Morning Dip Limit — a promising lead

An NQ futures scalp: on choppy mornings, rest a buy limit one ATR below the last 3-minute close, and take profit at the middle of that candle if a fast flush fills it. Shared for transparency and so others can test it. I am not confident in it yet.

NQ · long only09:00–11:00 CT3-min candles~2 trades/dayJan 2 – Sep 25, 20261-second data
Status: research lead, not armed. Every number below is a backtest with modelled fills and fees on 1 NQ ($20/point, $2.25 per side). The rules came out of many looks at 2026 data. Aug 19 – Sep 25 is treated as out of sample. The download has every trade and a reference implementation that reproduces them exactly. Please try to break it.
Update Sep 28, 2026: 2010–2025 on 1-second data. We obtained 16 years of Databento 1-second NQ bars (real contracts, no price adjustment; on Aug 6 2026 it matches our NT8 feed on 23,221 of 23,223 seconds). The same rule, unchanged, 3-minute start 0, 1 NQ: 2010–2019 negative every year (PF 0.45–0.86), 2020–2024 about break-even (PF 0.97–1.02), 2025 +$11.8K at start 0 but −$6.8K to −$16.4K at the other four start times, 2010–2025 total −$48.6K (mean of five runs −$58.2K). 2026 is the best of 17 years by a wide margin. The near-market control lost more than the rule in both check years, so the dip distance still does work, but the edge did not exist before 2025 in this data. Details, per-year table and trade lists: MORNING_DIP_HISTORY_FINDINGS.md (added to the download).
01The rules
  1. Build 3-minute candles from 1-second NQ bars (UTC grid). ATR = simple mean of the last 14 true ranges. ER = |close change over 15 candles| ÷ sum of |close-to-close changes|.
  2. From 09:00 to 11:00 CT, when a candle closes with ER ≤ 0.35 (choppy), arm a buy limit at close − 1.0 × ATR one second later.
  3. The limit fills only if price trades 1 tick through it. Cancel after 9 minutes.
  4. Target: the signal candle's high-low midpoint. Stop: 1.5 × ATR below the limit. Time stop: 15 minutes. Flat at 11:00 CT. One order or position at a time.
  5. Fill model: stops and market exits slip 1 tick; the fill second can stop but not target; inside each second the adverse move comes first.
02Headline stats
3-minute version, 1 NQ, average of 10 candle start times (0, 18 … 162 s). Drawdown on daily closes.
Net, Jan 2–Sep 25+$34,986
Trades398
Trades / day2.2
Win rate62%
Profit factor1.28
Avg win / loss$646 / −$834
Max drawdown$14.2K
Worst day−$4.9K
PeriodTradesNetWin ratePFAvg winAvg lossMax DD
Jan 2 – Aug 18 (built here)346+$26,73361%1.23$672−$873$14.2K
Aug 19 – Sep 25 (out of sample)52+$8,25367%1.92$491−$532$1.6K
5-min version, all 2026 (5 start times)148+$32,42365%1.73$798−$882$6.7K
03Equity curve
Average of 10 start timesStart 0 sRange across start times
01/26+$2.0K
02/26+$8.8K
03/26+$1.5K
04/26+$3.8K
05/26+$4.7K
06/26−$2.7K
07/26+$11.0K
08/26+$1.2K
09/26+$4.7K
04The good, the bad and the ugly

The good

  • Positive at all 10 candle start times in every period.
  • A plateau, not a spike: every candle length from 2.5 to 5 minutes is positive.
  • All 13 nearby parameter settings are positive.
  • Placing the limit near the price loses money, so the dip distance does the work.
  • Out of sample (Aug 19 – Sep 25, Polygon data): +$8.3K, PF 1.92, 10/10 start times positive.
  • An independent re-implementation reproduced all 395 trades to the cent.

The bad

  • 2025 is flat: +$5.5K on 593 trades, PF 1.03 (1-minute data).
  • ES does not work: −$6.7K May–Aug 2026, −$15.9K in 2025.
  • The short side loses. It may partly be a 2026 NQ uptrend effect.
  • Trend filters flip sign between 2025 and 2026, so none is used.
  • Sep 24–25 was flat.

The ugly

  • Drawdown of $8K–$22K at 1 NQ from late May to Jun 22, depending on start time. Worst days −$4.3K and −$3.8K.
  • Wins are smaller than losses. It needs about a 56% win rate to break even.
  • Resting limits fill on hard flushes. There is no bid/ask or queue data, so live fills may be worse.
  • In MNQ, commissions take about 15% of gross profit.
  • It simplifies a rule found in a large grid search on the same year.
05Candle start time
Each 3-minute candle can start at 0, 18 … 162 seconds. A fragile rule usually breaks when the start moves.
StartJan–AprMay–Aug 18Sep 14–23Aug 19–Sep 11, Sep 24–25
0 s+$15.6K+$7.7K+$2.7K+$3.7K
18 s+$9.1K+$1.5K+$2.5K+$4.5K
36 s+$11.3K+$15.1K+$3.6K+$4.9K
54 s+$19.7K+$23.9K+$2.1K+$7.3K
72 s+$14.9K+$11.6K+$1.3K+$9.2K
90 s+$18.5K+$4.3K+$2.1K+$7.0K
108 s+$24.5K+$1.5K+$0.3K+$6.5K
126 s+$13.8K+$24.6K+$4.2K+$5.8K
144 s+$13.3K+$6.8K+$2.2K+$6.1K
162 s+$20.6K+$8.9K+$4.2K+$2.1K
06Candle length
Same rules counted in candles, 5 start times each, 1 NQ.
