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Objective functions (was RE: [amibroker] Re: Optimization -- again)



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Hi,

Sorry, I have signed agreements that I will not disclose the name or 
contents or specifics of this system to anyone else in any manner, 
verbal, written or electronically.  I had to do this in-order to buy 
this system.  

If I did disclose, it would be a copyright violation and I could be 
sued for it.

When I bought the system it was somewhat crude, mainly because the 
original inventor of this system was using simple moving averages 
because you really need a computer to calcluate an exponential moving 
average and computers were not available during those times...  I 
have put in an enormous amount of hard work to perfect it.

Even if I can disclose, I know that if one had developed a highly 
successful system, one might be very reluctant to put it on the 
market for everyone to use.

I can only discuss strategy and publish results.

Regards,

Pal
--- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Fred" <fctonetti@xxxx> wrote:
> Pal,
> 
> Since it would appear, please correct me if I'm wrong, that the 
> system you keep refering to is one that is commercially available, 
I 
> can understand why you won't/can't supply the details of it, but 
can 
> you tell us whose system it is and where it's being marketed ? URL 
> etc.
> 
> Thanks, Fred
> 
> --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "palsanand" <palsanand@xxxx> 
wrote:
> > Hi All,
> > 
> > Although I have never personally worked with any of the systems 
> > covered by Futures Truth, I have no doubt that they are all curve-
> > fitted. Any 'system' that purports to specialize in one market is 
> > optimized for that particular set of data.
> > 
> > Some people will say that different markets have individual 
> > characteristics or personalities. This may be true to a limited 
> > extent. However, in testing, a computer doesn't 'know' what 
market 
> it 
> > is examining.  All the computer knows is a bunch of numbers 
(highs, 
> > lows, closes), from which it attempts to produce an algorithm to 
> > explain or predict price behavior.
> > 
> > For a system to be valid, it should work over a given set of 
> numbers 
> > (data).  Whether those numbers have a name such as 'Beans" 
> or 'Bonds" 
> > is (and should be) irrelevant to the data and to the testing 
> program.
> > 
> > Lots of systems make money when they trend and lose money when 
they 
> > don't.  This is not surprising.  The best that you can hope for 
is 
> to 
> > create a system that is profitable over time over a wide range of 
> > markets.  Systems such as the Turtles use, makes money when the 
> > markets trend and loses money when they don't (no surprise). 
> > 
> > Since trendiness is a proven characteristic of commodity markets, 
> > given a long enough sample period (i.e. ten years) almost all the 
> > markets yield positive results.
> > 
> > However, in any given year, since there are only a few good 
trends, 
> > most of the markets will prove unprofitable. This is not a reason 
> to 
> > abandon the system, or to eliminate (temporarily) unprofitable 
> > markets from the portfolio. In fact, the markets that have lost 
the 
> > most money recently (due to being in a consolidation) will 
probably 
> > be the best in the future (when they finally hit a trend).
> > 
> > Finally, If one could learn to tell when the markets will trend 
and 
> > when they will be in a trading range, they wouldn't need to know 
> much 
> > else to make money. One can visually eyeball a chart and tell if 
> it's 
> > in a trend or consolidation, but that still doesn't tell one much 
> > about the future. 
> > 
> > Regards,
> > 
> > Pal
> > --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "palsanand" <palsanand@xxxx> 
> wrote:
> > > Steve,
> > > 
> > > I don't use this Aberration system, so I can't comment on it.  
I 
> do 
> > > know that Futures Truth tests a lot of systems which are 
> > essentially 
> > > curve-fitted...
> > > 
> > > I compare all systems with my primary trading system which 
works 
> > for 
> > > all markets (Stocks, Futures and FOREX) and has been in R&D for 
> > over 
> > > 45 years.  It is also the most accurate T-Bond trading system 
> ever 
> > > developed...  I have collected/developed over 140 systems but 
I'm 
> > yet 
> > > to find another system other than my primary trading system 
with 
> > > which I can trade with absolute confidence and even convert my 
> > losing 
> > > positions into profit...  The rest of the 139 or so systems 
have 
> > been 
> > > reduced to simple verification systems....
> > > 
> > > George Patton once said that a Warriors greatest asset is his 
> self-
> > > confidence...
> > > 
> > > Regards,
> > > 
> > > Pal
> > > --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "CedarCreekTrading" 
> > <kernish@xxxx> 
> > > wrote:
> > > > Pal,
> > > > 
> > > > For a system to be valid, it must work on all numbers tested, 
> not 
> > > just those with certain names and not others 
> > > > with different names.
