Automatic Pattern Search

See:

http://www.trade2win.com/boards/soft...tml#post399812

APS offers a fast way of finding many profitable patterns in many markets but if you are a newbie you should know that historical profitability does not guarantee future profitability. It is always a good idea to view these programs as tools and use a combination of techniques to increase your probability of success.

I upgraded yesterday to the latest APS version and it is great. Now you can see the profit factor value when you backtest patterns and rank them accordingly without the need to generate code for your program and run the backtest there, which takes time to do. Exit on next bar close is a very nice feature but I wish they included that in the search part also.


Alex

Thanks Alex, thats useful info. I'm not entirely new to system development having experimented building systems using Tradestation/Wealth-Lab and currently concentrating on currency trading using Metatrader. I entered the Automated Trading Championship (Metatrader platform) last year and did quite well using a simple price action system, however this system is not currently doing that well in further testing.

I'm hoping that APS will give me the edge that I'm looking for but as you say its not a holy grail on its own. I'm interested in building short term ( 1 hour or less time frame) currency trading systems. What markets are you trading and are you able to say anything about your own model selection process?

Regards

Manmohan

I seems you can use Metatrader data after a few conversions:

APS Automatic Pattern Search - Metatrader

If you can program in Metatrader language you can probably write a few lines of code to output directly the data in a format compatible with APS.

I'm trading US futures and equities, as well as some European futures, but I'm also looking at forex lately. I have several models in APS system tracking, including a few for EFFs, and I use the scan option with daily data to check for new patterns in S&P 500 stocks. I then combine any signals I get from APS with a few indicators I have developed. So far, last year I did pretty well and this year I am making a small profit after a drawdown in January.

I think forex is tough but worths a try with small risk. I downloaded the free NinjaTrader platform and use the daily data with APS because no conversion is required. But I have not put any money at risk yet in that market so I cannot say anything about it.

But one thing I have noticed is that you can make money in intraday forex only during specific hours, which may vary as well, and it seems easy to lose money during other times when there is no substantial liquidity in that market. I think 30 minute or hourly bars is the best choice for short term trading in this market. Also, I would consider 4 hour bars in some markets.

Good luck,

Alex

Thanks Alex I am looking at the demo version currently and will probably buy the software next week.

Regards

Manmohan

Did anyone of you try out VectorBull ?
Trading one step ahead!

They find new patterns, that (yet) nobody knows.
They also have back test functions (Stocks version) to verify trading results.

Hi,

Does vectorbull output code for Wealth-lab or Tradestation? From the demo on the website it appears it generates entry and exit orders based on a proprietary algorithm that is not disclosed. Maybe I missed that function.

Alex

Hi Alex,

no, VectorBull doesn't output Easy Language or similar stuff. It simply outputs trading signals, like a neural net.

I use it to trade a portfolio of DOW 30 stocks.

Regards, Frank

Well, I do not feel comfortable trading a black box even if its performance is very good. But this is personal preference based on a desire to have control and responsibility over own actions. I do not think any serious trader would consider a black box for many reasons. Good luck to you.

Alex