Strategy backtests well for ES but not for other index futures

Discussion in 'Strategy Building' started by cunparis, Nov 24, 2008.

  1. that is weird. compare their charts. they're basically the same.

    maybe your answer is "don't trade the YM" :D

    Can you post the equity curves?

    What entry system does your system use? specific price points like pivots or dynamic points like "enter first bar after MA slope changes"?
     
    #11     Nov 28, 2008
  2. After running more optimizations to try and find out why it wasn't working, I determined that NQ & ES use very similar configuration (stochastic thresholds, etc.) however YM is a bit different. When I found its optimum values, then the test is positive although it doesn't perform as well for YM as ES.

    I don't use pivots. I haven't found a way to make them work. I know they're used by a lot of people and one day I'll try again but after spending a few weeks on them I just couldn't come up with a profitable strategy. So I mainly use price action, like the price did this under this condition then it should follow through with this. Indicators help with the setup (like buying when oversold).
     
    #12     Nov 28, 2008
  3. you have a profitable strategy using stochastics?

    what is you exit criteria? x number of points? a MA changing slope? some sort of crossover?
     
    #13     Nov 28, 2008
  4. lindq

    lindq

    Why should it?

    For what reason do you think an index of 30 stocks (YM) is going to move perfectly in sync with a index of 500 (ES) or 2000 (TF) or 100 (NQ)?

    Each has its own personality and characteristics. Which is a good thing as it opens up more possibilities.
     
    #14     Nov 29, 2008