> > > > 
> > > > Try telling Keith Fitchen that (the author of Aberration, the 
> > most 
> > > successful mechanical system ever sold ... check out Futures 
> > Truth).  
> > > First, Keith will tell you that his wildly successful approach 
> DOES 
> > > NOT work on equities.  Second, Keith will tell you that he only 
> > > trades a basket of six commodities.  I believe both these 
> > principles 
> > > are directly contrary to your opinions about optimizing and the 
> > > selection of issues to be traded.
> > > > 
> > > > If a system works on Bonds and not on Beans, this system is 
> curve 
> > > fitted over a specific set of data (Bonds) and it loses all 
> > > statistical validity.
> > > > 
> > > > Wrong, wrong, wrong.  If I have an approach that has worked 
on 
> > > Bonds for ten years and it doesn't work on beans...BFD.  Should 
I 
> > > abandon a robust approach to trading Bonds...because I can't 
> > > make "beans" on Beans?   
> > > > 
> > > > Beware of drinking other people's bath water and whatever you 
> do, 
> > > don't drink the Kool Aid .   
> > > > 
> > > > Take care,
> > > > 
> > > > Steve
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > >   ----- Original Message ----- 
> > > >   From: palsanand 
> > > >   To: amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
> > > >   Sent: Monday, October 20, 2003 9:43 AM
> > > >   Subject: Objective functions (was RE: [amibroker] Re: 
> > > Optimization -- again)
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > >   Hi,
> > > > 
> > > >   In my mind, curve fitting means either using different 
> systems 
> > > for 
> > > >   different markets, or using different parameters of the 
same 
> > > system 
> > > >   for different markets, and this is not valid technical 
> analysis.
> > > > 
> > > >   Historical testing via computer means feeding a set of 
> numbers 
> > > (open, 
> > > >   ow, close prices), and receiving back an output set of 
rules 
> > that 
> > > >   hopefully will make money trading. The numbers themselves 
do 
> > not 
> > > have 
> > > >   names, and the computer doesn't recognize the difference 
> > > >   between 'Beans' or 'Bonds'. For a system to be valid, it 
must 
> > > work on 
> > > >   all numbers tested, not just those with certain names and 
not 
> > > others 
> > > >   with different names.
> > > > 
> > > >   If a system works on Bonds and not on Beans, this system is 
> > curve 
> > > >   fitted over a specific set of data (Bonds) and it loses all 
> > > >   statistical validity. To believe it will work in the future 
> as 
> > it 
> > > has 
> > > >   worked in the past is very dangerous.
> > > > 
> > > >   Also, different markets do not have different 
personalities. 
> > > Again, 
> > > >   they are reduced to just being a set of numbers or a bunch 
of 
> > > >   algorithms. If a channel breakout (or any other) method is 
> > > >   successful, then the same parameter must be used for all 
the 
> > > markets, 
> > > >   for the same reasons as above. You cannot use a 20-day 
> channel 
> > in 
> > > >   Silver and a 40-day channel in Corn, this also falls under 
> the 
> > > crime 
> > > >   of curve fitting.
> > > > 
> > > >   I therefore take exception to any system, that either only 
> > trades 
> > > one 
> > > >   specific market or group of markets, or trades different 
> > markets 
> > > >   using different parameters or rules of the same system. All 
> > this 
> > > >   proves is what has worked best in the past, and this will 
> > usually 
> > > not 
> > > >   continue to work in the future, as there is no correlation 
> > under 
> > > this 
> > > >   scenario.
> > > > 
> > > >   This is not specifically written to condemn vendors. This 
is 
> a 
> > > >   clarification of my definitions of 'optimizing' and 'curve 
> > > fitting', 
> > > >   and a warning as to what types of trading systems may be 
> valid 
> > > and 
> > > >   what to stay away from.
> > > > 
> > > >   Regards,
> > > > 
> > > >   Pal
> > > >   --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Dave Merrill" 
> > <dmerrill@xxxx> 
> > > >   wrote:
> > > >   > thanks, I'll check it out if I can find it.
> > > >   > 
> > > >   > I'm sure I'm ignorant, but how logic or sound trading 
> > > principles 
> > > >   can be used
> > > >   > to set an MA period (for instance) without examination of 
> > past 
> > > >   history
> > > >   > escapes me. as does the distinction between using past 
> > history 
> > > or
> > > >   > 'experience' to do that and optimization. as does the 
> > > justification 
> > > >   for
> > > >   > seeing optimizations from one point in time as somehow 
> > blessed 
> > > >   above all
> > > >   > others.
