ThinkOrSwim (TOS) Trading Platform

May 8th, 2011, 03:05 PM

Thank you Massive. Sounds like I need to explore TOS more, which is why I posted here...

Did you compare this data with other offerings / feeds? I've read, including in this thread about TDA / TOS data not being all that great, especially for futures trading.

Have you been live trading with this data, or exclusively paper? Thanks again.

May 8th, 2011, 06:19 PM

I've been trading live for 2 years now. I've been with thinkorswim for about a year and haven't had hardly any issues.
I've noticed lag but I don't feel it's hindered my trading. I used to scalp gold but now I only make a handful of trades each week (right now, mostly currency and index futures). visit my journal if you get a moment!

May 8th, 2011, 06:51 PM

Thanks Massive. I checked the Trade Journal forum briefly, but didn't see it there. I'll do a search later though...

May 10th, 2011, 03:33 PM

For those trading futures with TOS, are you using the NYSE cumulative tick? I think I got it here, a 5 min chart for the day. If there is a "better" way in your opinion to depict this data, please share. I had not previously used this information before, but I clearly see its value... Thanks.

With respect to TOS data, can this be relied upon?

May 10th, 2011, 03:39 PM

Moderator Notice

We recently added an entire subforum section for ThinkOrSwim, please make use of it by starting new threads for different topics instead of adding everything to this one long thread.

ThinkOrSwim - Big Mike's Trading Forum

Thx,
Mike

May 10th, 2011, 05:53 PM

TonyB

For those trading futures with TOS, are you using the NYSE cumulative tick? I think I got it here, a 5 min chart for the day. If there is a "better" way in your opinion to depict this data, please share. I had not previously used this information before, but I clearly see its value... Thanks.

With respect to TOS data, can this be relied upon?

I like it, maybe 2min with horizontal line alerts @ 600, 800, 1000, & -600, -800, -1000. I've seen others use a moving average on it and then again others use the bollinger bands on it. HTH

May 10th, 2011, 05:57 PM

Tmanbone

I like it, maybe 2min with horizontal line alerts @ 600, 800, 1000, & -600, -800, -1000. I've seen others use a moving average on it and then again others use the bollinger bands on it. HTH

Thanks Tmanbone. I took Mike's advise and started a new thread here:

NYSE $TICK

For those trading futures with TOS, are you using the NYSE cumulative tick? I think I got it here, a 5 min chart for the day. If there is a "better" way in your opinion to depict this data, please share. I had not previously used this information …

That said, it seems that TOS's data is indeed suspect. Start at post #38 here (topic NYSE Tick data):

NYSE $TICK AND $ADD

cory, thanks much for the reply and attachments. Yes, different for sure. Just looking at the close, yours has it at +82, and TOS at +542?

If straight from the exchange as TOS states, what might be the reason?

Can anyone here provide this data …

July 1st, 2011, 01:24 AM

TonyB

For those trading futures with TOS, are you using the NYSE cumulative tick? I think I got it here, a 5 min chart for the day. If there is a "better" way in your opinion to depict this data, please share. I had not previously used this information before, but I clearly see its value... Thanks.

With respect to TOS data, can this be relied upon?

That's perfect and I've compared with other traders and we're getting the same information.

Here's an indicator that plots a dot on your normal chart whenever tick hits a certain level.

If you wanted to you could load three of the scripts and have 800, 1000, 1200 ticks with each on
a different color. I don't but I'm just saying. Pretty cool...

This is from Prospectus, a talented programmer IMO.

# Tick Fade Indicator
# By Prospectus @ Read the Prospectus
#
# This indicator paints a dot if the NYSE tick for the
# current chart timeperiod breaches a threshold value.
#
def na=double.nan;
#
# Define how you want the value plotted. I chose 30% of
# bar range, plotted that distance above the high/low:
#
def range = high � low;
def plotter=range*0.3;
#
# Input the threshold values you are watching:
#
Input uThreshold=1000;
Input lThreshold=-1000;
#
# Now reference the high / low of corresponding bar
# for the NYSE tick:
#
def hi = high("$TICK");
def lo = low("$TICK");
#
# Define the plots:
#
plot lowtick=if lo<=lThreshold then low-plotter else na;
plot hightick=if hi>=uThreshold then high+plotter else na;
#
# Formatting:
#
lowtick.setdefaultcolor(color.red);
lowtick.setstyle(curve.points);
lowtick.setlineweight(4);
hightick.setdefaultcolor(color.green);
hightick.setstyle(curve.points);
hightick.setlineweight(4);

July 24th, 2011, 07:04 AM

Big Mike

Over the past several months I have seen a lot of members using the ThinkOrSwim platform. I decided to open an account with them for some of my swing trading positions.

I was just looking on the forum and although there are a lot of ToS threads, there wasn't a general thread just about the platform or broker itself (more generic). So I am creating this one.

So far the process of setting up a new account has been very painless and well automated. I needed to talk to support to get one question answered, and they replied via email within seconds.

I wanted to ask you guys what you are paying in commission for equities. I want to make sure I am getting a competitive rate, I know I've read before they are negotiable in that area. If any of you have a specific rep that has helped you please share.

I'm still waiting for my funds to get transferred but while I wait I am starting to play with the platform. A bit of a learning curve, but so far it seems to have everything I could need to do swing trades, and it seems fast and full of features.

Mike

Thanks Mike for starting this thread. TOS is my main plateform for charting thou I get delayed data. I found their charting is the best with many free indicators. I tried to open options and futures acct recently but commissions were not negotiable (after merging with Aneritrade).

I have a request, if one of our talented traders, figure out how to build an indicator (or modify current Pivot Points indicator) to add mid points? It will be helpful. Thanks much.

July 24th, 2011, 07:09 AM

Massive l

That's perfect and I've compared with other traders and we're getting the same information.

Here's an indicator that plots a dot on your normal chart whenever tick hits a certain level.

If you wanted to you could load three of the scripts and have 800, 1000, 1200 ticks with each on
a different color. I don't but I'm just saying. Pretty cool...

This is from Prospectus, a talented programmer IMO.

# Tick Fade Indicator
# By Prospectus @ Read the Prospectus
#
# This indicator paints a dot if the NYSE tick for the
# current chart timeperiod breaches a threshold value.
#
def na=double.nan;
#
# Define how you want the value plotted. I chose 30% of
# bar range, plotted that distance above the high/low:
#
def range = high � low;
def plotter=range*0.3;
#
# Input the threshold values you are watching:
#
Input uThreshold=1000;
Input lThreshold=-1000;
#
# Now reference the high / low of corresponding bar
# for the NYSE tick:
#
def hi = high("$TICK");
def lo = low("$TICK");
#
# Define the plots:
#
plot lowtick=if lo<=lThreshold then low-plotter else na;
plot hightick=if hi>=uThreshold then high+plotter else na;
#
# Formatting:
#
lowtick.setdefaultcolor(color.red);
lowtick.setstyle(curve.points);
lowtick.setlineweight(4);
hightick.setdefaultcolor(color.green);
hightick.setstyle(curve.points);
hightick.setlineweight(4);

Thanks. Can I use your talent to modify/write an indicator that draws Pivot Points mid points? Thanks in advance.

ThinkOrSwim (TOS) Trading Platform

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ThinkOrSwim (TOS) Trading Platform