Uptrick: Imbalance MA Trailing System

Aug 19

### **Overview**

The "Uptrick: Imbalance MA Trailing System" is a complex trading indicator designed to help traders identify potential bullish and bearish imbalances in the market, coupled with a trailing stop mechanism to manage trades. The indicator uses a combination of moving averages, Average True Range (ATR), and custom logic to detect trading signals and plot various levels on the chart to assist traders in making informed decisions.

### **Key Components and Functionality**

#### 1. **Inputs and Configuration**
- **Imbalance Filter (`imbalanceFilter`)**: This input sets the filter for detecting imbalances based on the difference between two price points. The value is a float and can be adjusted to fine-tune the sensitivity of imbalance detection. The default value is `0.0`, with a step size of `0.1`.

- **Moving Average Settings (`maLength1`, `maLength2`, `maColor1`, `maColor2`)**:
- `maLength1` and `maLength2` define the lengths of the two moving averages used in the indicator. By default, they are set to `50` and `200` periods, respectively.
- `maColor1` and `maColor2` specify the colors of these moving averages on the chart. The first MA is colored blue, and the second is red.

- **Take Profit and Stop Loss Settings (`displayTP`, `tpMultiplier`, `tpColor`, `displaySL`, `slMultiplier`, `slColor`)**:
- `displayTP` and `displaySL` are boolean inputs that control whether the TP and SL areas are displayed on the chart.
- `tpMultiplier` and `slMultiplier` are multipliers used to calculate the TP and SL levels relative to the detected imbalance level using the ATR value.
- `tpColor` and `slColor` define the colors of these areas. The TP area is green (with a transparency of 50), and the SL area is red (with a transparency of 50).

- **Trailing Stop Settings (`trailMultiplier`)**: This setting determines the multiplier used to calculate the trailing stop level based on the ATR value. The default multiplier is `2.5`.

- **Style Settings (`bullishColor`, `bearishColor`)**:
- `bullishColor` and `bearishColor` set the colors for bullish and bearish zones created when an imbalance is detected. The bullish zone is green, and the bearish zone is red.

- **Signal Label Size (`labelSizeOption`)**: The size of the signal labels displayed on the chart can be adjusted. The options include `Tiny`, `Small`, `Normal`, `Large`, and `Huge`. The selected size affects the visual prominence of the labels.

#### 2. **ATR Calculation (`atrValue`)**
- The ATR value is calculated using a period of 14, which is a standard setting for measuring market volatility. This value is used extensively throughout the indicator to calculate TP, SL, and trailing stop levels.

#### 3. **Imbalance Detection and Zone Creation**
- The indicator detects potential imbalances in the market by comparing certain price points, using a custom function (`imbalanceCondition`).
- **Bullish Imbalance Detection (`bullishSignal`)**:
- A bullish imbalance is detected when the low of three bars ago is higher than the high of one bar ago, and the current close is above the low of three bars ago.
- Additional conditions include checking that the current close is above the calculated average of the two moving averages (`ma1` and `ma2`), and that the imbalance exceeds the threshold set by the `imbalanceFilter`.

- **Bearish Imbalance Detection (`bearishSignal`)**:
- A bearish imbalance is detected under conditions where the low of one bar ago is higher than the high of three bars ago, and the current close is below the high of three bars ago.
- Like the bullish signal, the close must also be below the average of the two moving averages, and the imbalance must exceed the `imbalanceFilter` threshold.

- Upon detection of an imbalance (either bullish or bearish), the indicator creates a zone using `box.new` that highlights the price range of the imbalance. The box color corresponds to the bullish or bearish nature of the signal.

- The center of the imbalance range is marked with a dashed line, and a corresponding label (`🔴` for bearish and `🟢` for bullish) is placed on the chart to indicate the detected signal.

#### 4. **Take Profit and Stop Loss Calculation (`calculateTPSL`)**
- When an imbalance is detected, the indicator calculates potential TP and SL levels based on the ATR value and the respective multipliers.
- If the TP or SL areas are enabled, the indicator plots these areas as colored boxes on the chart.
- The function also tracks whether these levels are hit by subsequent price action, updating the status (`reached`) as appropriate.

#### 5. **Trailing Stop Logic (`applyTrailingStop`)**
- The trailing stop feature is a dynamic mechanism that adjusts the stop level as the price moves in the trader's favor.
- The trailing stop is calculated using the ATR value multiplied by the `trailMultiplier`.
- If the trailing stop is triggered (i.e., the price crosses the trailing stop level), the indicator marks the trade as stopped out.

#### 6. **Plotting and Visualization**
- The indicator plots the two moving averages on the chart with the specified colors and line width.
- If a trailing stop is active, it plots the trailing stop level on the chart, updating as the stop moves.
- The bar color changes based on the status of the current signal and whether the trailing stop or TP/SL levels have been hit.

### **Detailed Execution Flow**

1. **Initialization**: The indicator initializes several variables, including lines, boxes, and the current signal state. This setup ensures that the script can dynamically update these elements as new price data comes in.

2. **Moving Average Calculation**: The moving averages (`ma1` and `ma2`) are calculated using simple moving average (SMA) functions, which are foundational for many of the indicator's conditions.

3. **Imbalance Detection**: The script evaluates price action to detect potential bullish or bearish imbalances, applying filters based on the user-defined `imbalanceFilter`.

4. **Zone Creation and Labeling**: Upon detecting an imbalance, the script creates visual zones on the chart using the `box.new` function and labels the zones for easy identification.

5. **Take Profit and Stop Loss Logic**: The TP and SL areas are calculated and plotted if the relevant settings are enabled. The script continuously checks if these levels are reached as new bars form.

6. **Trailing Stop Calculation**: The script dynamically adjusts the trailing stop level based on the price movement and ATR value. The trailing stop helps lock in profits as the trade progresses.

7. **Plotting**: The moving averages, trailing stop levels, and bar colors are plotted on the chart, providing a visual representation of the indicator's signals and trade management levels.

8. **Final Checks and Updates**: The script concludes each bar's processing by updating the status of various elements, such as whether levels have been reached or if the trailing stop has been triggered.

### **Conclusion**

The "Uptrick: Imbalance MA Trailing System" is a highly versatile indicator designed for traders who want to identify market imbalances and manage their trades effectively using a combination of moving averages, ATR-based calculations, and custom logic. The indicator offers a wide range of customization options, allowing traders to adjust the sensitivity of imbalance detection, the size of the signal labels, and the visibility of various trade management levels (TP, SL, and trailing stop).

The combination of these features makes it a powerful tool for both novice and experienced traders, providing clear visual cues and robust trade management capabilities directly on the chart.