CandleJan 2 – Sep 25 netAug 19 – Sep 25 netStart times positive (Aug 19 – Sep 25)
1 min+$6.1K−$0.3K4/5
1.5 min+$7.8K−$4.5K0/5
2 min+$19.9K−$2.7K2/5
2.5 min+$33.7K+$6.5K4/5
2.75 min+$23.1K+$5.5K5/5
3 min+$32.6K+$6.1K5/5
3.25 min+$27.1K+$4.8K5/5
3.5 min+$29.6K+$1.8K4/5
4 min+$21.1K+$0.1K3/5
4.5 min+$22.8K+$1.0K4/5
5 min+$32.4K+$1.5K4/5
07Which parts matter
Version (average of 10 start times)Jan–AprMay–Aug 18
Core: 1 ATR dip, choppy filter, 09–11 CT+$16.1K+$10.6K
Dip 0.5 ATR+$11.0K+$4.8K
Dip 1.5 ATR+$5.8K+$15.1K
Limit near the price (0.02 ATR)−$1.6K−$7.5K
No choppy filter+$18.0K+$7.3K
All day 09:00–14:55 CT (PF 1.06–1.09)+$13.6K+$10.3K
Short side only−$6.3K−$1.7K
Wick-tip level instead of 1 ATR (original rule)+$11.3K+$8.6K

Nearby settings (stop 1.2/1.8 ATR, cancel 6/12 min, hold 12/18 min, ER 0.28/0.42, dip 0.8/1.2 ATR, target at close or halfway): 13 of 13 positive in every period. Jan–Apr +$10.2K to +$18.9K; May–Aug +$7.6K to +$20.5K.

08Other data and markets
DataResult, 1 contract, start 0
NQ, Polygon 1-minute, 2026 (second source)Jan–Apr +$13.2K · May–Aug +$6.4K
NQ, continuous 1-minute, 2025+$5.5K on 593 trades, PF 1.03
NQ, continuous 1-minute, 2026Jan–Apr +$7.6K · May–Aug +$3.4K
ES, 1-second, 2026Jan–Apr +$2.4K · May–Aug −$6.7K
ES, continuous 1-minute, 2025−$15.9K
09Every trade (3-minute, start 0 s)
395 trades, 1 NQ, times in CT. All 15 start-time versions are in the download.
DateEntryExitLimitExit pxStop ptsTarget ptsExit typeNet $Cum $
2026-01-0209:18:0409:24:3525,553.7525,478.5075.0076.75stop-1,509.5-1,510
2026-01-0209:49:1409:52:0125,532.2525,457.0075.0057.25stop-1,509.5-3,019
2026-01-0210:12:0610:13:4225,300.5025,341.2577.5040.75target+810.5-2,208
2026-01-0210:51:5911:00:0025,321.5025,341.0066.7553.50schedule+385.5-1,823
2026-01-0510:34:5410:38:2525,678.2525,688.5025.5010.25target+200.5-1,622
2026-01-0510:41:2810:43:0525,673.7525,682.7524.009.00target+175.5-1,447
2026-01-0510:56:3811:00:0025,669.2525,658.7526.2525.00schedule-214.5-1,662
2026-01-0609:36:5209:51:5225,736.5025,725.2536.2525.50time-229.5-1,891
2026-01-0610:00:1110:15:1125,672.2525,672.2536.0039.50time-4.5-1,896
2026-01-0610:43:4010:47:0525,661.5025,680.7532.2519.25target+380.5-1,515
2026-01-0709:17:1709:25:0625,829.2525,861.5045.0032.25target+640.5-874
2026-01-0709:38:5509:39:0025,871.2525,830.5040.5017.75stop-819.5-1,694
2026-01-0710:24:3010:39:3025,900.5025,907.0033.5023.75time+125.5-1,568
2026-01-0809:35:1709:41:0825,659.2525,691.5054.7532.25target+640.5-928
2026-01-0809:47:4009:58:3525,654.2525,665.0055.0010.75target+210.5-718
2026-01-0810:08:0210:12:0625,650.2525,652.2551.002.00target+35.5-682
2026-01-0810:30:2110:45:1925,615.5025,656.7547.2541.25target+820.5+138
2026-01-0810:52:0710:58:4625,640.0025,663.7544.0023.75target+470.5+609
2026-01-0909:41:5209:56:5225,814.2525,788.5083.5037.50time-519.5+90
2026-01-1209:33:0409:48:0425,885.7525,888.2543.0036.75time+45.5+135
2026-01-1309:18:4209:33:4225,870.0025,848.7567.2540.50time-429.5-294
2026-01-1309:41:2309:46:3625,825.2525,846.5052.5021.25target+420.5+126
2026-01-1309:48:5809:50:1925,817.2525,840.0044.5022.75target+450.5+576
2026-01-1409:30:0409:45:0425,602.7525,558.7574.0066.25time-884.5-308
2026-01-1410:35:1610:45:1325,550.2525,507.2542.7525.50stop-864.5-1,172
2026-01-1410:51:0911:00:0025,455.5025,459.2544.7540.75schedule+70.5-1,102
2026-01-1509:28:4109:30:4625,855.0025,879.7559.2524.75target+490.5-612
2026-01-1509:44:1509:48:1825,869.0025,817.0051.7532.50stop-1,044.5-1,656
2026-01-2009:47:3910:01:1225,360.0025,389.0062.5029.00target+575.5-1,080
2026-01-2010:15:2110:29:2525,384.2525,406.2554.0022.00target+435.5-645
2026-01-2010:42:2610:57:2625,376.0025,394.2552.2531.25time+360.5-284
2026-01-2110:32:1210:36:3225,433.0025,396.2536.5027.50stop-739.5-1,024
2026-01-2310:28:0910:32:5625,793.0025,766.5026.2519.75stop-534.5-1,558
2026-01-2310:45:3810:47:1325,798.5025,815.0031.5016.50target+325.5-1,233
2026-01-2609:44:2009:45:4525,834.2525,858.2534.7524.00target+475.5-758
2026-01-2610:00:0310:00:4525,869.0025,892.0035.0023.00target+455.5-302
2026-01-2610:18:5610:22:3925,868.5025,888.7531.7520.25target+400.5+98
2026-01-2709:52:3210:05:3726,067.5026,090.5029.0023.00target+455.5+554
2026-01-2710:29:1010:44:1026,089.7526,096.2520.0012.75time+125.5+680
2026-01-2710:46:3510:49:0626,079.7526,094.7515.7515.00target+295.5+975
2026-01-2710:52:0810:52:3226,082.7526,089.5015.756.75target+130.5+1,106
2026-01-2710:59:4911:00:0026,080.5026,079.7516.257.00schedule-19.5+1,086
