Ch. 2Strategy #74

Strategy #74

Displaced Moving Average Lead Signal

Entry Logic

  • Entry trigger: Price crosses a displaced moving average (DMA).
  • Confirmation: A candle closes firmly on the other side of the DMA.
  • Timeframe: 15-minute chart.
  • Location context: The DMA is displaced forward in time, providing a leading signal.
  • Market condition: A trending market.

Exit Logic

  • Profit target: 2R or the next significant support/resistance level.
  • Scaling out: Not recommended.
  • Trailing stop: Trail the stop on the other side of the DMA.
  • Signal failure: Exit if the price crosses back over the DMA.
  • Opposite signal: Exit on a cross in the opposite direction.
  • Time expiration: None.
  • Momentum loss: Exit if momentum fades.

Stop Loss Structure

  • Hard stop: Below the low of the entry candle (for longs) or above the high (for shorts).
  • Soft stop: A close back on the wrong side of the DMA.
  • Max dollar loss: $150 per trade.
  • Max percent loss: 1.5% of account.
  • Structural stop: Below the most recent swing low (for longs) or above the swing high (for shorts).

Risk Management Framework

  • Risk per trade: 1% of account.
  • Daily limit: 3 losing trades.
  • Weekly limit: 5% drawdown.
  • Max drawdown: 15%.
  • R:R requirement: Minimum 1.5:1.

Position Sizing Model

  • Sizing approach: Fixed fractional (1% of account).
  • Volatility adjustment: Adjust size based on ATR.
  • Conviction sizing: None.
  • Scaling in: Not recommended.
  • Scaling out: Not recommended.

Trade Filtering

  • Market conditions: Avoid choppy, sideways markets.
  • Setups: Only take clear crosses of the DMA.
  • Instruments: Any liquid instrument.
  • Time restrictions: None.
  • Chop/news avoidance: Avoid trading around major news.

Context Framework

  • Trend direction: The trend is confirmed by the direction of the DMA cross.
  • VWAP relationship: Trade in the direction of VWAP.
  • MA relationship: The DMA provides a leading signal.
  • Range location: The trade is taken on a potential breakout of a range.
  • Higher TF alignment: The higher timeframe chart should confirm the trend direction.

Trade Management Rules

  • Breakeven: Move stop to breakeven after a 1R move.
  • Scale out: Not recommended.
  • Add size: Not recommended.
  • Fast vs slow moves: Let the trade run in a strong trend.

Time Rules

  • Optimal window: Any time during a trending market.
  • Times to avoid: Choppy, non-trending periods.
  • Session notes: Works well in all sessions.

Setup Classification

  • A+ setup: A clear cross of the DMA with a strong confirmation candle.
  • A setup: A decent cross of the DMA.
  • B setup: A weak cross of the DMA.
  • C setup: Avoid.

Market Selection Criteria

  • Instruments: Any liquid instrument.
  • Volume: High.
  • Volatility: Moderate.

Statistical Edge Metrics

  • Win rate: 50%.
  • Avg win: 2R.
  • Avg loss: 1R.
  • Profit factor: 1.0.
  • Expectancy: 0.0R.

Failure Conditions

  • The strategy fails in choppy, sideways markets.
  • Avoid taking trades if the cross is not clear.

Psychological Rules

  • Trust the leading signal of the DMA.
  • Do not hesitate to enter on a clear cross.

Advanced Components

  • Regime detection: Use a longer-term moving average to confirm the trend.
  • Filters: Only take trades in the direction of the longer-term trend.
  • Correlation: Be aware of market correlations.
  • MTF alignment: Check the higher timeframe chart for confirmation.

Location

  • Strongest: In a trending market.
  • Weakest: In a choppy, sideways market.