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Multi-Bar Direction Strategy

Author: ChaoZhang, Date: 2023-10-18 12:20:59
Tags:

Overview

The Multi-Bar Direction strategy identifies trend reversal signals by calculating the probability of multiple bars moving in the same direction. It is mainly used for medium-term trading.

Strategy Logic

The strategy first sets the start and end time for historical data extraction. The trading hours are configured to identify qualified candlesticks. It calculates the probability of consecutive ups or downs within 2 to 7 candlesticks. Trading signals are generated when the up or down ratio exceeds a threshold.

For example, if the probability of downtrend in 3 candlesticks is lower than 50%, the current 3 candlesticks meet the condition and a buy signal is generated. The parameters from 2 to 7 bars can be configured.

The specific logic is as follows:

Set backtest time range, including start date, end date, trading hours.
Count the number of same direction ups or downs within 2 to 7 candlesticks.
Calculate the probability of continuation of up or down between adjacent candlesticks.
If the probability is lower than 50%, the current candlesticks match the reversal pattern.
Generate buy or sell signals within trading hours.
Backtest to validate the strategy.

Advantages

Avoid false signals by considering multiple candlesticks probabilities.
Customizable bar count to identify reversal signals across different timeframes.
Clear trading hours avoid untimely signals.
Intuitive statistics display for performance evaluation.
Many optimizable parameters suitable for different markets.

Risks

Bar count cannot fully determine trend reversal points. There are misjudgements.
Long statistics duration may miss short-term trading opportunities.
Static threshold is impacted by market volatility. Dynamic adjustment is needed.
Backtest period selection may cause overfitting.

Possible solutions:

Optimize bar count for different timeframes.
Incorporate other indicators.
Adopt dynamic thresholds based on market volatility.
Expand backtest period and run multiple backtests.

Optimization Directions

The strategy can be optimized in the following aspects:

Optimize bar count from 2 to 10 and select the optimal parameter.
Test reversal threshold from 40% to 60% considering market changes.
Add stop loss after signal generation to limit risk.
Incorporate other indicators like RSI to validate signals.
Add more products like futures and forex for parameter testing.
Incremental parameter tuning to find optimal combinations.
Apply machine learning models to find optimal parameters automatically.

Conclusion

The Multi-Bar Direction strategy identifies potential reversal signals by statistically analyzing candlestick probabilities. But the performance depends on parameter tuning based on sufficient optimizations. In addition, reversal signals have misjudgement risks and need validation. Overall, this is a simple and effective statistical strategy worthwhile for further research and optimization.

/*backtest
start: 2023-10-16 00:00:00
end: 2023-10-17 00:00:00
period: 5m
basePeriod: 1m
exchanges: [{"eid":"Futures_Binance","currency":"BTC_USDT"}]
*/

// BO - Bar's direction Signal - Backtesting
//anch.v43
// © inno14
//@version=4

strategy("BO - Bar's direction Signal - Backtesting", pyramiding=15)
// === INPUT PERIOD OF TIME ===
Date   = input(true, title = "=== Periods Counting ===")
FromDay   = input(defval = 1, title = "From Day", minval = 1, maxval = 31)
FromMonth = input(defval = 1, title = "From Month", minval = 1, maxval = 12)
FromYear  = input(defval = 2020, title = "From Year", minval = 2017)

ToDay     = input(defval = 1, title = "To Day", minval = 1, maxval = 31)
ToMonth   = input(defval = 1, title = "To Month", minval = 1, maxval = 12)
ToYear    = input(defval = 9999, title = "To Year", minval = 2017)

// === DATE RANGE ===
start     = timestamp(FromYear, FromMonth, FromDay, 00, 00)  // backtest start window
finish    = timestamp(ToYear, ToMonth, ToDay, 23, 59)        // backtest finish window
window()  => time >= start and time <= finish ? true : false // create function "within window of time"

// === Trading Time ===
CTimeDvM   = input(true, title = "=== Trading Time ===")
Time_zone = input(7,title="Time Zone")
FromHourDvM   = input(defval = 05, title = "From Hour", minval = 00, maxval = 23)
FromMinuteDvM = input(defval = 00, title = "From Minute", minval = 00, maxval = 59)
ToHourDvM   = input(defval = 04, title = "To Hour", minval = 00, maxval = 23)
ToMinuteDvM = input(defval = 59, title = "To Minute", minval = 00, maxval = 59)

