ParabolicSAR return value

[gjing]

I'm trying to use ParabolicSAR for the stop trailing:

SetStopLoss(CalculationMode.Price, ParabolicSAR(0.02, 0.2, 0.02)[0]);

Looks like the returned value of ParabolicSAR(0.02, 0.2, 0.02)[0] is for the green dot where I got stopped out, instead of for the orange one, see attached for details. I confirmed that in the output window.

How can I get the ParabolicSAR orange dot value?

Thanks in advance,
Gary

[NinjaTrader_RyanM1]

Hi Gary,

You'll have to specify the plot you want in the code, or else it uses the default plot. For help with getting syntax for multi plot indicators, see the following link then > How to compare plot values of multi-plot indicators

http://www.ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt7/condition_builder.htm

[gjing]

Thanks much for your quick response, Ryan.

I still have no ideal how to do it in the code. ParabolicSAR looks not a multi-plot indicator to me. Please advice.

What I'm using now is:

SetStopLoss(CalculationMode.Price, ParabolicSAR(0.02, 0.2, 0.02)[0]);

Is there any new parameter for the function ParabolicSAR(0.02, 0.2, 0.02)[0], which I can use to get the orange dot value?

Thanks,
Gary

[NinjaTrader_RyanM1]

Thanks for the reply Gary. Correct - The ParabolicSar built into NinjaTrader has only one plot, so your syntax is correct for that.

To help track down what's happening, add a print statement so you can check the value submitting with the stop loss.

Print(ParabolicSAR(0.02, 0.2, 0.02)[0]);

View this in tools > output window.

[gjing]

Hi Ryan,

I've already tried it and found the returned value was for the green dot, not orange one. I'm even not sure where the green one coming from. Looks like when the trade gets finished, NT adds it automatically (green one for win, red for loss). Any ideals?

Thanks,
Gary

[NinjaTrader_RyanM1]

Yes exactly. The green dotted line is not connected to ParabolicSar. It indicates this particular trade is a win. The green line is not a value at all - It just connected the entry and exit points.

ParabolicSar can whipsaw back and forth in real time, so it may not be a suitable value for a stop loss.

[gjing]

Thanks for your help, Ryan. Looks like it's a bug. Hope you can fix in the next release. ParabolicSAR(0.02, 0.2, 0.02)[0] returns wrong value.

Meanwhile, has anyone ever tried to use ParabolicSAR for trailing stop? How did you do that? I really like the indicator for the stop trailing.

Appreciate for any inputs,
Gary

[NinjaTrader_RyanM1]

Hi Gary,

Can you please clarify where the bug is? What value do you expect, what are you seeing instead?

This parabolic sar indicator alternates from values above highs to below lows. If you base a stop loss on it and it switches direction, then your stop loss is likely to be rejected.

[gjing]

Hi Ryan,

The returned value of ParabolicSAR(0.02, 0.2, 0.02)[0] is for the green dot added by NT when the trade finished. As you mentioned early, the green dot line has nothing to do with ParabolicSAR. It can be added by any other stop methods.

What I expect is that the returned value should be for the orange dot. Please check the attached screenshot for details.

I confirmed that by using:

Print(ParabolicSAR(0.02, 0.2, 0.02)[0]);

Thanks,
Gary

[NinjaTrader_RyanM1]

The green line is not a value. It connects two points. The value of ParabolicSar can change in real time as the bar is forming, so there is nothing in the screenshot to suggest there is a bug there.

I suggest you play around with ParabolicSar, using the simulated data feed with CalculateOnBarClose = false so you can see this effect. Use the trend slider for this. If the value of the indicator is above the high, trend market up and then watch it switch to below the bar. I attached a couple screenshots to help illustrate.

[gjing]

Hi Ryan,

To make things simple, lets' forget the green dot line first.

If I use ParabolicSAR(0.02, 0.2, 0.02) in the code, I should get the returned value of ORANGE dot, right? So now my question is that how to get that in the code?

I've confirmed that ParabolicSAR(0.02, 0.2, 0.02) is not returning the right one by using:

Print(ParabolicSAR(0.02, 0.2, 0.02)[0]);

Looks like the returned value was for the green dot to me. I thought it's a bug.

Not sure if I state the issue clearly.

Thanks,
Gary

[NinjaTrader_RyanM1]

I was not able to reproduce this. Programatic access always matched indicator plot values here.

Print(Time[0] +" " + ParabolicSAR(0.02, 0.2, 0.02)[0]);

[gjing]

Thanks Ryan. I'll test later on my machine and let you know the result.

[gjing]

Hi Ryan,

I found the problem in my code finally. Because my strategy is for multi time frame, so I have to use BarsArray to get what I want, like this:

ParabolicSAR(BarsArray[0], 0.02, 0.2, 0.02)[0]

Anyway, thank much for your help,
Gary