Portfolio management software development

[skinner36]

I am developing a Portfolio Management Application that will run on Windows, Linux and Mac operating systems. Why am I doing this? Mainly because this sort of thing interests me. (I also need to get a life).

It will incorporate such things as multiple owners, multiple portfolios, multiple banks, foreign currencies, reporting, optional password protection, position sizing calculations, importing prices, alerts and much more.

I am currently part way through the planning stage and I would like to ask the members of this forum for input if they don't mind. In return, I will make the application freely available to those who assist should they want it for the life of the application.

A previous application that I wrote called Stockwatch will also be incorporated into this one and redeveloped to use multiple data sources.

Should you want to read the current program description document please PM me and I will email it to you.

 

[Wysiwyg]

A previous application that I wrote called Stockwatch will also be incorporated into this one and redeveloped to use multiple data sources.

Hi, thanks for sharing your computer knowledge. As a matter of interest do you know how to feed broker server data live via DDE or API or do broker servers have to be DDE or API capable.

I want to get the live data from a CFD provider to Amibroker. Thanks.

 

[skinner36]

Don't know of the top of my head. I will investigate it tonight when I get home from work if you like. I use AMIBroker and plan to link my application to it to report on codes in the watch lists.

Let me know if you solve your problem so that I don't waste time on a resolved issue.

John

 

[Wysiwyg]

Don't know of the top of my head. I will investigate it tonight when I get home from work if you like. I use AMIBroker and plan to link my application to it to report on codes in the watch lists.

Let me know if you solve your problem so that I don't waste time on a resolved issue.

John

It's probably not possible if the broker account (data server) doesn't have at least DDE enabled. For instance I can get FX real time data feed into Amibroker from a FX broker via the MT 4 platform. There is a provision for this on the MT 4 platform in Options -> Server -> Enable DDE server.

Please don't spend your time on this. I was wondering if you knew how to do this already. It is not important. Thanks.

 

[subasurf]

Good to see more stuff being made with Linux in mind

 

[captain black]

Good to see more stuff being made with Linux in mind

+1

Amibroker works well on Linux using WINE and IB's TWS runs natively so would be good to have a full-featured portfolio manager as well. Watching with interest.

 

[skinner36]

I am very interested to know how many people in this forum are interested in a Linux based portfolio managemant system. After searching the Internet I have found very little of this type of software available for Linux. If there is enough interest I am willing to go down that road first.

On the other hand, the backend of this application will be the same or Window, Linux or Mac. However, due to the way each OS handles graphics the displays (frontend) will be different for each operating system.

I am a professional programmer (but VERY amature trader) that is basically doing this for my interest because I can't find something that fits what my needs 100%

But as I said before, anyone in this forum that is willing to give input, do testing, etc will get the application free of charge for it's lifetime. To my thinking this is a perfect oportunity for members of this forum to get an application that completely fits their needs. All I need are a few ideas, a little input and some testing.

Regards,

John

 

[skinner36]

Some members here might be wondering why I am offering this program free to members of this forum.

Firstly, I want to write the best portfolio management application that I can and in the end maybe make some money out of it.

But secondly, I have received a lot of invaluable trading advice from members of this forum and at the end of the day I would like to feel that I have contributed to it in some way as well.

Heaven knows it won't be from a trading point of view as I am still very much an amateur.

Regards,

John

 

[tech/a]

Some members here might be wondering why I am offering this program free to members of this forum.

Firstly, I want to write the best portfolio management application that I can and in the end maybe make some money out of it.

But secondly, I have received a lot of invaluable trading advice from members of this forum and at the end of the day I would like to feel that I have contributed to it in some way as well.

Heaven knows it won't be from a trading point of view as I am still very much an amateur.

Regards,

John

John
Stator is pretty close to and in some areas way ahead of what you have in mind.
I'm sure you could add features.
But you may want to buy the Pro version to see how powerful it is.

http://www.stator-afm.com/

 

[skinner36]

Will do Tech. Thanks for that

 

[subasurf]

I am very interested to know how many people in this forum are interested in a Linux based portfolio managemant system.

I know I am
It'll be one step further to throwing Windows away for good...minus the fact I'm a Windows system admin haha

 

[outback]

Maybe something for tax considerations

 

[skinner36]

Project update.

I have attached a word document describing the application. Development will be starting tonight when I get home from work.

All suggestions / comments most welcome

Cheers,

John

 

[AlexL]

Hey skinner36,

As outback has already mentioned I would like to see some sort of reporting method for capital gains as well as an easy way to manage dividend reinvestment plans.

