Help with backtesting!!

jammixmaster · Nov 25, 2009, 9:49pm

I have a stock trading strategy that I want to backtest but I cannot find any free resources out there that can backtest my strategy. And the one's that I can find, like Seer, are for PROGRAMMING strategies and then backtesting them. I don't need to program anything, the rules are purely mechanical, not automated. Basically I'm looking for a website or piece of software that can do this:

Take an unlimited number of symbols and based on their historical prices, test my strategy against the entry and exit signals my strategy generates. So, for example, say XYZ company was trading at $15 last year (2008) on this same date (Nov 25). If I bought it at $15 and held it to whenever my strategy said to sell (or buy if I was short selling) what would have been my return if I had actually made the trade? This needs to be done over a handful of stocks my strategy has generated. Does anyone know of any good backtesting websites/software that is free?

*NOTE: I'm not looking for backtesting software provided by a broker, such as Strategy Runner from TD Ameritrade. I want a stand-alone backtester.*

Rossini · Nov 26, 2009, 6:18am

If its ''purely mechanical'' surely its highly likely that it could be automated?

'*NOTE: I'm not looking for backtesting software provided by a broker, such as Strategy Runner from TD Ameritrade. I want a stand-alone backtester.*''

What's the difference?

jammixmaster · Nov 26, 2009, 8:27am

The difference is that in order to use Strategy Runner from TD Ameritrade you have actually use TD Ameritrade as your broker, which I don't. That's why I don't want a broker backtesting software. No offense, but your post doesn't really help me find a backtest software/website.

Rossini · Nov 26, 2009, 9:41am

Sorry I don't know of one, I do my back testing by hand. I just wondered why you specifically didn't want it to be provided by a broker.

jammixmaster · Nov 26, 2009, 11:56am

Yeah, I wouldn't mind using Strategy Runner if I was a TD Ameritrade client, but I use TradeKing and they don't have any sort of backtesting application. I guess I'll just have to pay someone who knows how to program to automate it for me in Seer and then backtest it that way. UGH!!!!

Nov 25, 2009, 9:49pm	#1
jammixmaster Member Member Since Mar 2009 79 Posts	Help with backtesting!! I have a stock trading strategy that I want to backtest but I cannot find any free resources out there that can backtest my strategy. And the one's that I can find, like Seer, are for PROGRAMMING strategies and then backtesting them. I don't need to program anything, the rules are purely mechanical, not automated. Basically I'm looking for a website or piece of software that can do this: Take an unlimited number of symbols and based on their historical prices, test my strategy against the entry and exit signals my strategy generates. So, for example, say XYZ company was trading at $15 last year (2008) on this same date (Nov 25). If I bought it at $15 and held it to whenever my strategy said to sell (or buy if I was short selling) what would have been my return if I had actually made the trade? This needs to be done over a handful of stocks my strategy has generated. Does anyone know of any good backtesting websites/software that is free? NOTE: I'm not looking for backtesting software provided by a broker, such as Strategy Runner from TD Ameritrade. I want a stand-alone backtester.

Nov 26, 2009, 6:18am	#2
Rossini Veteran Member Member Since May 2008 917 Posts	Re: Help with backtesting!! If its ''purely mechanical'' surely its highly likely that it could be automated? 'NOTE: I'm not looking for backtesting software provided by a broker, such as Strategy Runner from TD Ameritrade. I want a stand-alone backtester.'' What's the difference? __________________ Do, or do not, there is no such thing as try. __________________ I'm easily pleased with perfection, and if trading is an art, then I'm painting my masterpiece. __________________ If the margin between your goal and failure is too small then any shortfall will inevitably lead to failure. It's far better to aim high because if you don't quite achieve your ambition you may very well be left with something worthwhile. __________________

Nov 26, 2009, 8:27am	#3
jammixmaster Member Member Since Mar 2009 79 Posts	Re: Help with backtesting!! The difference is that in order to use Strategy Runner from TD Ameritrade you have actually use TD Ameritrade as your broker, which I don't. That's why I don't want a broker backtesting software. No offense, but your post doesn't really help me find a backtest software/website.

Nov 26, 2009, 9:41am	#4
Rossini Veteran Member Member Since May 2008 917 Posts	Re: Help with backtesting!! Sorry I don't know of one, I do my back testing by hand. I just wondered why you specifically didn't want it to be provided by a broker. __________________ Do, or do not, there is no such thing as try. __________________ I'm easily pleased with perfection, and if trading is an art, then I'm painting my masterpiece. __________________ If the margin between your goal and failure is too small then any shortfall will inevitably lead to failure. It's far better to aim high because if you don't quite achieve your ambition you may very well be left with something worthwhile. __________________

Nov 26, 2009, 11:56am	#5
jammixmaster Member Member Since Mar 2009 79 Posts	Re: Help with backtesting!! Yeah, I wouldn't mind using Strategy Runner if I was a TD Ameritrade client, but I use TradeKing and they don't have any sort of backtesting application. I guess I'll just have to pay someone who knows how to program to automate it for me in Seer and then backtest it that way. UGH!!!!

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