Equity Curve
A chart showing account value over time, visualizing trading performance and drawdowns.
Formula
More Details
What is an Equity Curve?
An Equity Curve on TradesViz is a visual representation of your account value over time where value is the sum of your realized pnl, plus deposits minus withdrawals. It shows your cumulative performance and drawdown periods.
Learn more: Equity Curve Compare | Continuous PnL Charts | Drawdown Charts View
What a Healthy Curve Looks Like
Good signs:
- Generally upward sloping
- Consistent angle (steady gains)
- Shallow pullbacks (small drawdowns)
- Quick recovery from dips
Warning signs:
- Flat or downward trend
- Steep drops (large drawdowns)
- Long underwater periods
- Erratic zigzags
Types of Equity Curves
| Type | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Linear | Steady, consistent gains |
| Stair-step | Periods of gains, then consolidation |
| Volatile | Large ups and downs |
| Trending down | Losing strategy |
Equity Curve Analysis
Key questions:
1. Is the overall trend up?
2. How deep are drawdowns?
3. How long until new highs?
4. Are there regime changes?
5. How does it compare to benchmarks?
Trading the Equity Curve
Some traders adjust sizing based on curve:
- Above moving average: Full size
- Below moving average: Reduce or stop
TradesViz Equity Features
- Interactive equity chart
- Drawdown overlay
- Benchmark comparison (SPY, etc.)
Where to find it in TradesViz
Example
Account starts at 10,000, grows to 15,000 over 6 months with a max drawdown period of 3 weeks