The Opal Strategy: A Hidden Gem for Trading NQ Futures [Free Code]

Looking for a trading strategy that actually works? Meet Opal - a crystal-clear approach to trading NQ futures that's been consistently profitable for over a decade. No smoke and mirrors here - just straightforward rules and solid performance.

What Makes Opal Sparkle?

Think of Opal as your steady companion in the volatile world of futures trading. It follows three simple principles:

1. Buy High, Go Higher Wait, what? Yes, you read that right. Opal looks for moments when the NQ breaks above its previous highs and shows real strength. When others might be saying "it's too high," Opal says "the trend is your friend."

2. Know When to Walk Away Unlike your cousin who can't leave the poker table, Opal knows exactly when to cash in its chips:

   • Takes profits after 50 bars (no getting greedy!)

   • Cuts losses quickly at 0.55% (because sometimes you're just wrong)

   • Heads home early on Fridays (weekend relaxation is important!)

3. Perfect Timing Running on 20-minute bars, Opal hits the sweet spot - not so fast that you're chasing your tail, not so slow that you miss the move.

Show Me The Money

Let's talk results. Over the past decade, Opal has been more reliable than your morning coffee:

• Profitable every single year since 2013

• Recent performance is getting even better (20% gain in the last 12 months!)

• Average win rate around 57%

• Impressively steady profit factors (reaching as high as 4.47!)

The results factor in $2.6 fee / commission and $10 of slippage.

Opal's Equity Curve

Opal's Annual Performance

Why It Actually Works

No magical indicators or complex algorithms here. Opal works because it:

• Rides the momentum when big players are buying

• Gets out before things go south

• Doesn't try to be a hero over weekends

• Keeps position sizing sensible

Ready to Try It?

In order to setup the Opal strategy in TradeStation, you need to set your NQ chart at 20 minutes bars, select 'Exchange' as your timezone and also set 5000 bars back. Below is the Opal strategy code:

Inputs:

    LookBackPeriod(1440),

    ExitBars(50),

    StopLossMultiplier(0.9945);

Vars:

    LongEMA(0),

    LHigh1000(0),

    EntryTriggered(False),

    BarsOut(0),

    MyEntryPrice(0),

    StopLossLevel(0);

// Reset for a new day

If Date <> Date[1] then begin

    EntryTriggered = False;

    BarsOut = 0;

    StopLossLevel = 0;

end;

// Calculate Highest High of prior 1000 bars

LHigh1000 = Highest(High, LookBackPeriod)[1];

// Entry condition for long trades: Close > high of prior 1000 bars, Close > Open

If not EntryTriggered and Close > LHigh1000 and Close > Open then begin

    Buy ("Buy") next bar at market; // Execute buy order

    EntryTriggered = True; // Mark entry as triggered

    BarsOut = 0; // Reset BarsOut

    MyEntryPrice = Close; // Record the entry price

    StopLossLevel = MyEntryPrice * StopLossMultiplier; // Calculate stop loss level

end;

// Check for exit conditions if a long position has been entered

If EntryTriggered and MarketPosition > 0 then begin

    BarsOut = BarsOut + 1; // Increment BarsOut

    // Exit after 50 bars

    If BarsOut >= ExitBars then begin

        Sell ("Exit in bars") next bar at market; // Execute sell order

        EntryTriggered = False; // Reset entry flag to allow for another potential entry

    end;

    // Exit at stop loss

    Sell ("Stop Loss") next bar at StopLossLevel stop;

    // Exit on Friday at 13:00

    If DayOfWeek(Date) = 5 and Time >= 1600 then begin

        Sell ("Friday 16:00 Exit") next bar at market; // Execute sell order at Friday 16:00

        EntryTriggered = False; // Reset entry flag to allow for another potential entry

    end;

end;