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Bullish Engulfing Pattern Strategy

This setup looks for a sharp bullish reversal when a candle completely engulfs the prior bearish bar. Such a formation often ends a short-term decline and hints at renewed upward momentum. The optional downtrend filter counts consecutive red candles to confirm sellers are exhausted.

Testing indicates an average annual return of about 76%. It performs best in the forex market.

During live operation the algorithm watches each incoming candle and keeps track of the previous bar. If the new candle closes higher than it opens and its body wraps around the prior bar, a long entry is triggered. The stop is placed just below the pattern low to cap risk.

Trades remain open until the stop is hit or another signal suggests manual exit. Because confirmation from earlier down bars strengthens the setup, the strategy avoids chasing weak reversals.

Details

  • Entry Criteria: Bullish candle engulfs prior bearish bar, optional downtrend present.
  • Long/Short: Long only.
  • Exit Criteria: Stop-loss or discretionary.
  • Stops: Yes, below pattern low.
  • Default Values:
    • CandleType = 15 minute
    • StopLossPercent = 1
    • RequireDowntrend = true
    • DowntrendBars = 3
  • Filters:
    • Category: Pattern
    • Direction: Long
    • Indicators: Candlestick
    • Stops: Yes
    • Complexity: Intermediate
    • Timeframe: Intraday
    • Seasonality: No
    • Neural networks: No
    • Divergence: No
    • Risk level: Medium
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;

using Ecng.Common;

using StockSharp.Algo.Indicators;
using StockSharp.Algo.Strategies;
using StockSharp.BusinessEntities;
using StockSharp.Messages;

namespace StockSharp.Samples.Strategies;

/// <summary>
/// Bullish Engulfing strategy.
/// Enters long on bullish engulfing pattern below SMA.
/// Enters short on bearish engulfing pattern above SMA.
/// Exits via SMA crossover.
/// </summary>
public class EngulfingBullishStrategy : Strategy
{
	private readonly StrategyParam<int> _maPeriod;
	private readonly StrategyParam<DataType> _candleType;
	private readonly StrategyParam<int> _cooldownBars;

	private ICandleMessage _previousCandle;
	private int _cooldown;

	/// <summary>
	/// MA Period.
	/// </summary>
	public int MAPeriod
	{
		get => _maPeriod.Value;
		set => _maPeriod.Value = value;
	}

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

	/// <summary>
	/// Cooldown bars.
	/// </summary>
	public int CooldownBars
	{
		get => _cooldownBars.Value;
		set => _cooldownBars.Value = value;
	}

	/// <summary>
	/// Constructor.
	/// </summary>
	public EngulfingBullishStrategy()
	{
		_maPeriod = Param(nameof(MAPeriod), 20)
			.SetGreaterThanZero()
			.SetDisplay("MA Period", "Period for SMA", "Indicators");

		_candleType = Param(nameof(CandleType), TimeSpan.FromMinutes(1).TimeFrame())
			.SetDisplay("Candle Type", "Type of candles to use", "General");

		_cooldownBars = Param(nameof(CooldownBars), 500)
			.SetRange(1, 1000)
			.SetDisplay("Cooldown Bars", "Bars to wait between trades", "General");
	}

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

	/// <inheritdoc />
	protected override void OnReseted()
	{
		base.OnReseted();
		_previousCandle = null;
		_cooldown = default;
	}

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

		_previousCandle = null;
		_cooldown = 0;

		var sma = new SimpleMovingAverage { Length = MAPeriod };

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

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

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

		if (!IsFormedAndOnlineAndAllowTrading())
			return;

		if (_cooldown > 0)
		{
			_cooldown--;
			_previousCandle = candle;
			return;
		}

		if (_previousCandle != null)
		{
			var isPrevBearish = _previousCandle.ClosePrice < _previousCandle.OpenPrice;
			var isPrevBullish = _previousCandle.ClosePrice > _previousCandle.OpenPrice;
			var isCurrBullish = candle.ClosePrice > candle.OpenPrice;
			var isCurrBearish = candle.ClosePrice < candle.OpenPrice;

			var bullishEngulfing = isPrevBearish && isCurrBullish &&
				candle.ClosePrice > _previousCandle.OpenPrice &&
				candle.OpenPrice < _previousCandle.ClosePrice;

			var bearishEngulfing = isPrevBullish && isCurrBearish &&
				candle.ClosePrice < _previousCandle.OpenPrice &&
				candle.OpenPrice > _previousCandle.ClosePrice;

			if (Position == 0 && bullishEngulfing && candle.ClosePrice < smaValue)
			{
				BuyMarket();
				_cooldown = CooldownBars;
			}
			else if (Position == 0 && bearishEngulfing && candle.ClosePrice > smaValue)
			{
				SellMarket();
				_cooldown = CooldownBars;
			}
			else if (Position > 0 && candle.ClosePrice < smaValue)
			{
				SellMarket();
				_cooldown = CooldownBars;
			}
			else if (Position < 0 && candle.ClosePrice > smaValue)
			{
				BuyMarket();
				_cooldown = CooldownBars;
			}
		}

		_previousCandle = candle;
	}
}