Algorithmic Trading with Interactive Brokers


Book Description

Through Interactive Brokers, software developers can write applications that read financial data, scan for contracts, and submit orders automatically. Individuals can now take advantage of the same high-speed decision making and order placement that professional trading firms use.This book walks through the process of developing applications based on IB's Trader Workstation (TWS) programming interface. Beginning chapters introduce the fundamental classes and functions, while later chapters show how they can be used to implement full-scale trading systems. With an algorithmic system in place, traders don't have to stare at charts for hours on end. Just launch the trading application and let the TWS API do its work.The material in this book focuses on Python and C++ coding, so readers are presumed to have a basic familiarity with one of these languages. However, no experience in financial trading is assumed. If you're new to the world of stocks, bonds, options, and futures, this book explains what these financial instruments are and how to write applications capable of trading them.




Python for Algorithmic Trading


Book Description

Algorithmic trading, once the exclusive domain of institutional players, is now open to small organizations and individual traders using online platforms. The tool of choice for many traders today is Python and its ecosystem of powerful packages. In this practical book, author Yves Hilpisch shows students, academics, and practitioners how to use Python in the fascinating field of algorithmic trading. You'll learn several ways to apply Python to different aspects of algorithmic trading, such as backtesting trading strategies and interacting with online trading platforms. Some of the biggest buy- and sell-side institutions make heavy use of Python. By exploring options for systematically building and deploying automated algorithmic trading strategies, this book will help you level the playing field. Set up a proper Python environment for algorithmic trading Learn how to retrieve financial data from public and proprietary data sources Explore vectorization for financial analytics with NumPy and pandas Master vectorized backtesting of different algorithmic trading strategies Generate market predictions by using machine learning and deep learning Tackle real-time processing of streaming data with socket programming tools Implement automated algorithmic trading strategies with the OANDA and FXCM trading platforms




Machine Trading


Book Description

Dive into algo trading with step-by-step tutorials and expert insight Machine Trading is a practical guide to building your algorithmic trading business. Written by a recognized trader with major institution expertise, this book provides step-by-step instruction on quantitative trading and the latest technologies available even outside the Wall Street sphere. You'll discover the latest platforms that are becoming increasingly easy to use, gain access to new markets, and learn new quantitative strategies that are applicable to stocks, options, futures, currencies, and even bitcoins. The companion website provides downloadable software codes, and you'll learn to design your own proprietary tools using MATLAB. The author's experiences provide deep insight into both the business and human side of systematic trading and money management, and his evolution from proprietary trader to fund manager contains valuable lessons for investors at any level. Algorithmic trading is booming, and the theories, tools, technologies, and the markets themselves are evolving at a rapid pace. This book gets you up to speed, and walks you through the process of developing your own proprietary trading operation using the latest tools. Utilize the newer, easier algorithmic trading platforms Access markets previously unavailable to systematic traders Adopt new strategies for a variety of instruments Gain expert perspective into the human side of trading The strength of algorithmic trading is its versatility. It can be used in any strategy, including market-making, inter-market spreading, arbitrage, or pure speculation; decision-making and implementation can be augmented at any stage, or may operate completely automatically. Traders looking to step up their strategy need look no further than Machine Trading for clear instruction and expert solutions.




Algorithmic Trading


Book Description

Praise for Algorithmic TRADING “Algorithmic Trading is an insightful book on quantitative trading written by a seasoned practitioner. What sets this book apart from many others in the space is the emphasis on real examples as opposed to just theory. Concepts are not only described, they are brought to life with actual trading strategies, which give the reader insight into how and why each strategy was developed, how it was implemented, and even how it was coded. This book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to create their own systematic trading strategies and those involved in manager selection, where the knowledge contained in this book will lead to a more informed and nuanced conversation with managers.” —DAREN SMITH, CFA, CAIA, FSA, Managing Director, Manager Selection & Portfolio Construction, University of Toronto Asset Management “Using an excellent selection of mean reversion and momentum strategies, Ernie explains the rationale behind each one, shows how to test it, how to improve it, and discusses implementation issues. His book is a careful, detailed exposition of the scientific method applied to strategy development. For serious retail traders, I know of no other book that provides this range of examples and level of detail. His discussions of how regime changes affect strategies, and of risk management, are invaluable bonuses.” —ROGER HUNTER, Mathematician and Algorithmic Trader




