English EN
View on GitHub

Up3x1 Investor Strategy

The Up3x1 Investor strategy ports the classic MetaTrader expert advisor that reacts to strong expansion candles. It watches the latest completed bar on the configured timeframe and opens a new position on the following bar if the previous range and body were wide enough in the direction of the close.

The strategy is designed for discretionary markets such as forex majors on the H1 chart, but the thresholds can be tuned for other symbols. Only one position is kept at a time and every order uses the strategy Volume property as the trade size.

Trading Logic

  • Signal Source – completed time-frame candles from CandleType (default: 1 hour).
  • Entry Conditions
    • Compute the high–low range and absolute candle body of the previous bar.
    • Enter long if the candle closed above the open and both the range and body exceed their respective pip thresholds.
    • Enter short if the candle closed below the open and both the range and body exceed the thresholds.
    • Ignore new entries while any position is open.
  • Position Management
    • Optional stop-loss and take-profit levels are converted from pips to price units using Security.PriceStep.
    • A trailing stop activates once price advances by TrailingStopPips + TrailingStepPips from the entry.
    • The trailing stop only moves if the new level is at least TrailingStepPips closer to price than the previous trailing level.
    • The strategy exits a position when price touches the stop-loss, take-profit, or trailing stop levels.

Parameters

Parameter Description
CandleType Data type of the candles used for signals (default: 1-hour time frame).
RangeThresholdPips Minimum high–low distance of the previous candle, expressed in pips.
BodyThresholdPips Minimum open–close distance of the previous candle, expressed in pips.
StopLossPips Stop-loss distance in pips. Set to 0 to disable.
TakeProfitPips Take-profit distance in pips. Set to 0 to disable.
TrailingStopPips Distance maintained behind price when trailing. Set to 0 to disable trailing.
TrailingStepPips Additional move in pips required before the trailing stop is tightened.

Note: Pip thresholds are multiplied by Security.PriceStep. Ensure the symbol has a valid PriceStep so that pip conversions reflect your instrument correctly.

Usage Notes

  1. Assign the target Security and trading connector before starting the strategy.
  2. Adjust the pip thresholds to reflect the volatility of your market. Forex pairs with 5-digit quotes typically use 10 pips = 0.0010.
  3. Set the strategy Volume to the desired order size. Position sizing logic from the original EA is intentionally simplified to keep the StockSharp version transparent.
  4. Because signals are evaluated on closed candles, entries are sent immediately after confirmation of the expansion candle.
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>
/// Range breakout strategy based on the Up3x1 Investor expert advisor.
/// </summary>
public class Up3x1InvestorStrategy : Strategy
{
	private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _rangeThresholdPips;
	private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _bodyThresholdPips;
	private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _stopLossPips;
	private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _takeProfitPips;
	private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _trailingStopPips;
	private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _trailingStepPips;
	private readonly StrategyParam<DataType> _candleType;

	private decimal _prevOpen;
	private decimal _prevClose;
	private decimal _prevHigh;
	private decimal _prevLow;
	private bool _hasPreviousCandle;
	private decimal? _entryPrice;
	private decimal _highestPrice;
	private decimal _lowestPrice;
	private decimal? _trailingStopPrice;

	public decimal RangeThresholdPips { get => _rangeThresholdPips.Value; set => _rangeThresholdPips.Value = value; }
	public decimal BodyThresholdPips { get => _bodyThresholdPips.Value; set => _bodyThresholdPips.Value = value; }
	public decimal StopLossPips { get => _stopLossPips.Value; set => _stopLossPips.Value = value; }
	public decimal TakeProfitPips { get => _takeProfitPips.Value; set => _takeProfitPips.Value = value; }
	public decimal TrailingStopPips { get => _trailingStopPips.Value; set => _trailingStopPips.Value = value; }
	public decimal TrailingStepPips { get => _trailingStepPips.Value; set => _trailingStepPips.Value = value; }
	public DataType CandleType { get => _candleType.Value; set => _candleType.Value = value; }

	public Up3x1InvestorStrategy()
	{
		_rangeThresholdPips = Param(nameof(RangeThresholdPips), 2m)
			.SetDisplay("Range Threshold (pips)", "Minimum previous candle range in pips", "Signals");

