1 Topic by DrQuant (edited by DrQuant 2026-08-21 21:09:21)

  • Registered: 2026-07-27
  • Posts: 33

Topic: How can "Max Daily Loss" be larger than "Max Drawdown"?

Hi all,

Below is a screenshot of an EA's stats. I'm trying to make sense of the numbers circled in red. In particular:

Q1) How can the "Max Daily Loss" be larger than the "Max Drawdown"?

Thanks!

https://i.ibb.co/Q3bqyX5V/Capture1.jpg

2 Reply by DrQuant (edited by DrQuant 2026-08-17 16:26:13)

  • Registered: 2026-07-27
  • Posts: 33

Re: How can "Max Daily Loss" be larger than "Max Drawdown"?

I figured out the answers to Q2 & Q3 so I deleted them. But I still don't get the answer to Q1...

3 Reply by DrQuant (edited by DrQuant 2026-08-17 15:44:48)

  • Registered: 2026-07-27
  • Posts: 33

Re: How can "Max Daily Loss" be larger than "Max Drawdown"?

Also:

Q4) How can the "Maximum Loss" for the "Complete Backtest" be 0.20% when the "Maximum Loss" for OOS is 2.70%?

  • Registered: 2026-07-27
  • Posts: 33

Re: How can "Max Daily Loss" be larger than "Max Drawdown"?

I exported the data and calculated the drawdown figures myself in EXCEL. My results do not agree with any of the numbers in the screenshot. So either I'm being stupid (possible) or the numbers in EA Studio are just wrong...

  • Registered: 2026-07-27
  • Posts: 33

Re: How can "Max Daily Loss" be larger than "Max Drawdown"?

Attached is the EA in case anyone wants to check the stats. I used Premium Data, 200000 bars of USATECHIDXUSD M5 ending at 2026-08-17 11:00.

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EA Studio Plus USATECHIDXUSD M5 2003370840.mq5 78.82 kb, 3 downloads since 2026-08-17 

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  • Popov
  • Popov
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  • Registered: 2006-11-30
  • Posts: 8,307

Re: How can "Max Daily Loss" be larger than "Max Drawdown"?

Thank you for the report!

I'll check it and will try to fix the issue today.

Edit:

Myfxbook-style:
> daily loss is relative to the equity at each day's start;
> absolute/maximum loss is relative to the initial balance.

The daily loss computes from the equity at the beginning of the day to the lowest equity of the day.
It may be lower or higher than the "Maximum loss %".
Maximum loss can be even 0 if the strategy makes profit from the first deal and never drops below the initial account.

Popov's Website

  • Registered: 2026-07-27
  • Posts: 33

Re: How can "Max Daily Loss" be larger than "Max Drawdown"?

Popov wrote:

Myfxbook-style:
> daily loss is relative to the equity at each day's start;
> absolute/maximum loss is relative to the initial balance.

The daily loss computes from the equity at the beginning of the day to the lowest equity of the day.
It may be lower or higher than the "Maximum loss %".
Maximum loss can be even 0 if the strategy makes profit from the first deal and never drops below the initial account.

Okay thanks. Noted.

But if the Daily Max Loss is 28.82% (as claimed) then why can't I see a 28.82% drop anywhere on the chart?

  • Popov
  • Popov
  • Lead Developer
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  • From: Bulgaria
  • Registered: 2006-11-30
  • Posts: 8,307

Re: How can "Max Daily Loss" be larger than "Max Drawdown"?

Please, reload EA Studio and check the "Daily Max Loss is 28.82%" again. Report, if it still shows such a number.

It is interesting that I worked on SBP and ported the EA Studio backtester in it. I found and fixed a bug just before answering to your post. The bug was in the internals of the backtester with the only visible effect of the "Daily Max Loss" value smile.

Popov's Website

  • Registered: 2026-07-27
  • Posts: 33

Re: How can "Max Daily Loss" be larger than "Max Drawdown"?

The 28.82% number has gone! Many thanks!