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One year later into my trading career...........seeking guidance and direction


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One year later into my trading career...........seeking guidance and direction

  #81 (permalink)
 Itchymoku 
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@budfox what are you referring to a model, what will you be testing for? Please elaborate. Give an example of a fictitious model ( it can just be something you made up ).

R.I.P. Joseph Bach (Itchymoku), 1987-2018.
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  #82 (permalink)
 budfox 
Toronto
 
Experience: Beginner
Platform: Sierra
Broker: MB
Trading: ES
Posts: 313 since Jun 2013


Itchymoku View Post
I appreciate your curiosity and eagerness to learn with your pm's to me, but I think what you need to do is just find a way to get good at testing if things work by trying them out in sim or replay. It may not be as comprehensive but you can get a good idea if things work or don't by just creating a simple table or list of p/l on if the trade worked or didn't with a specific criteria or set of criteria and go through trade by trade before you go crazy with back tests. What worked for these other people might not be best for you.

You're taking everyone's advice wholeheartedly and that'll cause you go in a thousand different directions. Maybe learning to program would help someone back-test more efficiently but you have to wonder if that is entirely what would work best for you. Think about it, if you back test a few different indicators working in unison you're going to be ignoring price action signals. It's going to be very hard to test price action because it's more complicated and discretionary. It's something you'll need to just practice yourself via forward testing.

No set of indicators is going to be the magic ticket either. Do you really need to back test an indicator for years to see if it's useful? If you replay and test it out over a couple weeks and it doesn't work it probably isn't going to work for those previous years. Back testing may give you a better idea if certain indicators work better in different time periods like before all this volatility but is it really going to help with much more?

You need to think for yourself and analyze if something is working or not. I could tell you what works for me but that doesn't necessarily mean it'll work for you susan or bob. I hope you're getting my drift. You seem like you need everything painted out for you because you want to follow the rules but with trading the rules can be very ambiguous and subject to one's own perception.

I am not trying to backtest an indicator, I am trying to backtest a model, or what some call a system.

by model I mean trade setups.......

i.e.
lets look at how a certaint trade setup performs over a 100 trades.

trade setup: when you have a a new high candle piercing out of a downtrend trendline (as an example).

so I will look how this setup plays out over 100 trades and mark if it was successful or not (win ratio), and various other stats.

hopefully when I get better at programming, I can simply write a script and then test it over larger data sets. instead of manually recording.

Thanks

BF

time for bed now lol

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  #83 (permalink)
 Itchymoku 
Philadelphia
 
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budfox View Post
I am not trying to backtest an indicator, I am trying to backtest a model, or what some call a system.

by model I mean trade setups.......

i.e.
lets look at how a certaint trade setup performs over a 100 trades.

trade setup: when you have a a new high candle piercing out of a downtrend trendline (as an example).

so I will look how this setup plays out over 100 trades and mark if it was successful or not (win ratio), and various other stats.

hopefully when I get better at programming, I can simply write a script and then test it over larger data sets. instead of manually recording.

Thanks

BF

time for bed now lol

Can't you just do this manually to some extent just looking back through data and making a list? Is it really necessary to backtest years?n It might help save time if you're looking for a variety of different criteria based upon different settings etc. Depends how complicated I guess. Just take note that even if you do find a pattern that seems reasonable and you try to add a filter here and there, you're going to go down the rabbit hole. Sometimes it's hard to find your way out.

In any event I hope you enjoy programming, It makes the task easier. IF you don't enjoy it'll be very hard to stick to it. I went to college for programming and it was very hard for me to retain certain languages syntax and nuances if I didn't use them daily. So I suggest if you do learn a language to stick to it and not jump around until you've mastered it. Pick a platform and stick to it.

R.I.P. Joseph Bach (Itchymoku), 1987-2018.
Please visit this thread for more information.
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  #84 (permalink)
 
treydog999's Avatar
 treydog999 
seoul, Korea
 
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budfox View Post
Just thought I would update everyone on my trading plan for the next 6 months , as I would be interested in your opinion of it.


PRIORITY #1

Continue to manually backtest various models on excel (with at least 100 trades), and 'failing' each model where Drawdown > 70% , until I have a model that has a win ratio of >= 60 % and a DD <70%

I will only be backtesting on EUR/USD pair (perhaps a few other pairs) > Yes I have officially divorced the ES and for the time being solely focussing on Forex.