> > > >   > 
> > > >   > dave
> > > >   >   I would have to refer you to an article published by 
> > Futures 
> > > >   Magazine
> > > >   >   concerning optimization and its research value in 
> November 
> > > 20?? by
> > > >   >   Kent Calhoun.
> > > >   > 
> > > >   >   Possibly the only way to do it correctly, is to first 
> > arrive 
> > > at a 
> > > >   set
> > > >   >   of parameters and algorithm based on logic, experience, 
> or 
> > > sound
> > > >   >   trading principals that won't be subject to change. 
Then 
> do 
> > a 
> > > walk
> > > >   >   forward with no attempt to improve results via 
> optimization.
> > > >   > 
> > > >   >   Regards,
> > > >   > 
> > > >   >   Pal
> > > >   > 
> > > >   > 
> > > >   >   --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Dave Merrill" 
> > > <dmerrill@xxxx>
> > > >   >   wrote:
> > > >   >   > Pal, couple questions/comments.
> > > >   >   >
> > > >   >   > - are you saying that 30 "occurrences" in any system 
> > > produces 
> > > >   95%
> > > >   >   accuracy?
> > > >   >   > 30 trades? regardless of the market or trading system 
> > rules 
> > > or 
> > > >   time
> > > >   >   frame?
> > > >   >   > what's the basis for saying this?
> > > >   >   >
> > > >   >   > - could you explain "select stable parameters with an 
> > > equity 
> > > >   shift
> > > >   >   less than
> > > >   >   > the parameter shift after equity spikes have been 
> > > eliminated"? I
> > > >   >   don't
> > > >   >   > understand what you mean.
> > > >   >   >
> > > >   >   > - just fyi, your last paragraph seems to be trying to 
> > > convince 
> > > >   me
> > > >   >   that
> > > >   >   > optimizing is good, probably in response to my 
> asking "if 
> > > you
> > > >   >   prefer not to
> > > >   >   > optimize parameters, how do you set them?". I asked 
> that 
> > > only
> > > >   >   because you
> > > >   >   > said, "I prefer a system to work without 
optimization", 
> > > which I
> > > >   >   thought was
> > > >   >   > a nice goal, but one I don't understand how to 
achieve. 
> > > seems 
> > > >   that
> > > >   >   you don't
> > > >   >   > actually intend to avoid optimization either, since 
you 
> > then
> > > >   >   discuss how you
> > > >   >   > do it.
> > > >   >   >
> > > >   >   > dave
> > > >   >   >   There is a correct method to optimize any system 
that 
> is
> > > >   >   >   statistically valid, 30 occurrences with 95% 
accuracy.
> > > >   >   >
> > > >   >   >   The key to optimization is to select stable 
> parameters 
> > > with an
> > > >   >   equity
> > > >   >   >   shift less than the parameter shift after equity 
> spikes 
> > > have 
> > > >   been
> > > >   >   >   eliminated. This process creates stability for 
> optimal 
> > > >   parameters
> > > >   >   >   shifts within the four technical market phases. 
> > Parameter 
> > > >   shift is
> > > >   >   >   always geometric, but equity shift decline relative 
> to 
> > > >   unstable
> > > >   >   >   parameter selection is usually exponential.
> > > >   >   >
> > > >   >   >   All systems are optimized to some degree. As soon 
as 
> a 
> > > trader
> > > >   >   chooses
> > > >   >   >   to enter a trade on the open as opposed to the 
> > > high/low/close 
> > > >   of
> > > >   >   day,
> > > >   >   >   he has made a decision as to how a system should be 
> > > traded. 
> > > >   Does
> > > >   >   he
> > > >   >   >   know the high/low/close of day entry is better than 
> the 
> > > next
> > > >   >   opening
> > > >   >   >   for an entry? If not why not? A potential 28% 
> > difference 
> > > in
> > > >   >   >   profitability exists for channel system entries 
> between 
> > > opens 
> > > >   and
> > > >   >   >   closes.
> > > >   >   >
> > > >   >   >   The purpose of trading is to consistently make 
money. 
> > > This is
> > > >   >   done by
> > > >   >   >   having the best information available. If a trader 
> does 
> > > not 
> > > >   know
> > > >   >   the
> > > >   >   >   best entry for his system, what is he trying to 
> prove? 
