Reading an MT5 report: the first 8 metrics

When someone sends you a profit screenshot, ask for the MT5 history report (right-click the History tab → Report → Excel/HTML). Here are 8 metrics to read in order, with examples from our demo account.

1. Account type

The first line: USD, Exness, demo, Hedge. The word demo changes how you read every number below it.

2. Initial deposit and deposits/withdrawals

Look for balance rows in the Deals section. Our account has a single $1,000 deposit — no top-ups along the way, so the growth came from trading.

3. Absolute drawdown

How far the balance fell below the initial capital. Example: $357.60 (low of $642.40).

4. Maximal & relative drawdown

The largest fall from a peak to a later trough, in $ and %. Example: $691.87 (46.96%). This is the metric that should decide whether you dare to use a system at all.

5. Profit factor

Gross profit ÷ gross loss. Above 1.3 is good for a sustainable system; above 3 deserves suspicion (it may come from a few huge trades). Example: 51.17 — because 6 trades made 83% of the profit.

6. Recovery factor

Net profit ÷ maximal drawdown ($). Higher is better, but read it next to the drawdown %: 445 here doesn't make a 47% drop any less dangerous.

7. Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of volatility. Example: 0.11 — very low, meaning results are uneven.

8. Expected payoff & average win/loss

Expected $445/trade, average win $934.85, average loss $17.24. Compare against the median where you can: one $106,254 trade is enough to distort every average.

Quick rule: look at drawdown first, profit second. If you can't stomach the drawdown, the profit is meaningless.

All of these figures are visualised on the Results page.

Educational content, not investment advice.