2026-01-2810:22:0010:29:2426,157.2526,179.7531.7522.50target+445.5+1,532
2026-01-2810:30:5710:42:0826,164.0026,135.7528.0011.00stop-569.5+962
2026-01-2909:50:0610:05:0625,588.5025,563.0078.2538.00time-514.5+448
2026-01-3009:29:0609:35:3825,812.5025,876.7582.5064.25target+1,280.5+1,728
2026-01-3010:18:0810:33:0825,785.7525,819.5066.2546.50time+670.5+2,398
2026-01-3010:52:0111:00:0025,772.5025,757.2558.2549.75schedule-309.5+2,089
2026-02-0209:56:3810:10:0425,831.5025,852.2542.2520.75target+410.5+2,500
2026-02-0210:40:3310:55:3325,866.7525,879.5034.7525.50time+250.5+2,750
2026-02-0309:53:0109:54:4425,562.0025,587.7584.5025.75target+510.5+3,260
2026-02-0310:05:1710:20:1725,562.7525,547.2589.2530.50time-314.5+2,946
2026-02-0310:23:0010:38:0025,510.2525,511.2562.2541.25time+15.5+2,962
2026-02-0310:50:4410:53:1425,489.5025,505.5053.5016.00target+315.5+3,277
2026-02-0409:36:0509:38:5825,141.7525,227.0098.7585.25target+1,700.5+4,978
2026-02-0409:46:0509:46:3925,158.0025,176.00102.5018.00target+355.5+5,333
2026-02-0410:03:0210:18:0225,078.5025,073.5096.5088.75time-104.5+5,228
2026-02-0410:33:4810:40:5725,082.2525,008.2573.7542.25stop-1,484.5+3,744
2026-02-0509:48:5309:53:1724,580.2524,646.50108.5066.25target+1,320.5+5,064
2026-02-0510:08:3210:15:5524,565.7524,635.2596.5069.50target+1,385.5+6,450
2026-02-0610:56:3611:00:0025,005.2525,000.7543.0021.75schedule-94.5+6,356
2026-02-1009:52:3510:07:3525,376.7525,363.2554.0028.00time-274.5+6,081
2026-02-1010:21:0110:27:0825,358.7525,372.0046.2513.25target+260.5+6,342
2026-02-1010:51:1511:00:0025,319.0025,327.0043.5028.75schedule+155.5+6,497
2026-02-1110:27:5410:40:2925,211.0025,240.2565.2529.25target+580.5+7,078
2026-02-1110:49:2811:00:0025,199.2525,180.5060.0028.25schedule-379.5+6,698
2026-02-1209:33:2209:40:5625,183.7525,111.0072.5049.00stop-1,459.5+5,238
2026-02-1209:56:0610:05:4725,040.0024,977.7562.0058.75stop-1,249.5+3,989
2026-02-1309:40:0809:55:0824,817.2524,825.75112.7555.00time+165.5+4,154
2026-02-1310:21:0210:26:5824,787.0024,826.7580.2539.75target_gap+790.5+4,945
2026-02-1709:33:3209:45:5624,458.2524,532.25103.7574.00target+1,475.5+6,420
2026-02-1710:57:2510:57:5024,739.2524,757.7559.5018.50target+365.5+6,786
2026-02-1810:49:2310:57:2325,089.7525,064.7524.7514.50stop-504.5+6,282
2026-02-1909:50:5709:58:5524,876.7524,923.2568.0046.50target+925.5+7,207
2026-02-1910:05:4710:15:2124,883.5024,914.2561.2530.75target+610.5+7,818
2026-02-1910:28:2010:43:2024,890.5024,878.7550.7547.25time-239.5+7,578
2026-02-1910:51:4510:54:3224,808.0024,862.5052.0054.50target+1,085.5+8,664
2026-02-2009:32:5509:39:0524,941.2524,997.75122.5056.50target+1,125.5+9,789
2026-02-2010:17:3410:32:3425,029.0025,015.7570.0066.00time-269.5+9,520
2026-02-2309:52:3710:02:5024,785.0024,728.2556.5048.50stop-1,139.5+8,380
2026-02-2410:30:4010:45:4024,994.0024,995.0038.7520.00time+15.5+8,396
2026-02-2509:34:2009:49:2025,309.7525,300.5041.2521.00time-189.5+8,206
2026-02-2509:55:2610:00:0225,269.2525,298.7535.7529.50target+585.5+8,792
2026-02-2610:36:5710:46:0525,030.7524,983.7546.7526.75stop-944.5+7,847
2026-02-2610:55:3911:00:0024,969.7524,963.5042.7519.75schedule-129.5+7,718
2026-02-2709:51:1310:00:4124,956.5024,988.0063.0031.50target+625.5+8,343
2026-02-2710:08:5710:13:3424,964.0024,991.2557.5027.25target+540.5+8,884
2026-02-2710:40:0710:54:3324,964.5024,985.5053.5021.00target+415.5+9,299
2026-03-0209:22:4309:23:1324,869.7524,912.2575.0042.50target+845.5+10,144
2026-03-0209:28:4109:30:1024,869.0024,895.5075.0026.50target+525.5+10,670
2026-03-0209:54:0809:57:0624,899.0024,929.2561.5030.25target+600.5+11,270
2026-03-0210:26:0410:38:5724,904.0024,956.7553.0052.75target+1,050.5+12,321
2026-03-0309:18:4509:33:4524,429.2524,402.50110.2588.50time-539.5+11,782
2026-03-0410:12:1710:27:1725,080.2525,100.5055.0052.00time+400.5+12,182
2026-03-0509:21:5809:27:0025,080.5025,006.0074.2568.50stop-1,494.5+10,688
2026-03-0509:30:3909:37:1924,964.5025,010.5070.2546.00target+915.5+11,603
2026-03-0510:10:1110:25:1124,992.7524,989.7568.2555.25time-64.5+11,538
2026-03-0609:50:3109:55:1624,773.2524,826.0066.5052.75target+1,050.5+12,589
2026-03-0610:55:0811:00:0024,851.5024,880.7562.0048.75schedule+580.5+13,170
2026-03-0909:27:2009:28:1824,385.5024,409.50100.0024.00target+475.5+13,645
2026-03-0910:36:4810:45:5724,593.2524,632.2545.7539.00target+775.5+14,420
2026-03-1010:32:0310:42:3825,126.5025,158.0041.0031.50target+625.5+15,046
2026-03-1010:47:0810:50:2625,124.2525,158.0038.0033.75target+670.5+15,716
