The same system wins 65% on gold and 39% on EUR/USD: why instruments differ

Our setups came from one rules-based system, yet the results varied a lot between instruments. This is why traders should measure each market on its own instead of assuming one strategy works everywhere.

What we saw

These are setups tracked in our journal between May and October 2026, for instruments with at least 15 closed setups. They are not audited and not a forecast. 'Hit rate' means the share that reached at least their first target.

• Gold (XAU/USD): 147 closed, 65.3%.
• AUD/USD: 57 closed, 61.4%.
• Bitcoin (BTC/USD): 135 closed, 60.0%.
• Silver (XAG/USD): 119 closed, 58.0%.
• USD/CAD: 40 closed, 52.5%.
• CHF/JPY: 47 closed, 48.9%.
• GBP/JPY: 45 closed, 48.9%.
• USD/JPY: 49 closed, 46.9%.
• EUR/JPY: 46 closed, 45.7%.
• GBP/USD: 40 closed, 42.5%.
• EUR/USD: 36 closed, 38.9%.

Why this happens

• Different instruments trend and range differently. A system built around momentum suits some markets and struggles in others.
• Volatility and typical stop size differ, which changes how often a target is reached before a stop.
• News and sessions affect each market on different schedules.

Do not over-read small samples

Thirty-six or forty closed setups are not enough to be sure that EUR/USD is a weaker market for the system. The gap could narrow or widen with more data. What the table does show is that averaging everything into one headline figure hides real differences.

What you can do with this

• Track your own results per instrument in your journal.
• Do not assume a method that works on one market works on all of them.
• Reduce size, or stand aside, on markets where your own record is weak.
• Revisit the numbers after a larger sample.

Trading carries a high risk of loss. This article is for education only and is not financial advice. Results shown are from setups tracked in our own journal, they are not audited, and past results do not guarantee future results.