Forums - Back-testing software package??

Forums (http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/index.php)
- Trading Software (http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?forumid=3)
-- Back-testing software package?? (http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?threadid=106027)

Posted by SuperVolatility on 10-07-07 04:24 PM:

Back-testing software package??

Other than TradeStation, Wealth-Lab, Multicharts what other application available to back-test my strategy?

I hope not to spend more that $100 per month for any package.

I prefer to keep my current broker switch to TradeStation is my last resort.

Thanks!

Posted by bigmrfrank on 10-07-07 04:30 PM:

Re: Back-testing software package??

Quote from SuperVolatility:

Other than TradeStation, Wealth-Lab, Multicharts what other application available to back-test my strategy?

I hope not to spend more that $100 per month for any package.

I prefer to keep my current broker switch to TradeStation is my last resort.

Thanks!

Have you looked at Neoticker?

Posted by SuperVolatility on 10-07-07 05:06 PM:

THank you, I went through the specs after you suggested...just by looking at it...it seems it's not offered, I am looking at real time package..not end of business and don't see back-testing strategy option.

I could call customer support...but...have you used back testing?

Posted by bigmrfrank on 10-07-07 05:38 PM:

Quote from SuperVolatility:

THank you, I went through the specs after you suggested...just by looking at it...it seems it's not offered, I am looking at real time package..not end of business and don't see back-testing strategy option.

I could call customer support...but...have you used back testing?

I've been using the real-time NT for years. It's incredibly powerful and flexible and probably the best autotrading and backtesting package available. I back test all the time. I test in sample data, out of sample and walk forward on a weekly basis. Don't take my word for it, download the demo and the 2000+ page manual pdf and see if it fits your needs. NT makes tradestation and most others look like an embarrassment. Just be aware that the learning curve is rather steep but worth it.

Posted by Pholeuon on 10-07-07 06:09 PM:

Hello, how long would somebody need to learn +- work with Neoticker? For example if you compare with Photoshop or another popular software for somebody who hates learn programming /in fact I do not have time for it/?

Posted by bigmrfrank on 10-07-07 06:54 PM:

Quote from Pholeuon:

Hello, how long would somebody need to learn +- work with Neoticker? For example if you compare with Photoshop or another popular software for somebody who hates learn programming /in fact I do not have time for it/?

It's just like learning Photoshop ,Dreamweaver or any other powerful, feature rich program. I'd say the following and I'm only speaking for myself ...

It's about the same learning curve for someone of above average intellect and computer skills.

Takes about a week or so to learn your way around. You'll get frustrated no doubt.

About a month to really start tapping it's potential and for the frustation factor to go away.

After a couple of months you'll realize that NT is way more than a charting package. As you learn more of what it can do it'll peak your interest and your trading will actually start to evolve because you'll find new ways of expressing your ideas and trading style you never though in terms of. This is the "wow" period like figuring out CSS in Dreamweaver or overlays and layers in Photoshop.

Next you'll be playing with the advanced features and programming your own custom indicators (which is quite easy without much programming knowledge)

As far as backtesting goes, NT is tops. The replay and analysis features are powerful and robust.

I have several profitable auto traders running on NT and several semi auto.

Support is good and actually listens to the feature requests of users. Bugs that can be replicated are fixed in days.

NT is not the run of the mill retail charting package. It's high end and geared towards pro traders and institutions. That being said, if you put in the effort your find nothing else comes close. The 2000+ page pdf is excellent and covers every feature in detail.

I should state that I am not a programmer or coder or developer, I am a trader and like you, I do not have the time or inclination to learn delpi, c++ or anything of that nature. I can do some scripting for some things I want to accomplish but for most things I pay a developer. There are some very good one out there. One of the beauties of NT is that if you can articulate it - it can be programmed.

And for the record ... just a satisfied customer.

Posted by epiktetos on 10-07-07 07:01 PM:

Quote from bigmrfrank:

I've been using the real-time NT for years. It's incredibly powerful and flexible and probably the best autotrading and backtesting package available. I back test all the time. I test in sample data, out of sample and walk forward on a weekly basis. Don't take my word for it, download the demo and the 2000+ page manual pdf and see if it fits your needs. NT makes tradestation and most others look like an embarrassment. Just be aware that the learning curve is rather steep but worth it.

