EMA Cross EA with ATR Stops for MetaTrader 5

Related: Supertrend Scalper with Breakeven Win Rate Panel - another powerful expert for MetaTrader 5 traders.

EMA Cross Demo EA (MetaTrader 5)

Also recommended: Data Snooping: Robustness Testing with SPA, Reality Check, StepM, and Model Confidence Set - similar expert with strong performance on MetaTrader 5.

A clear, well-structured demo Expert Advisor demonstrating a reliable EA development method. It is not intended to provide a trading edge.

Trading Logic (evaluated once per new bar, on CLOSED bars only - no repainting):

- BUY signal: fast EMA crosses above slow EMA

- SELL signal: fast EMA crosses below slow EMA

- On an opposite signal, the open position is closed, and a new one is opened on the next tick of the new bar.

Risk Management:

- Stop-loss = entry minus/plus ATR x InpSLATRMult

- Take-profit = stop distance x InpRewardRisk

- Stop/TP levels are adjusted to the broker's minimum stop distance where necessary.

- Lot size is normalized to the symbol's volume step, minimum, and maximum allowed sizes.

- Entries are skipped if the spread is wider than InpMaxSpreadPoints.

This EA functions on both hedging and netting accounts. Position identification is performed using magic number and symbol, not by netted position type.

Configurable Inputs: fast/slow EMA period, ATR period, SL ATR multiplier, reward:risk ratio, lot size, maximum spread in points, magic number, slippage in points.

This is a functional example designed to illustrate EA structure and development techniques, including closed-bar signals, a spread filter, lot normalization, and hedging/netting-compatible position handling. It is not a trading recommendation. The attached equity chart is derived from a synthetic price series used solely to test the code; while gross P/L is positive, net P/L after commissions is negative on this synthetic run, demonstrating the backtesting approach rather than a profitable strategy.

A Python reference implementation of the equivalent signal and backtest logic (for parity testing) is available upon request.

Update (2026): Resolved an issue where the ATR-based Stop-Loss/Take-Profit could fall within the broker's minimum stop distance on fast timeframes, leading to order rejections. The distance is now floored at the stops/freeze level and checked against the correct closing-side price (Bid for a BUY, Ask for a SELL) instead of the entry price.

Update 2 (2026): The EA now verifies available margin using OrderCalcMargin() before sending an order. Orders that cannot be afforded are skipped (with a corresponding log entry), preventing broker-level "not enough money" rejections on very small test account balances.

You may also like: Regime HMM: Identifying Market Regimes with Hidden Markov Models - excellent alternative for expert users on MetaTrader 5.

#property copyright "RobotFX"
#property version   "1.00"
#property strict
#include <Trade\Trade.mqh>
input group "Signal"
input int    InpFastEMA        = 12;
input int    InpSlowEMA        = 26;
input group "Risk"
input int    InpATRPeriod      = 14;
input double InpSLATRMult      = 2.0;

.......

• This tool is provided for educational and testing purposes only.
• Past performance does not guarantee future results.
• Trading involves substantial risk of loss. Use on a demo account first.
• Results may vary depending on market conditions, broker, and settings.
• We recommend thorough backtesting and forward testing before using with real funds.