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Trailing Stop And Take Strategy

Overview

The Trailing Stop And Take Strategy is a direct StockSharp adaptation of the MetaTrader expert advisor from MQL/19963. It focuses on active trade management: once a position is open, the strategy attaches initial stop-loss and take-profit levels and then trails both levels as price moves. Trailing adjustments respect configurable minimum step sizes, breakeven protection, and the option to avoid trailing while a trade is still losing.

The strategy operates on a single security using finished candles. When the strategy is flat it opens a position in the direction of the most recent candle body (bullish closes lead to longs, bearish closes lead to shorts). This mirrors the original test behavior used by the MQL script and provides a continuous flow of positions for the trailing engine to manage.

How It Works

  1. Subscribe to the configured candle type and process only finished candles.
  2. When no position is open, enter long on bullish candles or short on bearish candles (respecting the position type filter).
  3. On a new position, initialize stop-loss and take-profit distances using InitialStopLossPoints/InitialTakeProfitPoints. If those are zero, the trailing distances are used instead.
  4. On each candle close, compute updated trailing targets:
    • Stops move closer to price only after the market advances by the trailing step.
    • Take profits move closer when price retraces by at least the trailing step.
    • Breakeven protection prevents moving levels into a loss zone when AllowTrailingLoss is disabled.
  5. When price crosses a trailing stop or take-profit level, exit via market order and reset all stored levels.

Trailing Logic

Long Positions

  • Initial stop is clamped to at least SpreadMultiplier * PriceStep away from entry.
  • Initial take profit is positioned at least the same minimum distance above entry.
  • Trailing stop follows the close price downward by TrailingStopLossPoints while respecting the trailing step and optional breakeven filter.
  • Trailing take profit tightens when price retraces, never moving below the breakeven level when trailing losses are disallowed.

Short Positions

  • Initial stop is set above entry, no closer than the spread multiplier distance.
  • Initial take profit starts below entry with the same minimum distance rule.
  • Trailing stop lowers as price falls, but will not move higher than breakeven unless loss trailing is permitted.
  • Trailing take profit rises toward price on retracements, clamped to breakeven when needed.

Parameters

Parameter Description
CandleType Candle aggregation used for price evaluation.
Volume Default order volume for entries and exits.
PositionType Restricts the engine to manage long positions, short positions, or both.
InitialStopLossPoints Initial stop-loss size in price points (uses trailing distance if zero).
InitialTakeProfitPoints Initial take-profit size in price points (uses trailing distance if zero).
TrailingStopLossPoints Distance between price and trailing stop.
TrailingTakeProfitPoints Distance between price and trailing take profit.
TrailingStepPoints Minimum movement in points required before adjusting stops or targets.
AllowTrailingLoss Enables trailing while the trade is still below breakeven.
BreakevenPoints Offset in points added to the entry price to form the breakeven barrier.
SpreadMultiplier Multiplier for the minimal stop distance approximation (simulates the MQL StopLevel).

Notes

  • Stops and targets are executed with market orders when triggered, which keeps the implementation simple and mirrors the original stop modifications.
  • SpreadMultiplier approximates the MQL behavior where stop levels cannot be placed closer than the current spread. Adjust this value to match the execution venue.
  • The strategy intentionally avoids a Python version and focuses solely on the C# implementation, as requested.
  • Consider combining the trailing engine with your own entry filter by disabling the built-in entries and injecting external orders if required.
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>
/// Strategy that manages trailing stop-loss and take-profit levels similar to the original MQL Expert Advisor.
/// </summary>
public class TrailingStopAndTakeStrategy : Strategy
{
	public enum TrailingPositionTypes
	{
		All,
		Long,
		Short,
	}

	private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _epsilon;

	private readonly StrategyParam<DataType> _candleType;
	private readonly StrategyParam<TrailingPositionTypes> _positionType;
	private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _initialStopLossPoints;
	private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _initialTakeProfitPoints;
	private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _trailingStopLossPoints;
	private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _trailingTakeProfitPoints;
	private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _trailingStepPoints;
	private readonly StrategyParam<bool> _allowTrailingLoss;
	private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _breakevenPoints;
	private readonly StrategyParam<int> _spreadMultiplier;

	private decimal _priceStep;
	private decimal _previousPosition;

	private decimal? _longStop;
	private decimal? _longTake;
	private decimal? _shortStop;
	private decimal? _shortTake;
	private decimal _entryPrice;

