Sample code to mimic an ATM in custom strategy

[dejafutures]

Hello,
I have developed a custom strategy that uses SetProfitTrarget, SetTrailStop, EnterLong, EnterShort. It works ok but I cannot figure out how to mimic an ATM behavior e.g. add Profit trigger to auto trail and implement an Auto Breakeven. I am ok with changing the code approach without using SetProfit/SetTrail methods as long as I can mimic an ATM with auto trail and auto breakeven.

I would appreciate any help or pointer to a sample code.

Pseudocode:
OnBarUpdate()
{
.....
//Pseudocode

double p1ProfitTicks = (currentAtr * 40);
double p2ProfitTicks = (currentAtr * 60);

SetTrailStop(@"P1",CalculationMode.Ticks, p1TailStopTicks, false);
SetProfitTarget(@"P1", CalculationMode.Ticks, p1ProfitTicks);


if (long condition && Position.MarketPosition == MarketPosition.Flat)
{
EnterLong(1, @"P1");

}

if (short condition && Position.MarketPosition == MarketPosition.Flat)
{
EnterShort(1, @"P1");

}

.....
}

Thank you!

[NinjaTrader_Gaby]

Hello dejafutures,

Thank you for your post.

We have a couple sample scripts that may be helpful to you in creating this strategy.

I recommend studying this sample script which demonstrates modification of the stop loss order to a break even price once a desired level of profit has been reached, using Set Methods. The example uses SetStopLoss() but you can also use SetTrailStop().

https://ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt8/modifying_the_price_of_stop_lo.htm

This script also demonstrates scaling out of a position using Profit Target and Trail Stop orders:

https://ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt8/scaling_out_of_a_position.htm

If you would prefer using Exit methods, this sample script also demonstrates modifying stop-loss order to breakeven after a certain amount in profit with exit methods:

https://ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt8/using_onorderupdate_and_onexec.htm

Please let us know if you have any further questions.

[dejafutures]

Hi Gaby,

Thank you for your answer. However, none of these samples show the following:
1. How to trigger a trail based on profit target. SetTrailStop(CalculationMode mode, double value) => value is the trail stop but when does the trailing kick-in? I would like to control the when the trailing kicks in just like how it can be specified in an ATM.
2. How to create a auto-breakeven behavior similar to ATM? If I implement stop behavior in OnBarUpdate() and if the strategy is Calculate.OnBarClose, my calculation for breakeven will not be affected until the bar completes. Is there a native way in NT8 that will allow me to implement auto- breakeven behavior on every tick change.

Thank you!

[NinjaTrader_Gaby]

Hello dejafutures,

To clarify, you want to trigger your TrailStop when one of your targets is hit correct? You could do something like check if the price is greater than or equal to Position.AveragePrice + your ProfitTrigger. If that's true, the price has hit your profit target and then you can submit the trail stop. For example, if I wanted the trail stop to start after 15 ticks in profit

if (Position.AveragePrice + 15*TickSize >= Close[0])
//set your trail stop

https://ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt8/position_averageprice.htm

You can change the Calculate setting of the strategy to OnEachTick if you want OnBarUpdate() to be called on every tick.

https://ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt8/calculate.htm

Please let us know if you have any further questions.

[dejafutures]

Sorry, I think I did not clarify myself. I cannot change the strategy to Calculate on tick since that will affect the processing logic. If I use if (Position.AveragePrice + 15*TickSize >= Close[0])
and if the price goes against me, I will not have any stop loss in place to protect. I believe if I place SetStopLoss at the time of order placement, it cannot be replaced or substituted with SetTrailStop later. Correct?

Any ideas for the implementation of Auto-breakeven?

[NinjaTrader_ChelseaB]

Hello dejafutures,

"I cannot change the strategy to Calculate on tick since that will affect the processing logic. "

If you still want some actions to occur only after a bar has closed when using Calculate.OnEachTick, require IsFirstTickOfBar to be true and reference 1 bar ago. This will have the exact same behavior as using Calculate.OnBarClose, but allow for other conditions to trigger for each tick if desired.

https://ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt8/isfirsttickofbar.htm

https://ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt8/index.html?multi-time_frame__instruments.htm#HowBarsDataIsReferenced

Below are links to examples of custom break-even and trailing behavior.

https://forum.ninjatrader.com/forum/suggestions-and-feedback/suggestions-and-feedback-aa/103992-request-breakeven-functions-in-strategy-builder#post806596

https://forum.ninjatrader.com/forum/ninjatrader-8/platform-technical-support-aa/97419-priceos-cs-expecting#post802269

When using SetStopLoss() it is important to call set methods with CalculationMode.Ticks to reset these before calling an entry and not after. You can call these after as well using CalculationMode.Price if you would like to adjust the price.