2026-03-1109:23:0409:33:5625,051.7524,975.5076.0033.75stop-1,529.5+14,187
2026-03-1110:12:3810:27:3824,982.7524,984.0057.7552.50time+20.5+14,208
2026-03-1110:45:0110:51:2424,912.0024,951.0063.5039.00target+775.5+14,983
2026-03-1609:30:0409:34:5724,930.2524,878.2551.7539.25stop-1,044.5+13,938
2026-03-1609:38:4709:53:4724,873.2524,883.2547.5022.25time+195.5+14,134
2026-03-1610:05:3310:13:5424,866.0024,901.7549.7535.75target+710.5+14,844
2026-03-1610:50:3510:58:3324,923.5024,890.2533.0017.75stop-669.5+14,175
2026-03-1709:17:5709:19:0024,996.2525,037.0043.7540.75target+810.5+14,986
2026-03-1710:04:5210:19:5225,057.2525,042.7545.5025.75time-294.5+14,691
2026-03-1710:29:2110:36:3925,010.0024,972.2537.5029.75stop-759.5+13,932
2026-03-1809:26:0509:41:0524,853.2524,838.0063.5045.50time-309.5+13,622
2026-03-1810:20:4810:32:5624,875.2524,906.2542.5031.00target+615.5+14,238
2026-03-1909:22:2509:34:5624,443.2524,519.5079.2576.25target+1,520.5+15,758
2026-03-1909:38:0009:51:1924,491.5024,508.7572.7517.25target+340.5+16,098
2026-03-1910:19:5510:34:5524,483.2524,420.5071.2543.25time-1,259.5+14,839
2026-03-2009:38:0509:53:0524,274.7524,256.5062.2532.75time-369.5+14,470
2026-03-2309:41:4109:47:2124,600.5024,640.2568.0039.75target+790.5+15,260
2026-03-2309:50:1309:52:5924,599.5024,613.5060.2514.00target+275.5+15,536
2026-03-2310:18:1310:33:1324,640.2524,615.0057.5038.25time-509.5+15,026
2026-03-2310:38:4610:46:2424,550.7524,497.2553.2551.00stop-1,074.5+13,952
2026-03-2410:32:3410:47:3424,313.7524,342.5087.0051.75time+570.5+14,522
2026-03-2410:56:4411:00:0024,307.5024,294.7548.2535.75schedule-259.5+14,262
2026-03-2510:07:2410:12:0524,451.7524,403.0048.5038.75stop-979.5+13,283
2026-03-2510:38:0810:53:0824,396.0024,357.0058.7533.50time-784.5+12,498
2026-03-2609:44:1909:55:0024,123.5024,062.5060.7552.25stop-1,224.5+11,274
2026-03-2610:31:5510:41:1524,053.7524,090.2555.5036.50target+725.5+12,000
2026-03-2710:17:3910:23:4023,471.2523,512.5051.2541.25target+820.5+12,820
2026-03-2710:39:4810:54:4823,560.0023,562.0057.0039.00time+35.5+12,856
2026-03-3009:36:0509:40:1523,287.7523,331.2556.0043.50target+865.5+13,721
2026-03-3010:15:4510:30:4523,298.5023,319.5068.2575.00time+415.5+14,136
2026-03-3010:55:5011:00:0023,387.5023,374.2549.2518.50schedule-269.5+13,867
2026-03-3109:37:3809:48:5823,517.7523,456.0061.5040.00stop-1,239.5+12,628
2026-03-3110:45:5511:00:0023,469.2523,446.0062.0041.50schedule-469.5+12,158
2026-04-0210:48:4911:00:0024,141.5024,135.7569.2530.25schedule-119.5+12,038
2026-04-0609:38:2909:53:2924,321.0024,299.0069.2549.75time-444.5+11,594
2026-04-0610:25:3610:40:3624,268.0024,286.0051.2542.50time+355.5+11,950
2026-04-0709:59:0410:05:1424,023.5023,962.5060.7553.50stop-1,224.5+10,725
2026-04-0809:31:1709:46:1725,034.2525,028.0054.2534.00time-129.5+10,596
2026-04-0909:26:5509:40:2324,968.7524,993.5050.5024.75target+490.5+11,086
2026-04-0910:04:2810:05:3925,017.0025,033.0036.2516.00target+315.5+11,402
2026-04-1009:42:5609:57:4725,325.0025,354.0039.0029.00target+575.5+11,977
2026-04-1010:31:4110:39:2925,339.2525,306.0033.0036.00stop-669.5+11,308
2026-04-1010:55:0411:00:0025,274.5025,264.2531.2524.00schedule-209.5+11,098
2026-04-1310:31:2810:37:3425,305.5025,332.0036.2526.50target+525.5+11,624
2026-04-1410:04:4610:19:4625,788.5025,801.7526.2520.25time+260.5+11,884
2026-04-1510:32:3610:41:3826,173.0026,195.5028.0022.50target+445.5+12,330
2026-04-1510:56:0410:59:1226,191.5026,207.0025.5015.50target+305.5+12,635
2026-04-1609:18:2309:30:5526,318.5026,368.5059.2550.00target+995.5+13,630
2026-04-1709:20:2109:31:0326,727.2526,757.5062.2530.25target+600.5+14,231
2026-04-1710:42:2610:57:2626,837.7526,831.5041.0025.75time-129.5+14,102
2026-04-2009:29:3809:44:3826,723.7526,707.0052.7525.75time-339.5+13,762
2026-04-2009:51:0509:51:1926,663.5026,615.0048.2533.00stop_gap-974.5+12,788
2026-04-2009:56:3709:57:2826,632.2526,653.2553.0021.00target+415.5+13,203
2026-04-2010:50:1911:00:0026,644.5026,658.0051.5029.00schedule+265.5+13,468
2026-04-2109:20:5509:35:5526,825.2526,843.0047.2536.75time+350.5+13,819
2026-04-2109:45:1709:57:2426,814.5026,772.7541.5027.50stop-839.5+12,980
2026-04-2110:26:2910:41:2926,720.2526,716.7555.2536.75time-74.5+12,905
2026-04-2210:44:1710:47:3826,971.5026,989.5033.2518.00target+355.5+13,260
2026-04-2210:59:0011:00:0026,979.0026,980.2531.7515.25schedule+20.5+13,281
2026-04-2310:45:1610:50:3927,109.7527,079.5030.0023.75stop-609.5+12,672
2026-04-2409:26:4009:38:4527,187.7527,230.5065.2542.75target+850.5+13,522
