Automated Risk Management for Passing Prop Firm Challenges
Automated Risk Management for Passing Prop Firm Challenges
This article explains the design of a prop-firm Expert Advisor for GOLD, featuring breakout filters, multi-timeframe analysis, robust risk management, and strict drawdown protection. The EA helps traders pass prop-firm challenges by avoiding rule breaches and stabilizing trade execution under volatile market conditions.
Larry Williams Market Secrets (Part 5): Automating the Volatility Breakout Strategy in MQL5
Larry Williams Market Secrets (Part 5): Automating the Volatility Breakout Strategy in MQL5
This article demonstrates how to automate Larry Williams’ volatility breakout strategy in MQL5 using a practical, step-by-step approach. You will learn how to calculate daily range expansions, derive buy and sell levels, manage risk with range-based stops and reward-based targets, and structure a professional Expert Advisor for MetaTrader 5. Designed for traders and developers looking to transform Larry Williams’ market concepts into a fully testable and deployable automated trading system.
Database Is Easy (Part 1): A Lightweight ORM Framework for MQL5 Using SQLite
Database Is Easy (Part 1): A Lightweight ORM Framework for MQL5 Using SQLite
This article presents a structured way to manage SQLite data in MQL5 through an ORM layer for MetaTrader 5. It introduces core classes for entity modeling and database access, a fluent CRUD API, reflection hooks for OnGet/OnSet, and macros to define models quickly. Practical code shows creating tables, binding fields, inserting, updating, querying, and deleting records. Developers gain reusable, type-safe components that minimize repetitive SQL.
Statistical Arbitrage Through Cointegrated Stocks (Part 9): Backtesting Portfolio Weights Updates
Statistical Arbitrage Through Cointegrated Stocks (Part 9): Backtesting Portfolio Weights Updates
This article describes the use of CSV files for backtesting portfolio weights updates in a mean-reversion-based strategy that uses statistical arbitrage through cointegrated stocks. It goes from feeding the database with the results of a Rolling Windows Eigenvector Comparison (RWEC) to comparing the backtest reports. In the meantime, the article details the role of each RWEC parameter and its impact in the overall backtest result, showing how the comparison of the relative drawdown can help us to further improve those parameters.
Optimizing Trend Strength: Trading in Trend Direction and Strength
Optimizing Trend Strength: Trading in Trend Direction and Strength
This is a specialized trend-following EA that makes both short and long-term analyses, trading decisions, and executions based on the overall trend and its strength. This article will explore in detail an EA that is specifically designed for traders who are patient, disciplined, and focused enough to only execute trades and hold their positions only when trading with strength and in the trend direction without changing their bias frequently, especially against the trend, until take-profit targets are hit.
MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 11): Correlation Matrix Dashboard (Pearson, Spearman, Kendall) with Heatmap and Standard Modes
MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 11): Correlation Matrix Dashboard (Pearson, Spearman, Kendall) with Heatmap and Standard Modes
In this article, we build a correlation matrix dashboard in MQL5 to compute asset relationships using Pearson, Spearman, and Kendall methods over a set timeframe and bars. The system offers standard mode with color thresholds and p-value stars, plus heatmap mode with gradient visuals for correlation strengths. It includes an interactive UI with timeframe selectors, mode toggles, and a dynamic legend for efficient analysis of symbol interdependencies.
MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 12): Enhancing the Correlation Matrix Dashboard with Interactivity
MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 12): Enhancing the Correlation Matrix Dashboard with Interactivity
In this article, we enhance the correlation matrix dashboard in MQL5 with interactive features like panel dragging, minimizing/maximizing, hover effects on buttons and timeframes, and mouse event handling for improved user experience. We add sorting of symbols by average correlation strength in ascending/descending modes, toggle between correlation and p-value views, and incorporate light/dark theme switching with dynamic color updates.
