mql5/Indicators/MyIndicators/GannHiLo_Pro.md

Gann HiLo Activator Pro

1. Summary (Introduction)

The Gann HiLo Activator is a simple yet effective trend-following indicator developed by Robert Krausz. It is not directly based on the complex methods of W.D. Gann, but rather follows the core principle of using moving averages of previous highs and lows to identify the trend direction.

The indicator is plotted on the price chart as a single line that changes color and position relative to the price, providing clear, visual signals for trend direction and trailing stop-loss levels.

Our GannHiLo_Pro implementation is a unified, professional version that allows the calculation to be based on either standard or Heikin Ashi price data, selectable from a single input parameter.

2. Mathematical Foundations and Calculation Logic

The Gann HiLo Activator is based on two separate moving averages: one calculated on the previous N bars' high prices, and the other on the previous N bars' low prices.

Required Components

• Period (N): The lookback period for the high and low moving averages.
• MA Method: The type of moving average to use (SMA, EMA, SMMA, LWMA, DEMA, TEMA, TMA).
• Source Prices: The High[], Low[], and Close[] price series.

Calculation Steps (Algorithm)

1. Calculate the Moving Average of Highs: Compute the moving average of the high prices over the last N bars. \text{HiAvg}_i = \text{MA}(\text{High}, N)_i

2. Calculate the Moving Average of Lows: Compute the moving average of the low prices over the last N bars. \text{LoAvg}_i = \text{MA}(\text{Low}, N)_i

3. Determine the Trend Direction: The trend is determined by comparing the current closing price to the moving averages of the previous bar.

   • If the current Close is above the previous bar's HiAvg, the trend is up.
   • If the current Close is below the previous bar's LoAvg, the trend is down.
   • Otherwise, the trend continues from the previous bar.

4. Plot the Gann HiLo Activator Line:

   • If the trend is up, the indicator line is plotted at the level of the LoAvg.
   • If the trend is down, the indicator line is plotted at the level of the HiAvg.

3. MQL5 Implementation Details

Our MQL5 implementation follows a modern, object-oriented design to ensure stability, reusability, and maintainability.

• Modular Calculation Engine (Gann_HiLo_Calculator.mqh): The entire calculation logic is encapsulated within a reusable include file.

  • CGannHiLoCalculator: The base class that performs the full, state-dependent calculation on a given set of High, Low, and Close prices.
  • CGannHiLoCalculator_HA: A child class that inherits from the base class and overrides only the data preparation step. Its sole responsibility is to calculate Heikin Ashi candles and provide the HA_High, HA_Low, and HA_Close prices to the base class's shared calculation algorithm.

• Engine Integration (MovingAverage_Engine.mqh): The calculator internally uses two instances of our universal MovingAverage_Engine to handle the smoothing of the Highs and Lows. This eliminates code duplication and ensures that all supported MA types (including advanced ones like DEMA and TEMA) are available and mathematically consistent across the suite.

• Optimized Incremental Calculation: Unlike basic implementations that recalculate the entire history on every tick, this indicator employs an intelligent incremental algorithm.

  • It utilizes the prev_calculated state to determine the exact starting point for updates.
  • Persistent State: The internal buffers (m_hi_avg, m_lo_avg, m_trend) persist their state between ticks. This allows recursive smoothing methods (like EMA) and the trend state logic to continue seamlessly from the last known value without re-processing the entire history.
  • This results in O(1) complexity per tick, ensuring instant updates and zero lag, even on charts with extensive history.

4. Parameters

• Period (InpPeriod): The lookback period for the high and low moving averages. Default is 10.
• MA Method (InpMAMethod): The type of moving average to use for the high and low calculations. Supports SMA, EMA, SMMA, LWMA, DEMA, TEMA, TMA. Default is SMA.
• Candle Source (InpCandleSource): Allows the user to select the candle type for the calculation.
  • CANDLE_STANDARD: Uses the standard chart's High, Low, and Close.
  • CANDLE_HEIKIN_ASHI: Uses the smoothed Heikin Ashi High, Low, and Close.

5. Usage and Interpretation

• Trend Identification: The primary use of the Gann HiLo is to identify the current market trend. A blue line below the price indicates an uptrend. A red line above the price indicates a downtrend.
• Trailing Stop-Loss: The indicator is exceptionally well-suited for use as a trailing stop-loss. In an uptrend, a trader might place their stop-loss just below the blue line. In a downtrend, the stop-loss could be placed just above the red line.
• Trade Signals: A change in the indicator's color can be interpreted as a trade signal. A flip from red to blue suggests a potential buy signal, while a flip from blue to red suggests a potential sell signal.
• Caution: Like all trend-following indicators, the Gann HiLo is most effective in trending markets. In sideways or ranging markets, it can produce frequent false signals ("whipsaws").