English EN
View on GitHub

Moving Averages Strategy

Overview

The Moving Averages strategy replicates the classic MetaTrader expert that trades crosses of price relative to a shifted simple moving average (SMA). The algorithm processes completed candles only, ensuring that all trading decisions are based on fully formed bars. Position sizing follows a dynamic risk model tied to account equity and adapts to losing streaks, mimicking the original MQL implementation.

Trading Logic

  • A simple moving average is calculated with a configurable period and an additional forward shift measured in completed bars.
  • On every finished candle the strategy checks whether the bar opened above the shifted SMA and closed below it (bearish cross) or opened below and closed above (bullish cross).
  • The system only handles one position at a time. When a cross occurs against the active position, the position is closed first and no reversal orders are sent on the same bar.
  • If no position is open:
    • A bullish cross opens a long position.
    • A bearish cross opens a short position.

Position Management

  • Long positions are closed when a bearish cross occurs.
  • Short positions are closed when a bullish cross occurs.
  • Trade execution uses market orders on the strategy security.
  • Trade history is tracked to calculate the effective entry price so that profit and loss can be measured when the position is closed.

Risk Management and Position Sizing

  • The base order volume is derived from the portfolio equity multiplied by the Maximum Risk parameter, divided by the current close price. If equity is unavailable, the strategy falls back to the default strategy volume.
  • A Decrease Factor parameter reduces the calculated order volume whenever consecutive losing trades are detected. The reduction is proportional to the loss streak, reproducing the adaptive sizing logic of the MQL version.
  • Order volume is never negative; when the reduction fully offsets the base amount the trade is skipped.

Parameters

Name Description Default
MaximumRisk Fraction of account equity risked on each trade. 0.02
DecreaseFactor Divisor used to shrink volume after consecutive losses. 3
MovingPeriod Period of the SMA used for signals. 12
MovingShift Number of completed bars used to shift the SMA forward. 6
CandleType Candle series used for calculations (time frame). 5m candles

Notes

  • The moving average shift is implemented through an internal circular buffer so that the strategy uses the SMA value from several bars ago, just like the MetaTrader indicator shift parameter.
  • Orders are only generated when both the SMA and the shifted buffer are fully formed, preventing premature trades during warm-up.
  • Logging messages document entries, exits, and trade results to aid debugging and performance analysis.
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>
/// Moving average crossover strategy with risk-based position sizing and trade streak tracking.
/// </summary>
public class MovingAveragesStrategy : Strategy
{
	private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _maximumRisk;
	private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _decreaseFactor;
	private readonly StrategyParam<int> _movingPeriod;
	private readonly StrategyParam<int> _movingShift;
	private readonly StrategyParam<DataType> _candleType;

	private SimpleMovingAverage _sma = null!;
	private decimal[] _shiftBuffer = Array.Empty<decimal>();
	private int _shiftIndex;
	private int _shiftFillCount;
	private decimal _avgEntryPrice;
	private decimal _entryVolume;
	private Sides? _entrySide;
	private int _consecutiveLosses;

	/// <summary>
	/// Maximum risk per trade expressed as portfolio percentage.
	/// </summary>
	public decimal MaximumRisk
	{
		get => _maximumRisk.Value;
		set => _maximumRisk.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Factor that reduces position size after consecutive losses.
	/// </summary>
	public decimal DecreaseFactor
	{
		get => _decreaseFactor.Value;
		set => _decreaseFactor.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Simple moving average period.
	/// </summary>
	public int MovingPeriod
	{
		get => _movingPeriod.Value;
		set => _movingPeriod.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Number of completed bars used to shift the moving average.
	/// </summary>
	public int MovingShift
	{
		get => _movingShift.Value;
		set => _movingShift.Value = value;
	}

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

	/// <summary>
	/// Initializes a new instance of the <see cref="MovingAveragesStrategy"/>.
	/// </summary>
	public MovingAveragesStrategy()
	{
		// Configure risk management parameters.
		_maximumRisk = Param(nameof(MaximumRisk), 0.02m)
			.SetGreaterThanZero()
			.SetDisplay("Maximum Risk", "Fraction of equity risked per trade", "Risk");

