I have my opinions on how to create a successful automated trading strategy. My experiences form my opinions.
But I'd like to once again invite you to share your opinions and experiences. I say once again, because back on my blog a few months ago there was a lively discussing on this topic, but now that the forum is in-place this is a much better way to share our ideas and theories on the subject.
So here is my list of initial questions. Please share your thoughts. Some of these questions are generalized. Some are specific. I think all are important.
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How many strategies have you created?
Of those, how many would you classify as profitable?
Of the ones you classified as profitable, how do you define profitability? How long of a period did you trade it cash before deciding it was profitable?
How many strategies have you created in which you initially thought they were very profitable, but later discovered they were not (ie: curve fitted).
Do you prefer to trade discretionary, mechanical, or automated?
How many trades do you require in a backtest in order to feel the results are not curve fitted? (ie: 500 trades)
How much historical data do you require in order to feel the results are not curve fitted? (ie: 3 months, or 3 years, etc)
Percentage wise, how much of a draw down is acceptable when compared to total net profit? (ie: if net profit is 1,000 and draw down is 100 that would be 10%)
What other criteria do your strategies need to meet in order for you to feel they are not curve fitted?
Do your strategies rely on traditional indicators such as Moving Averages, Stochastics, CCI, Bollinger Bands, etc?
Do your strategies rely on price action such as higher highs, lower lows, double tops/bottoms, pivots, day highs/lows, opening range breakouts, etc?
Do your strategies have pre-defined stops or targets (ie: 8 ticks)? Or do they use a variable dynamic such as ATR or Standard Deviation? Or do you have no pre-defined limit and you exit a trade solely based on something from item #10 or #11 telling you to do so?