# Performance Analysis

This page explains how to review EA activity and backtest results without treating short-term performance as proof.

The goal is objective review: what happened, whether the setup was correct, and whether further testing is needed.

## What To Review[​](#what-to-review "Direct link to What To Review")

Review:

* Trade count
* Net profit or loss
* Drawdown
* Average trade
* Win rate
* Average win and average loss
* Profit factor
* Consecutive losses
* Experts and Journal errors

No single metric is enough.

## Weekly Review[​](#weekly-review "Direct link to Weekly Review")

Use a weekly review to check operation, not to chase results.

Ask:

* Did the EA run during the intended sessions?
* Were there any errors?
* Were trades on the intended symbol and timeframe?
* Did lot size match the selected risk method?
* Was spread normal?
* Were there enough trades to draw any conclusion?

## Monthly Review[​](#monthly-review "Direct link to Monthly Review")

Use monthly review for broader context.

Record:

```
Month:

EA version:

Broker:

Symbol:

Timeframe:

Preset:

Trade count:

Net result:

Max drawdown:

Largest loss:

Largest win:

Notes:

Next action:
```

## Common Interpretation Mistakes[​](#common-interpretation-mistakes "Direct link to Common Interpretation Mistakes")

Avoid:

* Judging the EA after only a few trades.
* Looking only at profit or loss.
* Ignoring drawdown.
* Ignoring spread and commission.
* Increasing risk after a winning period.
* Changing settings after every losing trade.
* Treating backtest output as a live forecast.

## When To Pause[​](#when-to-pause "Direct link to When To Pause")

Pause and review if:

* Drawdown exceeds your planned limit.
* Lot size is unexpected.
* Orders are rejected repeatedly.
* The EA trades the wrong symbol.
* Stop loss or take profit is missing unexpectedly.
* You cannot explain recent EA behavior.

## Next Pages[​](#next-pages "Direct link to Next Pages")

* [Risk Management](/banana-ea/mt4/docs/v4/risk-management.md)
* [Analyzing Results](/banana-ea/mt4/docs/v4/backtesting-optimization/analyzing-results.md)
* [Validation And Forward Testing](/banana-ea/mt4/docs/v4/backtesting-optimization/validation-forward-testing.md)