Roger That

__________________
A
HI
HOW
HELLO
HEY
HI
Z

Posted by lindq on 10-07-07 07:29 PM:

Re: Back-testing software package??

Quote from SuperVolatility:

Other than TradeStation, Wealth-Lab, Multicharts what other application available to back-test my strategy?

I hope not to spend more that $100 per month for any package.

I prefer to keep my current broker switch to TradeStation is my last resort.

Thanks!

Investor RT at www.linnsoft.com

__________________
Keep it simple.

Posted by Pholeuon on 10-07-07 07:31 PM:

Thanks for info. I have the problem that I have several strategies those are succesful but my biggest problem is find setup in time (they are not that common and I need look on stock just in time). I know exactly what I need and although something will be not easy to express (easy to spot with eyes but translate in computer language...) my only chance is somehow automate my work
because I am again and again looking on my favourite setups - when part if not all profit already gone and get in involves a much more risk.
Frustrating work.
Entry I prefer valuate myself but for exit I have strict rules (I have several of them but if any occurs than immediately out) and computer can do it quicker...
I need quite complicate query in realtime (several conditions met at once) and if possible checking even on shorter intervals than 1 minute (for volume, etc). Moreover, I am by ETrade and can not change my broker (unless I will find another -Paypal friendly-). Do you think Neoticker can work with Etrade /automated trading and datafeed will be nice, too/?
I looked on Neoticker but I think but even start there is a really pain....
Do you think it can solve my problems?

Posted by bigmrfrank on 10-08-07 01:37 AM:

Quote from Pholeuon:

Thanks for info. I have the problem that I have several strategies those are succesful but my biggest problem is find setup in time (they are not that common and I need look on stock just in time). I know exactly what I need and although something will be not easy to express (easy to spot with eyes but translate in computer language...) my only chance is somehow automate my work
because I am again and again looking on my favourite setups - when part if not all profit already gone and get in involves a much more risk.
Frustrating work.
Entry I prefer valuate myself but for exit I have strict rules (I have several of them but if any occurs than immediately out) and computer can do it quicker...
I need quite complicate query in realtime (several conditions met at once) and if possible checking even on shorter intervals than 1 minute (for volume, etc). Moreover, I am by ETrade and can not change my broker (unless I will find another -Paypal friendly-). Do you think Neoticker can work with Etrade /automated trading and datafeed will be nice, too/?
I looked on Neoticker but I think but even start there is a really pain....
Do you think it can solve my problems?

There are many ways that NT can find and alert you when your setup is happening. One of them is pattern recognition. You give NT an example (using your mouse) of what you are looking for and NT will try to find it and will rank what it has found in terms of percentage quality of the match. As in, this pattern is a 94% match of what you are looking for - this pattern is 98%. etc. I'd still recommend putting you setup into words. For many reasons. It will help you define it in your our mind and allow it to be programmed. I don't think there is anything too complicated for NT.

Wait a second ...Eturd, I mean etrade and you fund with paypal? And not being able to fund with paypal is a deal breaker??? I doubt NT can use eturd's feed. Sh!t, I wish I read this part of your post first and not wasted my time. NT is for serious traders not eturders with paypal funding problems. With you get serious let me know. Geez.

Posted by Pholeuon on 10-08-07 10:07 AM:

Thanks for reply. You can easily spot reading my messages that English is just my 6th language and you can assume that I am not in USA nor UK, Australia, etc.
Paypal funding is that important for me (btw, I believe for thousands in same situation - and Etrade knows this and IB is not listening) that I can not have broker that does not accept paypal funding. Everything else is less important. I feel your irony but or you believe that I am idiot or you can trust me that I have valid reason for it.
If I am not in USA I can have different problems than you so other priority. Btw, Etrade works better than might you think now - may be it improved, there are minor problems but where are not? Feed I can buy elsewhere.
Anyway thank you very much for your help.

Quote from bigmrfrank:

Wait a second ...Eturd, I mean etrade and you fund with paypal? And not being able to fund with paypal is a deal breaker??? I doubt NT can use eturd's feed. Sh!t, I wish I read this part of your post first and not wasted my time. NT is for serious traders not eturders with paypal funding problems. With you get serious let me know. Geez.