PRIORITY #2

Figure out a model that will be successful in using in the TST combine.

Only problem is that I am now focussing on forex, and their combines are all futures. I am wondering how long it will be before they have a forex combine



PRIORITY #3

Continue to learn C# . I have already subscribed to Lynda, learning the basics.
My objective is to become a Ninjascript master
Will allocate 25% of my time towards learning c#

PRIORITY #4

Just to learn overall about Forex, since I am new to it.


so what you guys think?


Thanks to those that reply.


@josh @treydog999 @Itchymoku @tturner86 @tellytub @daytrader4545 @tigertrader @isla @Jaguar52 @kbit @bobwest @Hulk @PandaWarrior








Please note I do not appreciate negative posts on my thread.

I am glad to see you have written down your priorities. Honestly when ever I sit down to do anything especially trading development related i write down what I am focusing on. I think its a great way to organize yourself and get things accomplished. A lot of times you can run around in circles or get frustrated and feel like your going no where. But a list of priorities when you get to check something off the list feels so good. Sorry for the personal side note but i do feel its helpful.

Testing on any instrument Forex, equities, or futures does not really matter. Good system development principles, data management and statistical analysis are all the same. I would say options are much harder to develop on due to the multitude of strikes and expiration, but still the overall dynamics are mostly similar. Its also good to have a few base principles to guide your system development, so i am totally on board with the 2 criteria you have there.

I cant really comment on the TST combine but I can say making a system for it is like making a system with several guiding principles. Use their rules as your base criteria and it should get you started in the right direction. However the more rules and requirements the harder to develop as system and the more difficult it is to keep it robust without over fitting. Its just the rules of the game, for everything there is a cost. So find your own personal system goals and see where they tie in with the TST rules.

IMHO learning to code and back test to me is an invaluable tool. From being able to research and develop my own systems, completely automated trading, portfolio and risk management, as well as doing homework on the markets is all made easier or possible by being able to code. Not to mention the fact that it is more accurate than manually testing (we are all human) and usually gives larger sample sizes which helps for statistical accuracy. I know a lot of more manual/discretionary traders do not get as much out of it, or maybe do not have as much experience with it to see all of the benefits vs say difficulty of learning to do so.

There is also some cross over. When i was trading manually/discretionary I back tested every indicator and rule in my discretionary tool box. I also combined them together to see if the results were additive instead of canceling each other out. By doing that and seeing how all my tools worked I felt much more confident in what I was using and how i was using it rather than just taking conventional wisdom from books or the internet. My toolset could be reevaulated as markets changed so I could be dynamic as well and see what works when and what times i should avoid. Rather than something you get from a book or post that could have been written months or years ago.

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  #85 (permalink)
 budfox 
Toronto
 
Experience: Beginner
Platform: Sierra
Broker: MB
Trading: ES
Posts: 313 since Jun 2013


Itchymoku View Post
Can't you just do this manually to some extent just looking back through data and making a list? Is it really necessary to backtest years?n It might help save time if you're looking for a variety of different criteria based upon different settings etc. Depends how complicated I guess. Just take note that even if you do find a pattern that seems reasonable and you try to add a filter here and there, you're going to go down the rabbit hole. Sometimes it's hard to find your way out.

In any event I hope you enjoy programming, It makes the task easier. IF you don't enjoy it'll be very hard to stick to it. I went to college for programming and it was very hard for me to retain certain languages syntax and nuances if I didn't use them daily. So I suggest if you do learn a language to stick to it and not jump around until you've mastered it. Pick a platform and stick to it.

Not necessarily years, but at least a N=100. I want to see the win ratio and drawdown and consecutive number of lossesand ave loss and ave win etc.

like I said before somewhere, learning to program is easier than learning to trade (more sequential based learning)

seems like there is 'no way' to learn how to trade.

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  #86 (permalink)
 budfox 
Toronto
 
Experience: Beginner
Platform: Sierra
Broker: MB
Trading: ES
Posts: 313 since Jun 2013


budfox View Post
Just thought I would update everyone on my trading plan for the next 6 months , as I would be interested in your opinion of it.


PRIORITY #1

Continue to manually backtest various models on excel (with at least 100 trades), and 'failing' each model where Drawdown > 70% , until I have a model that has a win ratio of >= 60 % and a DD <70%

I will only be backtesting on EUR/USD pair (perhaps a few other pairs) > Yes I have officially divorced the ES and for the time being solely focussing on Forex.



