The Evaluation and Optimization of Trading Strategies, 2nd Edition

CHAPTER 14

Trading the Strategy

The path that the trader must follow from idea through real-time trading is a long one. As documented in this book, this path begins as an idea, proceeds through specification and refinement, then on to evaluation and Walk-Forward Analysis and finally to end with its implementation as a profitable real-time trading strategy. The path is long and arduous at times, but it is well worth it when the well-conceived and thoroughly tested trading strategy starts and continues to produce real-time trading profits.

Before the time of the all-pervasive personal computer, it was all too common to begin trading a good idea after what would now be viewed as cursory and inadequate testing. In fact, even in this highly computerized era of ours, some traders still do it this way. The outcome was often significant trading loss. The reason for that outcome should be clear to all readers who have come to this final chapter.

The computer can save money in many ways. The main way the computer saves the trader money is by detecting bad trading ideas before those ideas erase the trader’s account. Personal computer time, no matter how much is used, is usually a lot cheaper than the consequences of an untested trading strategy and its all too avoidable trading losses.

Only after a trading strategy has passed through exhaustive evaluation with robust profit should a trader even think about trading with it in real-time. Even after the most rigorous development and evaluation, ...