How to Set Proper Stop Loss and Trailing Stop Loss? 

Before we start on how to set proper stop loss or how to set a trailing stop loss order, let me ask you:

Do you get stopped out of your trades only to watch the markets reverse back in your direction?

Or perhaps you try to ride a trend only to get stopped out on the retracement.

And you’re feeling…

“Argh, the market is rigged!”

Well, that’s because you put your stop loss at the same level as everyone else — and it makes you an easy target for a stop hunt.

But don’t worry, all this will change.

Because in this post, you’ll learn you’ll learn how to set a proper stop loss so you can reduce risk, maximize profits, and avoid stop hunting.

Sound good?

Then continue reading…

Why using a stop loss order is your greatest trading tool (you must know how to set proper stop loss)

A stoploss order gets your out of a trade when it goes against you.

An example:

You long Apple shares at $100 and place a stoploss at $90. This means that if Apple trade to a low of $90, you will exit your trade immediately, restricting your loss to $10 (assuming no slippage).

And not only that…

The benefits of having a stop loss include:

• Preventing you from blowing up your trading account
• Limiting your losses
• Living to “fight” another day

You can treat stoploss like insurance. You dislike paying the small premiums, but you’re glad you have it when sh*t hits the fence.

This is what I mean:

And here’s what happens next…

If you can’t take a small loss, sooner or later you will take the mother of all losses. – Ed Seykota

Now…

You know the importance of having a stoploss. Let’s learn how you can set a proper stop loss.

How to Set a Stop Loss order?

I’m going to share with you 3 ways on how to set stop loss:

1. Volatility stop
2. Time stop
3. Structure stop

Volatility stop

A volatility stop takes into account the volatility of the market.

An indicator that measure volatility is the Average True Range (ATR), which can help set your stop loss.

How to set stop loss using volatility stop:

You need to identify the current ATR value and multiply it by a factor of your choice. 2ATR, 3ATR, 4ATR etc.

In the example above, the ATR is 71 pips.

So if you were to place a stoploss of 2ATR, take 2*71 = 142 pips

Your stop loss is 142 pips from your entry.

Pros:

• Your stop loss is based on the volatility of the market
• An objective way to define how much “buffer” you need from your entry

Cons:

• It is a lagging indicator because it is based on past prices

Time stop

A time stop determines when you exit your trades based on time.

Instead of exiting your trades based on price, you exit your trades after X amount of time has passed.

How to set stop loss using time stop?

You need to define how much time you will allow before exiting it.

An example:

You took a short trade at resistance area. But after 5 days it’s not going anywhere, so you exit your trade.

Pros:

• You reduce losses
• If you have trading records, you can identify the optimal amount of time to give your trades

Cons:

• You may exit prematurely only to see the price move in your favor

Structure stop

A structure stop takes into account the structure of the market and set your stop loss accordingly.

How to set stop loss using structure stop?

An example…

Support is an area where price may potentially trade higher from. In other words, it’s a “barrier” that prevents further price decline.

Thus, it makes sense to have your stoploss below Support. Vice versa for Resistance.

Here’s what I mean:

You want to place your stop loss where there is a structure in the market that can act as a “barrier” for you.

Below is a training video that explains this concept in more detail…

Pros:

• You know exactly when you’re wrong because the market structure has broken
• You’re using “barriers” in the market to prevent price from hitting your stops

Cons:

• You need wider stop loss if the structure of the market is large (this results in small position size to keep your risk constant)

Now…

You’ve just learned 3 new ways on how to set stop loss.

You’re wondering:

How do I trail my profits as price goes in my favor?

Read on…

How to set trailing stoploss order to maximize your profits

Understand this.

A trailing stop loss will maximize your profits and let you ride massive trends. But at the expense of a lower winning rate.

If this is something for you, here’s 6 ways to do it:

1. Structure break
2. Moving average close
3. Moving average crossover
4. X period high/lows
5. Average true range from peak to trough
6. Trendline

Structure

You know an uptrend consists of higher highs and lows.

You can use it to trail your stop loss below the previous swing low, until it gets broken.

In a downtrend, you can use it to trail your stop loss above the previous swing high, until it gets broken.

Something like this…

This works best when price action is clean, with obvious swing highs and lows.

If price action isn’t too clean, this is when moving averages could help…

Moving average

I get a lot of questions by traders asking me, Rayner, which is the best moving average?

The truth is, there is no best-moving average.

You need to understand they’re simply tools to help with your trading.

So which moving average do I use?

You can consider using:

• 20ma if you want to ride the short-term trend
• 100ma if you want to ride the medium-term trend
• 200ma if you want to ride the long-term trend

Here’re a few examples…

A short-term trend at (BCO/USD):

A medium-term trend at (DE10YEUR):

A long-term trend at (USD/JPY):

Or, you can use a moving average crossover to exit your trades.

Moving average crossover

You would use a faster-moving average against a slower moving average.

If a faster moving average cuts below the slower moving average, you exit your long position.

If a faster moving average cuts above the slower moving average, you exit your short position.

There’re endless permutations here, but for illustration purposes, I’m using 5ma & 20ma.