Systematic Trading


Book Description

This is not just another book with yet another trading system. This is a complete guide to developing your own systems to help you make and execute trading and investing decisions. It is intended for everyone who wishes to systematise their financial decision making, either completely or to some degree. Author Robert Carver draws on financial theory, his experience managing systematic hedge fund strategies and his own in-depth research to explain why systematic trading makes sense and demonstrates how it can be done safely and profitably. Every aspect, from creating trading rules to position sizing, is thoroughly explained. The framework described here can be used with all assets, including equities, bonds, forex and commodities. There is no magic formula that will guarantee success, but cutting out simple mistakes will improve your performance. You'll learn how to avoid common pitfalls such as over-complicating your strategy, being too optimistic about likely returns, taking excessive risks and trading too frequently. Important features include: - The theory behind systematic trading: why and when it works, and when it doesn't. - Simple and effective ways to design effective strategies. - A complete position management framework which can be adapted for your needs. - How fully systematic traders can create or adapt trading rules to forecast prices. - Making discretionary trading decisions within a systematic framework for position management. - Why traditional long only investors should use systems to ensure proper diversification, and avoid costly and unnecessary portfolio churn. - Adapting strategies depending on the cost of trading and how much capital is being used. - Practical examples from UK, US and international markets showing how the framework can be used. Systematic Trading is detailed, comprehensive and full of practical advice. It provides a unique new approach to system development and a must for anyone considering using systems to make some, or all, of their investment decisions.




Electronic and Algorithmic Trading Technology


Book Description

Electronic and algorithmic trading has become part of a mainstream response to buy-side traders' need to move large blocks of shares with minimum market impact in today's complex institutional trading environment. This book illustrates an overview of key providers in the marketplace. With electronic trading platforms becoming increasingly sophisticated, more cost effective measures handling larger order flow is becoming a reality. The higher reliance on electronic trading has had profound implications for vendors and users of information and trading products. Broker dealers providing solutions through their products are facing changes in their business models such as: relationships with sellside customers, relationships with buyside customers, the importance of broker neutrality, the role of direct market access, and the relationship with prime brokers. Electronic and Algorithmic Trading Technology: The Complete Guide is the ultimate guide to managers, institutional investors, broker dealers, and software vendors to better understand innovative technologies that can cut transaction costs, eliminate human error, boost trading efficiency and supplement productivity. As economic and regulatory pressures are driving financial institutions to seek efficiency gains by improving the quality of software systems, firms are devoting increasing amounts of financial and human capital to maintaining their competitive edge. This book is written to aid the management and development of IT systems for financial institutions. Although the book focuses on the securities industry, its solution framework can be applied to satisfy complex automation requirements within very different sectors of financial services – from payments and cash management, to insurance and securities. Electronic and Algorithmic Trading: The Complete Guide is geared toward all levels of technology, investment management and the financial service professionals responsible for developing and implementing cutting-edge technology. It outlines a complete framework for successfully building a software system that provides the functionalities required by the business model. It is revolutionary as the first guide to cover everything from the technologies to how to evaluate tools to best practices for IT management. - First book to address the hot topic of how systems can be designed to maximize the benefits of program and algorithmic trading - Outlines a complete framework for developing a software system that meets the needs of the firm's business model - Provides a robust system for making the build vs. buy decision based on business requirements




