ADX Mean Reversion Strategy
Here the Average Directional Index (ADX) measures overall trend strength. When ADX is low, the market lacks direction and prices tend to oscillate around a mean value. This strategy exploits that behaviour by trading deviations of ADX from its moving average.
Testing indicates an average annual return of about 70%. It performs best in the stocks market.
A long trade is entered when ADX drops below the average minus DeviationMultiplier times the standard deviation and price is below the moving average. A short trade is opened when ADX spikes above the upper band and price is above the average. Positions are closed when ADX reverts toward its average.
This system appeals to traders looking for opportunities during low-trend environments. The stop-loss prevents small mean-reversion trades from growing into large losses if a new trend emerges.
Details
- Entry Criteria:
- Long: ADX < Avg - DeviationMultiplier * StdDev && Close < MA
- Short: ADX > Avg + DeviationMultiplier * StdDev && Close > MA
- Long/Short: Both sides.
- Exit Criteria:
- Long: Exit when ADX > Avg
- Short: Exit when ADX < Avg
- Stops: Yes, percent stop-loss.
- Default Values:
AdxPeriod= 14AveragePeriod= 20DeviationMultiplier= 2mCandleType= TimeSpan.FromMinutes(5)
- Filters:
- Category: Mean Reversion
- Direction: Both
- Indicators: ADX
- Stops: Yes
- Complexity: Intermediate
- Timeframe: Intraday
- Seasonality: No
- Neural networks: No
- Divergence: No
- Risk Level: Medium
namespace StockSharp.Samples.Strategies;
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using Ecng.Common;
using StockSharp.Algo;
using StockSharp.Algo.Candles;
using StockSharp.Algo.Indicators;
using StockSharp.Algo.Strategies;
using StockSharp.BusinessEntities;
using StockSharp.Messages;
/// <summary>
/// ADX Mean Reversion strategy.
/// This strategy enters positions when ADX is significantly below or above its average value.
/// </summary>
public class AdxMeanReversionStrategy : Strategy
{
private readonly StrategyParam<int> _adxPeriod;
private readonly StrategyParam<int> _averagePeriod;
private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _deviationMultiplier;
private readonly StrategyParam<DataType> _candleType;
private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _stopLossPercent;
private decimal _prevAdx;
private decimal _avgAdx;
private decimal _stdDevAdx;
private decimal _sumAdx;
private decimal _sumSquaresAdx;
private int _count;
private readonly Queue<decimal> _adxValues = [];
/// <summary>
/// ADX Period.
/// </summary>
public int AdxPeriod
{
get => _adxPeriod.Value;
set => _adxPeriod.Value = value;
}
/// <summary>
/// Period for calculating mean and standard deviation of ADX.
/// </summary>
public int AveragePeriod
{
get => _averagePeriod.Value;
set => _averagePeriod.Value = value;
}
/// <summary>
/// Deviation multiplier for entry signals.
/// </summary>
public decimal DeviationMultiplier
{
get => _deviationMultiplier.Value;
set => _deviationMultiplier.Value = value;
}
/// <summary>
/// Candle type.
/// </summary>
public DataType CandleType
{
get => _candleType.Value;
set => _candleType.Value = value;
}
/// <summary>
/// Stop-loss percentage.
/// </summary>
public decimal StopLossPercent
{
get => _stopLossPercent.Value;
set => _stopLossPercent.Value = value;
}
/// <summary>
/// Constructor.