Posted by SuperVolatility on 10-09-07 08:24 PM:

Installed NeoTicker....interface so confusing???

Where do I keep a list stock quotes?

so disorganized....
not sure about it for now.

Posted by Bob111 on 10-09-07 08:34 PM:

Re: Back-testing software package??

Quote from SuperVolatility:

Other than TradeStation, Wealth-Lab, Multicharts what other application available to back-test my strategy?

I hope not to spend more that $100 per month for any package.

I prefer to keep my current broker switch to TradeStation is my last resort.

Thanks!

imo -it's impossible to recommend something, without knowing at least some details of your strategy.
What instrument you trade? How often? What time frame? overall complexity of the system.etc..

answers you got -they just reflect your question

Posted by SuperVolatility on 10-09-07 08:44 PM:

I trade stocks only for day trading, all positions closed at the end of the business.

Posted by Bob111 on 10-10-07 02:32 AM:

Quote from SuperVolatility:

I trade stocks only for day trading, all positions closed at the end of the business.

so do i. i open multiple positions (long and short) in stocks from NYSE and NASDAQ at same time, within certain time frame, when certain conditions are meet. then, if average PnL of whole portfolio reach certain % i dump whole thing or reverse all positions on entire portfolio. or just close it with one click EOD.now-you tell me-what software, that been mentioned here,in previous posts, is capable to do all above? or backtest this?

Posted by SuperVolatility on 10-10-07 05:06 AM:

Bob111 - I don't think I understood you...so you do use NetTicker?

Posted by OpenQuant on 10-10-07 09:14 AM:

Quote from Bob111:

so do i. i open multiple positions (long and short) in stocks from NYSE and NASDAQ at same time, within certain time frame, when certain conditions are meet. then, if average PnL of whole portfolio reach certain % i dump whole thing or reverse all positions on entire portfolio. or just close it with one click EOD.now-you tell me-what software, that been mentioned here,in previous posts, is capable to do all above? or backtest this?

OpenQuant can

Posted by bigmrfrank on 10-10-07 08:31 PM:

Quote from Pholeuon:

Thanks for reply. You can easily spot reading my messages that English is just my 6th language and you can assume that I am not in USA nor UK, Australia, etc.
Paypal funding is that important for me (btw, I believe for thousands in same situation - and Etrade knows this and IB is not listening) that I can not have broker that does not accept paypal funding. Everything else is less important. I feel your irony but or you believe that I am idiot or you can trust me that I have valid reason for it.
If I am not in USA I can have different problems than you so other priority. Btw, Etrade works better than might you think now - may be it improved, there are minor problems but where are not? Feed I can buy elsewhere.
Anyway thank you very much for your help.

I commend your grasp of your 6th language. I am only tri-lingual. I'm not sure how mono-linguals get by :]. For the record, I still have an eTurd account strictly for trading large blocks of penny stocks at only $6.99. Other than than they not geared for pro traders IMO. Just out of curiousity, can't you just wire funds to the broker of your choice?

Posted by bigmrfrank on 10-10-07 08:35 PM:

Quote from SuperVolatility:

Installed NeoTicker....interface so confusing???

Where do I keep a list stock quotes?

so disorganized....
not sure about it for now.

NT is a blank slate. You have make it what you want. Start with a few of the pre built group to get a feel for set ups, lay outs and some of the advanced things NT can do. Makes sure you download the PDF manual. There are in depth docs on every pre built demo group with how to customize details. Stick with it for a while. Nothing good comes too easy.

Posted by bigmrfrank on 10-10-07 08:39 PM:

Quote from Bob111:

so do i. i open multiple positions (long and short) in stocks from NYSE and NASDAQ at same time, within certain time frame, when certain conditions are meet. then, if average PnL of whole portfolio reach certain % i dump whole thing or reverse all positions on entire portfolio. or just close it with one click EOD.now-you tell me-what software, that been mentioned here,in previous posts, is capable to do all above? or backtest this?

That's not hard to program. I run several 30+ symbol autotraders with 20+ filter conditions that are way more complex than that.

All times are GMT. The time now is 01:06 PM.