Can TradersPost Automatically Calculate Position Sizing and Stop Loss?

Fact checked by
Mike Christensen, CFOA
December 26, 2024
TradersPost can automate stop loss and take profit calculations based on risk per position, but it does not determine order quantity without an entry price. Traders should carefully set risk-to-reward ratios to ensure long-term profitability.

Automated Position Sizing in TradersPost

Traders looking to have position size and stop loss calculated automatically based on a predefined risk-to-reward ratio may find partial support for this functionality in TradersPost. While the platform does not fully automate position sizing, it can assist with defining risk levels and calculating stop loss and take profit distances.

How Risk-to-Reward Ratios Work in TradersPost

TradersPost allows you to set risk per position, which defines how much capital you are willing to risk per trade. The system then calculates stop loss and take profit levels based on the predefined entry price. However, TradersPost does not automatically determine order quantity without knowing the entry price.

To set up a strategy using a risk-to-reward ratio, traders should:

1. Define the entry price and stop price.

2. Use the risk per position setting to determine the amount at risk.

3. Set the take profit level relative to the stop loss distance.

Understanding Risk-to-Reward Ratios

A common mistake traders make is misinterpreting risk-to-reward ratios. For example, a 0.25 risk-to-reward ratio means the trader is risking four times more than they stand to gain, which is usually not ideal. Many traders aim for a 4:1 reward-to-risk ratio instead, meaning their potential profit is four times their risk.

Some strategies intentionally use low reward-to-risk ratios to increase win rates, but these often result in poor long-term performance. A balance between win rate and risk management is essential for sustainable trading.

Conclusion

TradersPost supports semi-automated position sizing by allowing traders to define risk levels and calculate stop loss and take profit distances. However, it does not automatically determine order quantity without an entry price. Traders should carefully consider their risk-to-reward ratios to avoid strategies that look profitable on paper but fail in real-world execution.

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