Signal Trader

Signal Trader is an Expert Advisor for MetaTrader 5 that automates the closed-bar signals of four indicators: UT Bot, SuperTrend, Range Filter and Half Trend. It sends each order with an ATR stop and a fixed 0.01 lot. It suits traders who want these signals executed by rule.

Quick start

1. Open an XAUUSD H4 chart (a prefixed or suffixed name is fine) and attach the EA from the Navigator. Keep Algo Trading enabled.
2. Enter the preset from the screenshot: source SuperTrend, ATR period 10, multiplier 2.0, stop loss 3.0 x ATR.
3. Read the Preset row on the panel. "validated" means orders may be sent. "not validated" means the EA sends none.
4. Test on a demo account first.

Account

• Minimum balance: 1,500 USD at 0.01 lot.
• Recommended balance: 3,000 USD at 0.01 lot.
• Why: in the out-of-sample backtest at 0.01 lot, the largest drawdown was 638 USD, the largest single loss was 272 USD, and the widest stop was about 450 USD. These are backtest figures, not a limit on future losses.
• Leverage: 1:100 or higher. Hedging or netting account.
• Standalone: Everything is built in. You do not need to buy or install any other product named on this page.

The rule

• Signal: read once per bar from the last closed bar. It is never revised, so nothing repaints.
• Entry: at the next bar's open, or the first tradable tick if the market is closed.
• Stop: stop loss x ATR(14) of the signal bar. An optional target is a multiple of the stop distance, off by default.
• Opposite signal: closes the position and reverses. A same-side signal is ignored.
• Size: 0.01 lot, or the broker's minimum. One position per symbol and magic number. No grid, martingale or averaging.

Signal sources

One source is active at a time. The calculations are built into the EA, so nothing else needs installing. Each follows the same rules as my indicator of that name.

• UT Bot Signal Alerts: key value, ATR period, optional EMA(200) trend filter.
• SuperTrend Signal Alerts: ATR period, multiplier, optional EMA(200) trend filter.
• Range Filter Signals: sampling period, range multiplier.
• Half Trend ADX: amplitude, minimum ADX.

The validated preset

I tested 444 combinations of symbol, timeframe and signal source: 37 symbols, H1, H4 and D1, and four sources. Settings were fixed on 2020-01 to 2023-06 data. Each was then judged on 2023-07 to 2026-09 data, in Python and in the MetaTrader 5 Strategy Tester, on broker history. Only one passed both.

Read this with care. About 2.5 of 444 combinations would pass by chance alone. In the settings period the same rule was weak (profit factor 1.11). The gain came from buys in a rising gold market. Sells were close to flat. Spread and swap are included. Commission is not.

Live and in the tester

• Live: on any other symbol, timeframe or source the panel says "not validated". The EA raises one alert and sends no new orders.
• Strategy Tester: it trades any symbol and timeframe, so you can try it. A result outside the preset is not validated.
• Chart panel: source, chart, preset state, last signal, position, stop loss and lot.

Inputs

The defaults are not the preset. Enter the preset values for XAUUSD H4 before you trade live.

Related products

• Signal Trader Pro is a separate EA on the same engines and preset. It adds risk-percent sizing, a confirmation source, break-even, partial close, trailing stop, filters and a news filter.
• All my products on MQL5

FAQ

Does it repaint? No. Decisions use closed bars only.

Why does it send no orders live? The chart's symbol, timeframe and source are not a validated preset. The panel says so.

Can I trade other symbols? Not live. In the tester, yes, for study only.

How do I report a problem? Turn on the log input, repeat it, and send the Experts tab lines with your inputs.

If it helps your trading, a short review on this page helps other traders find it.

Questions: use the comments on this page or send me a message on MQL5.

Trading involves risk of loss. Backtest results do not predict future results.