access to the CFD data

The trading platforms I have looked at use Flash graphics or other obfuscating mechanisms to stop me accessing the raw html data which I need to do analysis in order to make intelligent decisions about how, what and when to trade. I want to get at the raw data in real time.

This is so that I can construct collections of long and short contracts which minimise risk and maximise gain.

Are there any CFD / Spread Betting platforms that are simple html or Javascript based or are there any RSS feeds where I can access this data?

This is my question too. I use CMC, but the data that come in via your network connection is most likely encrypted or serialised in such a way that the java app understands. Their CMC rules state you cannot pass on or sell the RT data, it so if you do access the data and consume it at home you should be OK.

Plan B is to use a screen capture OCR concept to strip the 'flash' data but this may pose other issues, ie accuracy, and the need to develop a framework that knows where to look for the data on the screen, then store it in a database, then build an app to deliver the goods. Dont forget you still need to be able to trade so the OCR app cant interfere with application function.

Plan C, which probably should be Plan A is to find who provides an RT CFD service at low cost. I paid $25 to find out that if I open a 6K Interactive Brokers account and do minimal or no trades, that I would have access to the RT data. If you dont trade then you will be up for $40 per month. From what I can see from their demo app you still need to access the data via a plugin of sorts eg AmiBroker. Then how do you get the data in RT out of Amibroker into annother database read by your application. In relation to the purchase of this data I have emailed IB to request their data service specific to ASX200 and Dow, but no reply as of 31/03/09.

Once you track the source of the data then you need to be able to do something smart with it rather than use conventional analysis. ie determine direction, extent of move etc using a combination of regression, neural networks and or fuzzy logic.

what exactly u want to trade ?

I am keen to look at many fund types: shares, indices, forex, in order to construct portfolios with low risk and high return. I cannot do this unless I can get the feeds. Ideally I would like to automate trades also. Platforms that use Flash graphics to present numeric data are not amenable to getting feed data or automating trading.

I cannot decide whether this is a deliberate attempt to stop people winning (like a casino outlaws card counting) or whether it is simply (and justifiably) that Flash technology is a good way of presenting the data.

I plan just to trade the index via CFD's. I plan to hone in on just the one instrument. The CFD has liquidity and enables you to trade in both directions. As the market drops your purchasing power increases while the point based unit return remains fixed eg 1 point 1$. Trading CFD's is like trading shares on steroids, because you have to interpret data on the fly. However the aim is toi make better long term (15min-xhour decisions) rather than getting caught in the middle of a move.

The neo classic mistakes of any system is slippage, buying too high selling too low or holding too long (nasty). Buying at the top of channels when you should be selling and vice versa. There is also a need to learn how to reverse your trades and REACT when you need to.

If you get a data feed then you need a plan of what to do with it. eg consume through an application such as QuoteTracker, which supports many trading accounts that may only be shares with associated indexes or Build your own application and target forecasting integrated with probability.

Again if you focus on the one liquid instrument, in your case may be forex, then hopefully you will get good at that one thing which can provide all the turnover you wouold ever require. This then narrows the scope of your project and requirement to obtain knowledge which can often be a limiting factor. That might help to make some sense to your task.

If u want data for indices futures , Igmarkets offer it for free through their L2dealer website ...

tar said:

If u want data for indices futures , Igmarkets offer it for free through their L2dealer website ...

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Thankyou..I will check it out, although I think I may have found a solution via quote tracker which has the yields the index in RT which is as close as when it comes to the CFD Market Maker quotes.

if u open a cfd account with igmarkets ask them to allow u to use their L2Dealer software u will have access to level2 data for futures for free ( for stocks u should pay ) ...