Modify Data Series Dialog: Entry/Exit Signals
The Modify Data Series Dialog allows you to analyze and change the properties associated with a data series. The Entry/Exit Signals page allows you to compare and analyze signal fields for the data series.
& For help with entry/exit signals, see Creating and Analyzing Entry/Exit Signals.
Comparing Entry/Exit Signals
This dialog displays a comparison of the signal fields defined for the data series. Information above of the comparison table indicates the date range that is currently being analyzed. Each entry in the table represents one signal field. Each signal field is analyzed using its own trading style, which can be selected on from the Modify Field Dialog: Signal Analysis page for that field.
In addition to the signal fields, an entry called Buy/Hold is displayed for a comparison to buying (entering long) the instrument on the first date of the analysis using the default trading style. This entry is displayed even if no signal fields have been defined. A Benchmark entry may also be displayed if a benchmark is defined in the default trading style.
Ä Note: Buy/Hold is not calculated for data series with market type set to Index.
For end-of-day data, the following information is displayed for each signal field:
p Annualized Return
This value is the annualized return on the initial investment. It can be used to evaluate the overall profitability of the signal. This value is the annualized return on the investment from its initial value to its final value. Additional background information is available on the help for the Modify Trading Style Dialog.
p Annual Trades
This value displays the average number of trades that that were entered during an average year.
p Percent Wins
This value displays the percentage of these trades that produced a positive gain (profit).
For intraday data, the following information is displayed:
p Overall Return
This value displays the percent change in the value of the investment from its initial value to its final value. If the investment lost money, it is displayed as a negative number in red.
p Overall Trades
This value displays the number of trades that that were entered during date range.
p Percent Wins
This value displays the percentage of these trades that produced a positive gain (profit).
The information in each of these columns can be sorted. To sort a column of information, double-click on the heading of that column. When a column is first sorted, it will be in ascending order. Double-clicking the heading of a column that has been sorted will sort that column in descending order.
For detailed information about the trades that make up these statistics, select the signal you want information on and press the Analyze… button.
Ä Note: Detailed analysis is not available for Buy/Hold or the benchmark. They will always consist of one trade that has a gain based on the overall change in the trading price.
Special Display Values
The following values may be displayed instead of the analysis of a signal.
· <pending>
This value is displayed when this signal or its analysis still requires processing. This value will be updated automatically when the analysis is completed.
· <suspended>
This value is displayed when this symbol is streaming. In order to update alerts and display fields as quickly as possible, automatic signal analysis is suspended for the signals of data series that are streaming. This analysis is update automatically when streaming is stopped.
Ä Note: Analysis of individual signals is still available by selecting the signal and pressing the Analyze… button. If the analysis indicates processing is required, TradingSolutions is currently processing a new bar for this symbol. Exit out of the analysis, wait a moment, and open the analysis again.
· <error>
This value is displayed if there was an error calculating this signal or one of its inputs.
Understanding Trading Styles and Market Types
By default, each signal is analyzed using the trading style and market type that were used to create it. These can be overridden by selecting a new analysis trading style in the detail analysis for the signal.
Since individual signals can be analyzed with different trading styles and market types, it is possible that the analysis of different signals produces very different results. For example, some signals may be analyzed with a small investment while others have a large investment. And, when the market type of the data is changed, some signals may be analyzed using trading without leverage, while other signals are analyzed using trading with leverage.
The tool tip for each signal indicates the trading style that was used to analyze it, as well as any differences in the trading settings. Also, in cases where the market type or trading settings are different, the name will reflect this information.
& For help with market types and the associated settings, see Understanding Market Types.
Analyzing an Entry/Exit Signal in Detail
To display a detailed analysis of a signal field, select the field in the comparison table, then press the Analyze… button. This will display the Modify Field Dialog: Signal Analysis page. You can also analyze a signal field by double-clicking the signal field name in the comparison table.
While viewing the Modify Field Dialog, you can change any of the properties of the signal field by selecting a different property page. However, the analysis will not be updated to reflect those changes until the OK button is pressed and the field has been recalculated and reanalyzed.
Selecting Primary and Secondary Signals
Primary and Secondary signals allow you to easily track and analyze your favorite entry/exit signals for each data series. You can specify which signals are your Primary and Secondary Signal by selecting a signal and pressing the Make Primary or Make Secondary button.
The settings or the current Primary and Secondary signals can be cleared by selecting Buy/Hold and pressing the Clear Primary or Clear Secondary buttons.
Ä Note: If the Primary Signal is cleared, the next signal created for this data series will be set as the Primary Signal.
& For more information about special signal designations, see Primary, Secondary and Service Signals.
Changing Signal Analysis Options
To change the signal analysis options for this data series, press the Change… button. This will display the Signal Analysis Options Dialog. If the date range is changed from this dialog, the signals will be reanalyzed and the new results will be displayed in the comparison table.
To change the default signal analysis options for all of TradingSolutions, exit the Modify Data Series Dialog and select Options… from the Tools menu. This will display the Modify Options Dialog, where you can select the Signal Analysis property page and adjust the default signal analysis options.
What Do I Do Next?
When you are finished analyzing the trading signals and making any changes, press the Close button or select another property page.
Additional Property Pages
The Modify Data Series Dialog has the following property pages.
This page allows you to change the ticker and display names for the data series, as well as providing you with several quick actions to perform on the data series.
This page allows you to add new fields, as well as modify and delete existing fields in the data series.
This page allows you to adjust the trading settings associated with this data series.
This page allows you to analyze and retrain prediction fields for the data series.
This page allows you to compare and analyze signal fields for the data series.
This page allows you to manage previously saved chart and spreadsheet views for the data series.
& For help using property pages, see the help for Property Pages.
How Did I Get Here?
The Entry/Exit Signals property page appears when you select Analyze Signals… from the context menu for a data series in the Portfolio View. It also appears when the Analyze Entry/Exit Signals button is selected on the Name page.