What is Sigmatic's approach to trading?

Sigmatic applies a systematic, rules-based framework to build and execute portfolios. Every decision follows predefined quantitative rules, there are no discretionary or emotional trades.

Risk is measured before every trade and at the portfolio level. Position sizing, dynamic exposure, daily loss limits and an automatic kill switch operate continuously. Internal objectives target a maximum portfolio drawdown under 9% and a maximum daily drawdown under 4%. These are internal objectives, not guarantees.

Can I trade with my own capital or a prop firm?

Both. You can run the strategy on your own brokerage account or on a supported proprietary trading firm account. Your capital stays in your own account at all times.

Do you guarantee returns?

No. The objective is to maximise the probability of long-term compounding while controlling downside risk. Risk objectives are internal targets, not guarantees. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

What validation does a strategy go through before going live?

Every strategy passes research, statistical validation, backtesting, walk-forward testing, portfolio construction and risk allocation before live execution, and is continuously monitored and reviewed thereafter.

Is there a long-term commitment?

No long-term commitment. You can start with a free trial and cancel anytime.

February 22, 20266 min read

What Is an Expert Advisor and How Does It Work on MetaTrader?

An Expert Advisor (EA) is a program that runs on the MetaTrader platform and trades automatically on your behalf. It follows a set of predefined rules to analyze the market, identify trading opportunities, execute trades, and manage positions, all without manual intervention.

MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 are the most popular trading platforms worldwide, used by millions of traders and supported by virtually every forex and CFD broker. Expert Advisors are one of the main reasons for this popularity.

How does an EA work?

An Expert Advisor is attached to a chart in MetaTrader. Once activated, it receives price data on every new tick (price update) and evaluates its trading logic. When conditions are met, it sends orders directly to your broker.

The entire process is automatic:

Market analysis happens in real time on every price update
Trade entries are executed immediately when conditions are met
Stop-losses and take-profit levels are placed automatically
Position management (trailing stops, partial closes) runs continuously
Risk management rules are enforced on every trade

MT4 vs MT5: what is the difference?

MetaTrader 4 (MT4) has been the industry standard since 2005. It is simpler, lighter, and supported by the widest range of brokers. Most retail EAs are built for MT4.

MetaTrader 5 (MT5) is the newer platform with additional features: more timeframes, more order types, built-in economic calendar, and improved backtesting. However, MT4 and MT5 use different programming languages (MQL4 vs MQL5), so EAs are not directly compatible between them.

The Sigmatic EA is available for both platforms, so you can use whichever your broker supports.

How to install an EA

Installing an Expert Advisor is straightforward and takes less than 5 minutes:

Download the EA file (.ex4 or .ex5)
Open MetaTrader and navigate to File > Open Data Folder
Place the file in the MQL4/Experts (or MQL5/Experts) folder
Restart MetaTrader and find the EA in the Navigator panel
Drag it onto a chart and enable automated trading

Once enabled, the EA runs continuously as long as MetaTrader is open. Many traders use a VPS (Virtual Private Server) to keep the platform running 24/5 without needing to keep their personal computer on.

What makes a good EA?

Not all Expert Advisors are created equal. When evaluating an EA, look for:

Verified track record with real trading data, not just backtests
Built-in risk management (stop-losses, position sizing, drawdown limits)
Transparent strategy logic without black-box claims
Regular updates and active support
Money-back guarantee so you can test risk-free

Avoid EAs that promise unrealistic returns, show only cherry-picked results, or require you to send funds to a third party. Your money should always stay in your own brokerage account.

Getting started

If you are new to automated trading, an Expert Advisor is the simplest way to start. You do not need programming skills or deep market knowledge. You need a MetaTrader account with a broker, and an EA you trust. The system handles the rest.

Ready to automate your trading?

Try it now See how it works