Strategy library · Strategy family
Moving averages on NQ and ES: 2-year backtest of 12 strategies
CE Market Solutions tested 12 strategies in the moving averages family on NQ and ES futures. The table lists every one of them, ordered by name, at its default timeframe on each market: the 15-minute chart where the strategy has one, otherwise its own first timeframe (1-hour, daily or session). Open a strategy for every timeframe and every trade. Nothing on this page is ordered by a result.
Tested by CE Market Solutions on 2026-10-26. Gross, no commission or slippage. Last 2 years.
Moving averages: 12 strategies at their default timeframe
Moving averages: 12 strategies at their default timeframe, NQ 2024-10-08 to 2026-10-07 and ES 2024-08-28 to 2026-08-27, one contract, before commission and slippage.
| Strategy | Timeframe | Market | Trades | Win % | Net pts | Net $ (1 contract) | Max DD pts | Long trades | Long net pts | Short trades | Short net pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMA 12 / 26 cross | 15 minute | NQ | 454 | 43.8% | 696.00 | $13,920 | 4,214.75 | 233 | −78.50 | 221 | 774.50 |
| EMA 12 / 26 cross | 15 minute | ES | 494 | 44.7% | 199.00 | $9,950 | 673.50 | 240 | −243.75 | 254 | 442.75 |
| EMA 20 / 50 cross | 15 minute | NQ | 329 | 44.7% | 2,209.50 | $44,190 | 1,991.25 | 156 | 1,099.00 | 173 | 1,110.50 |
| EMA 20 / 50 cross | 15 minute | ES | 321 | 46.1% | 207.00 | $10,350 | 496.50 | 139 | 26.25 | 182 | 180.75 |
| EMA 20 pullback in a trend | 15 minute | NQ | 1,015 | 37.6% | 2,069.75 | $41,395 | 3,644.00 | 526 | 1,944.50 | 489 | 125.25 |
| EMA 20 pullback in a trend | 15 minute | ES | 1,089 | 37.7% | 355.00 | $17,750 | 668.00 | 559 | 401.75 | 530 | −46.75 |
| EMA 9 / 21 cross | 15 minute | NQ | 549 | 41.5% | 627.25 | $12,545 | 3,680.00 | 285 | −399.75 | 264 | 1,027.00 |
| EMA 9 / 21 cross | 15 minute | ES | 606 | 41.3% | 153.75 | $7,688 | 666.25 | 298 | 57.25 | 308 | 96.50 |
| Golden cross / death cross (SMA 50 / 200) | 1 hour | NQ | 20 | 40.0% | 93.25 | $1,865 | 675.75 | 13 | −309.75 | 7 | 403.00 |
| Golden cross / death cross (SMA 50 / 200) | 1 hour | ES | 26 | 42.3% | −2.50 | −$125 | 60.50 | 10 | −23.75 | 16 | 21.25 |
| Hull MA 20 turn | 15 minute | NQ | 1,410 | 39.9% | −3,317.50 | −$66,350 | 5,357.75 | 698 | −1,243.25 | 712 | −2,074.25 |
| Hull MA 20 turn | 15 minute | ES | 1,378 | 40.1% | −622.75 | −$31,137 | 969.50 | 684 | −88.50 | 694 | −534.25 |
| KAMA (10, 2, 30) cross | 15 minute | NQ | 2,112 | 32.3% | 3,290.75 | $65,815 | 3,188.00 | 1,069 | 3,456.25 | 1,043 | −165.50 |
| KAMA (10, 2, 30) cross | 15 minute | ES | 2,128 | 32.8% | 746.00 | $37,300 | 552.25 | 1,079 | 689.25 | 1,049 | 56.75 |
| Price crosses EMA 20 | 15 minute | NQ | 1,616 | 30.5% | 112.75 | $2,255 | 4,132.00 | 819 | 2,074.25 | 797 | −1,961.50 |
| Price crosses EMA 20 | 15 minute | ES | 1,627 | 30.3% | 243.75 | $12,188 | 702.00 | 813 | 610.00 | 814 | −366.25 |
| Price crosses SMA 200 | 15 minute | NQ | 1,043 | 35.7% | −2,260.75 | −$45,215 | 6,868.25 | 560 | 680.50 | 483 | −2,941.25 |