		_bodyThresholdPips = Param(nameof(BodyThresholdPips), 1m)
			.SetDisplay("Body Threshold (pips)", "Minimum previous candle body in pips", "Signals");

		_stopLossPips = Param(nameof(StopLossPips), 5m)
			.SetDisplay("Stop Loss (pips)", "Distance of protective stop in pips", "Risk");

		_takeProfitPips = Param(nameof(TakeProfitPips), 5m)
			.SetDisplay("Take Profit (pips)", "Distance of profit target in pips", "Risk");

		_trailingStopPips = Param(nameof(TrailingStopPips), 3m)
			.SetDisplay("Trailing Stop (pips)", "Distance kept behind price when trailing", "Risk");

		_trailingStepPips = Param(nameof(TrailingStepPips), 5m)
			.SetDisplay("Trailing Step (pips)", "Increment required to move trailing stop", "Risk");

		_candleType = Param(nameof(CandleType), TimeSpan.FromHours(4).TimeFrame())
			.SetDisplay("Candle Type", "Primary timeframe for signals", "General");
	}

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

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

		_prevOpen = 0m;
		_prevClose = 0m;
		_prevHigh = 0m;
		_prevLow = 0m;
		_hasPreviousCandle = false;
		ResetPositionTracking();
	}

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

		// Subscribe to the configured timeframe and process finished candles.
		var subscription = SubscribeCandles(CandleType);
		subscription
			.Bind(ProcessCandle)
			.Start();
	}

	private void ProcessCandle(ICandleMessage candle)
	{
		// Work only with fully formed candles to keep logic aligned with the original EA.
		if (candle.State != CandleStates.Finished)
			return;

		// If position was closed externally, reset tracking.
		if (Position == 0 && _entryPrice != null)
			ResetPositionTracking();

		var pipSize = GetPipSize();
		var stopLossDistance = StopLossPips > 0 ? StopLossPips * pipSize : 0m;
		var takeProfitDistance = TakeProfitPips > 0 ? TakeProfitPips * pipSize : 0m;
		var trailingStopDistance = TrailingStopPips > 0 ? TrailingStopPips * pipSize : 0m;
		var trailingStepDistance = TrailingStepPips > 0 ? TrailingStepPips * pipSize : 0m;

		// Manage existing trades before searching for a new signal.
		if (Position != 0 && _entryPrice != null)
		{
			if (ManageOpenPosition(candle, stopLossDistance, takeProfitDistance, trailingStopDistance, trailingStepDistance))
			{
				_prevOpen = candle.OpenPrice;
				_prevClose = candle.ClosePrice;
				_prevHigh = candle.HighPrice;
				_prevLow = candle.LowPrice;
				_hasPreviousCandle = true;
				return;
			}
		}

		// no indicators bound, skip IsFormedAndOnlineAndAllowTrading

		if (Position != 0)
		{
			_prevOpen = candle.OpenPrice;
			_prevClose = candle.ClosePrice;
			_prevHigh = candle.HighPrice;
			_prevLow = candle.LowPrice;
			_hasPreviousCandle = true;
			return;
		}

		var refOpen = _hasPreviousCandle ? _prevOpen : candle.OpenPrice;
		var refClose = _hasPreviousCandle ? _prevClose : candle.ClosePrice;
		var refHigh = _hasPreviousCandle ? _prevHigh : candle.HighPrice;
		var refLow = _hasPreviousCandle ? _prevLow : candle.LowPrice;

		var range = refHigh - refLow;
		var body = Math.Abs(refClose - refOpen);
		var rangeThreshold = RangeThresholdPips * pipSize;
		var bodyThreshold = BodyThresholdPips * pipSize;

