# MCX Trading on AlgoTest: Backtest and Automate Strategies Author: AlgoTest Author URL: https://algotest.in/blog/author/algotest/ Published: 2026-11-04 Category: MCX Category URL: https://algotest.in/blog/category/mcx/ Meta Description: Trade MCX commodities with AlgoTest. Explore supported contracts, backtest strategies, paper trade on live prices and automate through a connected broker. Tags: options trading, mcx Tag URLs: options trading (https://algotest.in/blog/tag/options-trading/), mcx (https://algotest.in/blog/tag/mcx/) URL: https://algotest.in/blog/mcx-trading-algotest/ MCX trading means trading commodity derivatives, such as futures and options, on the Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX). With AlgoTest, you can backtest, forward test and automate MCX strategies on 10 supported commodity symbols across gold, silver, crude oil and natural gas. **Quick answer: MCX trading on AlgoTest** - [AlgoTest](https://algotest.in/) supports 10 MCX symbols: GOLD, GOLDM, GOLDTEN, GOLDPETAL, SILVER, SILVERM, CRUDEOIL, CRUDEOILM, NATURALGAS and NATGASMINI. - Eight of these also have options on MCX, while Gold Ten and Gold Petal trade as futures only. - You can backtest a strategy on historical MCX data and include brokerage, [slippage](https://algotest.in/blog/what-is-the-impact-of-slippage-on-an-algo), exchange taxes and charges in the results. - You can forward test a saved strategy on live prices without using real money. - You can automate the strategy through a connected broker account that supports MCX. - MCX access is a paid add-on to your AlgoTest plan. > Build your first commodity strategy today. [Sign up free on AlgoTest](https://algotest.in/register?utm_source=blogs&utm_medium=organics&utm_campaign=seo&utm_source=blogs&utm_medium=organics&utm_campaign=seo) to backtest, forward test and automate MCX strategies. ## Supported MCX Contracts on AlgoTest Commodity Symbol Lot size Price quoted per Futures P&L per ₹1 change in quoted price Options on MCX Gold GOLD 1 kg 10 grams ₹100 Yes Gold Mini GOLDM 100 grams 10 grams ₹10 Yes Gold Ten GOLDTEN 10 grams 10 grams ₹1 No Gold Petal GOLDPETAL 1 gram 1 gram ₹1 No Silver SILVER 30 kg 1 kg ₹30 Yes Silver Mini SILVERM 5 kg 1 kg ₹5 Yes Crude Oil CRUDEOIL 100 barrels 1 barrel ₹100 Yes Crude Oil Mini CRUDEOILM 10 barrels 1 barrel ₹10 Yes Natural Gas NATURALGAS 1,250 mmBtu 1 mmBtu ₹1,250 Yes Natural Gas Mini NATGASMINI 250 mmBtu 1 mmBtu ₹250 Yes _These figures show how one futures lot’s P&L changes before charges. Option P&L depends on the change in the option’s premium, which does not move one-for-one with the futures price._ Copper and other base metals, Gold Guinea, Silver Micro and Silver 100 aren’t available on AlgoTest yet. For tick values and margin examples, see our guides to [crude oil lot size](https://algotest.in/blog/crude-oil-lot-size/), [gold lot size](https://algotest.in/blog/gold-lot-size/), [silver lot size](https://algotest.in/blog/silver-lot-size/) and [natural gas lot size](https://algotest.in/blog/natural-gas-lot-size-on-mcx-2026-standard-vs-mini/). ## What You Need Before You Start - **An AlgoTest account with MCX access.** MCX is a paid add-on to your AlgoTest plan, covered in the pricing section below. - **A broker account with the commodity segment active.** Live trading runs through a broker connected to AlgoTest. Brokers usually ask for income proof before they enable commodity derivatives. Our list of [commodity brokers in India](https://algotest.in/blog/7-best-commodity-brokers-in-india/) compares the main ones. - **Enough funds for the position.** Futures traders and option sellers deposit margin, which is a share of the contract value. Option buyers pay the full premium upfront, but they may need more funds near expiry if an in-the-money option turns into a futures position. Check the margin in the [AlgoTest margin calculator](https://algotest.in/margin-calculator), and read our [MCX margin](https://algotest.in/blog/mcx-margin/) guide to see how it’s set. - **A clear view of delivery.** You trade derivatives, not the goods, but some futures carry delivery obligations. Crude oil and natural gas futures are settled in cash, while gold and silver futures can lead to physical delivery near expiry. - **The right session times.** The current non-agricultural MCX session runs from 9:00 AM to 11:55 PM IST, from 2 November 2026 to 12 March 2027. For the rest of the year, it closes at 11:30 PM. Your broker may close positions before the exchange does, so check its cutoff. See [MCX trading time](https://algotest.in/blog/mcx-trading-time/) for the full schedule. ## How to Build and Backtest an MCX Strategy 1. **Log in to AlgoTest.