GMT_FHDvM=FromHourDvM<Time_zone?FromHourDvM-Time_zone+24:FromHourDvM-Time_zone
GMT_THDvM=ToHourDvM<Time_zone?ToHourDvM-Time_zone+24:ToHourDvM-Time_zone
fhDvM= (GMT_FHDvM<10?"0"+tostring(GMT_FHDvM):tostring(GMT_FHDvM))
fmDvM= (FromMinuteDvM<10?"0"+tostring(FromMinuteDvM):tostring(FromMinuteDvM))
thDvM= (GMT_THDvM<10?"0"+tostring(GMT_THDvM):tostring(GMT_THDvM))
tmDvM= (ToMinuteDvM<10?"0"+tostring(ToMinuteDvM):tostring(ToMinuteDvM))
WorkingHourDvM = fhDvM+fmDvM+"-"+thDvM+tmDvM
t0_DvM = time(timeframe.period, WorkingHourDvM)
htrtime = input(true,title="Highlight Tradingtime")
bgcolor(htrtime? t0_DvM? color.gray : na:na, title="Trading Time", transp=90)

// === Date Backtesting ===
Date1   = input(true, title = "=== Date Backtesting ===")
FromDay1   = input(defval = 1, title = "From Day", minval = 1, maxval = 31)
FromMonth1 = input(defval = 1, title = "From Month", minval = 1, maxval = 12)
FromYear1  = input(defval = 2020, title = "From Year", minval = 2017)

ToDay1     = input(defval = 1, title = "To Day", minval = 1, maxval = 31)
ToMonth1   = input(defval = 1, title = "To Month", minval = 1, maxval = 12)
ToYear1    = input(defval = 9999, title = "To Year", minval = 2017)

// === DATE RANGE ===
start1     = timestamp(FromYear1, FromMonth1, FromDay1, 00, 00)  // backtest start window
finish1    = timestamp(ToYear1, ToMonth1, ToDay1, 23, 59)        // backtest finish window
window1()  => time >= start1 and time <= finish1 ? true : false // create function "within window of time"

// === Setup ===
Setup   = input(true, title = "=== Setup Options ===")
set1 = input(true, title = "Reversal after 2 bars same direction")
set2 = input(true, title = "Reversal after 3 bars same direction")
set3 = input(true, title = "Reversal after 4 bars same direction")
set4 = input(true, title = "Reversal after 5 bars same direction")
set5 = input(true, title = "Reversal after 6 bars same direction")


// Calculate hours, minutes, and seconds till close
timeLeft = barstate.isrealtime ?
     (time_close - timenow) / 1000 :
     na

minutesLeft = floor((timeLeft % 3600) / 60)
secondsLeft = timeLeft % 60
// truncate() truncates a given number
// to a certain number of decimals
truncate(number, decimals) =>
    factor = pow(10, decimals)
    int(number * factor) / factor
//count 2
redv2=window()?1:0
bluev2=window()?1:0
mchange2 = close[0]<open[0] and close[1]<open[1] and t0_DvM?-1:0
pchange2 = close[0]>open[0] and close[1]>open[1] and t0_DvM?1:0
blue2 = cum(pchange2 > 0 ? bluev2 : 0 * bluev2)
red2 = cum(mchange2 < 0 ? redv2 : 0 * redv2)

//count 3
redv3=window()?1:0
bluev3=window()?1:0
mchange3 = close[0]<open[0] and close[1]<open[1] and close[2]<open[2] and t0_DvM?-1:0
pchange3 = close[0]>open[0] and close[1]>open[1] and close[2]>open[2] and t0_DvM?1:0
blue3 = cum(pchange3 > 0 ? bluev3 : 0 * bluev3)
red3 = cum(mchange3 < 0 ? redv3 : 0 * redv3)

//count 4
redv4=window()?1:0
bluev4=window()?1:0
mchange4 = close[0]<open[0] and close[1]<open[1] and close[2]<open[2] and close[3]<open[3] and t0_DvM?-1:0
pchange4 = close[0]>open[0] and close[1]>open[1] and close[2]>open[2] and close[3]>open[3] and t0_DvM?1:0
blue4 = cum(pchange4 > 0 ? bluev4 : 0 * bluev4)
red4 = cum(mchange4 < 0 ? redv4 : 0 * redv4)

//count 5
redv5=window()?1:0
bluev5=window()?1:0
mchange5 = close[0]<open[0] and close[1]<open[1] and close[2]<open[2] and close[3]<open[3] and close[4]<open[4] and t0_DvM?-1:0
pchange5 = close[0]>open[0] and close[1]>open[1] and close[2]>open[2] and close[3]>open[3] and close[4]>open[4] and t0_DvM?1:0
blue5 = cum(pchange5 > 0 ? bluev5 : 0 * bluev5)
red5 = cum(mchange5 < 0 ? redv5 : 0 * redv5)