2026-04-2709:31:4009:35:1527,327.2527,367.5056.2540.25target+800.5+14,322
2026-04-2710:22:0210:29:2227,311.2527,342.7538.7531.50target+625.5+14,948
2026-04-2710:54:2710:59:2827,354.0027,369.0032.2515.00target+295.5+15,244
2026-04-2809:35:3709:38:0127,131.5027,075.0056.2534.75stop-1,134.5+14,109
2026-04-2809:50:2609:56:5727,045.5027,064.0059.5018.50target+365.5+14,474
2026-04-2810:07:0510:12:0027,044.2527,071.0071.2526.75target+530.5+15,005
2026-04-2810:49:1210:52:3827,010.0027,042.0047.5032.00target+635.5+15,640
2026-04-2910:09:0610:12:0627,259.5027,221.7537.5027.75stop-759.5+14,881
2026-04-2910:51:1110:53:5527,262.2527,228.2533.7521.00stop-684.5+14,196
2026-04-2910:54:0811:00:0027,201.0027,239.5037.2553.75schedule+765.5+14,962
2026-04-3010:45:2710:50:2027,347.2527,379.7542.7532.50target+645.5+15,608
2026-05-0109:30:5409:36:0327,844.2527,789.5054.5041.50stop-1,099.5+14,508
2026-05-0110:01:1110:13:5027,797.0027,830.2552.7533.25target_gap+660.5+15,168
2026-05-0110:50:3210:55:4727,872.0027,894.5037.0022.50target+445.5+15,614
2026-05-0409:56:3710:00:0427,905.5027,866.7538.5028.25stop-779.5+14,834
2026-05-0410:08:5110:09:3927,875.7527,881.0041.505.25target+100.5+14,935
2026-05-0410:14:2010:19:5127,843.5027,802.0041.2535.00stop-834.5+14,100
2026-05-0510:57:2511:00:0028,128.0028,126.5022.7513.25schedule-34.5+14,066
2026-05-0609:17:3909:32:3928,425.2528,448.7573.2556.25time+465.5+14,532
2026-05-0610:43:5510:44:5228,534.7528,563.7527.7529.00target+575.5+15,107
2026-05-0710:05:5210:20:5228,878.7528,868.2539.7533.25time-214.5+14,892
2026-05-0710:26:4710:30:4528,838.7528,869.7539.2531.00target+615.5+15,508
2026-05-0710:50:0210:57:3528,843.2528,800.2542.7533.50stop-864.5+14,644
2026-05-0810:16:1110:21:2829,144.7529,178.2543.2533.50target+665.5+15,309
2026-05-0810:30:4110:31:4229,161.7529,174.5033.0012.75target+250.5+15,560
2026-05-0810:43:4110:47:1229,173.7529,203.5035.0029.75target+590.5+16,150
2026-05-0810:52:3610:53:1829,190.5029,197.2538.756.75target_gap+130.5+16,280
2026-05-1109:26:1109:28:5029,365.0029,312.5052.2537.25stop-1,054.5+15,226
2026-05-1110:14:3310:24:0129,365.5029,402.0046.0036.50target+725.5+15,952
2026-05-1209:28:0909:31:1029,122.5029,037.7584.5074.25stop-1,699.5+14,252
2026-05-1210:02:0110:17:0128,986.5028,930.0079.0065.50time-1,134.5+13,118
2026-05-1210:23:5410:38:5428,892.7528,933.0069.0050.50time+800.5+13,918
2026-05-1210:52:5811:00:0028,888.0028,839.7560.7531.75schedule-969.5+12,948
2026-05-1310:24:1610:36:0129,311.0029,330.7541.5019.75target+390.5+13,339
2026-05-1310:50:1310:58:0729,338.0029,299.0038.7530.75stop-784.5+12,554
2026-05-1409:27:5809:36:2129,606.2529,647.7574.2541.50target+825.5+13,380
2026-05-1410:39:0210:54:0229,729.0029,748.5040.2531.50time+385.5+13,766
2026-05-1509:29:1409:44:1429,293.5029,335.25104.7574.25time+830.5+14,596
2026-05-1509:52:0809:55:0129,247.7529,319.0079.2571.25target+1,420.5+16,016
2026-05-1510:02:3310:09:3029,271.7529,299.5074.5027.75target+550.5+16,567
2026-05-1510:40:1410:50:0729,320.5029,254.5065.7546.75stop-1,324.5+15,242
2026-05-1809:30:4609:34:0529,136.5029,028.00108.2589.75stop-2,174.5+13,068
2026-05-1810:19:2610:34:2628,999.2528,984.0099.7572.25time-309.5+12,758
2026-05-1909:46:1309:52:5128,714.2528,756.5099.5042.25target+840.5+13,599
2026-05-1910:07:4110:10:0428,759.0028,804.5084.0045.50target+905.5+14,504
2026-05-1910:25:0810:31:3428,729.7528,817.2582.7587.50target+1,745.5+16,250
2026-05-1910:55:5411:00:0028,792.7528,817.7577.2551.00schedule+495.5+16,746
2026-05-2109:16:0009:21:2829,211.7529,128.5083.0069.00stop-1,669.5+15,076
2026-05-2110:06:4810:13:5329,182.5029,230.5079.7548.00target+955.5+16,032
2026-05-2110:31:5310:38:1829,199.7529,244.7571.7545.00target+895.5+16,927
2026-05-2209:23:0609:30:0729,514.5029,568.7574.7554.25target+1,080.5+18,008
2026-05-2210:49:4710:53:2629,665.0029,688.7530.7523.75target+470.5+18,478
2026-05-2610:06:3710:21:3730,028.2529,998.0039.5036.25time-609.5+17,868
2026-05-2610:52:0711:00:0029,932.0029,926.5046.7534.75schedule-114.5+17,754
2026-05-2709:26:1009:38:1829,921.5029,982.2594.7560.75target+1,210.5+18,964
2026-05-2709:56:0810:11:0829,963.2529,969.5081.7538.25time+120.5+19,085
2026-05-2710:15:1710:30:1729,924.7529,956.0071.2539.25time+620.5+19,706
2026-05-2710:35:5410:50:5429,938.5029,918.5056.2523.25time-404.5+19,301
2026-05-2809:23:1409:29:1130,081.5030,139.2581.5057.75target+1,150.5+20,452
2026-05-2909:26:0509:34:3730,366.5030,430.7554.7564.25target+1,280.5+21,732
2026-05-2909:38:0209:44:3830,359.2530,292.7566.2554.50stop-1,334.5+20,398
