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Old 09-07-2007, 09:41 AM   #1

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Average True Range (ATR)

In this thread, momentom brought up using the ATR as a trailing stop function and since I know literally 0 about the ATR and it's use, I thought we could have a discussion here about it and not clutter up the other thread.

Hopefully momentom can provide us some examples and I will do my best to interact as well.

Right now my questions would be what settings to set your ATR at, what number (if any) to multiply that number by (and why) and then how to use that in your trading? In my personal use, I am interested in using this as a trailing stop idea, but I'd like to hear if any are using this as a tool for entering trades as well.
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Old 09-07-2007, 09:43 AM   #2

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Re: Average True Range (ATR)

Its funny...just this morning Linnsoft introduced a new indicator called "Volatility Stop" and its inputs are exactly what momentom specifies. Weird how the universe works sometimes...
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Old 09-07-2007, 10:33 AM   #3

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Re: Average True Range (ATR)

Quote:
Originally Posted by TinGull »
Its funny...just this morning Linnsoft introduced a new indicator called "Volatility Stop" and its inputs are exactly what momentom specifies. Weird how the universe works sometimes...
Tin

Would you mind posting the code or sending it in a PM so I could have a look

Cheers

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Old 09-07-2007, 10:44 AM   #4

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Re: Average True Range (ATR)

7. New Indicator: Volatility Stop. The Volatility Stop Indicator helps
define the current trend. The indicator plots a red line above the prices
bars when a downward trend is detected, and a blue line below the bars when
an upward trend is detected. These lines are commonly used as trailing
stops. This indicator is commonly used as a exit tool rather than an entry
technique. When price crosses the VSTOP value, the trend reverses and VSTOP
moves to the other side of price. The VSTOP is calculated as follows:

VSTOP Calculation

When Up Trend Detected....

VSTOP = CL - MULT * TR

As Up Trend Continues....

VSTOP = MAX(VSTOP.1, MaxCL - MULT * TR)

When Down Trend Detected....

VSTOP = CL + MULT * TR

As Down Trend Continues....

VSTOP = MIN(VSTOP.1, MinCL + MULT * TR)

Where...

CL = Closing Price

MULT = True Range Multiplier

TR = True Range

VSTOP.1 = Volatility Stop Value on Previous Bar

MaxCL = Maximum Closing Price since Up Trend Began

MinCL = Minimum Closing Price since Down Trend Began

Trend reverses between up and down when Closing Price crosses VSTOP.

RTL Token: VSTOP

The RTL Token for the Volatility Stop indicator is VSTOP. A common system
for trading the VSTOP might be to look for closing price crossing VSTOP:

Long...

CL > VSTOP AND CL.1 <= VSTOP

Short...

CL < VSTOP AND CL.1 >= VSTOP

More information on VSTOP can be found at:
http://www.linnsoft.com/tour/techind/vstop.htm
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Old 09-07-2007, 10:47 AM   #5

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Re: Average True Range (ATR)

thats all the info I have for it
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Old 09-07-2007, 04:10 PM   #6

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Re: Average True Range (ATR)

Thanks Tin for posting that.

Cheers

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Old 09-07-2007, 07:18 PM   #7

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Re: Average True Range (ATR)

here is what I have been using and its worked great... see attached chart for todays action.

logic was that if 3 ATR's is a good stop -- then entering on a pullback and using the 3 ATR stop rule will make risk less than 3 ATR's. I have been using 1.5 ATR's as my pullback zone.

So in the chart... enter on limit near the lowest yellow line price and put a stop loss in at the lowest red line price -- so your initial risk is roughly 1.5 ATR's (3.0 atr stop with 1.5 atr pullback for entry). This has been working well on a 2-minute chart for me. A good move really shouldn't break the 3 ATR level.

fyi, this has nothing to do with a set-up -- this is only the management of a trade once you have decided you like the pattern.

man, I am rarely this patient but I really felt like we were going to make a lower low in the afternoon today -- note that it took a full 45 mins before my stop was actually lower than my entry.... but I did get my 'risk' down to 1.5 ES pts after about 20-mins...

Easylanguage code for this indicator:

value1= c[1]+(avgtruerange(10)*1.5);
value2= average(c,2)[1]+(avgtruerange(10)*3);

Plot1(Value1, "+1.5 ATRs" );
Plot2(Value2, "+3ATRs" );
Attached Thumbnails
Average True Range (ATR)-3-atr-stop.png  

Last edited by Dogpile; 09-07-2007 at 07:26 PM.
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Old 09-07-2007, 09:33 PM   #8

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Re: Average True Range (ATR)

Hi Dogpile
Just wondering if you can share, why did you exit where the chart shows and not on the 3 ATR red line? Very nice trade. Thanks.
Mark
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