** Create a free account if you don’t have one yet. 2. **Pick your MCX symbol.** Create a new strategy in [AlgoTest Backtest](https://algotest.in/feature/backtest) and choose a commodity symbol, such as CRUDEOIL or GOLDM. 3. **Add your legs.** For a futures leg, choose buy or sell and the expiry. For an options leg, choose a call or put, buy or sell, and pick the strike and expiry. Gold Ten and Gold Petal take futures legs only. 4. **Set entry and exit times.** Keep them inside the MCX session, and leave time before your broker’s cutoff. 5. **Add exit rules.** Set a stop loss and a target so every trade has a clear way out. 6. **Set your costs.** Include brokerage, slippage, exchange taxes and charges, and check these settings before you run the test. Our guide on [the impact of slippage on an algo](https://algotest.in/blog/what-is-the-impact-of-slippage-on-an-algo/) explains why slippage matters. 7. **Run the backtest and save the strategy.** You’ll use the saved version for forward testing and live trading. [![Commodity trading ](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cmbhlz3q0002sxzc513a62pj5/images/crude-oil-option-chain-1793766070110-compressed.png)](https://algotest.in/register?utm_source=blogs&utm_medium=organics&utm_campaign=seo) Crude oil option chain on AlgoTest ## How to Read the MCX Backtest Report [AlgoTest](https://algotest.in/) gives you one of the most detailed backtest reports available to Indian traders: - The report shows total P&L, year-wise returns and cumulative P&L against the underlying. - It shows the number of trades, the win rate and the risk-reward ratio. - It shows [maximum drawdown](https://algotest.in/blog/why-max-drawdown-matters-in-risk-management) and your longest winning and losing streaks. - Monte Carlo analysis shows how results could change if the same trades came in a different order. - DTE and weekend filters show how results change with days to expiry and around weekends. - Downloadable trade logs (CSV) let you check every entry and exit yourself. New to any of these terms? Our [glossary of backtesting terms](https://algotest.in/blog/definition-of-terms-used-in-backtesting-platform/) explains each one. [![mcx commodity trading on algotest](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cmbhlz3q0002sxzc513a62pj5/images/image-1793768128210-compressed.png)](https://algotest.in/register?utm_source=blogs&utm_medium=organics&utm_campaign=seo) Running a simulation on AlgoTest See these metrics for your own MCX strategy. [Sign up to get 100 Backtests free/month](https://algotest.in/register?utm_source=blogs&utm_medium=organics&utm_campaign=seo&utm_source=blogs&utm_medium=organics&utm_campaign=seo) ## Forward Test and Automate Your MCX Strategy Forward testing runs your saved strategy on live MCX prices without real money. It shows how your rules handle today’s market, including busy evenings when US energy data comes out. When the results look steady, deploy the strategy to your connected broker account for automated trading. Live results can differ from your backtest because of fills, slippage and timing. Our guide on [why live trades differ from backtests](https://algotest.in/blog/why-is-there-is-difference-between-my-live-trade-vs-forward-test-vs-backtest-results/) explains the common causes. ### Pricing and Supported Brokers - MCX access is a paid add-on to your AlgoTest plan, listed at ₹2,000 per month at the time of writing. - Check AlgoTest’s pricing page for the current price, taxes and what the add-on includes before you subscribe. - Live MCX trading works only through brokers that support MCX on AlgoTest, so check the broker list when you connect your account. - Broker charges and exchange fees are separate from your AlgoTest plan. ## Expiry and Execution Points for MCX Strategies - **Options expire before their futures.** Crude oil and natural gas options expire two business days before their futures. You can check the dates here [MCX options trading](https://algotest.in/blog/mcx-options-trading/). - **In-the-money options can turn into futures.** An [in-the-money](https://algotest.in/blog/itm-atm-otm) option held to expiry normally devolves into a futures position, unless the long holder submits a valid contrary instruction. You then need margin for that futures position. - **Plan exits around cutoffs.