Questions related to switching from simulation to live strategies...

[Elliott Wave]

I just had a quick question about switching from simulation to live mode when a strategy is already running.

For example I have a strategy with a condition:

If CurrentMarketPosition = Long
....
....
ExitLong

I had this strategy running on my chart, and when I unchecked global simulation mode, the strategy went short, went it was supposed to be exiting an existing long. The problem is that the existing long was a simulated trade, and when the exit condition was triggered it was a real trade, but not the one I expected.

Is there a proper way to switch to live mode that will start flat regardless of historical trades?

Also when running a strategy is there a setting that determines whether NT will try to 'catch up' to the previous order, or simply wait for the next trigger?

[NinjaTrader_Ray]

See if this Help Guide section helps - http://www.ninjatrader-support.com/H...tegiesTab.html

[Elliott Wave]

Perfect! This is exactly what I was looking for.

thank you

[Elliott Wave]

I had a quick question about this. Both of these options seem like a compromise. I really wish strategies could be intelligently synchronized with the live account position.

The problem is that NT doesn't seem to be able to recognize the difference between 'Sell Short' and 'Exit Long". Those are two very different things. Furthermore, why can't the program tell the difference between a real-time order and simulated order?

The main question though, is there a way this limitation can be overcome within the strategy itself?

Instead of using "If Position.MarketPosition == MarketPosition.Long" is there something else that more accurately reflects the actual account position?

Within my strategy I have conditions that enter, reverse and exit a position. If I use the option to "Wait Until Flat..." I may be waiting a very long time as most of the conditions reverse from long to short etc. so my position is rarely flat.

If I use "Immediately submit live working historical orders" I run the risk of having an "Exit Long" order turning into a short position. This could result in my actual account position being the inverse of the strategy position which is a disaster waiting to happen, making this option largely unusable. If I manually enter a live order to synchronize the position, I'm usually stuck with a crappy entry after the primary move has already happened.




Any ideas?

Wait until flat before executing live
When a NinjaScript strategy that relies on historical data to calculate it's current position and orders state is started, it will wait until the strategy position has a flat position before executing any live orders.

Immediately submit live working historical orders
When a NinjaScript strategy that relies on historical data to calculate it's current position and orders state is started, it will immediately submit live any working orders that reflect the current strategy's overall order state. It is IMPORTANT to understand that the position of the strategy reported in the Strategies tab may not reflect the actual account-based position reported in the Accounts tab at the time the strategy is started. Should you wish to synchronize your strategy position with your account position you will have to manually place an order to your account via the Control Center Orders tab.

[NinjaTrader_Ray]

There is no one to one relationship of a strategy position to an account position, this provides flexiblity in that it allows a trader to separate -

- Multiple concurrent strategies in the same market
- Automated trades vs concurrent discretionary trades
- Automated trades from long term position trades

There are many other reasons why there is not auto synchronization that ultimatley lead to user intervention. I will put on my list to discuss this in more detail in a stick post in the future.

For now, you have to manually synchronize.

[Elliott Wave]

There is no one to one relationship of a strategy position to an account position, this provides flexiblity in that it allows a trader to separate -

- Multiple concurrent strategies in the same market
- Automated trades vs concurrent discretionary trades
- Automated trades from long term position trades

There are many other reasons why there is not auto synchronization that ultimatley lead to user intervention. I will put on my list to discuss this in more detail in a stick post in the future.

For now, you have to manually synchronize.

Thanks Ray. The reasons you outline make sense. The option to auto-synchronize would be nice though for people who would rather trade some flexibility for convenience...

In the meantime, the best solution I've found is to "flatten everything" after starting a new strategy.

Rather than "If Long... Enter Short", most of my conditions are structured "If Not Short... Enter Short", "If Not Long... Enter Long" so most entries will be taken and I'll only miss a few entries based specifically on reversal patterns of existing entries doing things this way...

[GaryGuy]

See if this Help Guide section helps - http://www.ninjatrader-support.com/H...tegiesTab.html

This link is no longer valid

[NinjaTrader_Lance]

Hello,

This is an old thread from NinjaTrader 6.5

For version 7 help guide on the strategies tab

http://www.ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt7/index.html?strategies_tab.htm

http://www.ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt7/index.html?strategies_tab2.htm

Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.