> > > That 
> > > >   the
> > > >   >   >   system isn't optimized? To lose money because a 
> trader 
> > is
> > > >   >   ignorant of
> > > >   >   >   his systen's best parameters is foolish.
> > > >   >   >
> > > >   >   >   Regards,
> > > >   >   >
> > > >   >   >   Pal
> > > >   >   >   --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Dave Merrill" 
> > > >   <dmerrill@xxxx>
> > > >   >   >   wrote:
> > > >   >   >   > one question pal: if you prefer not to optimize 
> > > parameters, 
> > > >   how
> > > >   >   do
> > > >   >   >   you set
> > > >   >   >   > them? or do you have some kind of trading rules 
> that 
> > > don't 
> > > >   have
> > > >   >   time
> > > >   >   >   > constants, trigger levels, etc, that need to be 
set?
> > > >   >   >   >
> > > >   >   >   > dave
> > > >   >   >   >
> > > >   >   >   >   I thought I might throw in my 2 cents.
> > > >   >   >   >
> > > >   >   >   >   Vendors love optimization, because it can 
> generate 
> > > eye 
> > > >   popping
> > > >   >   >   >   hypothetical profits which has no connection to 
> > real-
> > > time
> > > >   >   trading.
> > > >   >   >   >
> > > >   >   >   >   I prefer a system to work without optimization. 
> But 
> > > if I 
> > > >   have
> > > >   >   to
> > > >   >   >   do
> > > >   >   >   >   it, I would make sure that the optimization is 
> > robust 
> > > in 
> > > >   the
> > > >   >   >   >   following manner:
> > > >   >   >   >
> > > >   >   >   >   1. The sample size of data should be large 
enough 
> > to 
> > > >   represent
> > > >   >   >   real-
> > > >   >   >   >   time market conditions - bull, bear and 
sideways 
> > > markets.
> > > >   >   >   >
> > > >   >   >   >   2. The look-back period should be as large as 
> > > possible 
> > > >   for the
> > > >   >   >   same
> > > >   >   >   >   reasons.
> > > >   >   >   >
> > > >   >   >   >   3. The testing of optimizable parameters should 
> be 
> > on 
> > > out 
> > > >   of
> > > >   >   >   sample
> > > >   >   >   >   data using walk-forward analysis.
> > > >   >   >   >
> > > >   >   >   >   4. The Central Limit Theorem says that for a 
> sample 
> > > to 
> > > >   assume
> > > >   >   the
> > > >   >   >   >   characteristics of the population, the size of 
> > sample 
> > > >   should
> > > >   >   be
> > > >   >   >   >   large. The minimum sample size should be around 
> 30. 
> > > But 
> > > >   since
> > > >   >   an
> > > >   >   >   >   uptrend or downtrend can last for say 50 
periods, 
> I 
> > > would
> > > >   >   have a
> > > >   >   >   >   minimum sample size of 100 periods making sure 
> that 
> > > the 
> > > >   full
> > > >   >   >   market
> > > >   >   >   >   cycle is there (uptrend, downtrend and 
> congestion).
> > > >   >   >   >
> > > >   >   >   >   5. The optimizable parameters should be as few 
as 
> > > >   possible and
> > > >   >   >   tested
> > > >   >   >   >   in a wide variety of markets.
> > > >   >   >   >
> > > >   >   >   >   Curve-fitting is like rolling a fair dice with 
1/6
> > > >   >   probability of
> > > >   >   >   >   getting any number from 1 to 6, rolling it 5 
> times, 
> > > >   getting
> > > >   >   #6, 4
> > > >   >   >   out
> > > >   >   >   >   of 5 times (80%) of time.
> > > >   >   >   >
> > > >   >   >   >   A lot of traders fall in the trap of curve-
> fitting 
> > > without
> > > >   >   being
> > > >   >   >   >   aware of it. So when designing a system, it is 
> > > important 
> > > >   to
> > > >   >   keep
> > > >   >   >   your
> > > >   >   >   >   guard up as far as curve-fitting is concerned.
> > > >   >   >   >
> > > >   >   >   >   Regards,
> > > >   >   >   >
> > > >   >   >   >   Pal
> > > >   >   >   >   --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Gary A. 
