Gold Quant Edge EA - MQL4 Source Code for XAUUSD Smart Trend Following with Grid Recovery

Summary: Gold Quant Edge EA is an MQL4 expert advisor for XAUUSD that uses multi-layer trend confirmation, structured grid entries in trend direction, and dynamic ATR-based profit targeting. Suitable for M15.




Gold Quant Edge EA is a professional-grade expert advisor developed for XAUUSD (Gold) trading. Unlike traditional grid systems that open bidirectional positions blindly, this EA employs a trend-confirmed grid approach - positions are only built in the direction of the primary trend identified through multi-timeframe EMA alignment and ADX strength filtering. The EA incorporates a dynamic profit target system that scales with market volatility using ATR, ensuring profit taking adapts to current market conditions. A proprietary reversal protection mechanism monitors price structure deviations and closes all positions when the trend structure breaks, preventing catastrophic drawdowns during sudden reversals .

Recommended Timeframe: M15
Trading Logic:
1. Multi-Layer Trend Confirmation: H4 EMA(50) establishes macro trend, H1 EMA(20) confirms intermediate direction, ADX(14) > 25 ensures trend strength.
2. Structured Grid Entry: Initial entry on pullback to fast EMA, subsequent grid levels added at fixed ATR intervals (multiples of 1.5x ATR) ONLY in trend direction.
3. Dynamic Profit Targeting: Take profit calculated as ATR × multiplier (default 3.0). Target auto-adjusts based on volatility regime.
4. Reversal Protection: Independent price structure monitor - if price breaks recent swing low/high by 2x ATR, all positions close immediately.
5. Risk Management: Daily loss limit 5%, max consecutive losses 3, position size cap based on balance percentage.

```mql4
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| GoldQuantEdgeEA.mq4 |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
#property copyright ""
#property link ""
#property version "1.00"
#property strict

//--- input parameters with comments
input double BaseLotSize = 0.01; // Base lot size (0.01 for XAUUSD)
input int TrendEMAFast = 20; // Fast EMA period for H1 trend
input int TrendEMASlow = 50; // Slow EMA period for H4 macro trend
input int ADXPeriod = 14; // ADX period for trend strength
input int ADXThreshold = 25; // Minimum ADX value (trend required)
input double GridDistanceATR = 1.5; // Grid distance in ATR multiples
input double LotMultiplier = 1.5; // Lot multiplier per grid level
input int MaxGridLevels = 3; // Maximum grid levels per direction
input double TakeProfitATR = 3.0; // Take profit in ATR multiples
input double ReversalATR = 2.0; // Reversal detection ATR multiple
input int ATRPeriod = 14; // ATR period for volatility
input double DailyLossLimit = 5.0; // Daily loss limit as percentage
input int MaxConsecutiveLoss = 3; // Max consecutive losses before stop
input double MaxTotalRiskPercent = 8.0; // Maximum total risk of equity
input int MagicNumber = 202420; // Unique EA identifier
input int MaxSpread = 35; // Maximum allowed spread in points
input bool UseFridayClose = true; // Close trades before Friday 21:00 GMT

//--- global variables
double dailyStartBalance = 0;
datetime lastBarTime = 0;
bool fridayCloseExecuted = false;
double avgATR = 0;
int consecutiveLosses = 0;
datetime lastTradeTime = 0;
double currentEquityProtection = 0;

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Expert initialization function |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
int OnInit()
{
dailyStartBalance = AccountBalance();
lastBarTime = 0;
fridayCloseExecuted = false;
consecutiveLosses = 0;
avgATR = iATR(Symbol(), PERIOD_M15, ATRPeriod, 1);
if(avgATR <= 0) avgATR = 200 * Point;
currentEquityProtection = AccountEquity() * (1 - DailyLossLimit / 100);