		_decreaseFactor = Param(nameof(DecreaseFactor), 3m)
			.SetGreaterThanZero()
			.SetDisplay("Decrease Factor", "Loss streak divisor for position sizing", "Risk");

		// Configure indicator settings.
		_movingPeriod = Param(nameof(MovingPeriod), 12)
			.SetGreaterThanZero()
			.SetDisplay("Moving Period", "Simple moving average lookback", "Indicator");

		_movingShift = Param(nameof(MovingShift), 6)
			.SetNotNegative()
			.SetDisplay("Moving Shift", "Bars to shift the moving average", "Indicator");

		// Configure candle source for the strategy.
		_candleType = Param(nameof(CandleType), TimeSpan.FromHours(4).TimeFrame())
			.SetDisplay("Candle Type", "Timeframe used for signals", "Data");
	}

	/// <inheritdoc />
	protected override void OnReseted()
	{
		base.OnReseted();
		_shiftBuffer = Array.Empty<decimal>();
		_shiftIndex = 0;
		_shiftFillCount = 0;
		_consecutiveLosses = 0;
		ResetEntryState();
	}

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

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

		// Initialize indicator and buffers.
		_sma = new SMA { Length = MovingPeriod };
		_shiftBuffer = new decimal[Math.Max(1, MovingShift + 1)];
		_shiftIndex = 0;
		_shiftFillCount = 0;
		_consecutiveLosses = 0;
		ResetEntryState();

		// Subscribe to candles and bind indicator values.
		var subscription = SubscribeCandles(CandleType);
		subscription
			.Bind(_sma, ProcessCandle)
			.Start();

		// Add optional chart visuals.
		var area = CreateChartArea();
		if (area != null)
		{
			DrawCandles(area, subscription);
			DrawIndicator(area, _sma);
			DrawOwnTrades(area);
		}
	}

	private void ProcessCandle(ICandleMessage candle, decimal maValue)
	{
		// Process only finished candles to match bar-based logic.
		if (candle.State != CandleStates.Finished)
			return;

		// Wait until the moving average has enough data.
		if (!_sma.IsFormed)
			return;

		// Update shifted buffer to emulate MetaTrader style MA shift.
		UpdateShiftBuffer(maValue);

		if (!IsShiftReady())
			return;

		var shiftedMa = GetShiftedValue();

		var crossDown = candle.OpenPrice > shiftedMa && candle.ClosePrice < shiftedMa;
		var crossUp = candle.OpenPrice < shiftedMa && candle.ClosePrice > shiftedMa;

		// Manage existing long position before searching for new entries.
		if (Position > 0)
		{
			if (crossDown)
			{
				CloseLongPosition(candle, shiftedMa);
			}

			return;
		}

		// Manage existing short position before searching for new entries.
		if (Position < 0)
		{
			if (crossUp)
			{
				CloseShortPosition(candle, shiftedMa);
			}

			return;
		}

		// No open position, evaluate entry opportunities.
		if (crossUp)
		{
			OpenLongPosition(candle, shiftedMa);
		}
		else if (crossDown)
		{
			OpenShortPosition(candle, shiftedMa);
		}
	}

	private void OpenLongPosition(ICandleMessage candle, decimal shiftedMa)
	{
		var volume = CalculateOrderVolume(candle.ClosePrice);
		if (volume <= 0m)
			return;

		BuyMarket();
		LogInfo($"Enter long on bullish cross. Price={candle.ClosePrice}, SMA={shiftedMa}");
	}

	private void OpenShortPosition(ICandleMessage candle, decimal shiftedMa)
	{
		var volume = CalculateOrderVolume(candle.ClosePrice);
		if (volume <= 0m)
			return;

		SellMarket();
		LogInfo($"Enter short on bearish cross. Price={candle.ClosePrice}, SMA={shiftedMa}");
	}

	private void CloseLongPosition(ICandleMessage candle, decimal shiftedMa)
	{
		var volume = Math.Abs(Position);
		if (volume <= 0m)
			return;

		SellMarket();
		LogInfo($"Exit long due to bearish cross. Price={candle.ClosePrice}, SMA={shiftedMa}");
	}

	private void CloseShortPosition(ICandleMessage candle, decimal shiftedMa)
	{
		var volume = Math.Abs(Position);
		if (volume <= 0m)
			return;