//count 6
redv6=window()?1:0
bluev6=window()?1:0
mchange6 = close[0]<open[0] and close[1]<open[1] and close[2]<open[2] and close[3]<open[3] and close[4]<open[4] and close[5]<open[5] and t0_DvM?-1:0
pchange6 = close[0]>open[0] and close[1]>open[1] and close[2]>open[2] and close[3]>open[3] and close[4]>open[4] and close[5]>open[5] and t0_DvM?1:0
blue6 = cum(pchange6 > 0 ? bluev6 : 0 * bluev6)
red6 = cum(mchange6 < 0 ? redv6 : 0 * redv6)

//count 7
redv7=window()?1:0
bluev7=window()?1:0
mchange7 = close[0]<open[0] and close[1]<open[1] and close[2]<open[2] and close[3]<open[3] and close[4]<open[4] and close[5]<open[5] and close[6]<open[6] and t0_DvM?-1:0
pchange7 = close[0]>open[0] and close[1]>open[1] and close[2]>open[2] and close[3]>open[3] and close[4]>open[4] and close[5]>open[5] and close[6]>open[6] and t0_DvM?1:0
blue7 = cum(pchange7 > 0 ? bluev7 : 0 * bluev7)
red7 = cum(mchange7 < 0 ? redv7 : 0 * redv7)

//Percent 3rd bar has same direction
pred3=(red3/red2)*100
pblue3=(blue3/blue2)*100

//2->3
p23_blue_xloc=0
p23_red_xloc=2
p23_lable_xloc=round((p23_blue_xloc+p23_red_xloc)/2)
p23_label_yloc=1.0*100
blue2_100=100
red2_100=100

plot(blue2_100, style=plot.style_columns, offset=p23_blue_xloc, color=color.blue, transp=60, show_last=1)
plot(red2_100, style=plot.style_columns, offset=-p23_red_xloc, color=color.red, transp=60, show_last=1)
plot(pblue3, style=plot.style_columns, offset=p23_blue_xloc, color=color.blue, transp=40, show_last=1)
plot(pred3, style=plot.style_columns, offset=-p23_red_xloc, color=color.red, transp=40, show_last=1)
// label_pred_23=label.new(bar_index[p23_red_xloc],pred3,style=label.style_none,text=tostring(truncate(pred3,2))+"%")
// label.delete(label_pred_23[1])
//label_2dn=label.new(bar_index[p23_red_xloc],red2,style=label.style_none,text="2 bars downward: "+tostring(red2))
//label.delete(label_2dn[1])
// label_pblue_23=label.new(bar_index[p23_blue_xloc],pblue3,style=label.style_none,text=tostring(truncate(pblue3,2))+"%")
// label.delete(label_pblue_23[1])
//label_2up=label.new(bar_index[p23_blue_xloc],blue2,style=label.style_none,text="2 bars upward: "+tostring(blue2))
//label.delete(label_2up[1])
// label_23=label.new(bar_index[p23_lable_xloc],p23_label_yloc,style=label.style_labeldown,text="3 bars same direction", color=color.orange)
// label.delete(label_23[1])

//Percent 4th bar has same direction
pred4=(red4/red3)*100
pblue4=(blue4/blue3)*100

//3->4
p34_blue_xloc=4
p34_red_xloc=6
p34_lable_xloc=round((p34_blue_xloc+p34_red_xloc)/2)
p34_label_yloc=1.0*100
blue3_100=100
red3_100=100

plot(blue3_100, style=plot.style_columns, offset=-p34_blue_xloc, color=color.blue, transp=60, show_last=1)
plot(red3_100, style=plot.style_columns, offset=-p34_red_xloc, color=color.red, transp=60, show_last=1)
plot(pblue4, style=plot.style_columns, offset=-p34_blue_xloc, color=color.blue, transp=40, show_last=1)
plot(pred4, style=plot.style_columns, offset=-p34_red_xloc, color=color.red, transp=40, show_last=1)
// label_pred_34=label.new(bar_index[p34_red_xloc],pred4,style=label.style_none,text=tostring(truncate(pred4,2))+"%")
// label.delete(label_pred_34[1])
// //label_3dn=label.new(bar_index[p34_red_xloc],red3,style=label.style_none,text="3 bars downward: "+tostring(red3))
// //label.delete(label_3dn[1])
// label_pblue_34=label.new(bar_index[p34_blue_xloc],pblue4,style=label.style_none,text=tostring(truncate(pblue4,2))+"%")
// label.delete(label_pblue_34[1])
// //label_3up=label.new(bar_index[p34_blue_xloc],blue3,style=label.style_none,text="3 bars upward: "+tostring(blue3))
// //label.delete(label_3up[1])
// label_34=label.new(bar_index[p34_lable_xloc],p34_label_yloc,style=label.style_labeldown,text="4 bars same direction", color=color.orange)
// label.delete(label_34[1])