| Price crosses SMA 200 | 15 minute | ES | 1,107 | 34.4% | −305.50 | −$15,275 | 1,522.50 | 591 | 163.50 | 516 | −469.00 |
| Price crosses SMA 50 | 15 minute | NQ | 1,382 | 32.1% | 3,332.25 | $66,645 | 4,029.75 | 710 | 3,477.00 | 672 | −144.75 |
| Price crosses SMA 50 | 15 minute | ES | 1,417 | 32.0% | 1,652.00 | $82,600 | 684.25 | 724 | 1,142.25 | 693 | 509.75 |
| Triple EMA stack 4 / 9 / 18 | 15 minute | NQ | 909 | 38.9% | −457.00 | −$9,140 | 4,603.25 | 456 | 1,482.25 | 453 | −1,939.25 |
| Triple EMA stack 4 / 9 / 18 | 15 minute | ES | 958 | 38.6% | −357.75 | −$17,887 | 790.50 | 477 | −226.50 | 481 | −131.25 |
| VWAP cross | 15 minute | NQ | 1,331 | 28.4% | −4,845.25 | −$96,905 | 5,617.25 | 668 | −3,111.25 | 663 | −1,734.00 |
| VWAP cross | 15 minute | ES | 1,431 | 28.8% | −138.25 | −$6,912 | 1,059.75 | 712 | 333.50 | 719 | −471.75 |
The figures in words
At those default timeframes the 12 strategies took 12,170 trades in total on NQ and 12,582 trades in total on ES, from NQ 2024-10-08 to 2026-10-07 and ES 2024-08-28 to 2026-08-27, before commission and slippage.
EMA 12 / 26 cross: buys when the 12 EMA crosses above the 26 EMA, sells short when the 12 EMA crosses below the 26 EMA. Exit: Opposite cross.
EMA 20 / 50 cross: buys when the 20 EMA crosses above the 50 EMA, sells short when the 20 EMA crosses below the 50 EMA. Exit: Opposite cross.
EMA 20 pullback in a trend: buys when in an uptrend a bar's low touches the 20 EMA and it closes above the 20 EMA, sells short when in a downtrend a bar's high touches the 20 EMA and it closes below the 20 EMA. Exit: Stop 1 tick under that bar's low, target 2R.
EMA 9 / 21 cross: buys when the 9 EMA crosses above the 21 EMA, sells short when the 9 EMA crosses below the 21 EMA. Exit: Opposite cross.
Golden cross / death cross (SMA 50 / 200): buys when the 50 SMA crosses above the 200 SMA (a golden cross), sells short when the 50 SMA crosses below the 200 SMA (a death cross). Exit: Opposite cross.
Hull MA 20 turn: buys when the 20-period Hull moving average turns up, sells short when the 20-period Hull moving average turns down. Exit: Opposite turn.
KAMA (10, 2, 30) cross: buys when price closes above the KAMA (10, 2, 30), sells short when price closes below the KAMA (10, 2, 30). Exit: Opposite cross.
Price crosses EMA 20: buys when price closes above the 20 EMA, sells short when price closes below the 20 EMA. Exit: Opposite cross (stop and reverse).
Price crosses SMA 200: buys when price closes above the 200 SMA, sells short when price closes below the 200 SMA. Exit: Opposite cross.
Price crosses SMA 50: buys when price closes above the 50 SMA, sells short when price closes below the 50 SMA. Exit: Opposite cross.
Triple EMA stack 4 / 9 / 18: buys when the 4 EMA moves above the 9 EMA, which is above the 18 EMA, for the first time, sells short when the 4 EMA moves below the 9 EMA, which is below the 18 EMA, for the first time. Exit: When the stack breaks.
VWAP cross: buys when price closes above session VWAP, sells short when price closes below session VWAP. Exit: Opposite cross.
