BBands Stops_v2

Author: Copyright � 2006, TrendLaboratory Ltd.
BBands Stops_v2

This script is a technical analysis tool designed to help traders identify market trends and determine potential "stop-loss" levels based on price volatility. It utilizes a modified version of the Bollinger Bands—a common statistical indicator used to measure where asset prices are relative to their average movement.

Core Logic and Functionality

The primary objective of this script is to track the momentum of the market and provide visual cues for when a trend is established and where a trader might want to protect their position. Here is how the logic flows:

Trend Identification The script constantly monitors whether the price has broken above the upper boundary or below the lower boundary of a Bollinger Band.

  • If the price closes above the upper band, the script identifies an upward trend.
  • If the price closes below the lower band, it identifies a downward trend.

Dynamic Stop-Loss Calculation Rather than using fixed numbers, the tool calculates "Stop" lines dynamically. It uses the distance between the upper and lower bands to estimate volatility. By applying a specific "Risk Factor" (an offset), the script generates a buffer zone. This ensures that the suggested stop levels adjust automatically as the market becomes more or less volatile.

Smart Persistence (Trailing Logic) A key feature of this logic is its "memory." The script is designed to ensure that these stop-loss levels only move in your favor:

  • In an Upward Trend, the protective line will only move higher; it will never drop, even if the market temporarily dips.
  • In a Downward Trend, the protective line will only move lower; it will never rise, even if the market briefly bounces back.

Visual Outputs The script provides several ways to view this information on a chart, which can be customized by the user:

  1. Trend Lines: Visual paths that follow the price movement to show the current "floor" or "ceiling" of the trend.
  2. Trend Signals: Specific markers (arrows) that appear when the logic identifies a shift in momentum or a new entry point.
  3. Stop Levels: Direct indicators of where the trend is considered "broken," helping traders decide when to exit a position to minimize losses.

Summary for the Trader

Essentially, this script acts as an automated assistant that watches the volatility of the market. It identifies which way the "wind" is blowing and draws a trailing line behind the price. This allows you to see where the trend sits in real-time and provides a calculated point at which you can exit your trade if the market reverses against you.

Indicators Used
Bollinger bands indicator
Miscellaneous
Implements a curve of type %1
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1 Downloads
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BBands Stops_v2
/*-----------------------------+
|			       |
| Shared by www.Aptrafx.com    |
|			       |
+------------------------------*/

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//|                                               BBands_Stop_v1.mq4 |
//|                           Copyright © 2006, TrendLaboratory Ltd. |
//|            http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/TrendLaboratory |
//|                                       E-mail: igorad2004@list.ru |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
#property copyright "Copyright © 2006, TrendLaboratory Ltd."
#property link      "http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/TrendLaboratory"

#property indicator_chart_window
#property indicator_buffers 6
#property indicator_color1 Chartreuse
#property indicator_color2 Orange
#property indicator_color3 Chartreuse
#property indicator_color4 Orange
#property indicator_color5 Chartreuse
#property indicator_color6 Orange
//---- input parameters
extern int    Length=20;      // Bollinger Bands Period
extern double    Deviation=2;    // Deviation
extern double MoneyRisk=1.00; // Offset Factor
extern int    Signal=1;       // Display signals mode: 1-Signals & Stops; 0-only Stops; 2-only Signals;
extern int    Line=1;         // Display line mode: 0-no,1-yes  
extern int    Nbars=1000;
//---- indicator buffers
double UpTrendBuffer[];
double DownTrendBuffer[];
double UpTrendSignal[];
double DownTrendSignal[];
double UpTrendLine[];
double DownTrendLine[];
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Custom indicator initialization function                         |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
  int init()
  {
   string short_name;
//---- indicator line
   
