Spread Trading Z-Score

Indicator: Z-Score Spread Indicator
Description
The "Z-Score Spread Indicator" is a powerful tool for traders employing mean-reversion strategies on the spread between two financial assets (e.g., futures contracts like MNQ and MES). This indicator calculates and plots the Z-score of the price spread, indicating how far the current spread deviates from its historical mean. It features customizable entry and exit thresholds with adjustable offsets, along with an estimated p-value displayed in a table to assess statistical significance.
Key Features

Asset Selection: Allows users to select two asset symbols (e.g., CME_MINI:MNQ1! and CME_MINI:MES1!) via customizable inputs.
Z-Score Calculation: Computes the Z-score based on the spread’s simple moving average and standard deviation over a user-defined lookback period.
Customizable Thresholds with Offset: Offers adjustable base entry and exit thresholds, with an optional offset to fine-tune trading levels, plotted as horizontal lines.
P-Value Estimation: Provides an approximate p-value to evaluate the statistical significance of the Z-score, displayed in a table anchored to the top-left corner.
Visual Representation: Plots the Z-score with a zero line and threshold lines for intuitive interpretation.

Adjustable Parameters

Asset A Symbol: Symbol for Asset A (default: CME_MINI:MNQ1!).
Asset B Symbol: Symbol for Asset B (default: CME_MINI:MES1!).
Z-Score Lookback: Lookback period for Z-score calculation (default: 40, minimum 2).
Base Entry Threshold: Threshold for entry signals (default: 1.8, adjustable with a step of 0.1).
Base Exit Threshold: Threshold for exit signals (default: 0.5, adjustable with a step of 0.1).
Threshold Offset (+/-): Offset to adjust entry and exit thresholds symmetrically (default: 0.0, range -5.0 to 5.0, step 0.1).

Usage

Add the indicator to your chart via the "Indicators" tab.
Customize the parameters based on your preferred assets and trading strategy (lookback period, thresholds, offset).
Observe the Z-score plot and threshold lines (red for short entry, green for long entry, orange dotted for exits) to identify potential trade setups.
Check the p-value table in the top-left corner to assess the statistical significance of the current Z-score.
Use this data to inform mean-reversion trading decisions, ideally in conjunction with other indicators.

Notes

A Z-score above the entry threshold (positive) or below the negative entry threshold suggests a potential short or long entry, respectively. Exits are signaled when the Z-score crosses the exit thresholds.
The p-value is an approximation based on the normal distribution; a value below 0.05 typically indicates statistical significance, but further validation is recommended.
The indicator uses a simple spread (Asset A - Asset B) without volatility adjustments; consider pairing it with a lots calculator for hedging.

Limitations

The p-value is an approximation and may not reflect advanced statistical tests (e.g., ADF) due to Pine Script constraints.
No automatic trading signals are generated; it provides data for manual analysis.

Author
Developed by grogusama, October 15, 2025, 07:29 PM CEST.