	/// <summary>
	/// Initializes a new instance of the <see cref="TrailingStopAndTakeStrategy"/>.
	/// </summary>
	public TrailingStopAndTakeStrategy()
	{
		_candleType = Param(nameof(CandleType), TimeSpan.FromDays(1).TimeFrame())
			.SetDisplay("Candle Type", "Candle aggregation used for trailing decisions", "General");


		_positionType = Param(nameof(PositionType), TrailingPositionTypes.All)
			.SetDisplay("Position Filter", "Positions managed by the trailing engine", "Trading");

		_initialStopLossPoints = Param(nameof(InitialStopLossPoints), 400m)
			.SetRange(0m, 10000m)
			.SetDisplay("Initial Stop", "Initial stop-loss size in price points", "Risk")
			;

		_initialTakeProfitPoints = Param(nameof(InitialTakeProfitPoints), 400m)
			.SetRange(0m, 10000m)
			.SetDisplay("Initial Take", "Initial take-profit size in price points", "Risk")
			;

		_trailingStopLossPoints = Param(nameof(TrailingStopLossPoints), 200m)
			.SetRange(0m, 10000m)
			.SetDisplay("Trailing Stop", "Trailing stop distance in price points", "Risk")
			;

		_trailingTakeProfitPoints = Param(nameof(TrailingTakeProfitPoints), 200m)
			.SetRange(0m, 10000m)
			.SetDisplay("Trailing Take", "Trailing take-profit distance in price points", "Risk")
			;

		_trailingStepPoints = Param(nameof(TrailingStepPoints), 10m)
			.SetRange(0m, 1000m)
			.SetDisplay("Trailing Step", "Minimum movement required before adjusting targets", "Risk");

		_epsilon = Param(nameof(Epsilon), 0.0000001m)
			.SetGreaterThanZero()
			.SetDisplay("Trailing Epsilon", "Minimum trailing step size", "Risk");

		_allowTrailingLoss = Param(nameof(AllowTrailingLoss), false)
			.SetDisplay("Trail In Loss", "Allow trailing while position is not yet profitable", "Risk");

		_breakevenPoints = Param(nameof(BreakevenPoints), 6m)
			.SetRange(0m, 1000m)
			.SetDisplay("Breakeven Points", "Profit offset used for breakeven protection", "Risk");

		_spreadMultiplier = Param(nameof(SpreadMultiplier), 2)
			.SetRange(1, 20)
			.SetDisplay("Spread Multiplier", "Multiplier applied to minimal stop distance", "Execution");
	}

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


	/// <summary>
	/// Position filter managed by the trailing logic.
	/// </summary>
	public TrailingPositionTypes PositionType
	{
		get => _positionType.Value;
		set => _positionType.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Initial stop-loss size expressed in price points.
	/// </summary>
	public decimal InitialStopLossPoints
	{
		get => _initialStopLossPoints.Value;
		set => _initialStopLossPoints.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Initial take-profit size expressed in price points.
	/// </summary>
	public decimal InitialTakeProfitPoints
	{
		get => _initialTakeProfitPoints.Value;
		set => _initialTakeProfitPoints.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Trailing stop distance expressed in price points.
	/// </summary>
	public decimal TrailingStopLossPoints
	{
		get => _trailingStopLossPoints.Value;
		set => _trailingStopLossPoints.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Trailing take-profit distance expressed in price points.
	/// </summary>
	public decimal TrailingTakeProfitPoints
	{
		get => _trailingTakeProfitPoints.Value;
		set => _trailingTakeProfitPoints.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Minimum movement required before stops or targets are updated.
	/// </summary>
	public decimal TrailingStepPoints
	{
		get => _trailingStepPoints.Value;
		set => _trailingStepPoints.Value = value;
	}
	/// <summary>
	/// Minimum trailing step size used as a floor.
	/// </summary>
	public decimal Epsilon
	{
		get => _epsilon.Value;
		set => _epsilon.Value = value;
	}


	/// <summary>
	/// Enables trailing adjustments while the position remains in the loss zone.
	/// </summary>
	public bool AllowTrailingLoss
	{
		get => _allowTrailingLoss.Value;
		set => _allowTrailingLoss.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Profit offset in points used to define the breakeven level.
	/// </summary>
	public decimal BreakevenPoints
	{
		get => _breakevenPoints.Value;
		set => _breakevenPoints.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Multiplier applied to the minimal stop distance approximation.
	/// </summary>
	public int SpreadMultiplier
	{
		get => _spreadMultiplier.Value;
		set => _spreadMultiplier.Value = value;
	}