   SetIndexBuffer(0,UpTrendBuffer);
   SetIndexBuffer(1,DownTrendBuffer);
   SetIndexBuffer(2,UpTrendSignal);
   SetIndexBuffer(3,DownTrendSignal);
   SetIndexBuffer(4,UpTrendLine);
   SetIndexBuffer(5,DownTrendLine);
   SetIndexStyle(0,DRAW_ARROW);
   SetIndexStyle(1,DRAW_ARROW);
   SetIndexStyle(2,DRAW_ARROW);
   SetIndexStyle(3,DRAW_ARROW);
   SetIndexStyle(4,DRAW_LINE);
   SetIndexStyle(5,DRAW_LINE);
   SetIndexArrow(0,159);
   SetIndexArrow(1,159);
   SetIndexArrow(2,108);
   SetIndexArrow(3,108);
   IndicatorDigits(MarketInfo(Symbol(),MODE_DIGITS));
//---- name for DataWindow and indicator subwindow label
   short_name="BBands Stop("+Length+","+Deviation+")";
   IndicatorShortName(short_name);
   SetIndexLabel(0,"UpTrend Stop");
   SetIndexLabel(1,"DownTrend Stop");
   SetIndexLabel(2,"UpTrend Signal");
   SetIndexLabel(3,"DownTrend Signal");
   SetIndexLabel(4,"UpTrend Line");
   SetIndexLabel(5,"DownTrend Line");
//----
   SetIndexDrawBegin(0,Length);
   SetIndexDrawBegin(1,Length);
   SetIndexDrawBegin(2,Length);
   SetIndexDrawBegin(3,Length);
   SetIndexDrawBegin(4,Length);
   SetIndexDrawBegin(5,Length);
//----
   return(0);
  }

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Bollinger Bands_Stop_v1                                             |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
int start()
  {
   int    i,shift,trend;
   double smax[25000],smin[25000],bsmax[25000],bsmin[25000];
   
   for (shift=Nbars;shift>=0;shift--)
   {
   UpTrendBuffer[shift]=0;
   DownTrendBuffer[shift]=0;
   UpTrendSignal[shift]=0;
   DownTrendSignal[shift]=0;
   UpTrendLine[shift]=EMPTY_VALUE;
   DownTrendLine[shift]=EMPTY_VALUE;
   }
   
   for (shift=Nbars-Length-1;shift>=0;shift--)
   {	
     smax[shift]=iBands(NULL,0,Length,Deviation,0,PRICE_CLOSE,MODE_UPPER,shift);
	  smin[shift]=iBands(NULL,0,Length,Deviation,0,PRICE_CLOSE,MODE_LOWER,shift);
	
	  if (Close[shift]>smax[shift+1]) trend=1; 
	  if (Close[shift]<smin[shift+1]) trend=-1;
		 	
	  if(trend>0 && smin[shift]<smin[shift+1]) smin[shift]=smin[shift+1];
	  if(trend<0 && smax[shift]>smax[shift+1]) smax[shift]=smax[shift+1];
	  	  
	  bsmax[shift]=smax[shift]+0.5*(MoneyRisk-1)*(smax[shift]-smin[shift]);
	  bsmin[shift]=smin[shift]-0.5*(MoneyRisk-1)*(smax[shift]-smin[shift]);
		
	  if(trend>0 && bsmin[shift]<bsmin[shift+1]) bsmin[shift]=bsmin[shift+1];
	  if(trend<0 && bsmax[shift]>bsmax[shift+1]) bsmax[shift]=bsmax[shift+1];
	  
	  if (trend>0) 
	  {
	     if (Signal>0 && UpTrendBuffer[shift+1]==-1.0)
	     {
	     UpTrendSignal[shift]=bsmin[shift];
	     UpTrendBuffer[shift]=bsmin[shift];
	     if(Line>0) UpTrendLine[shift]=bsmin[shift];
	     }
	     else
	     {
	     UpTrendBuffer[shift]=bsmin[shift];
	     if(Line>0) UpTrendLine[shift]=bsmin[shift];
	     UpTrendSignal[shift]=-1;
	     }
	  if (Signal==2) UpTrendBuffer[shift]=0;   
	  DownTrendSignal[shift]=-1;
	  DownTrendBuffer[shift]=-1.0;
	  DownTrendLine[shift]=EMPTY_VALUE;
	  }
	  if (trend<0) 
	  {
	  if (Signal>0 && DownTrendBuffer[shift+1]==-1.0)
	     {
	     DownTrendSignal[shift]=bsmax[shift];
	     DownTrendBuffer[shift]=bsmax[shift];
	     if(Line>0) DownTrendLine[shift]=bsmax[shift];
	     }
	     else
	     {
	     DownTrendBuffer[shift]=bsmax[shift];
	     if(Line>0)DownTrendLine[shift]=bsmax[shift];
	     DownTrendSignal[shift]=-1;
	     }
	  if (Signal==2) DownTrendBuffer[shift]=0;    
	  UpTrendSignal[shift]=-1;
	  UpTrendBuffer[shift]=-1.0;
	  UpTrendLine[shift]=EMPTY_VALUE;
	  }
	  
	 }
	return(0);	
 }

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