Managing Open Trades
Entries get the attention, but what you do after entry decides most of your results. This page covers the tools Pro Signals V5 and Simple Oscillator Pro give you once a trade is open, and simple ways to use them.
The built-in plan
Every signal comes with one stop and three targets, based on the distance from entry to stop (the risk):
| Level | Where it sits |
|---|---|
| Stop | Beyond the signal candle, plus an ATR buffer: 3x on Conservative, 2x on Balanced, 1x on Aggressive. |
| TP1 | 1x the risk. After TP1 the stop moves to your entry. |
| TP2 | 2x the risk. |
| TP3 | 3x the risk. The full target. |
If the trend flips before the stop or a target is hit, the trade is closed.
Three ways to scale out
| Approach | How it works | When to change it |
|---|---|---|
| Thirds | Take a third at each of TP1, TP2 and TP3. | A balanced default for most traders. |
| Half and run | Take half at TP1, let the rest run to TP3 or a trend flip. | Trending markets and higher timeframes. |
| All at one target | Close the full position at TP1 or TP2. | Fast charts, one contract, or choppy markets. |
The stop at entry
After TP1, the stop moves to your entry and the label changes to SL ... (entry). If you took part of the trade at TP1, the rest is now roughly risk free, not counting fees and slippage. This is the single most useful habit for protecting your account.
Trailing Stop
Off by default. When on, the stop also follows price as the trade moves your way, using the same ATR buffer as the starting stop. It never moves against you. It suits trend trades on higher timeframes. On fast charts it can stop you out on normal noise.
Exit Flags
Off by default. An Exit Flag (✖) appears when momentum turns against the trade after TP1. It isn't an order. It's a prompt to look: take more off, tighten the stop, or close the rest.
Trade Fuel (Simple Oscillator Pro)
| Fuel | Meaning | When to change it |
|---|---|---|
| Strong (green) | Momentum and pressure both support the trade. | Hold, let the plan play out. |
| Fading (purple) | Momentum agrees, but pressure has turned against it. | Consider a partial or a tighter stop. |
| Empty (red) | Momentum crossed to the other side of 50. | Strong hint to step aside. |
For fuel to track your Pro Signals V5 trade, set the same Signal Mode and Minimum stars in both indicators. More in the Trade Fuel playbook.
Do and don't
- Take something off at TP1 on most trades.
- Let the stop move to entry and leave it there.
- Treat Exit Flags and Fading fuel as prompts to review.
- Write down how you managed each trade.
- Move the stop further away to avoid a loss.
- Add to a losing trade.
- Close a trade early just because it's in profit and you're nervous.
- Change your plan halfway through a trade.