Automated Forex Trading Systems | Backtesting in strategy tester
Automated trading systems are programs that place orders on behalf of the trader. A trader sets the prerequisite condition for order placement based on technical analysis principles. The system will place orders automatically on the satisfaction of the necessary conditions. The automated trading system facilitates backtesting (strategy tester in MT4) on a demo account which gives a fair idea of the efficiency of the strategy.
The necessity for Automated Trading
Emotion and trading are like twins. You can’t separate one from the other, and the former has a bad influence over the latter. The best way to nullify emotions like greed and fear is to avoid manual intervention and place orders with the help of automatic trading systems.
Creating strategies for Automated trading
The trader has to develop strategies on his own, based on either algorithmic or high-frequency trading concepts. Similarly, a trader can also buy tailor-made automated trading applications from the market, but the reliability and cost are the major hindrances in doing so.
How to use Automated Trading Systems?
Thanks to MetaTrader. It has many built-in Automated trading Systems which can make a forex trader’s life easier. Backtesting a strategy with the strategy tester is essential before implementing it live on Automated Trading Systems.
Strategy Tester in MT4
The strategy tester is the PlayStation of traders where they get to try out different setups and their efficiency. The strategy tester can be accessed through View menu or by pressing Ctrl+R.
1.Indicators, as well as Expert Advisors, can be tested through the strategy tester in MT4.
2.Choose the strategy. Any default indicator or EA can be accessed through this.
3.Select an appropriate symbol for backtesting.
4.The model represents three kinds of input data viz.
- Every tick – Recommended and reliable as it processes each tick.
- Control points – Takes only nearest time frame. Hence unreliable.
- Open prices only – which completes the testing based on open prices only. Fast but not reliable.
5.Choose the appropriate time frame. Setups tested on M30 and above timeframes are reliable.
6.Input the spread your broker charges.
7.Backtesting with Strategy tester in MT4 for Automated Trading Systems7. The indicator properties option allows you to change the parameters of the indicator.
8.The ‘open chart’ option lets you view the chart and symbol properties portrays the features of the asset.
9.If you do know MQL, then access the modify indicator and code changes to the strategy.
10.Choose the backtesting time duration through date option.
11.The visual mode option in strategy tester displays the backtesting process. The speed navigator lets you adjust the speed of the backtesting. Both features these help in finding out where the strategy goes wrong and in working out the necessary tweaks to overcome those flaws.
12.Finally, optimization allows input of same data to the same EA at consecutive passes. For each pass of optimized inputs, the optimized results are displayed in the optimized graph and optimized report. The inputs are passed through the indicator properties option.
Backtesting with Metatrader Results & Reports
Metatrader has the option to backtest the strategy too. A strategy can be backtested or tested live in a demo account. A trader can get a clear idea of the accuracy and necessary tweaks to be made to achieve the desired result.
Automated Trading System Backtesting in MT4 Strategy Tester Report
This is the report and chart generated by the strategy tester by MT4. As you can see, the strategy had an excellent run for a period and then suffered losses. The strategy means everything in the automated trading system. A good strategy can make consistent profits whereas a bad one can wipe out the trading account too. Hence, a trader easily differentiates white from black.
Custom strategies with Metatrader
The method discussed above is a simpler one but the user can use complicated trading strategies too based on his knowledge of technical analysis and MQL programming.
Key Traits of the strategy
Recurring
High-frequency traders are those who require an automated trading system. A trade setup which repeats itself many times a day are the ideal ones to be automated. If not many times, it should repeat itself at least twice or thrice a day. Above all, the relevance of an automated trading system solely depends on the recurrence of the strategy.
Applicability
A strategy should apply to different time frames and in many counters. If the strategy applies to more than one market, it is better. The more the applicability extends, the merrier the strategy is, as it validates it.
Accuracy
It’s a no-brainer. The strategy should be accurate and yield consistent returns. And so it is essential to define a suitable risk-reward ratio. The efficiency of a more recurring set up should be high. It is okay to observe leniency in accuracy for high yielding but low frequent strategy.
Blessings of Automated trading
Automated trading systems certainly have lots of advantages. Hedge Funds, banks and brokerages are using automated trading systems as it makes it their life easier.
Benefits or Positives of Automated Trading System
Swift Entry and Exit
Many traders develop quick in and out strategies for scalping and day trading. Each second and each tick are valuable to those strategies. Automated trading systems can only match the speed and required by those traders. (If you are a scalper, check out our product Expert trading panel, which offers 5x order execution speed)
Backtesting
Backtesting a strategy for its accuracy and vulnerability is of eminence. An approach works in the specific market well, say in stocks, but not in other markets like forex. Some strategies perform well only in particular timeframes. Hence a detailed feasibility and viability study of the strategy is made before using it on the live market. The studies offer the best insights to the trader. Therefore the decision making becomes simpler.
Nurtures discipline
Emotion is the arch nemesis of discipline. Hence, they never coexist together in a system. It is important to take down the emotion to be consistent and automated trading is the best weapon to do so. It is also easier to implement strict discipline in a system with little or no human intervention.
Pitfalls in Automated Trading
A system without manual intervention certainly has its share of bad luck. Hence, many experts have advocated against automated trading systems. Their reasoning’s are:
Unforeseen Events
The reason traders are glued to their trading screen is that markets are naturally deceivable. By virtue of experience, a trader can predict certain outcomes, but not all of it. An unforeseen event can trigger volatility and instigate movement in both directions. Even after the ups and downs, a trade setup can remain the same. Therefore, a human intervention could be the need of that hour.
Technical Glitch
The 2012 glitch in Apple’s map app can be the perfect example. The map app had lots of glitches and its pinnacle was the across the street Washington monument. A giant like that would’ve definitely tested the app with sophisticated measures more than a trader could do. Yet, the mighty made a howler. A technical glitch will always be on the cards when it comes to programming. Hence, entrusting it to handle the hard earned money may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Conclusion
- Automated Trading Systems can take out the emotion and enforce discipline in a system.
- A trader needs to create an accurate and high-frequency strategy and then program to build an efficient automated trading system. (Learn the syntax of MQL here)
- Backtesting, through strategy tester in MT4, certainly differentiates a good strategy from worst.
- Scalping and short-term trading strategies require an automated trading system as it needs quick in and out.
- A good strategist can only make maximum use of an automated trading system.
- Although there are many advantages, a small technical glitch can cause a catastrophic loss.
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book
in it or something. I think that you can do with some
pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this
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be back.
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book
in it or something. I think that you can do with some
pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this
is magnificent blog. An excellent read. I will certainly
be back.