With more than 70% of the trading volumes in the US markets being automated, the rise of algorithms seems more inevitable than ever before. The mechanical jobs are shifting to computers and only those who can tame the machines can rule the trade markets. Equipping oneself with the skills of Algorithmic trading is one of the best ways to prepare for the changing face of financial markets.

One of the recent trends in markets has been the emergence of DIY traders. By day, they do their regular jobs and by night they run their algorithmic trading strategies after putting their children to sleep.

This article is especially aimed at those who want to learn algorithmic trading and wish to set up their trading system. Your success as an algorithmic trader is determined not only by your quantitative skills but also depends on a large extent the process and the tools you select for analyzing, devising, and executing your strategies.

Let’s get acquainted with the tools required for the trade!

1. Data is everything (well almost!)

The first and perhaps the most important aspect of algo trading is data. Data is an algorithmic trader’s best friend. A trader needs to have access to data for the respective segments of the exchange that he intends to trade in. How does this data originate in the first place? Let us take the case of an emerging market’s exchange:

The National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE)

NSE provides market quotes and data for Capital Market Segment (CM), Futures and Options Segment (F&O), Wholesale Debt Market Segment (WDM), Securities Lending & Borrowing Market (SLBM), Currency Derivative Market Segment (CDS), and Corporate Data.

These quotes are provided by DotEx International Ltd., a 100% subsidiary of NSE dedicated solely for this purpose. It broadcasts real-time data to various information agencies.

NSE provides 5 different types of data products viz.

• Real-Time Data (Level1, Level 2, Level 3, and tick-by-tick data)
• Snapshot Data
• End-of-Day (EOD) Data
• Corporate Data
• Historical Data

Source: www.nseindia.com

Now let us try to understand level 1, level 2, level 3, and Tick-By-Tick (TBT) data.

Level 1 data includes the Best Bid and Best Ask, plus the Bid Size and the Ask Size. Level 2 provides market depth data up to 5 best bid and ask prices and Level 3 provides market depth data up to 20 best bid and ask prices. Tick-By-Tick (TBT) data includes every order or a change in the order.

Level 2 data example – NSE: YESBANK

For new traders, level 1 data is sufficient enough for analyzing price charts, devising strategies, and arriving at trading decisions. Other types of data are generally used by experienced traders and high-frequency trading firms/institutions.

NSE provides data to the authorized data vendors (List of Authorized Data Vendors/Redistributors) which in turn redistributes the data to trading firms and retail traders.

Some of the data vendors for the Indian markets include:

• eSignal
• globaldatafeeds
• iCharts

Some data vendors provide Datafeed only, while others provide a charting platform and other analytics for creating watchlists, tracking different markets, strategy development, generating buy/sell signals, etc.

A trader can connect the platform with his broker’s platform via a bridge, and have the orders executed. Data vendors usually list the broker partners on their websites, and also the compatibility of their feed with different charting platforms.

eSignal

Let us take the example of eSignal to list some of the services provided by such data vendors. eSignal is a leading global data vendor which offers three main products –

• SIGNATURE
• CLASSIC
• ELITE

SIGNATURE is the most popular one, and some of its important features include:

• Streaming Real-Time Data
• Advanced Charting with customizable Studies
• Stocks, Futures, Forex, and Options
• Back-testing
• Download Data using Qlink or RTD
• 1-year Intra-day Historical Data
• News, Commentary, and Research

Apart from the algorithmic trading platform, eSignal also offers a QLink service that makes it quick and simple to download real-time, streaming data into your Excel worksheets. Traders can perform further analysis and build strategies in excel using worksheet functions/macros, and have them executed via Excel API.

2. Charting Platforms

As a trader, you must acquaint yourself with different charting techniques and chart-based strategies that can be profitably applied in the markets. There are many charting platforms available with advanced charting features and analytics.