As shown below:

Moving average crossover is useful when the price has an ebb and flow to it.

However, if the price goes parabolic, the moving averages will lag the market, and risk giving back a chunk of profits.

This is when you should consider trailing with…

X periods high/lows

X here is defined by you. You can use 1,2,3 etc.

If X is 1, you will trail below the previous day low.

If X is 2, you will trail below the previous 2 day low.

You get the idea.

So…

When the price goes parabolic, this is when trailing your stop loss with X periods high/lows can be useful.

Price is parabolic when you notice the range of the bars getting larger in the direction of the trend, and the angle is getting steeper.

This is what I mean:

Parabolic moves can be subjective. One way you can determine is to use trend line, here’s how…

Trendline

A trend line helps identify the trend in the market by connecting the highs/lows.

But when you start to re-draw your trend line because the trend is getting steeper, chances are, you’re in a parabolic move.

And when price breaks the recent trend line, you can look to exit your trade.

This is what I mean…

A parabolic trend on (USD/MXN):

A parabolic trend on (USD/RUB):

Here is a trade taken by Dan Zanger, that explains further:

Now…

The techniques taught earlier requires an element of discretion.

If you’re someone who prefers to exit their trades systematically, then the next technique may interest you.

Average true range (ATR) from peak to trough

This approach is used by systematic Trend Followers who exit their trades based on price moving X ATR away from their peak/trough.

X can be multiple of 1,2,3 etc.

If X is 1, then your stoploss is 1 ATR away from the peak.

If X is 2, then your stoploss is 2 ATR away from the peak.

You get the point.

In his book, Following the Trend, Andreas Clenow uses 3 ATR away from the peak to trail his stop loss.

Here’s an example:

This approach would suit you if you’re trading systematically.

Now:

You’ve learned 6 ways to trail your stoploss for maximum profits.

You’re probably wondering…

What if I don’t want to trail my stoploss, can I have a fixed target profit instead?

Yes, you can.

And this is what you’ll learn next…

How to set a profit target to improve your trading consistency

By having a profit target, you will increase your winning rate, but at the expense of lower profitability.

If this is something for you, here’s 3 ways you can do it:

1. Support & Resistance
2. RSI indicator
3. Fibonacci extension

Support & Resistance

Imagine:

You’re long, where would seller come in?

You’re short, where would buyers come in?

Here’s a clue…

Support is an area where there is potential buying pressure to push the price higher.

Resistance is an area where there is potential selling pressure to push price lower.

This means if you’re long, it would be prudent to take profits at the nearest resistance.

And if you’re short, it would be prudent to take profits at the nearest support.

An example:

RSI indicator

Or…

You can use RSI indicator to identify overbought and oversold areas (above 70 for overbought, below 30 for oversold). This can also act as Support & Resistance in the markets.

I’ve learned this technique from Steve Burns, in his book, Moving Average 101.

Here’s an example:

This approach works well when the market is in a range, or the trend is weak.

But what about trending markets?

This is when Fibonacci extension can be useful…

Fibonacci extension

The more popular extension levels are the 127, 162 and 200.

Watch the video below to learn how to use Fibonacci extension to set your profit target.

You’re probably wondering:

Rayner, can I take half my position at a fixed target and let the remaining ride the trend?

Of course, and this is how you do it…

How to take partial profits and ride the trend?

In the book, The Art and Science of Technical Analysis, Adam Grimes explains how he exits part off his position at 1:1 risk reward, and let the remaining position ride.

This helps improve his trading consistency and gives him a smoother equity curve.

Here’s how you can do it:

1. Take profit at the nearest Support & resistance
2. Trail the remaining position using a trailing stop loss (like moving average)

It looks something like this…

Pros:

• Improves your trading consistency
• Opportunity to ride a trend
• Easier on psychology as you’ve banked some profits

Cons:

• Lower profitability as you exit partial position

Frequently asked questions

#1: How can I trail my stoploss using moving average or its crossover?

You’ll exit the trade once the price closes beyond the moving average or when the moving average crossover forms against the direction of your trade.

#2: Do I need an EA (Expert Advisor) to trail my stop loss using moving average or its crossover?

Nope, you don’t need to use any EA to trail your stop loss. The moment the moving average crossover forms, you can manually exit your trade.

#3: Is there a best way on how to set stop loss or to exit a trade?

There’s actually no single best approach. You’ll have to figure out which approach suits you depending on your goals. For example, if you want to ride a trend, you can use a moving average. If you want to capture a swing, then you’ll use swing highs/lows as possible targets

Conclusion

You’ve learned a couple of ways on how to set proper stop loss—there are many ways you can exit your trades and there’s no right or wrong.

If you’re a trader who’s looking for trading consistency, then taking partial profits would suit you.

If you’re a trader who’s looking to increase his net profitability, then riding the trend with full position size would make sense.

If you want to discover high probability trading strategies, then check out High Probability Trading Strategy — A Complete Guide.

Blindly following another trader’s strategy isn’t going to work in the long run. Ultimately, you need to find an approach that suits your personality, beliefs about the market, and trading goals.

Now, here’s what I like to know…

How do you set your stoploss in trading?

Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts…