Australian (ASX) Stock Market Forum

Dump it Here

With the Skate "Zebra" system, you have 20x$1K parcels, if you purchase the stock on Commsec, you'd have to always do better than 4% to just make the round trip. The commission burn will be a drag, this would be effectively paying 200 basis points to buy/sell - when many brokers offer 5-10bps.

ahh just spotted $10 commissions but still high
 
With the Skate "Zebra" system, you have 20x$1K parcels, if you purchase the stock on Commsec, you'd have to always do better than 4% to just make the round trip. The commission burn will be a drag, this would be effectively paying 200 basis points to buy/sell - when many brokers offer 5-10bps.ahh just spotted $10 commissions but still high

$10 commissions each way
This equates to 2% commission drag to buy & sell one position. Commission drag is very important when it comes to trading & it's the reason why a small portfolio can't be re-balanced. Many people never start trading because they’re worried about losing their money. With that said, it is critical to make smart trading decisions. You can learn as you go by trading small positions & if you make a mistake small loses are bearable.

Why post the results of the "Zebra Strategy"
To show those "wanting to have a go" at trading it's possible to start small. I've found fear & self-doubt keeps them from getting started as trading looks a lot like gambling. The very act of getting started is much more important than getting it right. The only way you succeed in this game is by taking "an interest" & having skin in the game.

You need money to make money
If you are thinking to turn $20,000 into millions, that's gambling, not trading. Instead, good traders look to make an average of 25% per year, so the best Mrs Skate could hope for trading the Zebra Strategy would be a profit of $5,000 if all goes to plan. "Dipping your toe" in is half the fun of trading, having a go with money you can afford to lose. (trading is an exciting & emotional past time)

Summary
In saying all this - trading doesn’t have to be super complicated or time-consuming. Also, you don’t have to be rich either. There are plenty of easy ways to get started without having a ton of money & without being the world’s foremost trading expert. Trading the "Action Strategy" was stressless & hopefully trading the "Zebra Strategy" will be another.

Skate.
 
Good post Dave,

there is a new Backtesting software coming out in the next few months that you might be interested in. It's called Realtest and is created by Marsten Parker one of the traders featured in the new 'Market Wizards' book. i've been Beta testing it and it's great for portfolio level backtesting. ie combing systems together and seeing the impacts on a whole portfolio.

I've coded a few different MR systems in it and the learning curve isn't too bad if you've used Amibroker. I will probably convert all my short term systems over to it, much more user friendly and faster for both backtesting and system design imo. I might make a thread for it once it comes out.
Looks interesting. I'll have to give it a whirl, although it's going to be hard to give up my excel spreadsheet !!!
 
Yes, the commission drag is relevant to the overall performance and needs to be considered.

I have a couple of systems myself that perform okay 20-30% CAGR with similar drawdowns over a 15year period backtest.

One thing that would be useful is the ability to code into the system the taxes you'd pay to get a realistic equity curve and against a comparison of other asset classes, like property for example.
 
Yes, the commission drag is relevant to the overall performance and needs to be considered.

I have a couple of systems myself that perform okay 20-30% CAGR with similar drawdowns over a 15year period backtest.

One thing that would be useful is the ability to code into the system the taxes you'd pay to get a realistic equity curve and against a comparison of other asset classes, like property for example.

All of those things can be done easily in Realtest and probably can be done in AB.

It's pretty easy to test different allocation amounts, withdrawals etc.

I think Marsten is going to start a youTube channel to show what Realtest can do.
 
PANDA watching. It's interesting that the Panda portfolio has stalled. All twenty positions as a batch have stalled. I would expect that a few would continue going higher and keep the momentum in the portfolio. We're not seeing this at the moment.

I think this is a timing issue due to starting all twenty positions at the same time.
 
PANDA watching. It's interesting that the Panda portfolio has stalled. All twenty positions as a batch have stalled. I would expect that a few would continue going higher and keep the momentum in the portfolio. We're not seeing this at the moment. I think this is a timing issue due to starting all twenty positions at the same time.
@peter2 the Panda Strategy has stalled but it's more reflective of the current market conditions rather than starting all the positions just a few days apart. The Panda Strategy will not release a position till the volatility at the individual level collapses or the position is taken out by the trailing stop. Going sideways or taking a breather isn't a concern with this strategy, rather it's to be expected. Most daily systems I've coded in the past the exits are responsive - the Panda works a little different. Holding a position in a sideways market longer than expected & longer than I usually like is a built-in feature of the strategy.

Skate.
 
'looks' all fantastic and promising, however, my brain doesn't quite comprehend it all,,,,,,,yet.
What software and spreadsheets are you using?

@pythagoras, there are 3 pieces of software I couldn't live without as a trader: (1) AmiBroker (2) Norgate data (3) Share Trade Tracker. I use "Share Trade Tracker" as my portfolio manager & have so for many, many years. The reports displayed in the "Dump it here" thread are generated using "Share Trade Tracker".

Skate.
 
@pythagoras, there are 3 pieces of software I couldn't live without as a trader: (1) AmiBroker (2) Norgate data (3) Share Trade Tracker. I use "Share Trade Tracker" as my portfolio manager & have so for many, many years. The reports displayed in the "Dump it here" thread are generated using "Share Trade Tracker".

Skate.

Hi Skate, thanks for the intel on what tools you are using.

I see that ' Share Trade Tracker ' has been discontinued. Is there a place to download the tool?


Thank you.

Kind regards,

Py
 
Hi Skate, thanks for the intel on what tools you are using. I see that ' Share Trade Tracker ' has been discontinued. Is there a place to download the tool?

@pythagoras, in my haste in responding to your question I should have mentioned that "Share Trade Tracker" is no longer offered for sale. Share Trade Tracker didn't attract a sufficient number of subscribers to continue development even though it's considered a worthwhile tool. Some time back I offered an extended 6 month trial of "Share Trade Tracker" & still there was a lack of interest. Thus the offer was never implemented. I'm sure others will post an alternative to Share Trade Tracker for you to try.

Skate.
 
@pythagoras, in my haste in responding to your question I should have mentioned that "Share Trade Tracker" is no longer offered for sale. Share Trade Tracker didn't attract a sufficient number of subscribers to continue development even though it's considered a worthwhile tool. Some time back I offered an extended 6 month trial of "Share Trade Tracker" & still there was a lack of interest. Thus the offer was never implemented. I'm sure others will post an alternative to Share Trade Tracker for you to try.

Skate.

Yes, contact the developer, they have made it available to users of the aussiestockforum for 2hrs of equivalent consultancy, i.e. about $280+GST
 
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