
    • Timeframe: Intraday
    • Seasonality: No
    • Neural networks: No
    • Divergence: No
    • Risk Level: Medium
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;

using Ecng.Common;

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

namespace StockSharp.Samples.Strategies;

/// <summary>
/// Momentum Breakout strategy.
/// The bands lie Multiplier standard deviations around the average of the last AveragePeriod momentum values, the current one included.
/// momentum above the upper band goes long and momentum below the lower band goes short,
/// reversing an opposite position. A long closes once momentum is back below its average and a short once it is back above it, and a percent stop limits the loss.
/// </summary>
public class MomentumBreakoutStrategy : Strategy
{
	private readonly StrategyParam<int> _momentumPeriod;
	private readonly StrategyParam<int> _averagePeriod;
	private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _multiplier;
	private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _stopLossPercent;
	private readonly StrategyParam<DataType> _candleType;

	private readonly Queue<decimal> _values = [];

	/// <summary>
	/// Period of momentum.
	/// </summary>
	public int MomentumPeriod
	{
		get => _momentumPeriod.Value;
		set => _momentumPeriod.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Values of momentum the average and the standard deviation span.
	/// </summary>
	public int AveragePeriod
	{
		get => _averagePeriod.Value;
		set => _averagePeriod.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Standard deviations between the average and a band.
	/// </summary>
	public decimal Multiplier
	{
		get => _multiplier.Value;
		set => _multiplier.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Stop loss percentage from entry price.
	/// </summary>
	public decimal StopLossPercent
	{
		get => _stopLossPercent.Value;
		set => _stopLossPercent.Value = value;
	}

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

	/// <summary>
	/// Constructor.
	/// </summary>
	public MomentumBreakoutStrategy()
	{
		_momentumPeriod = Param(nameof(MomentumPeriod), 14)
			.SetGreaterThanZero()
			.SetDisplay("Momentum Period", "Period of momentum", "Indicators");

		_averagePeriod = Param(nameof(AveragePeriod), 20)
			.SetGreaterThanZero()
			.SetDisplay("Average Period", "Values of momentum the average and the standard deviation span", "Indicators");

		_multiplier = Param(nameof(Multiplier), 2m)
			.SetGreaterThanZero()
			.SetDisplay("Multiplier", "Standard deviations between the average and a band", "Indicators");

		_stopLossPercent = Param(nameof(StopLossPercent), 2m)
			.SetNotNegative()
			.SetDisplay("Stop Loss %", "Stop loss percentage from entry price", "Risk");

		_candleType = Param(nameof(CandleType), TimeSpan.FromMinutes(5).TimeFrame())
			.SetDisplay("Candle Type", "Type of candles to use", "General");
	}

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

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

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

		_values.Clear();

		var momentum = new Momentum { Length = MomentumPeriod };

		var subscription = SubscribeCandles(CandleType);
		subscription
			.BindEx(momentum, ProcessCandle)
			.Start();

		StartProtection(new Unit(), new Unit(StopLossPercent, UnitTypes.Percent), useMarketOrders: true, isLocalStop: true);

		// The stop has to see prices between candles, not only at their close.
		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 area = CreateChartArea();
		if (area != null)
		{
			DrawCandles(area, subscription);
			DrawOwnTrades(area);

			var oscillators = CreateChartArea();
			if (oscillators != null)
			{
				DrawIndicator(oscillators, momentum);
			}
		}
	}

	private void ObserveProtectionQuote(Level1ChangeMessage quote)
	{
		// The high-level handler activates native protection before this callback, also between signal bars.
	}

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

		if (!momentumValue.IsFormed)
			return;

		var value = momentumValue.GetValue<decimal>();

		_values.Enqueue(value);

		if (_values.Count > AveragePeriod)
			_values.Dequeue();

		if (_values.Count < AveragePeriod)
			return;

		if (!IsFormedAndOnlineAndAllowTrading())
			return;

		var mean = _values.Average();
		var deviation = (decimal)Math.Sqrt((double)_values.Average(v => (v - mean) * (v - mean)));
		var upper = mean + Multiplier * deviation;
		var lower = mean - Multiplier * deviation;

		if (value > upper && Position <= 0)
			BuyMarket(Volume + Math.Abs(Position));
		else if (value < lower && Position >= 0)
			SellMarket(Volume + Math.Abs(Position));
		else if (Position > 0 && value < mean)
			SellMarket(Position);
		else if (Position < 0 && value > mean)
			BuyMarket(-Position);
	}
}