Price Action Analysis Toolkit (Part 55): Designing a CPI Mini-Candle Overlay for Intra-bar Pressure
Price Action Analysis Toolkit (Part 55): Designing a CPI Mini-Candle Overlay for Intra-bar Pressure
This article presents the design and MetaTrader 5 implementation of the Candle Pressure Index (CPI)—a CLV-based overlay that visualizes intra-Bar buying and selling pressure directly on price charts. The discussion focuses on candle structure, pressure classification, visualization mechanics, and a non-repainting, transition-based alert system designed for consistent behavior across timeframes and instruments.
Reimagining Classic Strategies (Part 21): Bollinger Bands And RSI Ensemble Strategy Discovery
Reimagining Classic Strategies (Part 21): Bollinger Bands And RSI Ensemble Strategy Discovery
This article explores the development of an ensemble algorithmic trading strategy for the EURUSD market that combines the Bollinger Bands and the Relative Strength Indicator (RSI). Initial rule-based strategies produced high-quality signals but suffered from low trade frequency and limited profitability. Multiple iterations of the strategy were evaluated, revealing flaws in our understanding of the market, increased noise, and degraded performance. By appropriately employing statistical learning algorithms, shifting the modeling target to technical indicators, applying proper scaling, and combining machine learning forecasts with classical trading rules, the final strategy achieved significantly improved profitability and trade frequency while maintaining acceptable signal quality.
Statistical Arbitrage Through Cointegrated Stocks (Part 10): Detecting Structural Breaks
Statistical Arbitrage Through Cointegrated Stocks (Part 10): Detecting Structural Breaks
This article presents the Chow test for detecting structural breaks in pair relationships and the application of the Cumulative Sum of Squares - CUSUM - for structural breaks monitoring and early detection. The article uses the Nvidia/Intel partnership announcement and the US Gov foreign trade tariff announcement as examples of slope inversion and intercept shift, respectively. Python scripts for all the tests are provided.
CAPM Model Indicator for the Forex Market
CAPM Model Indicator for the Forex Market
Adaptation of the classical CAPM model for the Forex currency market in MQL5. The indicator calculates expected return and risk premium based on historical volatility. The indicators rise at peaks and bottoms, reflecting the fundamental principles of pricing. Practical application for counter-trend and trend-following strategies, taking into account the dynamics of the risk-reward ratio in real time. The article includes mathematical apparatus and technical implementation.
Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 67): Automating Support and Resistance Monitoring in MQL5
Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 67): Automating Support and Resistance Monitoring in MQL5
This article implements a complete MQL5 Expert Advisor that monitors manually drawn support and resistance levels in real time. It synchronizes horizontal lines, detects approaches, touches, breakouts, reversals, and retests, and adds optional candlestick pattern checks. Alerts and on‑chart markers provide clear, repeatable feedback, allowing you to keep manual analysis while automating the surveillance of key price levels.
CFTC Data Mining in Python and Building an AI Model
CFTC Data Mining in Python and Building an AI Model
Let's try mining CFTC data, downloading COT and TFF reports via Python, connecting all this with MetaTrader 5 quotes and an AI model, and get forecasts. What are COT reports in the Forex market? How to use COT and TFF reports for forecasting?
Building an Object-Oriented FVG Scanner in MQL5
Building an Object-Oriented FVG Scanner in MQL5
Create an object-oriented fair value gap (FVG) scanner in MQL5 and display liquidity gaps directly on a MetaTrader 5 chart, this article formalizes the imbalance geometry based on three candlesticks, synchronizes OHLC arrays with CopyRates, manages rectangles without leaks, and monitors mitigation in real time. It also shows how to integrate this class into an Expert Advisor with a strict new bar filter for stable and efficient execution.
Three MACD Filters on US_TECH100: Five Years of Broker Data
Three MACD Filters on US_TECH100: Five Years of Broker Data
This article tests three common filters on a standard MACD crossover for US_TECH100 H1 using five years of broker-native data. Filters are layered incrementally: regime, higher timeframe (HTF) alignment, and US session timing, to isolate each one's marginal impact. Results show session timing contributes far more than indicator refinements, while regime and HTF add little on their own. Includes a reproducible MQL5 regime classifier.
