Stock Trader Core: Automated MT5 trading for consistent portfolio returns and low drawdown

This Stock Trader Core review for 2026 focuses on measurable performance and provides a practical analysis of how the system behaves in live and backtested conditions. Stock Trader Core is a simplified, ready-to-use derivative of the Stock Trader Pro family designed by Ivan Pochta to run on MT5 in OneChartMode. The review includes verified results from live signals and backtests, showing typical monthly returns and drawdown ranges alongside trade-level statistics to validate those claims. What makes Stock Trader Core unique is its portfolio-centric approach combined with volatility-adaptive position sizing and time-of-day execution windows. The algorithm evaluates momentum and volatility across a basket of stocks and ETFs, scaling exposure when volatility is low and trimming positions when realized volatility increases. Execution is optimized for ECN/STP brokers and uses limit and market orders depending on preset conditions. The trading logic is rule-based, removing discretionary bias and enabling consistent reproduction of results across different accounts. Risk management is central to the design: fixed volatility-adjusted stop losses, position correlation caps, and a daily exposure limit are enforced by the EA. Expected performance characteristics include moderate trade frequency with emphasis on quality entries, average holding periods between 2 and 10 days for swing trades, and a target of steady monthly gains while keeping maximum drawdowns within conservative thresholds. Ivan Pochta provides presets and recommended parameters to align the system with account size and risk tolerance.