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

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

		_priceStep = Security?.PriceStep ?? 1m;
		if (_priceStep <= 0m)
			_priceStep = 1m;

		_previousPosition = 0m;
		ResetLevels();

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

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

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

		_priceStep = 0m;
		_previousPosition = 0m;
		_entryPrice = 0m;
		ResetLevels();
	}

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

		// Handle long positions first.
		if (Position > 0m)
		{
			if (PositionType == TrailingPositionTypes.Short)
			{
				ResetLongLevels();
			}
			else
			{
				if (_previousPosition <= 0m)
					ResetShortLevels();

				EnsureLongInitialized();
				UpdateLongTrailing(candle);
				ManageLongExits(candle);
			}
		}
		else if (Position < 0m)
		{
			if (PositionType == TrailingPositionTypes.Long)
			{
				ResetShortLevels();
			}
			else
			{
				if (_previousPosition >= 0m)
					ResetLongLevels();

				EnsureShortInitialized();
				UpdateShortTrailing(candle);
				ManageShortExits(candle);
			}
		}
		else
		{
			ResetLevels();
		}

		// Try to open a new position once flat.
		TryEnter(candle);

		_previousPosition = Position;
	}

	private void TryEnter(ICandleMessage candle)
	{
		if (Position != 0m || Volume <= 0m)
			return;

		// Simple directional entry mirroring the tester behavior from the MQL script.
		if (PositionType == TrailingPositionTypes.Long)
		{
			if (candle.ClosePrice > candle.OpenPrice)
				BuyMarket(Volume);
		}
		else if (PositionType == TrailingPositionTypes.Short)
		{
			if (candle.ClosePrice < candle.OpenPrice)
				SellMarket(Volume);
		}
		else
		{
			if (candle.ClosePrice > candle.OpenPrice)
				BuyMarket(Volume);
			else if (candle.ClosePrice < candle.OpenPrice)
				SellMarket(Volume);
		}
	}

	private void EnsureLongInitialized()
	{
		if (Position <= 0m)
			return;

		var entryPrice = _entryPrice;
		if (entryPrice <= 0m)
			return;

		var minDistance = GetMinStopDistance();

		if (_longStop == null)
		{
			var points = InitialStopLossPoints > 0m
				? InitialStopLossPoints
				: TrailingStopLossPoints > 0m ? TrailingStopLossPoints : 0m;

			if (points > 0m)
			{
				var candidate = entryPrice - points * _priceStep;
				var minAllowed = entryPrice - minDistance;
				_longStop = Math.Min(candidate, minAllowed);
			}
		}

		if (_longTake == null)
		{
			var points = InitialTakeProfitPoints > 0m
				? InitialTakeProfitPoints
				: TrailingTakeProfitPoints > 0m ? TrailingTakeProfitPoints : 0m;

			if (points > 0m)
			{
				var candidate = entryPrice + points * _priceStep;
				var minAllowed = entryPrice + minDistance;
				_longTake = Math.Max(candidate, minAllowed);
			}
		}
	}

	private void EnsureShortInitialized()
	{
		if (Position >= 0m)
			return;

		var entryPrice = _entryPrice;
		if (entryPrice <= 0m)
			return;

		var minDistance = GetMinStopDistance();

		if (_shortStop == null)
		{
			var points = InitialStopLossPoints > 0m
				? InitialStopLossPoints
				: TrailingStopLossPoints > 0m ? TrailingStopLossPoints : 0m;

			if (points > 0m)
			{
				var candidate = entryPrice + points * _priceStep;
				var minAllowed = entryPrice + minDistance;
				_shortStop = Math.Max(candidate, minAllowed);
			}
		}

		if (_shortTake == null)
		{
			var points = InitialTakeProfitPoints > 0m
				? InitialTakeProfitPoints
				: TrailingTakeProfitPoints > 0m ? TrailingTakeProfitPoints : 0m;

			if (points > 0m)
			{
				var candidate = entryPrice - points * _priceStep;
				var minAllowed = entryPrice - minDistance;
				_shortTake = Math.Min(candidate, minAllowed);
			}
		}
	}