Stress Testing Trade Sequences with Monte Carlo in MQL5
Stress Testing Trade Sequences with Monte Carlo in MQL5
A backtest shows only one path among many possible outcomes. This MQL5 script performs 1000 bootstrap Monte Carlo resamples of a trade P&L series, draws a percentile fan chart on the chart via CCanvas, and reports probability of ruin, value at risk, and 95th‑percentile worst drawdown. The result is a practical view of path risk and drawdown exposure beyond a single equity curve.
Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 68): Price-Attached RSI Panel in MQL5
Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 68): Price-Attached RSI Panel in MQL5
We present a chart-embedded RSI panel that removes the need for a separate window by attaching momentum directly to live price. The article explains the design and MQL5 code: real-time RSI retrieval, slope-based signal classification, and adaptive positioning. Traders get RSI value, state, and signal strength where decisions are made, improving clarity across timeframes.
Engineering Trading Discipline into Code (Part 5): Account-Level Risk Enforcement in MQL5
Engineering Trading Discipline into Code (Part 5): Account-Level Risk Enforcement in MQL5
We introduce an MQL5 discipline engine that enforces risk consistently at the account level. It continuously scans positions from any source, validates SL/TP, equity-based exposure, and target R:R, and automatically corrects deviations by setting levels or adjusting volume. The result is uniform risk structure across manual and EA trades, supported by on-chart feedback and mode-based control.
Graph Theory: Heuristic Search Algorithm (A-Star) Applied in Trading
Graph Theory: Heuristic Search Algorithm (A-Star) Applied in Trading
The article applies the A* heuristic to market structure by modeling validated swing highs and lows as graph nodes and weighting edges with ATR‑normalized distance, spread, and noise penalties. The engine searches the most efficient route to infer trade direction and targets, then filters signals by directional ratio, total path cost, and opposing swings. It anchors TP to the final node and SL to prior structure, with on‑chart visualization and configurable inputs.
Algorithmic Trading Without the Routine: Quick Trade Analysis in MetaTrader 5 with SQLite
Algorithmic Trading Without the Routine: Quick Trade Analysis in MetaTrader 5 with SQLite
The article presents a minimal working set for maintaining a trading journal in MQL5 using SQLite: a table structure for trades, signals, and events, indices, prepared statements and trades, as well as standard analytical SQL queries. Integration with the statistics dashboard in MetaTrader 5 and working with the database via MetaEditor are demonstrated. The approach allows automating the journal, accelerating calculations, and performing analysis without complicating the EA code.
From Novice to Expert: Creating an MTF CRT Overlay Indicator in MQL5
From Novice to Expert: Creating an MTF CRT Overlay Indicator in MQL5
Higher-timeframe CRT ranges are informative, yet traders often execute on lower timeframes without that context. We implement an MQL5 indicator that reads higher-timeframe OHLC, projects the full candle range, body, and wicks onto the active lower-timeframe chart, and marks entries, stops, and targets. This improves situational awareness and removes the need to switch windows.
MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 30): Class-Based Tool Palette Sidebar
MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 30): Class-Based Tool Palette Sidebar
We refactor the Tools Palette from a flat, function-based panel into a modular, class-driven sidebar in MQL5. The design introduces supersampled canvas rendering for anti-aliased shapes, theme control, a category registry, snap alignment, and selective corner rounding. The result is a reusable, scalable sidebar foundation that you can extend with tool selection, dragging, and fly-out menus in future steps.
Feature Engineering for ML (Part 2): Implementing Fixed-Width Fractional Differentiation in MQL5
Feature Engineering for ML (Part 2): Implementing Fixed-Width Fractional Differentiation in MQL5
This article delivers a production-grade MQL5 implementation of fixed-width fractional differentiation for live MetaTrader 5 feeds. We introduce a header-only CFFDEngine that precomputes weights without a fixed cap, performs O(width) per-bar updates, and avoids per-tick allocations. The FFD.mq5 indicator supports all ENUM_APPLIED_PRICE types and prev_calculated optimization. Validation scripts confirm numerical equivalence with the standard Python frac diff_ffd pipeline.