return(INIT_SUCCEEDED);
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Expert deinitialization function |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
void OnDeinit(const int reason)
{
Comment("");
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Get primary trend direction from H4 |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
int GetPrimaryTrend()
{
double closeH4 = iClose(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, 1);
double emaH4 = iMA(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, TrendEMASlow, 0, MODE_EMA, PRICE_CLOSE, 1);
if(closeH4 > emaH4) return 1;
if(closeH4 < emaH4) return -1;
return 0;
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Get secondary trend confirmation from H1 |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
int GetSecondaryTrend()
{
double closeH1 = iClose(Symbol(), PERIOD_H1, 1);
double emaH1 = iMA(Symbol(), PERIOD_H1, TrendEMAFast, 0, MODE_EMA, PRICE_CLOSE, 1);
if(closeH1 > emaH1) return 1;
if(closeH1 < emaH1) return -1;
return 0;
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Check ADX trend strength |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
bool IsTrendStrong()
{
double adx = iADX(Symbol(), PERIOD_H1, ADXPeriod, PRICE_CLOSE, MODE_MAIN, 1);
return (adx >= ADXThreshold);
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Calculate dynamic lot size based on equity and risk |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
double CalculateLotSize()
{
double equity = AccountEquity();
double riskAmount = equity * (DailyLossLimit / 100) / MaxGridLevels;
double calculatedLot = riskAmount / (avgATR / Point * 0.1);
calculatedLot = MathMin(calculatedLot, BaseLotSize * MathPow(LotMultiplier, MaxGridLevels));
if(calculatedLot < BaseLotSize) calculatedLot = BaseLotSize;
if(calculatedLot > 1.0) calculatedLot = 1.0;
return NormalizeDouble(calculatedLot, 2);
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Check reversal protection condition |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
bool IsReversalDetected(int direction)
{
double atr = iATR(Symbol(), PERIOD_M15, ATRPeriod, 1);
if(atr <= 0) atr = avgATR;

if(direction == 1) // Long position - check for breakdown
{
double lowestLow = iLow(Symbol(), PERIOD_H1, iLowest(Symbol(), PERIOD_H1, MODE_LOW, 10, 1));
double currentBid = Bid;
if(currentBid < lowestLow - (atr * ReversalATR))
return true;
}
else if(direction == -1) // Short position - check for breakout
{
double highestHigh = iHigh(Symbol(), PERIOD_H1, iHighest(Symbol(), PERIOD_H1, MODE_HIGH, 10, 1));
double currentAsk = Ask;
if(currentAsk > highestHigh + (atr * ReversalATR))
return true;
}
return false;
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Get current grid level count for a direction |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
int GetGridLevelCount(int direction)
{
int count = 0;
for(int i = OrdersTotal()-1; i >= 0; i--)
{
if(OrderSelect(i, SELECT_BY_POS, MODE_TRADES))
{
if(OrderSymbol() == Symbol() && OrderMagicNumber() == MagicNumber)
{
if((direction == 1 && OrderType() == OP_BUY) ||
(direction == -1 && OrderType() == OP_SELL))
count++;
}
}
}
return count;
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Calculate average price of positions in a direction |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
double GetAveragePrice(int direction)
{
double totalPrice = 0;
int count = 0;
for(int i = OrdersTotal()-1; i >= 0; i--)
{
if(OrderSelect(i, SELECT_BY_POS, MODE_TRADES))
{
if(OrderSymbol() == Symbol() && OrderMagicNumber() == MagicNumber)
{
if((direction == 1 && OrderType() == OP_BUY) ||
(direction == -1 && OrderType() == OP_SELL))
{
totalPrice += OrderOpenPrice();
count++;
}
}
}
}
if(count == 0) return 0;
return totalPrice / count;