/// </summary>
public AdxMeanReversionStrategy()
{
_adxPeriod = Param(nameof(AdxPeriod), 14)
.SetGreaterThanZero()
.SetOptimize(10, 20, 5)
.SetDisplay("ADX Period", "Period for ADX indicator", "Indicators");
_averagePeriod = Param(nameof(AveragePeriod), 20)
.SetGreaterThanZero()
.SetOptimize(10, 50, 10)
.SetDisplay("Average Period", "Period for calculating ADX average and standard deviation", "Settings");
_deviationMultiplier = Param(nameof(DeviationMultiplier), 2m)
.SetGreaterThanZero()
.SetOptimize(1.5m, 3m, 0.5m)
.SetDisplay("Deviation Multiplier", "Multiplier for standard deviation", "Settings");
_candleType = Param(nameof(CandleType), TimeSpan.FromMinutes(5).TimeFrame())
.SetDisplay("Candle Type", "Type of candles to use", "General");
_stopLossPercent = Param(nameof(StopLossPercent), 2m)
.SetGreaterThanZero()
.SetOptimize(1m, 3m, 0.5m)
.SetDisplay("Stop Loss %", "Stop loss as percentage of entry price", "Risk Management");
}
/// <inheritdoc />
public override IEnumerable<(Security sec, DataType dt)> GetWorkingSecurities()
{
return [(Security, CandleType)];
}
/// <inheritdoc />
protected override void OnReseted()
{
base.OnReseted();
_prevAdx = 0;
_avgAdx = 0;
_stdDevAdx = 0;
_sumAdx = 0;
_sumSquaresAdx = 0;
_count = 0;
_adxValues.Clear();
}
/// <inheritdoc />
protected override void OnStarted2(DateTime time)
{
// Create ADX indicator
var adx = new AverageDirectionalIndex { Length = AdxPeriod };
// Create subscription and bind indicator
var subscription = SubscribeCandles(CandleType);
subscription
.BindEx(adx, ProcessCandle)
.Start();
// Setup chart visualization
var area = CreateChartArea();
if (area != null)
{
DrawCandles(area, subscription);
DrawIndicator(area, adx);
DrawOwnTrades(area);
}
// Enable position protection
StartProtection(
takeProfit: new Unit(0m), // We'll manage exits ourselves based on ADX
stopLoss: new Unit(StopLossPercent, UnitTypes.Percent)
);
base.OnStarted2(time);
}
private void ProcessCandle(ICandleMessage candle, IIndicatorValue adxValue)
{
// Skip unfinished candles
if (candle.State != CandleStates.Finished)
return;
// Check if strategy is ready to trade
if (!IsFormedAndOnlineAndAllowTrading())
return;
var adxTyped = (AverageDirectionalIndexValue)adxValue;
if (adxTyped.MovingAverage is not decimal currentAdx)
return;
var dx = adxTyped.Dx;
if (dx.Plus is not decimal plusDi || dx.Minus is not decimal minusDi)
return;
// Update ADX statistics
UpdateAdxStatistics(currentAdx);
// Save current ADX for next iteration
_prevAdx = currentAdx;
// If we don't have enough data yet for statistics
if (_count < AveragePeriod)
return;
// Check for entry conditions
if (Position == 0)
{
// Positive trend strength should correspond to price direction for entry
var direction = plusDi > minusDi ? Sides.Buy : Sides.Sell;
// ADX is significantly below its average - mean reversion expects it to rise
// This could indicate a period of low trend strength that might change
if (currentAdx < _avgAdx - DeviationMultiplier * _stdDevAdx)
{
if (direction == Sides.Buy)
{
BuyMarket(Volume);
LogInfo($"Long entry: ADX = {currentAdx}, Avg = {_avgAdx}, StdDev = {_stdDevAdx}, +DI > -DI");
}
else
{
SellMarket(Volume);
LogInfo($"Short entry: ADX = {currentAdx}, Avg = {_avgAdx}, StdDev = {_stdDevAdx}, +DI < -DI");
}
}
// ADX is significantly above its average - mean reversion expects it to fall
// This could indicate a period of high trend strength that might weaken
else if (currentAdx > _avgAdx + DeviationMultiplier * _stdDevAdx)
{
// For high ADX values, we're more cautious and might want to go against the direction
// as extremely high ADX may indicate trend exhaustion
if (direction == Sides.Sell)
{
BuyMarket(Volume);
LogInfo($"Long entry (trend strength exhaustion): ADX = {currentAdx}, Avg = {_avgAdx}, StdDev = {_stdDevAdx}");
}
else
{
SellMarket(Volume);
LogInfo($"Short entry (trend strength exhaustion): ADX = {currentAdx}, Avg = {_avgAdx}, StdDev = {_stdDevAdx}");
}
}
}
// Check for exit conditions
else if (Position > 0) // Long position
{