//Percent 5th bar has same direction
pred5=(red5/red4)*100
pblue5=(blue5/blue4)*100

//4->5
p45_blue_xloc=8
p45_red_xloc=10
p45_lable_xloc=round((p45_blue_xloc+p45_red_xloc)/2)
p45_label_yloc=1.0*100
blue4_100=100
red4_100=100

plot(blue4_100, style=plot.style_columns, offset=-p45_blue_xloc, color=color.blue, transp=60, show_last=1)
plot(red4_100, style=plot.style_columns, offset=-p45_red_xloc, color=color.red, transp=60, show_last=1)
plot(pblue5, style=plot.style_columns, offset=-p45_blue_xloc, color=color.blue, transp=40, show_last=1)
plot(pred5, style=plot.style_columns, offset=-p45_red_xloc, color=color.red, transp=40, show_last=1)
// label_pred_45=label.new(bar_index[p45_red_xloc],pred5,style=label.style_none,text=tostring(truncate(pred5,2))+"%")
// label.delete(label_pred_45[1])
// //label_4dn=label.new(bar_index[p45_red_xloc],red4,style=label.style_none,text="4 bars downward: "+tostring(red4))
// //label.delete(label_4dn[1])
// label_pblue_45=label.new(bar_index[p45_blue_xloc],pblue5,style=label.style_none,text=tostring(truncate(pblue5,2))+"%")
// label.delete(label_pblue_45[1])
// //label_4up=label.new(bar_index[p45_blue_xloc],blue4,style=label.style_none,text="4 bars upward: "+tostring(blue4))
// //label.delete(label_4up[1])
// label_45=label.new(bar_index[p45_lable_xloc],p45_label_yloc,style=label.style_labeldown,text="5 bars same direction", color=color.orange)
// label.delete(label_45[1])

//Percent 6th bar has same direction
pred6=(red6/red5)*100
pblue6=(blue6/blue5)*100

//5->6
p56_blue_xloc=12
p56_red_xloc=14
p56_lable_xloc=round((p56_blue_xloc+p56_red_xloc)/2)
p56_label_yloc=1.0*100
blue5_100=100
red5_100=100

plot(blue5_100, style=plot.style_columns, offset=-p56_blue_xloc, color=color.blue, transp=60, show_last=1)
plot(red5_100, style=plot.style_columns, offset=-p56_red_xloc, color=color.red, transp=60, show_last=1)
plot(pblue6, style=plot.style_columns, offset=-p56_blue_xloc, color=color.blue, transp=40, show_last=1)
plot(pred6, style=plot.style_columns, offset=-p56_red_xloc, color=color.red, transp=40, show_last=1)
// label_pred_56=label.new(bar_index[p56_red_xloc],pred6,style=label.style_none,text=tostring(truncate(pred6,2))+"%")
// label.delete(label_pred_56[1])
// //label_5dn=label.new(bar_index[p56_red_xloc],red5,style=label.style_none,text="5 bars downward: "+tostring(red5))
// //label.delete(label_5dn[1])
// label_pblue_56=label.new(bar_index[p56_blue_xloc],pblue6,style=label.style_none,text=tostring(truncate(pblue6,2))+"%")
// label.delete(label_pblue_56[1])
// //label_5up=label.new(bar_index[p56_blue_xloc],blue5,style=label.style_none,text="5 bars upward: "+tostring(blue5))
// //label.delete(label_5up[1])
// label_56=label.new(bar_index[p56_lable_xloc],p56_label_yloc,style=label.style_labeldown,text="6 bars same direction", color=color.orange)
// label.delete(label_56[1])

//Percent 7th bar has same direction
pred7=(red7/red6)*100
pblue7=(blue7/blue6)*100