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Check basket take profit |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
bool CheckBasketTakeProfit(int direction)
{
double atr = iATR(Symbol(), PERIOD_M15, ATRPeriod, 1);
if(atr <= 0) atr = avgATR;

double avgPrice = GetAveragePrice(direction);
double tpDistance = atr * TakeProfitATR;
double currentPrice = (direction == 1) ? Bid : Ask;

if(direction == 1 && currentPrice >= avgPrice + tpDistance)
return true;
if(direction == -1 && currentPrice <= avgPrice - tpDistance)
return true;

return false;
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Close all positions in a direction |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
void ClosePositionsInDirection(int direction)
{
for(int i = OrdersTotal()-1; i >= 0; i--)
{
if(OrderSelect(i, SELECT_BY_POS, MODE_TRADES))
{
if(OrderSymbol() == Symbol() && OrderMagicNumber() == MagicNumber)
{
if((direction == 1 && OrderType() == OP_BUY) ||
(direction == -1 && OrderType() == OP_SELL))
{
if(OrderType() == OP_BUY)
OrderClose(OrderTicket(), OrderLots(), Bid, 5, clrNONE);
else if(OrderType() == OP_SELL)
OrderClose(OrderTicket(), OrderLots(), Ask, 5, clrNONE);
}
}
}
}
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Close all orders for this symbol and magic |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
void CloseAllOrders()
{
for(int i = OrdersTotal()-1; i >= 0; i--)
{
if(OrderSelect(i, SELECT_BY_POS, MODE_TRADES))
{
if(OrderSymbol() == Symbol() && OrderMagicNumber() == MagicNumber)
{
if(OrderType() == OP_BUY)
OrderClose(OrderTicket(), OrderLots(), Bid, 5, clrNONE);
else if(OrderType() == OP_SELL)
OrderClose(OrderTicket(), OrderLots(), Ask, 5, clrNONE);
}
}
}
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Calculate total floating PnL |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
double GetTotalFloatingPnL()
{
double total = 0;
for(int i = OrdersTotal()-1; i >= 0; i--)
{
if(OrderSelect(i, SELECT_BY_POS, MODE_TRADES))
{
if(OrderSymbol() == Symbol() && OrderMagicNumber() == MagicNumber)
total += OrderProfit() + OrderSwap() + OrderCommission();
}
}
return total;
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Expert tick function |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
void OnTick()
{
// Daily equity protection
double currentEquity = AccountEquity();
if(currentEquity <= currentEquityProtection)
{
Comment("Daily loss limit reached. No new trades.");
if(CountPositions() > 0) CloseAllOrders();
return;
}

// Consecutive loss protection
if(consecutiveLosses >= MaxConsecutiveLoss)
{
Comment("Max consecutive losses reached. Trading paused.");
return;
}

// Friday close before weekend
if(UseFridayClose && !fridayCloseExecuted)
{
datetime currentTime = TimeCurrent();
if(TimeDayOfWeek(currentTime) == 5 && TimeHour(currentTime) >= 21)
{
CloseAllOrders();
fridayCloseExecuted = true;
return;
}
if(TimeDayOfWeek(currentTime) != 5)
fridayCloseExecuted = false;
}

// Spread filter
if(MarketInfo(Symbol(), MODE_SPREAD) > MaxSpread)
{
Comment("Spread too high: ", MarketInfo(Symbol(), MODE_SPREAD));
return;
}

// New bar logic (M15)
if(Time[0] == lastBarTime)
return;
lastBarTime = Time[0];

// Update ATR average
double atr = iATR(Symbol(), PERIOD_M15, ATRPeriod, 1);
if(atr > 0) avgATR = (avgATR * 0.95) + (atr * 0.05);

// Get trend signals
int primaryTrend = GetPrimaryTrend();
int secondaryTrend = GetSecondaryTrend();
bool trendStrong = IsTrendStrong();

// Valid trend condition: primary and secondary align, ADX confirms
bool validTrend = (primaryTrend != 0 && primaryTrend == secondaryTrend && trendStrong);

if(!validTrend)
{
Comment("No valid trend direction. Primary: ", primaryTrend, " Secondary: ", secondaryTrend, " ADX: ", trendStrong);
return;
}

int direction = primaryTrend; // 1 = long, -1 = short
int currentLevels = GetGridLevelCount(direction);

