Beyond ATR: Introducing Dr. Glen Brown’s Seven Laws of Volatility Stop-Loss
- May 24, 2025
- Posted by: DrGlenBrown2
- Category: Trading Methodology

Traditional fixed ATR-based stops often succumb to whipsaw, fat spreads, and extreme volatility. In this series, we unveil a comprehensive, seven-law architecture that transforms stop-loss management into a precise, mathematically grounded science—anchored by √time scaling, DAATS initial stops, and the portfolio-wide GNASD metric.
Motivation & Goals
Many traders rely on 1–3×ATR stops without considering evolving volatility regimes, distribution shape, or cross-asset noise. The result? Frequent premature exits and eroded profits. Our goal is to replace guesswork with a unified framework that:
- Anchors risk to the full EMA-zone volatility (ATR(200)).
- Scales stops by √time to survive corrective waves.
- Adapts breakeven and trailing rules to distribution shape.
- Extends from single trades to portfolio-level risk via GNASD.
Why Static ATR Stops Fail
- Non-stationary Volatility: ATR(14) or ATR(20) fails to capture regime shifts in noise and spread.
- Distribution Assumptions: Most ATR-multiples assume near-normal moves, ignoring fat tails and skew.
- Fragmented Rules: Ad hoc fixed breakeven and trailing heuristics create inconsistencies across timeframes.
Seven-Law Architecture at a Glance
- Volatility Unit Law: One exposure = ATR(200).
- Exposure-Scaling Law: Buffer count = √200 ≈ 15 exposures.
- Initial-Stop (DAATS) Law: DAATS = 15×ATR(200).
- Breakeven-Fraction Law: Shift to zero-risk after L×ATR(200) moves.
- Trailing-Exposure Law: Trail by the same L exposures.
- Tiered-Risk Allocation Law: Size = (Equity×Risk %)÷DAATS in three stages.
- Universe Volatility Law: GNASD = (σₚₒₚ÷N) for portfolio-level breakevens.
How √Time, DAATS & GNASD Tie Together
√time scaling (√200→15) determines all exposure counts—initial stops, breakeven and trailing distances. DAATS (15×ATR(200)) ensures your stop sits outside nearly all routine noise (Chebyshev bound ≥ 99.56 %). GNASD then measures collective volatility across your universe of instruments, letting you set consistent, portfolio-level breakeven triggers.
What to Expect in This Series
Over the next nine articles, we’ll:
- Dive deeply into each law with theory, charts and code.
- Show real-world trade reviews (Gold, Platinum, FX) using the seven-section template.
- Introduce advanced topics: quartile/IQR exposure selection, skewness/kurtosis adjustments, Keltner-channel implementation, Chebyshev vs. Empirical Rule, and more.
- Provide indicator scripts, and practical checklists for seamless implementation.
About the Author
Dr. Glen Brown, Ph.D. in Investments & Finance, is President & CEO of Global Accountancy Institute (GAI) and Global Financial Engineering (GFE). With over 25 years in proprietary trading, quantitative research and financial education, he developed the GATS framework and this seven-law stop-loss architecture, uniting mathematical rigor with real-world applicability.
Business Model Clarification
GAI & GFE operate exclusively as internal proprietary trading firms. We do not offer public courses or advisory services; all methodologies are for in-house research and professional trading desk development.
Risk Disclaimer
Trading derivatives and CFDs carries substantial risk and may not suit every investor. This article is educational only and does not constitute financial advice. Always perform your own due diligence and consult a licensed professional. Past performance does not guarantee future results; trade at your own risk.
Hashtags: #ATR #Volatility #StopLoss #GATS #DAATS #GNASD #RiskManagement #TradingLaws #DrGlenBrown
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