On the NQ 15-minute chart from 2024-10-08 to 2026-10-07, EMA 12 / 26 cross took 454 trades, won 43.8% of them and made 696.00 points ($13,920 on one NQ contract), before commission and slippage. On the ES 15-minute chart from 2024-08-28 to 2026-08-27, EMA 12 / 26 cross took 494 trades, won 44.7% of them and made 199.00 points ($9,950 on one ES contract), before commission and slippage.
On the NQ 15-minute chart from 2024-10-08 to 2026-10-07, EMA 20 / 50 cross took 329 trades, won 44.7% of them and made 2,209.50 points ($44,190 on one NQ contract), before commission and slippage. On the ES 15-minute chart from 2024-08-28 to 2026-08-27, EMA 20 / 50 cross took 321 trades, won 46.1% of them and made 207.00 points ($10,350 on one ES contract), before commission and slippage.
On the NQ 15-minute chart from 2024-10-08 to 2026-10-07, EMA 20 pullback in a trend took 1,015 trades, won 37.6% of them and made 2,069.75 points ($41,395 on one NQ contract), before commission and slippage. On the ES 15-minute chart from 2024-08-28 to 2026-08-27, EMA 20 pullback in a trend took 1,089 trades, won 37.7% of them and made 355.00 points ($17,750 on one ES contract), before commission and slippage.
On the NQ 15-minute chart from 2024-10-08 to 2026-10-07, EMA 9 / 21 cross took 549 trades, won 41.5% of them and made 627.25 points ($12,545 on one NQ contract), before commission and slippage. On the ES 15-minute chart from 2024-08-28 to 2026-08-27, EMA 9 / 21 cross took 606 trades, won 41.3% of them and made 153.75 points ($7,688 on one ES contract), before commission and slippage.
On the NQ 1-hour chart from 2024-10-08 to 2026-10-07, Golden cross / death cross (SMA 50 / 200) took 20 trades, won 40.0% of them and made 93.25 points ($1,865 on one NQ contract), before commission and slippage. On the ES 1-hour chart from 2024-08-28 to 2026-08-27, Golden cross / death cross (SMA 50 / 200) took 26 trades, won 42.3% of them and made -2.50 points (-$125 on one ES contract), before commission and slippage.
On the NQ 15-minute chart from 2024-10-08 to 2026-10-07, Hull MA 20 turn took 1,410 trades, won 39.9% of them and made -3,317.50 points (-$66,350 on one NQ contract), before commission and slippage. On the ES 15-minute chart from 2024-08-28 to 2026-08-27, Hull MA 20 turn took 1,378 trades, won 40.1% of them and made -622.75 points (-$31,137 on one ES contract), before commission and slippage.
On the NQ 15-minute chart from 2024-10-08 to 2026-10-07, KAMA (10, 2, 30) cross took 2,112 trades, won 32.3% of them and made 3,290.75 points ($65,815 on one NQ contract), before commission and slippage. On the ES 15-minute chart from 2024-08-28 to 2026-08-27, KAMA (10, 2, 30) cross took 2,128 trades, won 32.8% of them and made 746.00 points ($37,300 on one ES contract), before commission and slippage.
On the NQ 15-minute chart from 2024-10-08 to 2026-10-07, Price crosses EMA 20 took 1,616 trades, won 30.5% of them and made 112.75 points ($2,255 on one NQ contract), before commission and slippage. On the ES 15-minute chart from 2024-08-28 to 2026-08-27, Price crosses EMA 20 took 1,627 trades, won 30.3% of them and made 243.75 points ($12,188 on one ES contract), before commission and slippage.
On the NQ 15-minute chart from 2024-10-08 to 2026-10-07, Price crosses SMA 200 took 1,043 trades, won 35.7% of them and made -2,260.75 points (-$45,215 on one NQ contract), before commission and slippage. On the ES 15-minute chart from 2024-08-28 to 2026-08-27, Price crosses SMA 200 took 1,107 trades, won 34.4% of them and made -305.50 points (-$15,275 on one ES contract), before commission and slippage.
