Hi,
I’m trying to implement an automated strategy that trades DAX 30.
This strategy makes use of trailing stops. When trading with the IG native platform, trailing stops have two parameters : stop value and step value. For DAX, both have a minimum value of 5.
In order to implement a trailing stop that is 5 points away from my position I use “SET STOP pTRAILING 5”
But how can I set the trailing step ?
- Is it 5 no matter the SET STOP pTRAILING value ?
- Is there a dedicated PRT instruction for that ?
- Is the trailing step value the same as the trailing stop value ? (in which case I’m in big trouble and my strategies won’t work, because increasing the trailing stop would mean increasing the trailing step which does not fit my need)
Thank you all !
Welcome to the forums.
It is best to hard code a trailing stop into your strategy rather than use SET STOP pTRAILING. If you put ‘Trailing Stop’ into the search box many examples will be found that you can use or adapt.
I’ve never had much success on the odd occasion I’ve tried SET STOP pTRAILING … maybe I’ve just realised why!? 🙂
Good point / questions @DariusPaulsen re the step value!
I do recall on manual trading that you can set the trailing value and the trailing step separately.
The platform can’t know the step uses by the broker and of the specific instrument it is used on.
In backtest, the instruction SET STOP pTRAILING uses a step of 1 pip/point, while on DAX, in live trading with IG, the step is about 5 points!
Hi, I was getting rather hopeful for my trading system, but it’s dependent on “SET STOP $TRAILING” .
I backtested it with spread of 2 (as the DAX day IG spread is 1.2 and I thought some margin would be a good test). I thought the results looked alright, but I’ve just read this tread and I suppose it is hopeless!
I suppose my questions are;
-Is there a better way to emulate the expected results? Are there rules of thumb using spread or order fee for example?
-Does anyone know if there is a difference between the IG spreadbetting account and the IG CFD account in this regard?
-Finally – I’ve heard it is better to code this function – but not sure if that’s necessary or if it will change the outcome at all?
Thanks in advance for your help 🙂
Hi I trade with IG and I read in the IG details that the trailing stop needs to be set to a minimum of 14 points. I have used trailing stops of 14pts in my autotrading code and they never seem to get hit before my set stop loss.
Although I’m new to trading so I could be doing something wrong.
I would also say there is definitely a difference between IG spread and CFD account. My first impression is IG spreadbetting is small stake due to leverage you are betting if the price is going up and down also it is tax free in uk whereas cfd would need greater capital to trade.
As IG are out to maximise there profit whether you win or lose, be careful selecting markets that have a huge spread unless you are trading over a longer time frame and you are sure you can still make a profit after spread cost and slippage.
Anyone with more experience with IG and spreadbetting please feel free to chip in as I’m new to this.
Fixed stops
Similar to above. PRT gives method for combining an initial fixed stop then a trailing stop takes over once trade has moved set amount. I don’t want to do that. I want to move the fixed stop to break even and leave it there. How do I do that? I only use fully automatic trading and only on PRT with IG broker.
