• Registered: 2015-08-21
  • Posts: 37

Topic: Hard SL-TP problem

Hi guys i wonder why, if i set Sl and TP levels under STRATEGY PROPERTIES->POSITION PROTECTION (not under exit logic conditions!!), i don't have such fixed levels in my trades.

For i.e.
Strategy1:
exit long at up fractal; SL point (in strategy properties) 260 and TP 260.
My latest today trades from myfxbook:
SL(Pips)    TP(Pips)

-16.00     36.00
   
-16.50     35.50
   
-26.20     25.80
   
-33.60     18.40
   
-26.30     25.70
   
-37.20     14.80
   
-38.10     13.90
   
-40.20     11.80
   
-26.50     25.50
   
-26.90     25.10
   
-28.90     23.10
   
-29.10     22.90

Strategy2:
exit long at up fractal; SL point (in strategy properties) 260 and TP 260 (same as before, but changes the entry rules).
My latest today trades from myfxbook:
SL(Pips)    TP(Pips)
-28.70     23.30
   
-30.40     21.60
   
-33.40     18.60
   
-26.10     25.90
   
-30.10     21.90
   
-31.20     20.80
   
-24.80     27.20
   
-25.70     26.30
   
-26.20     25.80
   
-32.50     19.50
   
-34.80     17.20
   
-44.20     7.80
   
-26.10     25.90
   
-30.40     21.60
   
-30.40     21.60
   
-33.20     18.80

Strategy3:
Stop Limit: exit at Stop loss or Take profit (SL 100; TP 100). This time i set SL and TP ONLY on the exit rules and NOT under the Strategy Properties.
My latest today trades from myfxbook:
SL(Pips)    TP(Pips)
-10.10     9.90
   
-10.20     9.80
   
-13.10     6.90
   
-15.80     4.20
   
-20.50     0.50
   
-4.60     15.40
   
-10.40     9.60
   
-6.90     13.10

-8.70     11.30
   
-10.40     9.60
   
-14.70     5.30
   
-19.60     0.40
   
-5.40     14.60
   
-6.00     14.00
   
-6.40     13.60
   
-10.10     9.90
   
-10.40     9.60
   
-13.70     6.30

Why in every way, my SL and TP are not fixed? Where i'm wrong??

Thank you for your help

  • Popov
  • Popov
  • Lead Developer
  • Offline
  • From: Bulgaria
  • Registered: 2006-11-30
  • Posts: 7,885

Re: Hard SL-TP problem

The Stop Loss and Take Profit detect the price move from the moment of the entry.
The real exit will depend on the spread, the slippage and the rollover.

For example I have a strategy with Stop Loss = 100 and Take Profit = 100 points. (Please note that for 5 digits EURUSD 100 points = 10 pips)

http://s28.postimg.org/kr93ygszt/screenshot_1188.jpg

See in the Backtesting journal that the actual exit is at Stop Loss + Spread or at Take Profit - Spread.
Note also that  the red arrow shows a swap compensation due to a roll-over.

http://s28.postimg.org/4k2tielzd/screenshot_1191.jpg

See similar results in the MT4 backtester:

http://s28.postimg.org/yapy466yx/screenshot_1190.jpg

Popov's Website

  • Registered: 2015-08-21
  • Posts: 37

Re: Hard SL-TP problem

Thank you for your reply Popov. I understand what you meant but in your case the SL or TP is near to what you set in your strategy. In my case, instead, there are differences of about 15/20 pips! Sometimes it works fine but sometimes no. Is for this i asked your help...maybe i did something wrong, i really don't know

  • Popov
  • Popov
  • Lead Developer
  • Offline
  • From: Bulgaria
  • Registered: 2006-11-30
  • Posts: 7,885

Re: Hard SL-TP problem

We cannot do anything more without more information. Please attach your strategy. Post also screenshots from MT journal. The Symbol properties screen from MT may also help.

Popov's Website