On the NQ 15-minute chart from 2024-10-08 to 2026-10-07, Price crosses SMA 50 took 1,382 trades, won 32.1% of them and made 3,332.25 points ($66,645 on one NQ contract), before commission and slippage. On the ES 15-minute chart from 2024-08-28 to 2026-08-27, Price crosses SMA 50 took 1,417 trades, won 32.0% of them and made 1,652.00 points ($82,600 on one ES contract), before commission and slippage.
On the NQ 15-minute chart from 2024-10-08 to 2026-10-07, Triple EMA stack 4 / 9 / 18 took 909 trades, won 38.9% of them and made -457.00 points (-$9,140 on one NQ contract), before commission and slippage. On the ES 15-minute chart from 2024-08-28 to 2026-08-27, Triple EMA stack 4 / 9 / 18 took 958 trades, won 38.6% of them and made -357.75 points (-$17,887 on one ES contract), before commission and slippage.
On the NQ 15-minute chart from 2024-10-08 to 2026-10-07, VWAP cross took 1,331 trades, won 28.4% of them and made -4,845.25 points (-$96,905 on one NQ contract), before commission and slippage. On the ES 15-minute chart from 2024-08-28 to 2026-08-27, VWAP cross took 1,431 trades, won 28.8% of them and made -138.25 points (-$6,912 on one ES contract), before commission and slippage.
How to read the columns: Trades is the number of closed trades; Win % is the share of them that finished above zero points; Net pts is the sum of every trade's points; Net $ is net points times the contract's dollars per point, on one contract; Max DD pts is the largest fall of the running total of points from a peak. The longs-only and shorts-only columns are sums over that side's own trades, and the two sides add up to the strategy's combined result.
CE Market Solutions tested every strategy on the last 2 years of NQ and ES futures (NQ 2024-10-08 to 2026-10-07 and ES 2024-08-28 to 2026-08-27), before commission and slippage, with each signal filled at the next bar's open, intraday positions flat at 15:59 ET and textbook default indicator settings. Nothing is tuned.
Questions and answers
How many strategies in the moving averages family did CE Market Solutions test on NQ and ES?
CE Market Solutions tested 12 strategies in the moving averages family on NQ and ES futures, and at their default timeframes they took 12,170 trades in total on NQ and 12,582 trades in total on ES, from NQ 2024-10-08 to 2026-10-07 and ES 2024-08-28 to 2026-08-27, before commission and slippage.
Which strategies are in the moving averages family?
The 12 strategies in the moving averages family are EMA 12 / 26 cross, EMA 20 / 50 cross, EMA 20 pullback in a trend, EMA 9 / 21 cross, Golden cross / death cross (SMA 50 / 200), Hull MA 20 turn, KAMA (10, 2, 30) cross, Price crosses EMA 20, Price crosses SMA 200, Price crosses SMA 50, Triple EMA stack 4 / 9 / 18 and VWAP cross, each on NQ and ES futures over the last 2 years (NQ 2024-10-08 to 2026-10-07 and ES 2024-08-28 to 2026-08-27), before commission and slippage.
More from the library
- EMA 12 / 26 cross
- EMA 20 / 50 cross
- EMA 20 pullback in a trend
- EMA 9 / 21 cross
- Golden cross / death cross (SMA 50 / 200)
- Hull MA 20 turn
- KAMA (10, 2, 30) cross
- Price crosses EMA 20
- Price crosses SMA 200
- Price crosses SMA 50
- Triple EMA stack 4 / 9 / 18
- VWAP cross
- Every question the library answers
- Strategy library: all 100 strategies
How these were run
- Gross: no commission and no slippage.
- The last 2 years of each market, from the first to the last session of its window.
- A signal on a closed bar fills at the next bar’s open.
- A stop and a target touched in the same minute count as the stop.
- Intraday positions are flat at 15:59 ET.
- Textbook TradingView default settings for every indicator; nothing is tuned.
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