Entries per direction: difference between all and unique

[ch9090]

Dear Support,

I've been trying to figure what's the difference between "all entries" and "unique entries". I've read the manual, some post on the forum and did some testing but I still don't get it.

My custom strategy is back-tested on 1 instrument list with 300 stocks and it produces similar results whether I choose "all entries" or "unique entries".

e.g. if entries per direction is set to 2; it will always trigger 2 buys (long)/entries and 1 exit only. I guess this is what you called scaling in and if you want to scale out you'll have to do something different?

My set order quantity is by account size so each entry is set to e.g. 10000$.

Thank you for your advices,
chris

[NinjaTrader_AdamP]

EntriesPerDirection and EntryHandling explanation

ch9090,

I am happy to assist you.

From our help guide : http://www.ninjatrader.com/support/h...ryhandling.htm

Entry Handling
Definition
Sets the manner in how entry orders are handled. If set to "EntryHandling.AllEntries", NinjaScript will process all order entry methods until the maximum allowable entries set by the EntriesPerDirection property has been reached while in an open position. If set to "EntryHandling.UniqueEntries", NinjaScript will process order entry methods until the maximum allowable entries set by the EntriesPerDirection property per each uniquely named entry.

E.g.

Suppose I have 2 unique signals for entering a trade, one called LONG1, one called LONG2
Suppose EntriesPerDirection is set to 1

If we have the entry method set to UniqueEntries, then you can get two entries total since you have 2 unique entry signals. I.e. you could have entered a trade from both the LONG1 signal, as well as the LONG2 signal. Its similar to inclusive OR, either one trade or the other will be executed, and possibly both.

If we have the entry method set to AllEntries, then you will only get one entry total. I.e. if either the LONG1 or LONG2 signal entered a trade, then the other signal cannot enter a trade. Its similar to exclusive OR, either one trade or the other will be executed, but not both.

Please let me know if I may assist further.

[ch9090]

Many thanks for the quick and efficient reply Adam.

Now I got it. It is useful it you have more than one entry signal. In my case I've only 1 and thus I could not see the difference.

Is there something similar for exits?

[NinjaTrader_AdamP]

ch9090,

Thanks for your note.

Unfortunately not. Essentially an exit signal will cancel a trade executed from whatever entrance signal you defined. The EntriesPerDirection and EntryHandling are there to help you control how many trades you are entering at a time, once you are in them you cancel the trades according to whatever logic you have be it stop-loss/take-profit, or an actual exit signal. If its an exit signal you just have an exit signal tied to cancel orders with a particular entrance signal. You can sort of see what I mean by looking at the following two links.

EnterLong() : http://www.ninjatrader.com/support/h...?enterlong.htm

ExitLong() : http://www.ninjatrader.com/support/h...l?exitlong.htm

Please let me know if I can assist further.

[ch9090]

Thank you Adam, it is much clearer now. Chris

[Jim-Boulder]

Which parameter controls this?

I have a strategy that initiates an entry using the ATMStrategy template--in code I modeled after your example in the code sample library.

In my case, the strategy takes a long and a short entry price as input. When the last traded price reaches either of these prices the respective long or short entry is triggered as an order.

However, if the price action is such that the order is not executed, the strategy will issue additional orders as the entry price is traded again. Is there a parameter on the strategy configuration that controls this?

--it seems like these settings of entries per direction, etc do not override this unintended action because the position is still flat when these additional orders are issued.

[NinjaTrader_AdamP]

Jim-Boulder,

There is no built in functionality to limit the number of orders you submit, only orders that are allowed to be open at the same time. This is something that you would need to take care of in the code. You can use a method like : http://www.ninjatrader.com/support/h...ategyclose.htm

[ch9090]

Thanks to both of you, I'll take a closer look at your suggestions. Chris

[a1982yusuf]

Adam,
supposing I have two long positions open from two separate entries, and I wanted to exit with an average of 20 ticks profit or loss for my entire position, how do I do that?

[NinjaTrader_Joydeep]

Hello a1982yusuf,
Thanks for writing in and I am replying for Adam.
The Position.AvgPrice will return the average price of the entries and you can use the below code to enter a stop 20 ticks below the average price.

SetStopLoss(CalculationMode.Price, Position.AvgPrice - 20 * TickSize);
SetProfitTarget(CalculationMode.Price, Position.AvgPrice + 20 * TickSize);

http://www.ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt7/index.html?setstoploss.htm

http://www.ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt7/index.html?setprofittarget.htm

http://www.ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt7/index.html?avgprice.htm

Please let me know if I can assist you any further.

[a1982yusuf]

Thanks Joydeep.