	private void UpdateLongTrailing(ICandleMessage candle)
	{
		var entryPrice = _entryPrice;
		if (entryPrice <= 0m)
			return;

		var breakeven = entryPrice + BreakevenPoints * _priceStep;
		var trailingStep = Math.Max(TrailingStepPoints * _priceStep, Epsilon);
		var minDistance = GetMinStopDistance();

		if (TrailingStopLossPoints > 0m)
		{
			var candidate = candle.ClosePrice - TrailingStopLossPoints * _priceStep;
			var minAllowed = candle.ClosePrice - minDistance;
			var newStop = Math.Min(candidate, minAllowed);

			if (!AllowTrailingLoss && newStop < breakeven)
			{
				// Skip moving the stop into the loss area when disabled.
			}
			else if (_longStop == null || newStop > _longStop.Value + trailingStep)
			{
				_longStop = newStop;
			}
		}

		if (TrailingTakeProfitPoints > 0m)
		{
			var candidate = candle.ClosePrice + TrailingTakeProfitPoints * _priceStep;
			var minAllowed = candle.ClosePrice + minDistance;
			var newTake = Math.Max(candidate, minAllowed);

			if (!AllowTrailingLoss && newTake < breakeven)
				newTake = breakeven;

			if (_longTake == null || newTake < _longTake.Value - trailingStep)
				_longTake = newTake;
		}
	}

	private void UpdateShortTrailing(ICandleMessage candle)
	{
		var entryPrice = _entryPrice;
		if (entryPrice <= 0m)
			return;

		var breakeven = entryPrice - BreakevenPoints * _priceStep;
		var trailingStep = Math.Max(TrailingStepPoints * _priceStep, Epsilon);
		var minDistance = GetMinStopDistance();

		if (TrailingStopLossPoints > 0m)
		{
			var candidate = candle.ClosePrice + TrailingStopLossPoints * _priceStep;
			var minAllowed = candle.ClosePrice + minDistance;
			var newStop = Math.Max(candidate, minAllowed);

			if (!AllowTrailingLoss && newStop > breakeven)
			{
				// Skip moving the stop into the loss area when disabled.
			}
			else if (_shortStop == null || newStop < _shortStop.Value - trailingStep)
			{
				_shortStop = newStop;
			}
		}

		if (TrailingTakeProfitPoints > 0m)
		{
			var candidate = candle.ClosePrice - TrailingTakeProfitPoints * _priceStep;
			var minAllowed = candle.ClosePrice - minDistance;
			var newTake = Math.Min(candidate, minAllowed);

			if (!AllowTrailingLoss && newTake > breakeven)
				newTake = breakeven;

			if (_shortTake == null || newTake > _shortTake.Value + trailingStep)
				_shortTake = newTake;
		}
	}

	private void ManageLongExits(ICandleMessage candle)
	{
		if (_longStop.HasValue && candle.LowPrice <= _longStop.Value)
		{
			SellMarket(Position);
			ResetLongLevels();
			return;
		}

		if (_longTake.HasValue && candle.HighPrice >= _longTake.Value)
		{
			SellMarket(Position);
			ResetLongLevels();
		}
	}

	private void ManageShortExits(ICandleMessage candle)
	{
		if (_shortStop.HasValue && candle.HighPrice >= _shortStop.Value)
		{
			BuyMarket(Math.Abs(Position));
			ResetShortLevels();
			return;
		}

		if (_shortTake.HasValue && candle.LowPrice <= _shortTake.Value)
		{
			BuyMarket(Math.Abs(Position));
			ResetShortLevels();
		}
	}

	private decimal GetMinStopDistance()
	{
		var multiplier = SpreadMultiplier < 1 ? 1 : SpreadMultiplier;
		return _priceStep * multiplier;
	}

	private void ResetLevels()
	{
		ResetLongLevels();
		ResetShortLevels();
	}

	private void ResetLongLevels()
	{
		_longStop = null;
		_longTake = null;
	}

	private void ResetShortLevels()
	{
		_shortStop = null;
		_shortTake = null;
	}

	/// <inheritdoc />
	protected override void OnOwnTradeReceived(MyTrade trade)
	{
		base.OnOwnTradeReceived(trade);
		if (trade?.Trade == null) return;
		if (Position != 0 && _entryPrice == 0m)
			_entryPrice = trade.Trade.Price;
		if (Position == 0)
			_entryPrice = 0m;
	}
}