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Spread used by StrategyTester

  • #1
  • First Post: Nov 14, 2010 10:37pm Nov 14, 2010 10:37pm
Hello Folks,

Just a question in regarding the used spread used by the MT4 strategy tester.

I did some strategy tests with MT4 connected to a Demo account. There is this well known UK broker which has different data for Demo and Life accounts (Micro, Mini, Classic).
On demo I always have 1.6 spread on EURUSD for example. This is NOT good for backtests, because in reality it's basically on pip more. Even ECN with maybe 1.6 spread will add their commission.

Does anybody know if and how I can set a certain spread for backtesting? I really would rather test with 3.0 pibs if in regular life it might be 2.5 or so, because this would to a point take into account possible slippage or a manipulation the bucket shops will do once in a while...

Any input anybody?

Thanks.
MikeFT
  • #2
  • Nov 14, 2010 10:55pm Nov 14, 2010 10:55pm
If you search around I believe this has come up multiple times before. In summary: on MT4 you can't set the spread, it uses the last recorded spread or something brain-dead like that. Makes working in the weekend real hard.
This may have changed in MT5.
The breaking of a wave cannot explain the whole sea.
  • #3
  • Nov 15, 2010 12:30am Nov 15, 2010 12:30am
I think I know the answer to this question, but....

Does the backtester apply rollover every day that passes in the simulation?

I say it doesn't, but...

What's mysterious is that there is long and short swap quoted under the "symbol properties" tab in the backtester.

I can't find anything on Google on whether swaps are removed or not.
  • #4
  • Nov 15, 2010 11:33pm Nov 15, 2010 11:33pm
Thanks for the replays!

I guess I should have mentioned that I know that MT is using the last known spread. But it must save it somewhere in some kind of a format...

I'm just curious, because testing with demo as example on EURUSD with 1.6 spread is away from reality. Just one pip can make a big difference, especially if somebody is trying to use tight initial SL.
  • #5
  • Nov 16, 2010 3:24am Nov 16, 2010 3:24am
Quoting MikeFT
Thanks for the replays!

I guess I should have mentioned that I know that MT is using the last known spread. But it must save it somewhere in some kind of a format...

I'm just curious, because testing with demo as example on EURUSD with 1.6 spread is away from reality. Just one pip can make a big difference, especially if somebody is trying to use tight initial SL.
MT4 save spread data for each pair in a file named symbols.sel. This file located on history folder, along with all hst files.

hth
  • #6
  • Nov 16, 2010 4:04am Nov 16, 2010 4:04am
Quoting sangmane
MT4 save spread data for each pair in a file named symbols.sel. This file located on history folder, along with all hst files.

hth
Ah thanks sangmane, found the files, in the folder for each platform & server.

Tried taking a copy & saved it in a temp folder I use.
Renamed filename .sel to .txt but notepad just displayed hard to read characters. Had a few I could read, like NZDCHF etc.

Any idea how to edit the file or even read it better.

cheers scalpz
Target 2 : Stoploss in the green
  • #7
  • Nov 16, 2010 6:31am Nov 16, 2010 6:31am
Quoting scalpz
Ah thanks sangmane, found the files, in the folder for each platform & server.

Tried taking a copy & saved it in a temp folder I use.
Renamed filename .sel to .txt but notepad just displayed hard to read characters. Had a few I could read, like NZDCHF etc.

Any idea how to edit the file or even read it better.

cheers scalpz
Hi scalpz,
I just made a script for set historical spread of a pair.
To use it:
- Attach script to chart (lets say EUR/USD). This script will copy symbols.sel contents, modifying spread for EU and save the modified symbols.sel to experts/files folder.
- Close MT4
- Move symbols.sel on experts/files to hst folders (overwrite the original symbols.sel). Don't do this step while MT4 is open, because each time MT4 close, it will update symbols.sel file.
- Make sure your PC is disconnected from Internet before launch MT4. If MT4 connected to server, it will update spread data on its memory.
- Launch MT4
- You can run your strategy tester with a new HISTORICAL spread.

Set Spread = -50 (minus 50 pips), run any scalper EA, you will see a nice equity growth

PS:
- in symbols.sel, spread is constructed in the form of latest Ask - latest Bid
- this file is binary file, open it using hex editor
Attached File(s)
File Type: mq4 sangmaneSetHistorySpread.mq4   1 KB | 1,451 downloads
  • #8
  • Nov 18, 2010 5:59pm Nov 18, 2010 5:59pm
Quoting sangmane
Hi scalpz,
I just made a script for set historical spread of a pair.
...

Set Spread = -50 (minus 50 pips), run any scalper EA, you will see a nice equity growth

PS:
- in symbols.sel, spread is constructed in the form of latest Ask - latest Bid
- this file is binary file, open it using hex editor
Wow sangmane, very interesting & clever script. I will spend some time working through it to extend the learning curve a bit further. Thanks for sharing the info & example.

