How to use Backtesting

Activate by clicking “Backtest” in the upper right of the Option Table screen.

  1. Select a start date.
  2. Enter position in the options chain.
  3. Select analyze date.

Your position’s P/L Performance and Risk Chart are dynamically updated.

 

 


Symbol Journal

This is more than just documenting trades

This Journal has benefits and features that allow you to truly customize a vital part of the trading process.  Each trade allows you to: Make Notes,  add Tags for organizational purposes as well as Color Tags you customize,  Outlook icons further customize each trade entry.


Start Date

Click the Calendar and select any past Market date.  You can quickly choose a previous date by clicking on the “month” then arrow back by year.   The closing price for that stock will be displayed.

You are now ready to create the position to analyze – either by clicking “Bid” or “Ask” or by entering the quantity in the appropriate box(es).

Note: In order to ‘backtest’, the platform needs to establish an orientation point in time.  If you change the ‘start date’, the option expiration cycle may change to re-establish the reference point in which to pull information from.


Journal Tag Analytics

Want to know how effective your trading strategies and practices are?  This is where you’ll get your answers

Get visual feedback broken down by strategies and analytical data including a Profit Graph, Average Gross P&L, the frequency of each strategy executed, % Win Ratio, Number of Days in a Trade.

Journal Analytics is a powerful tool to reinforce consistency in the practice of the trading process- from the overview, evaluation, research, execution and exiting.  Journaling identifies what works, what needs more discipline, etc.  Analytics provide this information in easy-to-read data.


Analyze Date

After the position is entered, click on the “Analyze Date” calendar to select the date.

You can click “EXP” to further analyze the trade on the option’s expiration date or use the arrows to move the original analyze date forward or back.

Your Position Analysis will display with estimated gain/loss calculations and the P/L Graph. 

The P/L Graph will also display the stock price on the analyze date via the vertical line.

Note:  The prices in the options chain will show the start date prices. The prices in the Analysis Panel will reflect the Analyze Date prices.

Once you have selected your date for analysis, you can edit the position, or try a different position, and the analysis will dynamically update.


Backtesting Trade Finder scans

You can ‘look back’ (Backtest) Trade Finder Scans by following these steps:

  1. Select your Scan (example: Bull Put – Stock above 200 SMA).
  2. Click on the Calendar at the top of the screen to select a previous date (clicking on the month allows you to select a previous month, or arrow back to a previous year).
  3. Select stock symbol, click on action icon to ‘Analyze Position’.
  4. The trade template will populate with the specific scan, note the date on the screen is the ‘start date’
  5. Select the Analyze Date, or click ‘EXP’ to analyze the position on Expiration Day. 

By clicking on the ‘Go Big’ icon of the The Trade Price chart shows the Entry and Exit Dates (cross hairs) as well as the behavior of the trade compared to the stock.

Note: Changing the analyze date dynamically changes the data of the P/L chart.


Use SNAP to Backtest Positions

The Snapshot feature is also available with Backtesting.

  1. Click ‘Backtest’ on the Option Table
  2. Set up position
  3. Click one of the camera icons: 
  4. Repeat the first step using the Rolling Icons to adjust the initial position to a new scenario:
  5.  Click the 2nd camera icon & repeat the above steps for the last comparison.
  6.  Select the ‘Analyze Date’ using the Date Picker (Calendar) or “EXP” to analyze the position on Expiration Date. 


Trade from the Options Tab

Trading from the Options Table is easy!

When a position is set up on the Option Chain or from one of the Strategy Templates,  simply click the “Trade” button.

The Position will be sent to the Order Ticket where you can further edit:

  • Adjust Price between “Mid” and “Nat”
  • Change Duration:  Day or Good Til Cancelled
  • Change Order Type:  Limit, Market, etc.
  • Click “Review” to confirm Order Details and Account are correct
  • Then “Submit” to send to brokerage.


Trading from the Option Template

From Template to trade is easy.  

Simply click the “Trade” button on the Option Template and the Order Ticket will be filled in for you. This not only saves time, but eliminates order entry errors.

You can connect directly to select brokerage firms right from the platform and execute the trade.


Navigation Tips

Getting around is easy and intuitive. Here are some hints to help you get around even faster.

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