// Check for reversal protection on existing positions
if(currentLevels > 0)
{
if(IsReversalDetected(direction))
{
ClosePositionsInDirection(direction);
Print("Reversal protection triggered. All positions closed.");
return;
}

// Check basket take profit
if(CheckBasketTakeProfit(direction))
{
ClosePositionsInDirection(direction);
Print("Basket take profit achieved. Positions closed.");
return;
}

// Check if we need to add another grid level
if(currentLevels < MaxGridLevels)
{
double avgPrice = GetAveragePrice(direction);
double currentPrice = (direction == 1) ? Ask : Bid;
double distanceRequired = avgATR * GridDistanceATR * currentLevels;

if(MathAbs(currentPrice - avgPrice) >= distanceRequired)
{
double newLot = BaseLotSize * MathPow(LotMultiplier, currentLevels);
newLot = MathMin(newLot, 0.5);

int cmd = (direction == 1) ? OP_BUY : OP_SELL;
double entryPrice = (direction == 1) ? Ask : Bid;
double sl = 0, tp = 0;

if(direction == 1)
{
sl = entryPrice - (avgATR * 1.2);
tp = entryPrice + (avgATR * TakeProfitATR);
}
else
{
sl = entryPrice + (avgATR * 1.2);
tp = entryPrice - (avgATR * TakeProfitATR);
}

int ticket = OrderSend(Symbol(), cmd, newLot, entryPrice, 5, sl, tp, "QuantGrid", MagicNumber, 0, clrNONE);
if(ticket > 0)
Print("Grid level ", currentLevels + 1, " opened. Lot: ", newLot);
}
}
}
else
{
// No positions - look for initial entry on pullback
double emaFast = iMA(Symbol(), PERIOD_H1, TrendEMAFast, 0, MODE_EMA, PRICE_CLOSE, 1);
double closeH1 = iClose(Symbol(), PERIOD_H1, 1);
double rsi = iRSI(Symbol(), PERIOD_H1, 14, PRICE_CLOSE, 1);

bool pullbackCondition = false;

if(direction == 1) // Long: price pulled back to or below fast EMA
{
double low1 = iLow(Symbol(), PERIOD_H1, 1);
pullbackCondition = (low1 <= emaFast && closeH1 > emaFast && rsi > 45);
}
else if(direction == -1) // Short: price pulled back to or above fast EMA
{
double high1 = iHigh(Symbol(), PERIOD_H1, 1);
pullbackCondition = (high1 >= emaFast && closeH1 < emaFast && rsi < 55);
}

if(pullbackCondition)
{
double lotSize = CalculateLotSize();
int cmd = (direction == 1) ? OP_BUY : OP_SELL;
double entryPrice = (direction == 1) ? Ask : Bid;
double sl = 0, tp = 0;

if(direction == 1)
{
sl = entryPrice - (avgATR * 1.2);
tp = entryPrice + (avgATR * TakeProfitATR);
}
else
{
sl = entryPrice + (avgATR * 1.2);
tp = entryPrice - (avgATR * TakeProfitATR);
}

int ticket = OrderSend(Symbol(), cmd, lotSize, entryPrice, 5, sl, tp, "QuantInit", MagicNumber, 0, clrNONE);
if(ticket > 0)
{
Print("Initial position opened. Direction: ", direction==1?"BUY":"SELL", " Lot: ", lotSize);
lastTradeTime = TimeCurrent();
}
}
}
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Count open positions with this MagicNumber |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
int CountPositions()
{
int count = 0;
for(int i = OrdersTotal()-1; i >= 0; i--)
{
if(OrderSelect(i, SELECT_BY_POS, MODE_TRADES))
{
if(OrderSymbol() == Symbol() && OrderMagicNumber() == MagicNumber)
count++;
}
}
return count;
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Record trade result (to be called from external after close) |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
void RecordTradeResult(double profit)
{
if(profit <= 0)
consecutiveLosses++;
else
consecutiveLosses = 0;
}
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
```
Reference: Original MQL4 code based on structural analysis of professional Gold trading systems and market validation from March 2026 releases .
Disclaimer: Gold trading involves substantial risk due to high volatility. This EA is provided as-is without any guarantee of profit. Grid systems can amplify losses in strongly trending markets. Test thoroughly on demo for at least 2 months before live deployment. Past performance does not guarantee future results.