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Momentum Divergence Strategy

The Momentum Divergence strategy compares momentum readings with price direction to spot early signs of a reversal. Divergences occur when price makes a new extreme yet the momentum indicator fails to confirm, hinting at weakening strength.

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

A bullish setup happens when price records a lower low while the momentum oscillator prints a higher low. A bearish setup forms when price pushes to a higher high but momentum fails to follow. Positions are closed when momentum crosses back through zero or the divergence is invalidated.

This approach appeals to traders looking to anticipate turning points rather than chase trends. Stops are used to control risk in case the market continues to move against the divergence signal.

Details

  • Entry Criteria:
    • Long: Price makes lower low && Momentum shows higher low
    • Short: Price makes higher high && Momentum shows lower high
  • Long/Short: Both sides.
  • Exit Criteria:
    • Long: Exit when momentum crosses below zero
    • Short: Exit when momentum crosses above zero
  • Stops: Yes, fixed stop-loss.
  • Default Values:
    • MomentumPeriod = 14
    • MaPeriod = 20
    • CandleType = TimeSpan.FromMinutes(5)
  • Filters:
    • Category: Reversal
    • Direction: Both
    • Indicators: Momentum
    • Stops: Yes
    • Complexity: Intermediate
    • Timeframe: Intraday
    • Seasonality: No
    • Neural networks: No
    • Divergence: Yes
    • Risk Level: Medium
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>
/// Momentum Divergence strategy.
/// Trades based on divergence between price and momentum.
/// </summary>
public class MomentumDivergenceStrategy : Strategy
{
	private readonly StrategyParam<int> _momentumPeriodParam;
	private readonly StrategyParam<int> _maPeriodParam;
	private readonly StrategyParam<DataType> _candleTypeParam;
	
	private Momentum _momentum;
	private SimpleMovingAverage _sma;
	
	private decimal _prevPrice;
	private decimal _prevMomentum;
	private decimal _currentPrice;
	private decimal _currentMomentum;

	/// <summary>
	/// Momentum indicator period.
	/// </summary>
	public int MomentumPeriod
	{
		get => _momentumPeriodParam.Value;
		set => _momentumPeriodParam.Value = value;
	}
	
	/// <summary>
	/// Moving average period.
	/// </summary>
	public int MaPeriod
	{
		get => _maPeriodParam.Value;
		set => _maPeriodParam.Value = value;
	}

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

	/// <summary>
	/// Constructor.
	/// </summary>
	public MomentumDivergenceStrategy()
	{
		_momentumPeriodParam = Param(nameof(MomentumPeriod), 14)
			.SetGreaterThanZero()
			.SetDisplay("Momentum Period", "Period for Momentum indicator", "Parameters")
			
			.SetOptimize(10, 30, 5);
			
		_maPeriodParam = Param(nameof(MaPeriod), 20)
			.SetGreaterThanZero()
			.SetDisplay("MA Period", "Period for Moving Average", "Parameters")
			
			.SetOptimize(10, 50, 10);

		_candleTypeParam = Param(nameof(CandleType), TimeSpan.FromMinutes(5).TimeFrame())
			.SetDisplay("Candle Type", "Candle type for strategy", "Common");
	}

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

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

		_prevPrice = 0;
		_prevMomentum = 0;
		_currentPrice = 0;
		_currentMomentum = 0;
	}

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

		// Create indicators
		_momentum = new Momentum { Length = MomentumPeriod };
		_sma = new SMA { Length = MaPeriod };
		
		// Create subscription and bind indicators
		var subscription = SubscribeCandles(CandleType);
		subscription
			.Bind(_momentum, _sma, ProcessCandle)
			.Start();

		// Setup chart visualization if available
		var area = CreateChartArea();
		if (area != null)
		{
			DrawCandles(area, subscription);
			DrawIndicator(area, _momentum);
			DrawIndicator(area, _sma);
			DrawOwnTrades(area);
		}
		
		// Enable position protection
		StartProtection(
			takeProfit: new Unit(0, UnitTypes.Absolute), // No take profit
			stopLoss: new Unit(2, UnitTypes.Percent) // 2% stop loss
		);
	}

	private void ProcessCandle(ICandleMessage candle, decimal momentumValue, decimal smaValue)
	{
		if (candle.State != CandleStates.Finished)
			return;
			
		if (!IsFormedAndOnlineAndAllowTrading())
			return;
			
		// Store previous values before updating current ones
		_prevPrice = _currentPrice;
		_prevMomentum = _currentMomentum;
		
		// Update current values
		_currentPrice = candle.ClosePrice;
		_currentMomentum = momentumValue;
		
		// Skip first candle after indicators become formed
		if (_prevPrice == 0 || _prevMomentum == 0)
			return;
			
		// Detect bullish divergence (price makes lower low but momentum makes higher low)
		bool bullishDivergence = _currentPrice < _prevPrice && _currentMomentum > _prevMomentum;
		
		// Detect bearish divergence (price makes higher high but momentum makes lower high)
		bool bearishDivergence = _currentPrice > _prevPrice && _currentMomentum < _prevMomentum;
		
		// Trading signals
		if (bullishDivergence && Position <= 0)
		{
			// Bullish divergence - buy signal
			BuyMarket(Volume + Math.Abs(Position));
		}
		else if (bearishDivergence && Position >= 0)
		{
			// Bearish divergence - sell signal
			SellMarket(Volume + Math.Abs(Position));
		}
		// Exit when price crosses MA in the opposite direction
		else if (Position > 0 && candle.ClosePrice < smaValue)
		{
			// Exit long position
			SellMarket(Position);
		}
		else if (Position < 0 && candle.ClosePrice > smaValue)
		{
			// Exit short position
			BuyMarket(Math.Abs(Position));
		}
	}
}