if (currentAdx > _avgAdx)
{
ClosePosition();
LogInfo($"Long exit: ADX = {currentAdx}, Avg = {_avgAdx}");
}
}
else if (Position < 0) // Short position
{
if (currentAdx < _avgAdx)
{
ClosePosition();
LogInfo($"Short exit: ADX = {currentAdx}, Avg = {_avgAdx}");
}
}
}
private void UpdateAdxStatistics(decimal currentAdx)
{
// Add current value to the queue
_adxValues.Enqueue(currentAdx);
_sumAdx += currentAdx;
_sumSquaresAdx += currentAdx * currentAdx;
_count++;
// If queue is larger than period, remove oldest value
if (_adxValues.Count > AveragePeriod)
{
var oldestAdx = _adxValues.Dequeue();
_sumAdx -= oldestAdx;
_sumSquaresAdx -= oldestAdx * oldestAdx;
_count--;
}
// Calculate average and standard deviation
if (_count > 0)
{
_avgAdx = _sumAdx / _count;
if (_count > 1)
{
var variance = (_sumSquaresAdx - (_sumAdx * _sumAdx) / _count) / (_count - 1);
_stdDevAdx = variance <= 0 ? 0 : (decimal)Math.Sqrt((double)variance);
}
else
{
_stdDevAdx = 0;
}
}
}
}
import clr
clr.AddReference("StockSharp.Messages")
clr.AddReference("StockSharp.Algo")
clr.AddReference("StockSharp.Algo.Indicators")
clr.AddReference("StockSharp.Algo.Strategies")
from System import TimeSpan, Math
from StockSharp.Messages import DataType, CandleStates, Unit, UnitTypes, Sides
from StockSharp.Algo.Indicators import AverageDirectionalIndex
from StockSharp.Algo.Strategies import Strategy
from datatype_extensions import *
class adx_mean_reversion_strategy(Strategy):
"""
ADX Mean Reversion strategy. This strategy enters positions when ADX is
significantly below or above its average value.
"""
def __init__(self):
super(adx_mean_reversion_strategy, self).__init__()
# Initialize strategy parameters
self._adx_period = self.Param("AdxPeriod", 14) \
.SetGreaterThanZero() \
.SetCanOptimize(True) \
.SetOptimize(10, 20, 5) \
.SetDisplay("ADX Period", "Period for ADX indicator", "Indicators")
self._average_period = self.Param("AveragePeriod", 20) \
.SetGreaterThanZero() \
.SetCanOptimize(True) \
.SetOptimize(10, 50, 10) \
.SetDisplay("Average Period", "Period for calculating ADX average and standard deviation", "Settings")
self._deviation_multiplier = self.Param("DeviationMultiplier", 2.0) \
.SetGreaterThanZero() \
.SetCanOptimize(True) \
.SetOptimize(1.5, 3.0, 0.5) \
.SetDisplay("Deviation Multiplier", "Multiplier for standard deviation", "Settings")
self._candle_type = self.Param("CandleType", tf(5)) \
.SetDisplay("Candle Type", "Type of candles to use", "General")
self._stop_loss_percent = self.Param("StopLossPercent", 2.0) \
.SetGreaterThanZero() \
.SetCanOptimize(True) \
.SetOptimize(1.0, 3.0, 0.5) \
.SetDisplay("Stop Loss %", "Stop loss as percentage of entry price", "Risk Management")
# Internal state variables
self._prev_adx = 0.0
self._avg_adx = 0.0
self._std_dev_adx = 0.0
self._sum_adx = 0.0
self._sum_squares_adx = 0.0
self._count = 0
self._adx_values = []
@property
def AdxPeriod(self):
return self._adx_period.Value
@AdxPeriod.setter
def AdxPeriod(self, value):
self._adx_period.Value = value
@property
def AveragePeriod(self):
return self._average_period.Value
@AveragePeriod.setter
def AveragePeriod(self, value):
self._average_period.Value = value
@property
def DeviationMultiplier(self):
return self._deviation_multiplier.Value
@DeviationMultiplier.setter
def DeviationMultiplier(self, value):
self._deviation_multiplier.Value = value
@property
def CandleType(self):
return self._candle_type.Value
@CandleType.setter
def CandleType(self, value):
self._candle_type.Value = value
@property
def StopLossPercent(self):
return self._stop_loss_percent.Value
@StopLossPercent.setter
def StopLossPercent(self, value):
self._stop_loss_percent.Value = value
def OnReseted(self):
super(adx_mean_reversion_strategy, self).OnReseted()
self._prev_adx = 0.0
self._avg_adx = 0.0
self._std_dev_adx = 0.0
self._sum_adx = 0.0
self._sum_squares_adx = 0.0
self._count = 0
self._adx_values.clear()
def OnStarted2(self, time):
"""
Called when the strategy starts. Resets statistics, creates indicators,
and sets up charting.