//6->7
p67_blue_xloc=16
p67_red_xloc=18
p67_lable_xloc=round((p67_blue_xloc+p67_red_xloc)/2)
p67_label_yloc=1.0*100
blue6_100=100
red6_100=100

plot(blue6_100, style=plot.style_columns, offset=-p67_blue_xloc, color=color.blue, transp=60, show_last=1)
plot(red6_100, style=plot.style_columns, offset=-p67_red_xloc, color=color.red, transp=60, show_last=1)
plot(pblue7, style=plot.style_columns, offset=-p67_blue_xloc, color=color.blue, transp=40, show_last=1)
plot(pred7, style=plot.style_columns, offset=-p67_red_xloc, color=color.red, transp=40, show_last=1)
// label_pred_67=label.new(bar_index[p67_red_xloc],pred7,style=label.style_none,text=tostring(truncate(pred7,2))+"%")
// label.delete(label_pred_67[1])
// //label_6dn=label.new(bar_index[p67_red_xloc],red6,style=label.style_none,text="6 bars downward: "+tostring(red6))
// //label.delete(label_6dn[1])
// label_pblue_67=label.new(bar_index[p67_blue_xloc],pblue7,style=label.style_none,text=tostring(truncate(pblue7,2))+"%")
// label.delete(label_pblue_67[1])
// //label_6up=label.new(bar_index[p67_blue_xloc],blue6,style=label.style_none,text="6 bars upward: "+tostring(blue6))
// //label.delete(label_6up[1])
// label_67=label.new(bar_index[p67_lable_xloc],p67_label_yloc,style=label.style_labeldown,text="7 bars same direction", color=color.orange)
// label.delete(label_67[1])

//Plot Time Label
time_label_yloc=1.4*100
time_lable_xloc=round((p67_red_xloc+p23_blue_xloc)/2)
time_label_text="Bar's Direction Info From: "+tostring(FromDay)+"/"+tostring(FromMonth)+"/"+tostring(FromYear)+" To: "+tostring(ToDay)+"/"+tostring(ToMonth)+"/"+tostring(ToYear)
// label_time=label.new(bar_index[time_lable_xloc],time_label_yloc,style=label.style_none,text=time_label_text, color=color.aqua)
// label.delete(label_time[1])

//Signal
//Put signal
x1=
       pblue3<50?blue2[0]>blue2[1] and blue3[0]==blue3[1]:false
x2=
       pblue4<50?blue3[0]>blue3[1] and blue4[0]==blue4[1]:false
x3=
       pblue5<50?blue4[0]>blue4[1] and blue5[0]==blue5[1]:false
x4=
       pblue6<50?blue5[0]>blue5[1] and blue6[0]==blue6[1]:false
x5=
       pblue7<50?blue6[0]>blue6[1] and blue7[0]==blue7[1]:false

//Call signal
y1=
       pred3<50?red2[0]>red2[1] and red3[0]==red3[1]:false
y2=
       pred4<50?red3[0]>red3[1] and red4[0]==red4[1]:false
y3=
       pred5<50?red4[0]>red4[1] and red5[0]==red5[1]:false
y4=
       pred6<50?red5[0]>red5[1] and red6[0]==red6[1]:false
y5=
       pred7<50?red6[0]>red6[1] and red7[0]==red7[1]:false

//Function
xTech=
       set1?x1:false
       or set2?x2:false
       or set3?x3:false
       or set4?x4:false
       or set5?x5:false
       

yTech=
       set1?y1:false
       or set2?y2:false
       or set3?y3:false
       or set4?y4:false
       or set5?y5:false
       

//Plot Analyzing Signals
hline1=hline(-100)
hline2=hline(-1.6*100)
hline0=hline(0)
sigtext=xTech?"Put signal":yTech?"Call signal":"Analyzing Signals - Bar's Time left:"+tostring(minutesLeft)+":"+tostring(secondsLeft)
sig_col=xTech?color.new(color.red,0):yTech?color.new(color.blue,0):color.new(color.navy,0)
// label_sig_text = label.new(bar_index[0], -1.5*100, text=sigtext, style=label.style_none, textcolor=sig_col, size=size.large)
// label.delete(label_sig_text[1])

//plot Signal

putcol = xTech? color.red : na
callcol = yTech? color.blue : na
PutSignal= xTech and window1() and t0_DvM?-100:na
CallSignal= yTech and window1() and t0_DvM?-100:na

plot(PutSignal, title='Put Signal', style=plot.style_columns, color=color.red, offset=1, transp=0)
plot(CallSignal, title='Call Signal', style=plot.style_columns, color=color.blue, offset=1, transp=0)
plotshape(PutSignal, title='Put', text="Put", style=shape.labeldown, location=location.bottom, color=color.orange, textcolor=color.black, offset=1, transp=0)
plotshape(CallSignal, title='Call', text="Call", style=shape.labelup, location=location.bottom, color=color.orange, textcolor=color.black, offset=1, transp=0)

//Backtesting
strategy.entry("Call", strategy.long, when=yTech and window1() and t0_DvM)
strategy.entry("Put", strategy.short, when=xTech and window1() and t0_DvM)
strategy.close_all(when=barstate.isnew)
//EOF

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