PRIORITY #2

Figure out a model that will be successful in using in the TST combine.

Only problem is that I am now focussing on forex, and their combines are all futures. I am wondering how long it will be before they have a forex combine



PRIORITY #3

Continue to learn C# . I have already subscribed to Lynda, learning the basics.
My objective is to become a Ninjascript master
Will allocate 25% of my time towards learning c#

PRIORITY #4

Just to learn overall about Forex, since I am new to it.


so what you guys think?


Thanks to those that reply.


@josh @treydog999 @Itchymoku @tturner86 @tellytub @daytrader4545 @tigertrader @isla @Jaguar52 @kbit @bobwest @Hulk @PandaWarrior








Please note I do not appreciate negative posts on my thread.


Would like @FXwulf @Massive I @Thxo @Yuri57 @Fadi @ratfink @joeyk professional opinions on my current plan

Thank You.

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  #87 (permalink)
 
ratfink's Avatar
 ratfink 
Birmingham UK
Market Wizard
 
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I am not a professional or qualified to respond, but I would say that as long as you continue to make your own best efforts to find out what works for you and structure your expectations accordingly and in units of 6-12 months at a time, then you are on a sensible track.

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  #88 (permalink)
 
Hulk's Avatar
 Hulk 
Texas, USA
 
Experience: Advanced
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budfox View Post
PRIORITY #1

Continue to manually backtest various models on excel (with at least 100 trades), and 'failing' each model where Drawdown > 70% , until I have a model that has a win ratio of >= 60 % and a DD <70%

I will only be backtesting on EUR/USD pair (perhaps a few other pairs) > Yes I have officially divorced the ES and for the time being solely focussing on Forex.

PRIORITY #2

Figure out a model that will be successful in using in the TST combine.

Only problem is that I am now focussing on forex, and their combines are all futures. I am wondering how long it will be before they have a forex combine

I dont think anyone can actually help you with these priorities. It is great to have defined goals and work towards them so you are on the right track. TST or not, if you have an algorithmic model that works, you will be set. My definition of "works" is a forward tested model in real-time, validating each fill (entry and exit) for (this is subjective but) 3 months or 100 trades. Now, this means that you really need to give this time before you say "Eureka!". So drop any model that does not seem right at the beginning. Run several models in parallel during the forward testing phase. Record stuff. If you make changes then make them as early as possible. These are all tips to save time. Anticipate that out of 100 models you code, 1 will be worth it. But when you find that one, give it everything you got. And remember, backtests have flaws no matter which platform you use and they are not to be solely relied upon.


budfox View Post


PRIORITY #3

Continue to learn C# . I have already subscribed to Lynda, learning the basics.
My objective is to become a Ninjascript master
Will allocate 25% of my time towards learning c#

There are a bunch of websites with lots of tutorials that you can learn from. Try the following resources when you find time or are looking for help:

C# Fundamentals: Development for Absolute Beginners | Channel 9
The complete C# Tutorial

And for NT, you have plenty of help here. Just try and be as specific as possible when you ask questions. Generally, the more open ended a technical question, the less inclined people are to provide answers.


budfox View Post

PRIORITY #4

Just to learn overall about Forex, since I am new to it.

No idea about forex. But since you are going down the algorithmic path, and if I am not mistaken, you have a slight disadvantage with forex strategies since volume information isnt public but using ticks (trades) instead of volume (especially in thinner markets) is nearly the same as using volume. Not sure if any of your models will use volume, but if you do, this might help.

Good luck.

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  #89 (permalink)
 Cloudy 
desert CA
 
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budfox View Post


PRIORITY #3

Continue to learn C# . I have already subscribed to Lynda, learning the basics.
My objective is to become a Ninjascript master
Will allocate 25% of my time towards learning c#

PRIORITY #4

Just to learn overall about Forex, since I am new to it.


so what you guys think?


.

I had a little trading experience before switching to futures, discovering futures.io (formerly BMT)

Overall Forex goes by "pairs" usually Euro vs. USDollar, or various combinations.
They also can be traded in micro to mini lots. i.e. 1/10th or or even 1/100th of a regular futures contract if comparing
roughly. Sounds good , but the actual spread will most likely be at least 1pip , so not great for nickel or quarter traders trying to scalp micro-pips; unless one is ok with a higher time frame.