** Exit before your broker’s [square-off](https://algotest.in/blog/what-is-square-off-in-trading) cutoff and, where applicable, before the futures’ tender period begins. - **Size for your risk.** Choose a contract size that fits your risk limit, and check its liquidity and bid-ask spread before you trade. - **Watch US energy data.** The US crude oil inventory report normally comes out on Wednesdays and the natural gas storage report on Thursdays, both at 10:30 AM US Eastern time. That is 9:00 PM IST until mid-March and 8:00 PM IST for the rest of the year. - **Check for holiday changes.** These are the normal release schedules, and US holidays can change both the release day and time. Check the official [EIA release schedule](https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/supply/weekly/schedule.php) before you trade. > Trading MCX options? Check a position’s payoff, breakeven and maximum loss (where defined) in the [AlgoTest Strategy Builder](https://algotest.in/feature/strategy-builder?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=seo&utm_campaign=strategy-builder&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=seo&utm_campaign=strategy-builder) before you automate it. > **Practise first: replay a past MCX session** > > 1. Open the [AlgoTest Option Simulator](https://algotest.in/feature/simulator?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=seo&utm_campaign=simulator&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=seo&utm_campaign=simulator) and select CRUDEOIL, GOLD, SILVER or NATURALGAS. > > 2. Pick a past trading day to replay, such as a Wednesday evening when US crude inventory data came out. > > 3. Place a trade on one lot and watch how your P&L changes as the price moves. ## Test Your MCX Strategy Before You Trade It Pick one commodity and a contract size that fits your risk limit, then write down your entry, exit and position size. Backtest it across calm months and busy report nights, forward test it on live prices and go live only when both results make sense to you. [AlgoTest](https://algotest.in/register?utm_source=blogs&utm_medium=organics&utm_campaign=seo&utm_source=blogs&utm_medium=organics&utm_campaign=seo) helps you move from an idea to a strategy you can inspect and test before deciding whether to deploy. Join us as we simplify retail trading in India. Start Free ### Related Reading - [What Is Commodity Trading?](https://algotest.in/blog/what-is-commodity-trading/) - [5 Best MCX Algo Trading Software Platforms in India](https://algotest.in/blog/best-mcx-algo-trading-software-india/) - [MCX Option Chain Explained](https://algotest.in/blog/how-to-read-mcx-option-chain/) - [MCX Holidays 2026](https://algotest.in/blog/mcx-holidays/) - [Is Algo Trading Legal in India?](https://algotest.in/blog/is-algo-trading-legal-in-india-what-retail-traders-must-know/) ### FAQs #### Can I trade MCX commodities on AlgoTest? Yes. You can backtest, forward test and automate strategies on 10 MCX commodity symbols across gold, silver, crude oil and natural gas. Live trades go through a connected broker that supports MCX. #### Which MCX contracts does AlgoTest support? AlgoTest supports GOLD, GOLDM, GOLDTEN, GOLDPETAL, SILVER, SILVERM, CRUDEOIL, CRUDEOILM, NATURALGAS and NATGASMINI. Copper, Gold Guinea, Silver Micro and Silver 100 aren’t available yet. #### Can I trade MCX options on AlgoTest? Yes, on contracts that have options on MCX: Gold, Gold Mini, Silver, Silver Mini, Crude Oil, Crude Oil Mini, Natural Gas and Natural Gas Mini. Gold Ten and Gold Petal trade as futures only. #### Do MCX backtests on AlgoTest include charges? You can include brokerage, slippage, exchange taxes and charges in your backtest results. Check these settings before each run so the results reflect your real costs. #### Can I paper trade MCX strategies on AlgoTest? Yes. Forward testing runs a saved strategy on live MCX prices without real money, so you can see how it behaves before you deploy it. #### Which brokers support MCX trading on AlgoTest? Live MCX trading works through brokers that support MCX on AlgoTest. Check the broker list when you connect your account, since support is being added over time. #### How much does MCX on AlgoTest cost? MCX access is a paid add-on to your AlgoTest plan, listed at ₹2,000 per month at the time of writing. Check AlgoTest’s pricing page for the current price and taxes. --- This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more. ---