2026-05-2910:20:2710:24:0730,360.7530,399.2571.2538.50target+765.5+21,163
2026-05-2910:43:1710:58:1730,374.5030,364.0053.7533.75time-214.5+20,948
2026-06-0209:22:5309:37:5330,593.2530,608.5060.7540.75time+300.5+21,249
2026-06-0309:50:1010:05:1030,669.2530,689.2555.2540.50time+395.5+21,644
2026-06-0310:21:1110:36:1130,658.7530,648.0051.2536.50time-219.5+21,425
2026-06-0310:46:2911:00:0030,584.2530,604.7552.2556.75schedule+405.5+21,830
2026-06-0410:47:4211:00:0030,392.5030,413.0039.5035.25schedule+405.5+22,236
2026-06-0509:26:3909:34:5529,820.7529,901.0091.2580.25target+1,600.5+23,836
2026-06-0509:42:0709:57:0729,855.5029,840.0095.7531.50time-314.5+23,522
2026-06-0510:02:1010:16:0329,801.2529,723.2577.7552.25stop-1,564.5+21,958
2026-06-0510:22:1010:37:1029,713.5029,680.0067.0028.00time-674.5+21,283
2026-06-0810:29:5510:34:0729,624.7529,563.7560.7573.25stop-1,224.5+20,058
2026-06-0810:49:5210:50:0229,644.0029,660.2561.7516.25target+320.5+20,379
2026-06-0810:55:4511:00:0029,623.2529,610.0066.5046.25schedule-269.5+20,110
2026-06-0909:31:0709:32:1629,388.5029,418.75117.7530.25target+600.5+20,710
2026-06-0910:05:4910:06:2329,146.7529,187.25139.5040.50target+805.5+21,516
2026-06-0910:23:2510:28:0029,077.2528,931.50145.50133.25stop-2,919.5+18,596
2026-06-0910:55:5610:58:4228,805.2528,683.25121.7596.00stop-2,444.5+16,152
2026-06-1009:44:4909:55:4929,100.5028,969.50130.7563.50stop-2,624.5+13,527
2026-06-1010:00:2410:15:2428,843.0028,711.50144.25148.75time-2,634.5+10,892
2026-06-1010:48:1110:54:1028,742.2528,780.25132.7538.00target+755.5+11,648
2026-06-1509:22:1109:23:0330,679.7530,716.5073.7536.75target+730.5+12,378
2026-06-1609:19:0609:23:3430,765.5030,689.0076.2560.50stop-1,534.5+10,844
2026-06-1609:30:0209:41:3230,671.2530,712.2581.2541.00target+815.5+11,660
2026-06-1609:46:4210:01:4230,639.0030,602.5086.7545.00time-734.5+10,925
2026-06-1610:20:5810:28:0330,577.2530,507.7569.2551.50stop-1,394.5+9,530
2026-06-1610:39:0510:46:2530,504.0030,434.5069.2542.00stop-1,394.5+8,136
2026-06-1709:31:3909:46:3930,460.2530,461.0092.2533.75time+10.5+8,146
2026-06-1809:28:4109:43:4130,511.5030,574.00101.5099.00time+1,245.5+9,392
2026-06-1810:17:5710:32:5730,613.5030,585.5073.5040.00time-564.5+8,828
2026-06-1810:36:0810:51:0830,546.5030,576.0062.5049.75time+585.5+9,413
2026-06-2209:17:5509:27:3630,849.2530,758.5090.5066.00stop-1,819.5+7,594
2026-06-2209:30:1909:43:4330,706.7530,632.0074.5068.25stop-1,499.5+6,094
2026-06-2210:49:0811:00:0030,603.2530,556.5068.0055.75schedule-939.5+5,154
2026-06-2309:47:4109:51:0529,837.5029,909.7598.2572.25target+1,440.5+6,595
2026-06-2310:07:0610:22:0629,772.0029,741.50100.5084.75time-614.5+5,980
2026-06-2310:38:3710:43:1529,702.2529,741.5073.2539.25target+780.5+6,761
2026-06-2409:19:4509:23:3029,576.5029,666.00133.0089.50target+1,785.5+8,546
2026-06-2410:24:3810:29:3129,755.2529,793.7584.2538.50target+765.5+9,312
2026-06-2410:42:4210:51:4629,720.5029,792.5082.2572.00target+1,435.5+10,748
2026-06-2410:58:5311:00:0029,749.5029,757.0079.2540.25schedule+145.5+10,893
2026-06-2509:58:5010:13:5029,615.7529,535.25153.50130.75time-1,614.5+9,278
2026-06-2609:40:2409:51:2129,457.5029,575.25130.25117.75target+2,350.5+11,629
2026-06-2610:06:4810:09:2729,470.5029,524.7594.5054.25target+1,080.5+12,710
2026-06-3009:54:2210:02:4630,324.0030,363.0060.7539.00target+775.5+13,485
2026-07-0109:45:1810:00:1830,176.0030,200.2570.2569.00time+480.5+13,966
2026-07-0110:49:2311:00:0030,255.0030,254.7554.2545.50schedule-9.5+13,956
2026-07-0209:17:4809:27:0130,139.7530,025.75113.7575.50stop-2,284.5+11,672
2026-07-0210:19:3610:27:2729,626.2529,742.50135.50116.25target+2,320.5+13,992
2026-07-0210:43:4010:58:4029,731.2529,669.50111.7565.50time-1,239.5+12,752
2026-07-0609:42:3509:44:0329,992.0030,041.0071.0049.00target+975.5+13,728
2026-07-0609:56:3310:01:4930,005.0030,038.7560.2533.75target+670.5+14,398
2026-07-0610:08:4610:23:4629,992.7529,990.5063.2528.00time-49.5+14,349
2026-07-0710:17:5110:32:5129,286.5029,307.7569.5041.25time+420.5+14,770
2026-07-0710:39:3410:43:4729,265.5029,307.2555.7541.75target_gap+830.5+15,600
2026-07-0809:27:0909:34:2729,279.2529,335.0096.2555.75target+1,110.5+16,710
2026-07-0809:58:3010:13:3029,195.5029,167.00101.0038.75time-574.5+16,136
2026-07-0810:23:3710:36:5229,076.2529,129.5092.2553.25target+1,060.5+17,196
2026-07-0909:15:2309:20:1729,747.0029,663.2583.5058.25stop-1,679.5+15,517
2026-07-0909:31:3009:33:0029,700.7529,739.5094.5038.75target+770.5+16,288