		BuyMarket();
		LogInfo($"Exit short due to bullish cross. Price={candle.ClosePrice}, SMA={shiftedMa}");
	}

	private decimal CalculateOrderVolume(decimal price)
	{
		if (price <= 0m)
			return 0m;

		// Base position size uses portfolio value and risk percentage.
		var portfolioValue = Portfolio?.CurrentValue ?? 0m;
		var baseVolume = Volume > 0m ? Volume : 1m;

		if (portfolioValue > 0m && MaximumRisk > 0m)
			baseVolume = portfolioValue * MaximumRisk / price;

		// Apply loss streak reduction similar to the original MQL logic.
		if (DecreaseFactor > 0m && _consecutiveLosses > 0)
		{
			var reduction = baseVolume * _consecutiveLosses / DecreaseFactor;
			baseVolume -= reduction;
		}

		return baseVolume > 0m ? baseVolume : 0m;
	}

	private void UpdateShiftBuffer(decimal value)
	{
		_shiftBuffer[_shiftIndex] = value;
		if (_shiftFillCount < _shiftBuffer.Length)
			_shiftFillCount++;

		_shiftIndex++;
		if (_shiftIndex >= _shiftBuffer.Length)
			_shiftIndex = 0;
	}

	private bool IsShiftReady()
	{
		return _shiftFillCount > MovingShift;
	}

	private decimal GetShiftedValue()
	{
		if (_shiftBuffer.Length == 0)
			return 0m;

		var offset = Math.Min(MovingShift, _shiftFillCount - 1);
		var index = _shiftIndex - 1 - offset;

		while (index < 0)
			index += _shiftBuffer.Length;

		return _shiftBuffer[index];
	}

	/// <inheritdoc />
	protected override void OnOwnTradeReceived(MyTrade trade)
	{
		base.OnOwnTradeReceived(trade);

		if (trade?.Order == null)
			return;

		var tradePrice = trade.Trade.Price;
		var tradeVolume = trade.Trade.Volume;

		// Track entries and exits to evaluate profit streaks.
		if (trade.Order.Side == Sides.Buy)
		{
			if (Position > 0)
			{
				RegisterEntry(tradePrice, tradeVolume, Sides.Buy);
			}
			else if (Position == 0 && _entrySide == Sides.Sell)
			{
				EvaluateClosedTrade(tradePrice);
			}
		}
		else if (trade.Order.Side == Sides.Sell)
		{
			if (Position < 0)
			{
				RegisterEntry(tradePrice, tradeVolume, Sides.Sell);
			}
			else if (Position == 0 && _entrySide == Sides.Buy)
			{
				EvaluateClosedTrade(tradePrice);
			}
		}
	}

	private void RegisterEntry(decimal price, decimal volume, Sides side)
	{
		if (volume <= 0m)
			return;

		var totalVolume = _entryVolume + volume;
		if (totalVolume <= 0m)
		{
			ResetEntryState();
			return;
		}

		_avgEntryPrice = _entryVolume > 0m
			? (_avgEntryPrice * _entryVolume + price * volume) / totalVolume
			: price;

		_entryVolume = totalVolume;
		_entrySide = side;
	}

	private void EvaluateClosedTrade(decimal exitPrice)
	{
		if (_entrySide == null || _entryVolume <= 0m)
		{
			ResetEntryState();
			return;
		}

		decimal profit = 0m;

		if (_entrySide == Sides.Buy)
			profit = exitPrice - _avgEntryPrice;
		else if (_entrySide == Sides.Sell)
			profit = _avgEntryPrice - exitPrice;

		if (profit > 0m)
		{
			_consecutiveLosses = 0;
		}
		else if (profit < 0m)
		{
			_consecutiveLosses++;
		}

		LogInfo($"Trade closed. Side={_entrySide}, Entry={_avgEntryPrice}, Exit={exitPrice}, Profit={profit}, LossStreak={_consecutiveLosses}");

		ResetEntryState();
	}

	private void ResetEntryState()
	{
		_avgEntryPrice = 0m;
		_entryVolume = 0m;
		_entrySide = null;
	}
}