		// Bullish setup: strong bullish candle with large range and body.
		if (range > rangeThreshold && body > bodyThreshold && refClose > refOpen)
		{
			BuyMarket();
			InitializePositionTracking(candle.ClosePrice);
		}
		// Bearish setup: strong bearish candle with large range and body.
		else if (range > rangeThreshold && body > bodyThreshold && refClose < refOpen)
		{
			SellMarket();
			InitializePositionTracking(candle.ClosePrice);
		}

		_prevOpen = candle.OpenPrice;
		_prevClose = candle.ClosePrice;
		_prevHigh = candle.HighPrice;
		_prevLow = candle.LowPrice;
		_hasPreviousCandle = true;
	}

	private bool ManageOpenPosition(ICandleMessage candle, decimal stopLossDistance, decimal takeProfitDistance, decimal trailingStopDistance, decimal trailingStepDistance)
	{
		if (_entryPrice == null)
			return false;

		if (Position > 0)
		{
			// Update the highest price reached by the long position.
			_highestPrice = Math.Max(_highestPrice, candle.HighPrice);

			// Check stop loss.
			if (stopLossDistance > 0m && candle.LowPrice <= _entryPrice.Value - stopLossDistance)
			{
				SellMarket();
				ResetPositionTracking();
				return true;
			}

			// Check take profit.
			if (takeProfitDistance > 0m && candle.HighPrice >= _entryPrice.Value + takeProfitDistance)
			{
				SellMarket();
				ResetPositionTracking();
				return true;
			}

			// Update trailing stop level when the move is large enough.
			if (trailingStopDistance > 0m && _highestPrice - _entryPrice.Value >= trailingStopDistance + trailingStepDistance)
			{
				var candidate = _highestPrice - trailingStopDistance;
				if (_trailingStopPrice == null || candidate - _trailingStopPrice.Value >= trailingStepDistance)
				_trailingStopPrice = candidate;
			}

			// Exit if price returned to the trailing stop.
			if (_trailingStopPrice != null && candle.LowPrice <= _trailingStopPrice.Value)
			{
				SellMarket();
				ResetPositionTracking();
				return true;
			}
		}
		else if (Position < 0)
		{
			// Update the lowest price reached by the short position.
			_lowestPrice = Math.Min(_lowestPrice, candle.LowPrice);

			// Check stop loss for short trades.
			if (stopLossDistance > 0m && candle.HighPrice >= _entryPrice.Value + stopLossDistance)
			{
				BuyMarket();
				ResetPositionTracking();
				return true;
			}

			// Check take profit for short trades.
			if (takeProfitDistance > 0m && candle.LowPrice <= _entryPrice.Value - takeProfitDistance)
			{
				BuyMarket();
				ResetPositionTracking();
				return true;
			}

			// Update trailing stop for the short side.
			if (trailingStopDistance > 0m && _entryPrice.Value - _lowestPrice >= trailingStopDistance + trailingStepDistance)
			{
				var candidate = _lowestPrice + trailingStopDistance;
				if (_trailingStopPrice == null || _trailingStopPrice.Value - candidate >= trailingStepDistance)
				_trailingStopPrice = candidate;
			}

			// Exit once the trailing stop is touched.
			if (_trailingStopPrice != null && candle.HighPrice >= _trailingStopPrice.Value)
			{
				BuyMarket();
				ResetPositionTracking();
				return true;
			}
		}

		return false;
	}

	private void InitializePositionTracking(decimal entryPrice)
	{
		// Store entry information to evaluate stops and trailing logic.
		_entryPrice = entryPrice;
		_highestPrice = entryPrice;
		_lowestPrice = entryPrice;
		_trailingStopPrice = null;
	}

	private void ResetPositionTracking()
	{
		_entryPrice = null;
		_highestPrice = 0m;
		_lowestPrice = 0m;
		_trailingStopPrice = null;
	}

	private decimal GetPipSize()
	{
		var step = Security?.PriceStep;
		if (step == null || step == 0m)
			return 1m;

		return step.Value;
	}
}