I have some time on my hand at the moment so would be happy to do some testing, i run XP

Regards,

Alex

 

[skinner36]

Hi Alex,

Thanks for the offer to test, it is very much appreciated. The more people that get involved down the track, the quicker the project will move along.

I consider my trading skills to be limited but just about everything I have learnt pretty much comes from this forum in one way or another. So, When it gets to the point of incorporating reports such as those you request I will be relying very much on people such as yourself to help get them right.

yTrade is still very much in its early development stage but is coming along. I will post some early screenshots soon.

My aim is to have an application that will run on Windows, XP and Mac, with the user interface written in that platforms native language to give it a standard look and feel.

Your requests have been logged in the to-do list.

Cheers,

John

 

[skinner36]

Owner / Bank / Portfolio question

The structure tree of yTrade is that initially an entity is created as an owner. The owner then creates one or more banks and deposits the opening balances in the bank(s) to trade. A portfolio is then created and linked to a bank and owner through which shares will be purchased and sold.

Now, Would you mind giving me your thoughts on the following question?

Would you say it would be (a) mandatory, (b) a nice to have or (c) not necessary, to be able to distribute a portfolio between owners and an owner's banks between portfolios?

E.g. We have two people who wish invest in trades together. In yTrade each person is created as an owner. Each owner creates a bank and deposits their initial opening balances.

A portfolio is then created and linked to each owner and bank but the owners do not want to contribute equally. One owner contributes 40% and the other 60%. Profits and losses from this portfolio are assigned to each user based on the percentage they have contributed.


Your input is much appreciated.

Regards,

John

 

[So_Cynical]

Re: Owner / Bank / Portfolio question

Now, Would you mind giving me your thoughts on the following question?

Would you say it would be (a) mandatory, (b) a nice to have or (c) not necessary, to be able to distribute a portfolio between owners and an owner's banks between portfolios?

Mandatory for a very complex software package that was aiming to compete at the very top of the market, nice to have for a more moderate, middle of the road product and not necessary for a strictly personal and basic Portfolio management system.

I recently started using a very basic free online Portfolio tracking site, and quickly noticed i wanted more stuff, options, but don't want anything to complex as what i do is pretty simple....ive noticed with the online one im using that i only get 1 option as to how my CGT is calculated, it uses FIFO by default and gives me no other option.

I think what's needed is that when i create a transaction i should have at least 2 maybe 3 fields open for me to enter sell data as part of that transaction..and thus use that info to calculate my CGT liability's....anyway.

Good to see your having a go at this John.

 

[mccollr]

Great work John. Very little in this line for Linux users. I am happy to test Linux and Mac OS X. I think in the past traders have worked around the products available especially the ones provided by banks and brokers. This is a good opportunity to add features that really matter.
A good feature might be a Tax summary for the end of year accounts.

Keep up the good work.

 

[hotqld]

Hi John
Great idea there is nothing out there that I can find.
A feature which is not catered for is to back test and paper trade to get the feel for trading and be pyscologically adjusted for real time.
I am not talking about a scaning feature or replacing my current charting programme.
The data I want to enter is:
Bank account balance
Trade, long or short, margin, entry date, entry cost, stop loss.

At this stage programme to check I have not exceed 2% of my Trading account balance being the risk between my entry and stop price.
(TAB = Current value of all trades where the stop loss is set)

Then have the ability to set 3-4 more stop losses at later dates as the trade developes (remember we are in back test mode)
Now the programme should be monitering total risk as a percentage of my TAB and have the ability to alert me if risk exceeds say 6% / 12% etc.
To do this the programme will have access historic and crrent eod data, exported from charting software.

A nice feature to put here also be notes for ea trade place a print screen from the charting software as a future reference.

Then exit your trade exit Date and Price.

The programme then calculates profit on ea trade that takes into accounts commisions, interest paid / recieved and all the data expected.

It is monitoring draw down on a daily basis in back test and real time IE:TAB
It is monitoring all trades and bank balances individually and combined.
This same programme is then used for real trade management, and end of year records exported to excell for the accountants.

My accountant told me the best help I could give him was a simple excell summary, secifying
Company.....entry date....Gross entry price including commisions etc ....
exit date........Net exit price with interst commissions etc taken off.

 

[skinner36]

Thanks for the input Hotqld,

My first response was going to be that you you should be able to back test via your charting software. However, after thinking it through you would need to input your balances, commision rates and GST value etc.

All suggestions are going into a document so nothing will get lost. Once the basics of the application are in place I will then prioritise the suggestions based on recommendations of users from this forum.

Cheers,

John