ATR SL (Average True Range) Stop Loss

ATR (Average True Range) Stop Loss Version 1.0

A trailing stop loss is a way to exit a trade if the asset price moves against you but also enables you to move the exit point if the price is moving in your favor. Many day traders use the ATR to figure out where to put their trailing stop loss.

At the time of a trade, look at the current ATR reading. A rule of thumb is to multiply the ATR by two to determine a reasonable stop loss point. So if you're buying a stock, you might place a stop loss at a level twice the ATR below the entry price. If you're shorting a stock, you would place a stop loss at a level twice the ATR above the entry price.

If you're long and the price moves favorably, continue to move the stop loss to twice the ATR below the price. In this scenario, the stop loss only ever moves up, not down. Once it is moved up, it stays there until it can be moved up again or the trade is closed as a result of the price dropping to hit the trailing stop loss level. The same process works for short trades, only in that case, the stop loss only moves down.