Trade guide · 3

Exits and management

Where to take profit, when to let part of the trade run, and when to get out.

The exit plan

Decide the exit before you enter. The plan has three parts.

Stop: Below the trough the FLD target is measured from. Never wider once the trade is open.
Main exit: Take profit at the FLD target.
The runner: If the next cycle peak is due well after the target, take part at the target and let the rest run towards the peak.
Target cluster: When two or more cycles’ targets sit close together, CyclesX marks the zone with ◎. Treat it as the stronger target.

In CyclesX

🎯 FLD Target shows the price, the % from the current price and the due date, then the next FLD and any target cluster.
📍 Position in Cycle shows when the peak is due.
The Summary row says whether the two agree.

Managing the trade, bar by bar

After entry: leave the stop where it is until a new trough forms, then trail it (see below). Do not tighten it inside the normal wiggle around the FLD.
Target reached: take half (or all, if the peak is due around the same time). Move the stop on the rest to your entry price.
Runner: hold while price stays above the trade cycle’s FLD.
Exit the runner on a close back below the trade cycle’s FLD, or when the peak window in Position in Cycle has passed.
Time stop: if the target is not reached within one cycle, close the trade.

Pauses at a longer FLD

After the crossing, price often stalls when it reaches the FLD of a longer cycle. CyclesX marks the nearest one on the chart as next FLD, and shows its level in the FLD Target row.

A short sideways pause there is normal. It is not a reason to exit.
You can take partial profit at the next FLD, or add to the trade once a bar closes beyond it.
What ends the trade is a close back through the trade cycle’s FLD, not the pause.

In CyclesX

Hurst layer › Next FLD and target clusters (on by default).

Trailing the stop

Once a new trough forms on the next shorter cycle (a new ◆ in its colour), move the stop just below it.
Only ever move the stop in the direction of the trade.
If you trade the shortest cycle, trail under each new swing low instead.
A ◇ is a possible trough that is not confirmed yet. Wait for it to turn into ◆ before trailing under it.

When things go differently

What happens	What to do
Target hit early	Take profit. Early hits often mean a strong move, so keep a small runner if the peak is still ahead.
Target late (due time passed)	Hold only while price stays above the FLD. Tighten the stop to the last swing low.
Price crosses back below the FLD	A single close back below is a warning. Two closes, or a close below the trough, means exit.
Higher timeframe turns against you	Take what you have at the next reasonable level. Do not add.
Target missed (one cycle passed)	Close the trade. The rhythm has changed.

The built-in trade rules

CyclesX has two rules you can switch between in the Trade signal settings. Use the one closest to how you manage trades.

Quarter cycle: Default. Exits at the close a quarter cycle after entry, when the cycle is due to peak. The FLD target is shown for reference.
FLD target: Takes profit at the FLD target, with a time stop one cycle after the crossing.

In CyclesX

Trade signal › Trade rule. The trade table shows the exit price or time for the rule you pick.