[QUESTION] Help with Spread Setting for Accurate Backtest (IC Markets - USATECH)

[Dante91]

Hi there,

I’d like to ask for some clarification regarding how to correctly set up spread and other symbol parameters in Tickstory when exporting to MT4.

Context:
• Broker: IC Markets (MT4)
• Symbol: USATECH in Tickstory → mapped to USTEC in MT4
• Export settings: 1M timeframe, date range from 01.01.2025 to 02.09.2025
• Timezone: UTC+2 (I’m based in Czech Republic – IC Markets server time is always +1 hour ahead)



The Problem:

I tested the exact same EA with two different spread settings:
• Spread = 90 → EA shows losses
• Spread = 9 → EA is profitable, and the results match recent real market behavior

This confuses me because during New York session, spread for Nasdaq on IC Markets is around 0.9 points, and in MT4 the chart scale shows that 1 point = 100, so I thought 90 was the correct value.

⸻

My Questions:
1. How exactly does Tickstory interpret the “Spread” field?
If the actual spread is around 0.9 points, and 1 point equals 100 in MT4, should I input:
• 90? pips
• 9? pips
2. What is the correct spread value to input for accurate testing that reflects real IC Markets conditions?
3. Are there recommended or default values for other symbol fields for IC Markets NASDAQ (USTEC)?
• Digits (2?)
• Point, Tick size, Tick value
• Lot size, Min lot, etc.
4. Is there a ready-made symbol profile for IC Markets available or something similar I can follow?


What I’ve done:
• Mapped USATECH → USTEC
• Base currency: USD
• Spread tested: 9 (results match reality)
• Timezone: UTC+2
• Period: 01.01.2025 to 02.09.2025

I would really appreciate if someone could clarify this so I can stop experimenting with guesswork and get accurate, consistent results.

Thanks in advance!

Daniel

[tickstory]

Hi Daniel,

In regards to your questions:

1) Firstly, Tickstory doesn't interpret any of this data - it is the MT4 Strategy Tester which uses these values in accordance with its own documentation. The spread value as set in the "Spread" field in the Strategy Tester is dependent on whether your broker uses 3 or 5 digits (known as a "fractional digit broker"). If you are using a 3/5 fractional digit broker, then specifying "9" in that field means 0.9 of a pip. "90" means 9 pips. If you are using a non-fractional broker, "9" would mean 9 pips and "90", 90 pips.

2) You will need to ask your broker this question as we do not provide any broker-specific information. Our general recommendation when back-testing is to find typical spread for your symbol and then try variations of this around the median to see how your EA performs. A well designed strategy should not be overly sensitive to minor changes in spread as it's likely to be magnified in a live trading situation thanks to latency, slippage and other factors that may affect live trading.

3) You can find out your exact broker settings by selecting the Tickstory symbol you wish to export (eg. USATECH.IDX) and then selecting MT4 Export->MT4 Settings. Then select your broker symbol (eg. USTEC) from the "Map to" field. Once selected, the values from your broker are displayed in the relevant fields.

4) As above - just select your symbol in the "Map to" to acquire all the results. Please refer to our manual for further info on this feature.

Hope this helps.

[Dante91]

Hi,

first of all thank you for your previous detailed answer regarding the spread setting – that helped me a lot.

I now just have one more question regarding the “Point” field in Symbol Properties.

For IC Markets NASDAQ (USTEC), the price in MT4 is displayed like this:

23523.60 → 23523.70 → 23523.80


So prices move in 0.10 steps.

Am I correct that the Point value defines this minimum increment (the step between one price level and the next)?
In this case, should I set Point = 0.10?

I want to make sure I understand correctly, because with Point = 0.01 my EA shows unrealistic results (spread becomes only 0.09 points), while with Point = 0.10 the spread matches reality (0.9 points).

Could you please confirm what is the correct Point setting for NASDAQ (USTEC) with IC Markets, and whether my understanding is right that Point simply represents the minimum price step?

Thanks again for your help!

[tickstory]

Hi Daniel,

In response to your questions:

> Am I correct that the Point value defines this minimum increment (the step between one price level and the next)?

That's correct. A point represents the smallest unit of price change.

> I want to make sure I understand correctly, because with Point = 0.01 my EA shows unrealistic results (spread becomes only 0.09 points), while with Point = 0.10 the spread matches reality (0.9 points).

It sounds like you might need to firstly clarify what you think is being used for spread is actually the case. You can use the attached EA which will print out spread information to the 'Journal' tab so that you can check the correctness of your numbers.

> Could you please confirm what is the correct Point setting for NASDAQ (USTEC) with IC Markets, and whether my understanding is right that Point simply represents the minimum price step?

The answer to this is always whatever is shown in the "MT4 Settings->Symbol" fields after you have selected "USTEC" in the "Map to" drop-down. The symbol specification numbers are taken directly from your broker. You shouldn't be changing these values at all unless you have some reason to do so.

Hope this helps.

[Dante91]

Hi,

thanks again for your explanation – it makes sense now. I just want to double-check that I understood everything correctly.

I would like to test my EA specifically during the New York session, where the real spread on NASDAQ (USTEC) at IC Markets is around 0.90 points (ask).

So, to simulate the most realistic trading conditions in MT4 Strategy Tester, my understanding is:
• I should set Spread = 90 (since 0.90 points = 90 pips with Point = 0.01).
• Leave all the other fields (Point, Digits, Lot size, etc.) as they are automatically filled when I map to USTEC.

Could you please confirm that this is the correct way to set it up for realistic backtesting?

Thanks a lot for your help!
Daniel

[tickstory]

Hi Daniel,

Your summary is correct. I highly recommend you download and use the previously attached EA which will confirm your spreads if you are unsure.

Thanks.