2026-07-1009:19:1009:32:2429,889.5029,951.0076.0061.50target+1,225.5+17,513
2026-07-1010:00:2110:10:3029,794.2529,876.50111.0082.25target+1,640.5+19,154
2026-07-1010:41:0510:42:2829,899.7529,834.5065.0054.00stop-1,309.5+17,844
2026-07-1309:16:4409:16:5129,588.7529,495.5093.0046.50stop-1,869.5+15,974
2026-07-1309:44:0009:50:3729,627.0029,700.2596.5073.25target+1,460.5+17,435
2026-07-1309:54:5409:56:4029,630.7529,674.5086.0043.75target+870.5+18,306
2026-07-1310:49:0111:00:0029,619.7529,611.0051.7543.25schedule-179.5+18,126
2026-07-1410:52:2311:00:0029,786.0029,785.7546.0046.50schedule-9.5+18,116
2026-07-1509:20:2709:24:1229,763.0029,683.7579.0046.25stop-1,589.5+16,527
2026-07-1509:31:5809:33:1229,668.7529,692.5082.7523.75target+470.5+16,998
2026-07-1509:36:5909:51:5929,620.0029,599.7587.2569.50time-409.5+16,588
2026-07-1510:15:0410:28:2629,587.5029,624.0082.7536.50target+725.5+17,314
2026-07-1510:35:4910:36:0429,592.5029,617.0072.7524.50target+485.5+17,799
2026-07-1510:46:1411:00:0029,591.5029,580.0073.7539.00schedule-234.5+17,564
2026-07-1609:22:3509:27:4529,400.2529,468.50102.2568.25target+1,360.5+18,925
2026-07-1609:50:4910:05:4929,406.7529,398.2567.0056.25time-174.5+18,750
2026-07-1610:13:2110:25:3529,355.7529,419.2568.0063.50target+1,265.5+20,016
2026-07-1610:28:3710:29:3829,399.2529,406.5068.257.25target+140.5+20,156
2026-07-1610:41:4810:52:2229,393.7529,430.2571.5036.50target+725.5+20,882
2026-07-2009:21:0509:23:3028,921.0028,964.5078.7543.50target+865.5+21,748
2026-07-2009:43:3809:46:1928,964.5029,003.2583.0038.75target+770.5+22,518
2026-07-2009:53:3910:08:3928,901.7528,945.0082.0066.50time+860.5+23,378
2026-07-2109:16:1209:18:0529,072.5029,110.7588.5038.25target+760.5+24,139
2026-07-2110:33:2110:48:2129,276.2529,285.0047.0032.50time+170.5+24,310
2026-07-2110:59:1111:00:0029,264.0029,259.0037.5023.50schedule-104.5+24,205
2026-07-2209:42:0209:57:0229,181.2529,209.7564.7552.50time+565.5+24,770
2026-07-2309:50:3310:05:3328,616.7528,561.25106.25111.00time-1,114.5+23,656
2026-07-2310:12:2910:27:2928,500.5028,466.5081.2571.00time-684.5+22,972
2026-07-2409:17:0709:23:3828,356.2528,418.7596.5062.50target+1,245.5+24,217
2026-07-2409:30:4009:45:4028,349.7528,264.25103.7528.75time-1,714.5+22,502
2026-07-2710:13:3610:28:3628,122.5028,054.50102.2548.75time-1,364.5+21,138
2026-07-2710:33:1610:48:1628,013.0028,027.7588.7557.00time+290.5+21,428
2026-07-2809:59:4110:10:0127,799.2527,840.7595.0041.50target+825.5+22,254
2026-07-2909:39:4409:52:4627,563.0027,602.75107.5039.75target+790.5+23,044
2026-07-2910:11:4010:16:2527,569.0027,611.5092.7542.50target+845.5+23,890
2026-07-2910:43:2410:48:3927,525.7527,564.7581.2539.00target+775.5+24,666
2026-07-2910:54:3111:00:0027,509.7527,518.0069.2542.75schedule+160.5+24,826
2026-07-3009:51:1609:55:1628,127.2528,054.5072.5073.00stop-1,459.5+23,366
2026-07-3010:08:1210:08:5828,058.5028,094.7582.5036.25target+720.5+24,087
2026-07-3010:11:4910:21:2528,040.0028,089.0087.0049.00target+975.5+25,062
2026-07-3110:11:2710:15:3028,239.0028,308.0092.5069.00target+1,375.5+26,438
2026-07-3110:25:2310:40:2328,191.7528,232.7592.0097.75time+815.5+27,254
2026-08-0310:28:3410:34:0228,731.5028,777.0043.7545.50target+905.5+28,159
2026-08-0509:22:3609:37:3629,927.0029,853.50107.2572.50time-1,474.5+26,684
2026-08-0509:53:4209:57:3129,816.7529,862.2584.0045.50target+905.5+27,590
2026-08-0510:18:0710:31:3729,792.0029,858.2571.2566.25target+1,320.5+28,910
2026-08-0510:45:3610:57:1129,793.5029,729.2564.0042.50stop-1,289.5+27,621
2026-08-0610:19:2010:34:2029,598.2529,559.7572.2562.25time-774.5+26,846
2026-08-0610:53:4911:00:0029,542.0029,515.5063.5020.75schedule-534.5+26,312
2026-08-0709:39:3109:54:3129,677.0029,687.7596.2568.50time+210.5+26,522
2026-08-1009:52:2009:59:5329,832.0029,779.7552.0038.00stop-1,049.5+25,473
2026-08-1110:05:4610:10:0429,757.5029,709.5047.7535.50stop-964.5+24,508
2026-08-1110:34:0810:49:0829,677.7529,672.0036.7531.75time-119.5+24,389
2026-08-1209:31:1009:31:1729,855.2529,889.2568.7534.00target+675.5+25,064
2026-08-1209:50:3010:05:3029,877.7529,848.7565.7539.50time-584.5+24,480
2026-08-1210:23:2710:30:0029,846.0029,875.7550.5029.75target+590.5+25,070
2026-08-1309:50:5410:02:0130,209.5030,229.0037.7519.50target+385.5+25,456
2026-08-1310:27:4310:34:1830,201.2530,165.0036.0016.00stop-729.5+24,726
2026-08-1310:49:1211:00:0030,129.5030,117.0041.2537.00schedule-254.5+24,472
2026-08-1409:18:1509:33:1530,181.5030,137.0059.5051.25time-894.5+23,578
2026-08-1709:18:5509:33:5530,182.7530,198.7562.0030.75time+315.5+23,893
