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ATR Slope Breakout

The ATR Slope Breakout strategy watches the rate of change of the ATR. An unusually steep slope hints that a new trend is forming.

Testing indicates an average annual return of about 148%. It performs best in the forex market.

Entries occur when slope exceeds its typical level by a multiple of standard deviation, taking trades in the direction of acceleration with a protective stop.

It appeals to active traders eager for early trend exposure. Positions exit when the slope drifts back toward normal readings. Default AtrPeriod = 14.

Details

  • Entry Criteria: Indicator exceeds average by deviation multiplier.
  • Long/Short: Both directions.
  • Exit Criteria: Indicator reverts to average.
  • Stops: Yes.
  • Default Values:
    • AtrPeriod = 14
    • SlopePeriod = 20
    • BreakoutMultiplier = 2.0m
    • StopLossAtrMultiplier = 2.0m
    • CandleType = TimeSpan.FromMinutes(5)
  • Filters:
    • Category: Breakout
    • Direction: Both
    • Indicators: ATR
    • Stops: Yes
    • Complexity: Intermediate
    • Timeframe: Short-term
    • 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>
/// Strategy based on ATR slope breakout with EMA direction filter.
/// Opens positions when ATR slope deviates from its recent average and price confirms the direction relative to EMA.
/// </summary>
public class AtrSlopeBreakoutStrategy : Strategy
{
	private readonly StrategyParam<int> _atrPeriod;
	private readonly StrategyParam<int> _emaPeriod;
	private readonly StrategyParam<int> _slopePeriod;
	private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _breakoutMultiplier;
	private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _stopLossPercent;
	private readonly StrategyParam<DataType> _candleType;
	private readonly StrategyParam<int> _cooldownBars;

	private AverageTrueRange _atr;
	private ExponentialMovingAverage _ema;
	private decimal _prevAtrValue;
	private decimal _currentSlope;
	private decimal _avgSlope;
	private decimal _stdDevSlope;
	private decimal[] _slopes;
	private int _currentIndex;
	private int _filledCount;
	private int _cooldown;
	private bool _isInitialized;

	/// <summary>
	/// ATR period.
	/// </summary>
	public int AtrPeriod
	{
		get => _atrPeriod.Value;
		set => _atrPeriod.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// EMA period.
	/// </summary>
	public int EmaPeriod
	{
		get => _emaPeriod.Value;
		set => _emaPeriod.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Lookback period for slope statistics calculation.
	/// </summary>
	public int SlopePeriod
	{
		get => _slopePeriod.Value;
		set => _slopePeriod.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Standard deviation multiplier for breakout detection.
	/// </summary>
	public decimal BreakoutMultiplier
	{
		get => _breakoutMultiplier.Value;
		set => _breakoutMultiplier.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Stop loss percentage.
	/// </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>
	/// Cooldown bars between orders.
	/// </summary>
	public int CooldownBars
	{
		get => _cooldownBars.Value;
		set => _cooldownBars.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Initializes a new instance of <see cref="AtrSlopeBreakoutStrategy"/>.
	/// </summary>
	public AtrSlopeBreakoutStrategy()
	{
		_atrPeriod = Param(nameof(AtrPeriod), 14)
			.SetGreaterThanZero()
			.SetDisplay("ATR Period", "Period for ATR calculation", "Indicator Parameters");

		_emaPeriod = Param(nameof(EmaPeriod), 20)
			.SetGreaterThanZero()
			.SetDisplay("EMA Period", "Period for EMA direction filter", "Indicator Parameters");

		_slopePeriod = Param(nameof(SlopePeriod), 20)
			.SetGreaterThanZero()
			.SetDisplay("Slope Period", "Period for slope statistics calculation", "Strategy Parameters");

		_breakoutMultiplier = Param(nameof(BreakoutMultiplier), 2m)
			.SetGreaterThanZero()
			.SetDisplay("Breakout Multiplier", "Standard deviation multiplier for breakout detection", "Strategy Parameters");

		_stopLossPercent = Param(nameof(StopLossPercent), 2m)
			.SetGreaterThanZero()
			.SetDisplay("Stop Loss %", "Stop loss percentage", "Risk Management");

		_cooldownBars = Param(nameof(CooldownBars), 1200)
			.SetRange(1, 5000)
			.SetDisplay("Cooldown Bars", "Bars to wait between orders", "Risk Management");

		_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();
		_atr = null;
		_ema = null;
		_prevAtrValue = default;
		_currentSlope = default;
		_avgSlope = default;
		_stdDevSlope = default;
		_currentIndex = default;
		_filledCount = default;
		_cooldown = default;
		_isInitialized = default;
		_slopes = new decimal[SlopePeriod];
	}

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

		_atr = new AverageTrueRange { Length = AtrPeriod };
		_ema = new ExponentialMovingAverage { Length = EmaPeriod };
		_slopes = new decimal[SlopePeriod];
		_cooldown = 0;

		var subscription = SubscribeCandles(CandleType);
		subscription
			.Bind(_atr, _ema, ProcessCandle)
			.Start();

		var area = CreateChartArea();
		if (area != null)
		{
			DrawCandles(area, subscription);
			DrawIndicator(area, _ema);
			DrawIndicator(area, _atr);
			DrawOwnTrades(area);
		}

		StartProtection(new(), new Unit(StopLossPercent, UnitTypes.Percent));
	}

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

		if (!_atr.IsFormed || !_ema.IsFormed)
			return;

		if (!_isInitialized)
		{
			_prevAtrValue = atrValue;
			_isInitialized = true;
			return;
		}

		_currentSlope = atrValue - _prevAtrValue;
		_prevAtrValue = atrValue;

		_slopes[_currentIndex] = _currentSlope;
		_currentIndex = (_currentIndex + 1) % SlopePeriod;

		if (_filledCount < SlopePeriod)
			_filledCount++;

		if (_filledCount < SlopePeriod)
			return;

		CalculateStatistics();

		if (!IsFormedAndOnlineAndAllowTrading())
			return;

		if (_stdDevSlope <= 0)
			return;

		if (_cooldown > 0)
		{
			_cooldown--;
			return;
		}

		var upperThreshold = _avgSlope + BreakoutMultiplier * _stdDevSlope;
		var closePrice = candle.ClosePrice;
		var priceAboveEma = closePrice > emaValue;
		var priceBelowEma = closePrice < emaValue;

		if (Position == 0)
		{
			if (_currentSlope > upperThreshold && priceAboveEma)
			{
				BuyMarket();
				_cooldown = CooldownBars;
			}
			else if (_currentSlope > upperThreshold && priceBelowEma)
			{
				SellMarket();
				_cooldown = CooldownBars;
			}
		}
		else if (Position > 0)
		{
			if (_currentSlope <= _avgSlope || priceBelowEma)
			{
				SellMarket(Math.Abs(Position));
				_cooldown = CooldownBars;
			}
		}
		else if (Position < 0)
		{
			if (_currentSlope <= _avgSlope || priceAboveEma)
			{
				BuyMarket(Math.Abs(Position));
				_cooldown = CooldownBars;
			}
		}
	}

	private void CalculateStatistics()
	{
		_avgSlope = 0;
		var sumSquaredDiffs = 0m;

		for (var i = 0; i < SlopePeriod; i++)
			_avgSlope += _slopes[i];

		_avgSlope /= SlopePeriod;

		for (var i = 0; i < SlopePeriod; i++)
		{
			var diff = _slopes[i] - _avgSlope;
			sumSquaredDiffs += diff * diff;
		}

		_stdDevSlope = (decimal)Math.Sqrt((double)(sumSquaredDiffs / SlopePeriod));
	}
}