Market Microstructure in MQL5: Robust Foundation (Part 1)
Market Microstructure in MQL5: Robust Foundation (Part 1)
This article builds the foundation layer of a twelve-part MQL5 market microstructure toolkit. It implements guarded math helpers (SafeDivide, SafeLog, SafeSqrt, SafeExp, SafeTanh), robust data validation (ValidateSymbolV2, SafeCopyClose), trimmed statistical estimators (robust mean var), a linear regression slope, shared structs, and an FFT. You compile a single include file that hardens indicators and expert advisors against silent numerical failures and standardizes data flow for later parts.
Building a Trade Analytics System (Part 2): How to Capture Closed Trades and Send JSON in MQL5
Building a Trade Analytics System (Part 2): How to Capture Closed Trades and Send JSON in MQL5
We build a lightweight bridge that captures closed trades in MetaTrader 5 and sends them to an external backend over HTTP as JSON. It uses OnTradeTransaction for event detection, reads details from deal history, assembles a JSON payload, and posts it via WebRequest. A local Flask API is used to test the flow, delivering a working path to move trade data outside the terminal.
Beyond the Clock (Part 2): Building Runs Bars in MQL5
Beyond the Clock (Part 2): Building Runs Bars in MQL5
We implement tick-, volume-, and dollar-runs bars in Python and MQL5 and align them with the existing bar‑building framework. The article details the dual‑accumulator update, offline calibration with per‑side seeds, state persistence for EAs, and parity verification to match Python and MQL5 outputs. Runs bars expose one‑sided bursts that net imbalance can hide, improving coverage during quiet sessions and for mean‑reversion models.
How to implement AutoARIMA forecasting in MQL5
How to implement AutoARIMA forecasting in MQL5
This article presents an MQL5 implementation of AutoARIMA that builds ARIMA models without manual tuning. It estimates d via a variance-based heuristic, fits ARMA(p,q) by gradient optimization with Adam, and selects p and q using AICc. The code returns a one-step-ahead price forecast by differencing, model estimation, and integration back to price level, ready to call on a Close series.
Beyond the Clock (Part 1): Building Activity and Imbalance Bars in Python and MQL5
Beyond the Clock (Part 1): Building Activity and Imbalance Bars in Python and MQL5
The article replaces clock-based sampling with López de Prado's alternative bar types and provides two aligned implementations: a unified Python module for batch tick histories and an object‑oriented MQL5 library for live EAs. It covers Parquet/Dask infrastructure, data cleaning, and a single API. Practical issues are solved explicitly: zero‑tick time‑bar filtering, imbalance threshold initialization, EWM state persistence, and parity between Python and MQL5 outputs.
Creating an EMA Crossover Forward Simulation Indicator in MQL5
Creating an EMA Crossover Forward Simulation Indicator in MQL5
A custom forward simulation engine detects fast/slow EMA crossovers and immediately projects synthetic candles ahead of the signal bar. It generates bodies and wicks using controlled logic, draws them with chart objects, and refreshes on every new signal or anchor change. You get a clear forward-looking view to test timing, visualize scenarios, and manage invalidation on the chart.
MetaTrader 5 Machine Learning Blueprint (Part 15): How to Calibrate Profit-Taking and Stop-Loss Targets from Synthetic Data
MetaTrader 5 Machine Learning Blueprint (Part 15): How to Calibrate Profit-Taking and Stop-Loss Targets from Synthetic Data
This article applies the Optimal Trading Rule from AFML Chapter 13 to set profit targets and stop-losses without in-sample calibration. We model post-entry P&L with a discrete Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process, run a 100,000-path search, and implement Python, multiprocessing, and a Numba @njit parallel kernel (242× faster). The result is an optimal (PT, SL) under three forecast specifications, constrained by the prop-firm daily loss limit.