Some popular charting platforms among traders include:

• NinjaTrader
• TradeStation
• MetaStock
• AmiBroker
• eSignal

Features offered by these platforms include real-time scanning, several technical indicators, expert advisors, backtesting, company fundamentals, news services, placing trades automatically, forecasting, level 2 data, etc. A trader should choose an algorithmic trading platform based on his trading style, features, and pricing.

Let us take the example of MetaStock to list some of the features of charting platforms. MetaStock is a very popular platform and offers solutions for individual end-of-day traders, real-time traders, and FOREX traders.

The basket of products offered includes:

• METASTOCK Real-Time
• METASTOCK XENITH
• METASTOCK Daily Charts
• DataLink
• Third-Party add-ons

Features of METASTOCK Real-Time –

• Markets Explorer – Scan across markets and securities
• Enhanced System Tester – to test your trading ideas
• Indicators & Trading Systems – comprehensive collection of indicators
• Expert advisor – expert inputs of industry professionals
• Forecaster – a tool to view probable Future Prices

Most of these charting platforms offer a trial period that can be used by a trader to assess whether the platform would fulfill his trading needs.

Before subscribing to an algorithmic trading platform it is also vital that a trader understands the pricing policy, as these platforms in addition to the software charges also charge for Datafeed, exchange fees, and third-party add-ons separately.

3. It is all about Programming, baby

Algorithmic trading involves devising & coding strategies by analyzing the historical/real-time data which is procured from the data vendors. Some of the algorithmic trading platforms mentioned above have their scripting language which can be used for coding & backtesting strategies in the platforms themselves.

There are hundreds of external analytical packages that can be used in these languages which aid in developing various trading strategies like:

• momentum-based,
• mean-reverting,
• scalping,
• strategies based on machine learning algorithms,
• sentiment-based strategies, etc.

4. Brokers Brokers Brokers

The next aspect of algorithmic trading is choosing the right broker.

Considerations that go into choosing the right broker include:

1. Speed and reliability of the trading platform
2. Segments offered
3. Brokerage
4. Leverage and the margin requirements
5. Compatibility of charting software with the broker’s platform
6. Gateway API’s offered by the broker

Some of the popular brokers for the Indian markets include:

• Zerodha kite
• Angel Broking
• IIFL
• Upstox

As an algorithmic trader who wants to automate the trading process, you can execute your strategies in live markets via charting platforms that connect to your broker or through the gateway APIs offered. The available APIs are usually listed by the broker on their websites.

Some brokers like Zerodha offer platforms that are a set of simple HTTP APIs built on top of their exchange-approved web-based trading platform. This enables users to gain programmatic access to data such as profile and funds information, order history, positions, live quotes, etc.

In addition, it enables users to place orders and manage portfolios at their convenience using any programming language of their choice (from excel VBAs to Python, Java, C#).

Thus for a prospective trader, he must get himself acquainted with the workings of an API and other relevant features offered by the broker’s platform.

5. A System to beat the heat of algorithmic trading

By now you must have realized that as an algorithmic trader you will be working with different applications (charting platforms/Programming tools/Broker terminal /Newsfeed etc.), dealing with huge data for backtesting, and multi-tasking in live markets. So, it is essential to have the right computer system that fulfills all these needs without going on occasional breaks and strikes.

After all, that is the aim of automation, to get things done smoothly and quickly (and of course, devoid of emotions). Trading with a laptop is not reliable and would limit your multi-tasking abilities. Therefore, it is advisable to use a high-end desktop system with multiple monitors for algorithmic trading.

You’d need reasonable desktop machines with a fast processor, high RAM, multiple monitors with the relevant graphics card(s), a reliable motherboard, and ample storage space shall do.

A trader can purchase the right system after researching his requirements, or by consulting someone having sound knowledge of computer hardware & technology.

Conclusion

This was just a prelude that we thought you should know a few Things Before Starting Algorithmic Trading

Disclaimer: All data and information provided in this article are for informational purposes only. Myalgomate™ makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, correctness, suitability, or validity of any information in this article and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.