BBands_Stop_v1_003

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Author: Copyright � 2006, TrendLaboratory Ltd.
BBands_Stop_v1_003

This tool is designed to help traders visualize market trends and determine optimal "stop-loss" levels based on the Bollinger Bands technical indicator. Instead of just showing standard volatility bands, this script dynamically calculates protective boundaries that adapt to the direction of the price movement.

Core Logic Overview

The script operates by identifying whether the current market trend is bullish (upward) or bearish (downward). It achieves this by monitoring when the price closes outside the upper or lower boundaries of a standard Bollinger Band. Once a trend is established, the script creates "trailing" support and resistance levels to help protect profits as the price moves in your favor.

Key Functional Components

1. Trend Identification

  • Bullish Shift: If the price closes above the upper Bollinger Band, the logic recognizes an upward trend.
  • Bearish Shift: If the price closes below the lower Bollinger Band, the logic recognizes a downward trend.

2. Dynamic Stop-Loss Calculation The script doesn't just use the standard band edges; it applies a custom "Money Risk" calculation. This allows the user to mathematically offset the stop levels based on their specific risk appetite. It takes the distance between the upper and lower bands and adjusts the final line accordingly, providing a cushioned buffer rather than a raw mathematical point.

3. Trailing Mechanics To ensure that the stop-loss levels move with the market (rather than staying at a fixed historical price), the script includes "memory" logic:

  • In an uptrend, the support line will only ever move upward; it will never drop lower even if the market fluctuates, ensuring that your "floor" stays secure.
  • In a downtrend, the resistance line will only ever move downward; it will never rise, ensuring your "ceiling" stays intact as price drops.

4. Visual Customization The script provides three distinct ways to view this data on your chart:

  • Signals & Stops: Displays both the specific entry/trigger points and the continuous trailing lines.
  • Only Stops: Hides the initial signals and only shows the protective trailing lines, making it cleaner for traders who already know their entry and just want to manage risk.
  • Only Signals: Focuses purely on the notification points where the trend shift occurs, without drawing the ongoing lines.

Summary for the User

In essence, this script automates the process of "dragging" your stop-loss line behind a moving price. It identifies when a move has momentum, calculates a mathematically adjusted safety zone based on your risk preferences, and ensures that those safety levels only move in your favor, helping to lock in gains while providing a clear visual guide for both trend direction and risk management.

Indicators Used
Bollinger bands indicator
Miscellaneous
Implements a curve of type %1
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BBands_Stop_v1_003
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//|                                               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 int    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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