Trading Evolved


Book Description

Systematic trading allows you to test and evaluate your trading ideas before risking your money. By formulating trading ideas as concrete rules, you can evaluate past performance and draw conclusions about the viability of your trading plan. Following systematic rules provides a consistent approach where you will have some degree of predictability of returns, and perhaps more importantly, it takes emotions and second guessing out of the equation. From the onset, getting started with professional grade development and backtesting of systematic strategies can seem daunting. Many resort to simplified software which will limit your potential. Trading Evolved will guide you all the way, from getting started with the industry standard Python language, to setting up a professional backtesting environment of your own. The book will explain multiple trading strategies in detail, with full source code, to get you well on the path to becoming a professional systematic trader. This is a highly practical book, where every aspect is explained, all source code shown and no holds barred. Written by Andreas F. Clenow, author of the international best sellers Following the Trend and Stocks on the Move, Trading Evolved goes into greater depth and covers strategies for trading both futures and equities. "Trading Evolved is an incredible resource for aspiring quants. Clenow does an excellent job making complex subjects easy to access and understand. Bravo." -- Wes Gray, PhD, CEO Alpha Architect




Mastering Python for Finance


Book Description

If you are an undergraduate or graduate student, a beginner to algorithmic development and research, or a software developer in the financial industry who is interested in using Python for quantitative methods in finance, this is the book for you. It would be helpful to have a bit of familiarity with basic Python usage, but no prior experience is required.




Building Winning Algorithmic Trading Systems, + Website


Book Description

Develop your own trading system with practical guidance and expert advice In Building Algorithmic Trading Systems: A Trader's Journey From Data Mining to Monte Carlo Simulation to Live Training, award-winning trader Kevin Davey shares his secrets for developing trading systems that generate triple-digit returns. With both explanation and demonstration, Davey guides you step-by-step through the entire process of generating and validating an idea, setting entry and exit points, testing systems, and implementing them in live trading. You'll find concrete rules for increasing or decreasing allocation to a system, and rules for when to abandon one. The companion website includes Davey's own Monte Carlo simulator and other tools that will enable you to automate and test your own trading ideas. A purely discretionary approach to trading generally breaks down over the long haul. With market data and statistics easily available, traders are increasingly opting to employ an automated or algorithmic trading system—enough that algorithmic trades now account for the bulk of stock trading volume. Building Algorithmic Trading Systems teaches you how to develop your own systems with an eye toward market fluctuations and the impermanence of even the most effective algorithm. Learn the systems that generated triple-digit returns in the World Cup Trading Championship Develop an algorithmic approach for any trading idea using off-the-shelf software or popular platforms Test your new system using historical and current market data Mine market data for statistical tendencies that may form the basis of a new system Market patterns change, and so do system results. Past performance isn't a guarantee of future success, so the key is to continually develop new systems and adjust established systems in response to evolving statistical tendencies. For individual traders looking for the next leap forward, Building Algorithmic Trading Systems provides expert guidance and practical advice.




Automated Trading with R


Book Description

Learn to trade algorithmically with your existing brokerage, from data management, to strategy optimization, to order execution, using free and publicly available data. Connect to your brokerage’s API, and the source code is plug-and-play. Automated Trading with R explains automated trading, starting with its mathematics and moving to its computation and execution. You will gain a unique insight into the mechanics and computational considerations taken in building a back-tester, strategy optimizer, and fully functional trading platform. The platform built in this book can serve as a complete replacement for commercially available platforms used by retail traders and small funds. Software components are strictly decoupled and easily scalable, providing opportunity to substitute any data source, trading algorithm, or brokerage. This book will: Provide a flexible alternative to common strategy automation frameworks, like Tradestation, Metatrader, and CQG, to small funds and retail traders Offer an understanding of the internal mechanisms of an automated trading system Standardize discussion and notation of real-world strategy optimization problems What You Will Learn Understand machine-learning criteria for statistical validity in the context of time-series Optimize strategies, generate real-time trading decisions, and minimize computation time while programming an automated strategy in R and using its package library Best simulate strategy performance in its specific use case to derive accurate performance estimates Understand critical real-world variables pertaining to portfolio management and performance assessment, including latency, drawdowns, varying trade size, portfolio growth, and penalization of unused capital Who This Book Is For Traders/practitioners at the retail or small fund level with at least an undergraduate background in finance or computer science; graduate level finance or data science students