"""
super(adx_mean_reversion_strategy, self).OnStarted2(time)
# Create ADX indicator
adx = AverageDirectionalIndex()
adx.Length = self.AdxPeriod
# Create subscription and bind indicator
subscription = self.SubscribeCandles(self.CandleType)
subscription.BindEx(adx, self.ProcessCandle).Start()
# Setup chart visualization
area = self.CreateChartArea()
if area is not None:
self.DrawCandles(area, subscription)
self.DrawIndicator(area, adx)
self.DrawOwnTrades(area)
# Enable position protection
self.StartProtection(
takeProfit=None,
stopLoss=Unit(self.StopLossPercent, UnitTypes.Percent)
)
def ProcessCandle(self, candle, adx_value):
"""
Process candle with ADX indicator value.
"""
# Skip unfinished candles
if candle.State != CandleStates.Finished:
return
# Check if strategy is ready to trade
if adx_value.MovingAverage is None:
return
current_adx = float(adx_value.MovingAverage)
if adx_value.Dx is None or adx_value.Dx.Plus is None or adx_value.Dx.Minus is None:
return
dx = adx_value.Dx
plus_di = float(dx.Plus)
minus_di = float(dx.Minus)
# Update ADX statistics
self.UpdateAdxStatistics(current_adx)
# Save current ADX for next iteration
self._prev_adx = current_adx
# If we don't have enough data yet for statistics
if self._count < self.AveragePeriod:
return
if self.Position == 0:
# Positive trend strength should correspond to price direction for entry
direction = Sides.Buy if plus_di > minus_di else Sides.Sell
# ADX significantly below average - expect rise
if current_adx < self._avg_adx - self.DeviationMultiplier * self._std_dev_adx:
if direction == Sides.Buy:
self.BuyMarket(self.Volume)
self.LogInfo(
f"Long entry: ADX = {current_adx}, Avg = {self._avg_adx}, StdDev = {self._std_dev_adx}, +DI > -DI")
else:
self.SellMarket(self.Volume)
self.LogInfo(
f"Short entry: ADX = {current_adx}, Avg = {self._avg_adx}, StdDev = {self._std_dev_adx}, +DI < -DI")
# ADX significantly above average - expect fall (trend exhaustion)
elif current_adx > self._avg_adx + self.DeviationMultiplier * self._std_dev_adx:
if direction == Sides.Sell:
self.BuyMarket(self.Volume)
self.LogInfo(
f"Long entry (trend strength exhaustion): ADX = {current_adx}, Avg = {self._avg_adx}, StdDev = {self._std_dev_adx}")
else:
self.SellMarket(self.Volume)
self.LogInfo(
f"Short entry (trend strength exhaustion): ADX = {current_adx}, Avg = {self._avg_adx}, StdDev = {self._std_dev_adx}")
elif self.Position > 0:
# Long position exit condition
if current_adx > self._avg_adx:
self.ClosePosition()
self.LogInfo(f"Long exit: ADX = {current_adx}, Avg = {self._avg_adx}")
elif self.Position < 0:
# Short position exit condition
if current_adx < self._avg_adx:
self.ClosePosition()
self.LogInfo(f"Short exit: ADX = {current_adx}, Avg = {self._avg_adx}")
def UpdateAdxStatistics(self, current_adx):
"""Update running mean and standard deviation of ADX."""
self._adx_values.append(current_adx)
self._sum_adx += current_adx
self._sum_squares_adx += current_adx * current_adx
self._count += 1
if len(self._adx_values) > self.AveragePeriod:
oldest_adx = self._adx_values.pop(0)
self._sum_adx -= oldest_adx
self._sum_squares_adx -= oldest_adx * oldest_adx
self._count -= 1
if self._count > 0:
self._avg_adx = self._sum_adx / self._count
if self._count > 1:
variance = (self._sum_squares_adx - (self._sum_adx * self._sum_adx) / self._count) / (self._count - 1)
self._std_dev_adx = 0 if variance <= 0 else Math.Sqrt(float(variance))
else:
self._std_dev_adx = 0
def CreateClone(self):
"""!! REQUIRED!! Creates a new instance of the strategy."""
return adx_mean_reversion_strategy()