> > > Serkhoshian"
> > > >   >   >   >   <serkhoshian777@xxxx> wrote:
> > > >   >   >   >   > Fred,
> > > >   >   >   >   >
> > > >   >   >   >   > Could you narrow-down your idea of a 
reasonable 
> > > sample 
> > > >   size
> > > >   >   for
> > > >   >   >   >   backtests.  You've been hinting at rather 
> sizeable 
> > > >   backtesting
> > > >   >   >   >   periods, but would like to put some numbers to 
> it.  
> > > Also
> > > >   >   wonder if
> > > >   >   >   >   you use # of trades as a guide versus period of 
> > time 
> > > for
> > > >   >   >   backtesting
> > > >   >   >   >   period.
> > > >   >   >   >   >
> > > >   >   >   >   > Thanks,
> > > >   >   >   >   > Gary
> > > >   >   >   >   >
> > > >   >   >   >   > Fred <fctonetti@xxxx> wrote:
> > > >   >   >   >   > There are a lot of questions and provacative 
> > > statements 
> > > >   in
> > > >   >   your
> > > >   >   >   >   post,
> > > >   >   >   >   > only one of which from my perspective needs an
> > > >   >   answer/response.
> > > >   >   >   >   >
> > > >   >   >   >   > Market behavior will continually change after 
> > > that ...
> > > >   >   >   >   >
> > > >   >   >   >   > Change ? from what ? into what ? I guess this 
> is 
> > > the 
> > > >   part I
> > > >   >   >   don't
> > > >   >   >   >   > follow.  To me there is nothing new in market 
> > > behavior 
> > > >   now
> > > >   >   that
> > > >   >   >   >   > didn't exist last month, last year, last 
> decade, 
> > > last
> > > >   >   century,
> > > >   >   >   but
> > > >   >   >   >   > clearly those that take a short sighted view 
of 
> > > history 
> > > >   and
> > > >   >   the
> > > >   >   >   >   > market action that made up that history will 
> > > clearly 
> > > >   never
> > > >   >   see
> > > >   >   >   it.
> > > >   >   >   >   > It's a forest and trees thing ...
> > > >   >   >   >   >
> > > >   >   >   >   > --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Dave 
Merrill"
> > > >   >   <dmerrill@xxxx>
> > > >   >   >   >   > wrote:
> > > >   >   >   >   > > I'm not trying to be argumentative, honest 
(:-
> > > )... I'm
> > > >   >   more
> > > >   >   >   than
> > > >   >   >   >   a
> > > >   >   >   >   > little
> > > >   >   >   >   > > sick of saying the same thing over and 
over, 
> > but 
> > > I  j 
> > > >   u s
> > > >   >   t
> > > >   >   >   d o
> > > >   >   >   >   > n ' t   g
> > > >   >   >   >   > > e t   i t .
> > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > >   >   >   >   > > ------------------------------
> > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > >   >   >   >   > > I fail to see the huge difference in 
> principle 
> > > between
> > > >   >   equity
> > > >   >   >   >   > feedback and
> > > >   >   >   >   > > backtesting.
> > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > >   >   >   >   > > let's start by assuming that backtesting 
> > > performance 
> > > >   of a
> > > >   >   >   system
> > > >   >   >   >   > and its
> > > >   >   >   >   > > parameters over some period of past data 
> tells 
> > you
> > > >   >   something
> > > >   >   >   >   about
> > > >   >   >   >   > its
> > > >   >   >   >   > > future performance. it's not a perfect 
> > predictor, 
> > > but
> > > >   >   it's the
> > > >   >   >   >   best
> > > >   >   >   >   > evidence
> > > >   >   >   >   > > we have. does this seem like a reasonable 
> > > starting 
> > > >   point?
> > > >   >   what
> > > >   >   >   >   > alternative
> > > >   >   >   >   > > is there?
> > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > >   >   >   >   > > if that's true, why is it better to do it 
> only 
> > > once? 
> > > >   what
> > > >   >   >   >   > justification is
> > > >   >   >   >   > > there for picking one examination period 
over 
> > > another?
> > > >   >   clearly
> > > >   >   >   >   > market
> > > >   >   >   >   > > behavior will change continually after 
that. 
> > > don't we
> > > >   >   need a
> > > >   >   >   way
> > > >   >   >   >   of
> > > >   >   >   >   > working
> > > >   >   >   >   > > that looks at what's been happening and 
> evolves 
> > > our
> > > >   >   response?
> > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > >   >   >   >   > > sounds like we examine performance up to 
some 
> > > point 
> > > >   and
> > > >   >   >   adjust,
> > > >   >   >   >   > trade with
> > > >   >   >   >   > > the best-choice system and parameters for a 
> > > while, 
> > > >   then
> > > >   >   >   examine
> > > >   >   >   >   and
> > > >   >   >   >   > adjust
> > > >   >   >   >   > > again later. make sense? what alternative 
is 
> > > there?
> > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > >   >   >   >   > > so then, how often do we re-examine 
> performance 
> > > >   history?
> > > >   >   to
> > > >   >   >   put it
> > > >   >   >   >   > > differently, how long do we ignore any 
> changes 
> > in 
> > > >   market
> > > >   >   >   dynamics
> > > >   >   >   >   > that may
> > > >   >   >   >   > > or may not have occurred? why would 
> > intermittently
> > > >   >   refusing to
> > > >   >   >   >   look
> > > >   >   >   >   > and
> > > >   >   >   >   > > respond improve system performance or 
> > reliability?
> > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > >   >   >   >   > > if that needs to be done, why not have the 
> > system 
> > > >   itself
> > > >   >   do
> > > >   >   >   it,
> > > >   >   >   >   as
> > > >   >   >   >   > part of
> > > >   >   >   >   > > its inherent operation? why is it better 
for 
> us 
> > > as an
> > > >   >   outside
> > > >   >   >   >   agent
> > > >   >   >   >   > to
> > > >   >   >   >   > > periodically run some separate tests, reach 
> > into 
> > > the
> > > >   >   >   internals of
> > > >   >   >   >   > the
> > > >   >   >   >   > > system, and change stuff?
> > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > >   >   >   >   > > or should we just continue with the system 
> and 
> > > >   parameters
> > > >   >   we
> > > >   >   >   >   choose
> > > >   >   >   >   > at the
> > > >   >   >   >   > > beginning? are they somehow more valid than 
> > what 
> > > we'd
> > > >   >   choose
> > > >   >   >   >   later,
> > > >   >   >   >   > using
> > > >   >   >   >   > > the same backtesting methods, but on a 
> > different 
> > > date
> > > >   >   range of
> > > >   >   >   >   data?
> > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > >   >   >   >   > > ------------------------------
> > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > >   >   >   >   > > I realize that even if it seems to make 
sense 
> > > >   logically,
> > > >   >   this
> > > >   >   >   all
> > > >   >   >   >   a
> > > >   >   >   >   > complete
> > > >   >   >   >   > > crock if no systems put together like this 
> even 
> > > >   backtest
> > > >   >   well,
> > > >   >   >   >   > never mind
> > > >   >   >   >   > > forward testing.
> > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > >   >   >   >   > > but every time I think about abandoning 
this 
> > line 
> > > of
> > > >   >   >   research, it
> > > >   >   >   >   > seems like
> > > >   >   >   >   > > the first thing I'd want to do with a new 
> > system 
> > > >   would be
> > > >   >   >   (let me
> > > >   >   >   >   > guess),
> > > >   >   >   >   > > test and possibly adjust it using data up 
to 
> > some 
> > > >   date,
> > > >   >   then
> > > >   >   >   run
> > > >   >   >   >   > with it for
> > > >   >   >   >   > > a while after that and see if equity growth 
> is 
> > > good. 
> > > >   if
> > > >   >   it is,
> > > >   >   >   >   I'd
> > > >   >   >   >   > want to
> > > >   >   >   >   > > lather, rinse and repeat with other in and 
> out 
> > of 
> > > >   sample
> > > >   >   >   data, to
> > > >   >   >   >   > make sure
> > > >   >   >   >   > > that wasn't coincidence.
> > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > >   >   >   >   > > sounds way too familiar to be a completely 
> > > different
> > > >   >   animal.
> > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > >   >   >   >   > > dave
> > > >   >   >   >   > >   From: Fred [mailto:fctonetti@x...]
> > > >   >   >   >   > >
> > > >   >   >   >   > >   That IS what I was trying to say.  I 
> suspect 
> > > because
> > > >   >   equity
> > > >   >   >   >   feed
> > > >   >   >   >   > back
> > > >   >   >   >   > >   is like looking in a rear view mirror, 
> great 
> > for
> > > >   >   letting us
> > > >   >   >   know
> > > >   >   >   >   > >   where we were and how we could have 
> adjusted 
> > > the 
> > > >   past to
> > > >   >   >   make it
> > > >   >   >   >   > >   better, but that's about it.
> > > >   > 
> > > >   > 
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