-50 spread - LOL
a buy will look like a sell & a sell will look like a buy in the trade history.

oh oh look look - I have a very efficient super scalper to sell - 1 time only offer at best price - limited copies available. Trade history available to show how good it is. LOL

yea right ! aye


Oh well - back to some more work.
Thanks again
cheers scalpz
Target 2 : Stoploss in the green
  • #9
  • Nov 24, 2010 9:05am Nov 24, 2010 9:05am
Wow! Outstanding.
Thank yoy for your time, sangmane.
  • #10
  • Nov 24, 2010 8:39pm Nov 24, 2010 8:39pm
Quoting sangmane
Hi scalpz,
I just made a script for set historical spread of a pair.
To use it:
- Attach script to chart (lets say EUR/USD). This script will copy symbols.sel contents, modifying spread for EU and save the modified symbols.sel to experts/files folder.
- Close MT4
- Move symbols.sel on experts/files to hst folders (overwrite the original symbols.sel). Don't do this step while MT4 is open, because each time MT4 close, it will update symbols.sel file.
- Make sure your PC is disconnected from Internet before launch MT4. If MT4 connected to server,...
I have been looking for the solution since long time ago. Terima Kasih!!!
  • #11
  • Feb 19, 2011 4:59pm Feb 19, 2011 4:59pm
Had to register just to thank you, I've looked a lot for that. Thanks.
  • #12
  • Feb 20, 2011 6:19am Feb 20, 2011 6:19am
What I do is I installed MT4 of my broker in different location and I use it on weekends with internet off.

I actually have 50+ installation of metatrader, whenever I accidently open MT4 with internet on, I can move to another. Otherwise is my weekend spread 10+ depending on pair.

Just update your history on Friday and when you close MT4 make sure the spread is the one you need.

If your Broker is, say, Alpari, you can install it under C program files Alpari, then you can isntall it under Alpari1, Alpari2, etc... You can even use those MT installations at the same time with the same account! You can run them parallel during the week.

Your Program Files folder would look like this (make sure you install differnt Start Menue short cuts, in case you use those):

C Program Files Alpari UK
C Program Files Alpari UK1
C Program FIles Alpari UK2
I found a penny today. That's +100 pips for me.
  • #13
  • Oct 15, 2011 3:04am Oct 15, 2011 3:04am
Great work and thanks for sharing.
I've downloaded you script over the weekend and surprise, it didn't work. The market was close and there was no tick to get the start function going. I've moved the entire script from start function to init() function and it worked like a charm. Also added Print confirmations for opening the files and creating new file .I will only post it with your permission. The comment is for people who might run into same situation as I did and didn't know why it isn't working.
Thanks again for sharing the script.
  • #14
  • Oct 15, 2011 6:55am Oct 15, 2011 6:55am
Just right click on the chart and select refresh. That'll kick it into going.
You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike.
  • #15
  • Nov 19, 2011 6:45am Nov 19, 2011 6:45am
Quoting sangmane
Hi scalpz,
I just made a script for set historical spread of a pair.
To use it: hex editor
Thanks for your work and sharing, I use your script its working fine the spread widen as you like

The problem is when you apply symbole.sel which script generate that will change MODE_MINLOT to 0.10;

for example i am using Alpari-Demo and its Lot is 0.01
but the problme after applying your script to change spread for backtesting during weekend it will change Min-Lot=0.10 too, which is not required

somehow I need the micro-Lot(0.01) in my streatgy. Is there any solution for that ?
  • #16
  • Apr 7, 2012 3:10am Apr 7, 2012 3:10am
Hi, I know this thread is quite old but I have spent ages trying to solve the problem of reliable back-testing at weekends and found some useful info here. Thanks to the contributors for the method of changing the symbols.sel file. My problem is that after attaching the script to the chart and then looking in the experts/files folder I cannot see the symbols.sel file (I have ticked show hidden files in the folder options). I'm using build 409 so maybe something has changed? Am I missing something? Any help would be appreciated.
When you are wrong - admit it. When you are right - keep quiet!
  • #17
  • Sep 21, 2013 5:55am Sep 21, 2013 5:55am
Here is an automated / alternate solution: http://www.mt4i.com/appstore/app.aspx?id=5
  • #18
  • Edited 9:40am Sep 21, 2013 9:12am | Edited 9:40am
This was an old thread , and is all outdated due to new options in MT 4(build 507 + )
  • #19
  • Last Post: Jul 22, 2015 1:02am Jul 22, 2015 1:02am
Quoting sangmane
{quote}Hi scalpz, I just made a script for set historical spread of a pair. To use it: - Attach script to chart (lets say EUR/USD). This script will copy symbols.sel contents, modifying spread for EU and save the modified symbols.sel to experts/files folder. - Close MT4 - Move symbols.sel on experts/files to hst folders (overwrite the original symbols.sel). Don't do this step while MT4 is open, because each time MT4 close, it will update symbols.sel file. - Make sure your PC is disconnected from Internet before launch MT4. If MT4 connected to server,...
Hi sangmane, thanks so much, it simply works!

Sincerely,
Sincerely,
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