The general disadvantages of ForEx are "jumpy" spreads, frequent allegations and suspicions of all any brokers, maybe because ForEx is transacted through an "InterBank" i.e. bunch of big banks participating worldwide, rather than through a couple of primary exchanges that we have for futures i.e. CME and Nynex. There have been suspicions of brokers even actively trading against their customers, making the system speed slow etc. Maybe it's better now, but there were a lot of complaints in the past decade in "reviews".

The EUR/USD is closest to the futures 6E. I've noticed they are always off by a few ticks/pips at any time. (maybe because futures 6E is actually a leveraged instrument and not the "true" nominal cash value of the Euro, or whatever) i.e. 6J ~ USJ/USD, 6A ~ AUD/USD etc. So with futures you can already trade USD based futures versions of the forex pairs but not with the micro lot leverage i.e. limited to the futures contract size.

Just my layman's rough summary. (Forex people can point out accurate details and my mistakes)

some sites:

Easy Forex Forum, Factory, Best Forex Pro Signals | Donna Forex ~ mostly discussion about EA's (automated trading algos)
Learn Forex Trading With BabyPips.com

And since you are learning C/C#, that will nicely segue into learning MQL, the "C"-like scripting language of MT4 (Metatrader 4) . MT4 is basically a free platform with each broker often having their own customized version, but their interface to trade manually is awful without addons. https://www.metatrader4.com/ And there is a whole giant "community" of forex traders using MT4. MT4 has built in backtesting etc. They have a much larger history and size of automated trading involvement than Ninja, but far more dubious ads and spam of literally thousands of EA's advertised and as expected, a consistently profitable EA is almost unheard of , or at least not lasting for long especially after exposure.

popular Forex brokers using MT4

MB Trading (Ninjatrader provides an addon, that links MB trader accounts(also sim MB) to a special made Forex screen for Ninja.)
ducascopy.com (swiss, seems legit)
Forex Trading | Trade Currency Online | Forex Broker | OANDA
https://www.alpariuk.com (us shutdown? uk still going on, not sure they accept u.s. customers though)

If you have TOS account, one can trade Forex manually there too, although commissions are usually higher, so it could be better for longer time frames. although TOS scalping and their DOM has steadily improved since TDAmeritrade is committed
to making the TOS platform work for their customers. Overall, Forex is the currencies market, so there is still the usual price action (without volume). According to news (and CNBC snippets I've seen) over the past recent years HFT had made bigger inroads to Forex after they saturated the ES. And certain world governments and banks often do their monetary policy fiddling with the currencies at time, so it can act crazy at times. Ok, good luck.

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  #90 (permalink)
 budfox 
Toronto
 
Experience: Beginner
Platform: Sierra
Broker: MB
Trading: ES
Posts: 313 since Jun 2013



Hulk View Post
I dont think anyone can actually help you with these priorities. It is great to have defined goals and work towards them so you are on the right track. TST or not, if you have an algorithmic model that works, you will be set. My definition of "works" is a forward tested model in real-time, validating each fill (entry and exit) for (this is subjective but) 3 months or 100 trades. Now, this means that you really need to give this time before you say "Eureka!". So drop any model that does not seem right at the beginning. Run several models in parallel during the forward testing phase. Record stuff. If you make changes then make them as early as possible. These are all tips to save time. Anticipate that out of 100 models you code, 1 will be worth it. But when you find that one, give it everything you got. And remember, backtests have flaws no matter which platform you use and they are not to be solely relied upon.



There are a bunch of websites with lots of tutorials that you can learn from. Try the following resources when you find time or are looking for help:

C# Fundamentals: Development for Absolute Beginners | Channel 9
The complete C# Tutorial

And for NT, you have plenty of help here. Just try and be as specific as possible when you ask questions. Generally, the more open ended a technical question, the less inclined people are to provide answers.



No idea about forex. But since you are going down the algorithmic path, and if I am not mistaken, you have a slight disadvantage with forex strategies since volume information isnt public but using ticks (trades) instead of volume (especially in thinner markets) is nearly the same as using volume. Not sure if any of your models will use volume, but if you do, this might help.

Good luck.


This is probably one of the better posts on this thread.

Thanks for the practical advice Hulk.

Have a good night.

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Last Updated on January 27, 2019


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