2026-08-1710:39:2510:54:2530,233.5030,244.5030.5028.75time+215.5+24,108
2026-08-1809:46:1310:00:2729,602.0029,534.7567.0056.25stop-1,349.5+22,759
2026-08-1810:10:3910:12:4829,514.2529,543.2554.2529.00target+575.5+23,334
2026-08-1910:40:2710:44:5529,559.7529,595.2541.5035.50target+705.5+24,040
2026-08-2009:20:0009:20:4329,308.5029,383.0089.2574.50target+1,485.5+25,526
2026-08-2010:11:1510:26:1529,328.2529,308.5067.0079.00time-399.5+25,126
2026-08-2509:42:3909:51:5329,210.7529,237.2564.5026.50target+525.5+25,652
2026-08-2510:00:3810:15:3829,212.0029,224.2562.7524.00time+240.5+25,892
2026-08-2510:47:3310:56:1129,241.0029,264.2539.7523.25target+460.5+26,352
2026-08-2609:27:0109:37:0829,174.2529,217.5057.2543.25target+860.5+27,213
2026-08-2610:51:4010:56:1329,260.5029,226.5033.7515.25stop-684.5+26,528
2026-08-2610:59:1611:00:0029,222.2529,217.5035.2515.75schedule-99.5+26,429
2026-08-2709:53:4909:53:5529,560.7529,573.2553.2512.50target+245.5+26,674
2026-08-2710:25:1510:40:1529,589.7529,557.5043.0033.75time-649.5+26,025
2026-08-2710:43:0810:45:3229,549.0029,515.0033.7511.25stop-684.5+25,340
2026-08-2810:37:2210:40:0929,752.0029,712.0039.7525.75stop-804.5+24,536
2026-08-3110:31:1910:46:1929,398.0029,410.0045.0035.25time+235.5+24,772
2026-09-0110:07:5710:22:5729,186.7529,205.2537.5026.50time+365.5+25,137
2026-09-0210:50:3310:58:1629,138.7529,170.0032.2531.25target+620.5+25,758
2026-09-0309:32:3209:47:3229,311.5029,285.7564.2535.00time-519.5+25,238
2026-09-0309:56:2209:56:2629,257.2529,289.0053.7531.75target+630.5+25,868
2026-09-0409:19:2909:31:4629,611.0029,555.2555.5011.75stop-1,119.5+24,749
2026-09-0410:18:5310:33:5329,496.5029,493.5041.7524.75time-64.5+24,684
2026-09-0410:47:3010:59:2429,499.5029,517.7531.5018.25target+360.5+25,045
2026-09-0909:21:4409:29:1429,481.7529,534.0055.5052.25target+1,040.5+26,086
2026-09-0909:37:2709:38:1229,497.0029,507.7557.7510.75target+210.5+26,296
2026-09-0910:04:2710:10:3829,484.0029,433.2550.5030.25stop-1,019.5+25,276
2026-09-0910:22:3710:35:0129,403.0029,439.7552.0036.75target+730.5+26,007
2026-09-1010:18:5210:27:1229,212.7529,240.0049.0027.25target+540.5+26,548
2026-09-1010:55:2811:00:0029,192.5029,204.7540.0043.25schedule+240.5+26,788
2026-09-1110:53:2111:00:0029,747.5029,744.0032.5015.00schedule-74.5+26,714
2026-09-1509:22:1809:37:1829,313.2529,314.5044.0037.00time+20.5+26,734
2026-09-1510:32:2510:34:4929,267.5029,281.5038.2514.00target+275.5+27,010
2026-09-1510:49:2410:50:2829,266.2529,291.2531.7525.00target+495.5+27,505
2026-09-1609:32:2509:44:5029,439.0029,464.0043.0025.00target+495.5+28,000
2026-09-1610:34:0210:47:1029,484.7529,510.2532.2525.50target+505.5+28,506
2026-09-1610:55:1511:00:0029,507.5029,499.2533.2512.00schedule-169.5+28,336
2026-09-1709:47:3410:02:3429,687.7529,673.0042.2543.00time-299.5+28,037
2026-09-1710:06:1410:08:0029,656.5029,676.0033.7519.50target+385.5+28,422
2026-09-1810:02:0610:04:4229,738.0029,756.5038.5018.50target+365.5+28,788
2026-09-1810:11:4210:26:0829,740.7529,752.7534.0012.00target+235.5+29,024
2026-09-1810:32:0410:47:0429,730.0029,718.2530.2515.50time-239.5+28,784
2026-09-2209:41:2509:56:2530,923.2530,937.0045.5049.50time+270.5+29,054
2026-09-2210:38:1610:53:1630,902.5030,905.7531.0020.25time+60.5+29,115
2026-09-2310:51:0711:00:0030,729.5030,746.7540.5038.50schedule+340.5+29,456
2026-09-2409:53:1810:08:1830,559.0030,527.5045.2541.50time-634.5+28,821
2026-09-2410:49:0210:50:2130,510.2530,525.2540.5015.00target+295.5+29,116
2026-09-2509:17:1909:26:3330,690.5030,773.5075.5083.00target+1,655.5+30,772
2026-09-2510:37:0910:52:0330,781.2530,733.0048.0036.75stop-969.5+29,802
10Download
Download package (.zip, 390 KB)
README with rules and caveats · reference Python implementation (reproduces every trade exactly; bring your own 1-second NQ data) · every trade for 10 three-minute and 5 five-minute start times · daily P&L · all result tables · an uncompiled NinjaScript draft.
11Data and method

1-second NQ bars: NinjaTrader 8 tick exports (Jan 2 – Aug 18) and Polygon/Massive 1-second aggregates (Aug 19 – Sep 25). Delivery contracts: NQH6, NQM6, NQU6, NQZ6 (roll Sep 14). 179 covered sessions; 5 dates are missing from the source. Each day is fed from 08:25 CT, so indicators warm up inside the day and the first valid signal is usually after 09:15 CT. Costs: $2.25 per side per NQ, 1-tick slippage on stops and market exits, limits need a 1-tick trade-through. No bid/ask quotes or queue position are modelled.