SteveL Veteran   Posts: 262 Joined: 8/19/2005 Location: Boulder, CO  User Profile | Hi, Keith. I've been using AT with GXtrader since June, ATS since it was introduced with OT2018 in December, and started running an ATM method last week. So, here are some answers to your questions based on my experience. 1) AT submits orders to whatever account is selected when it is time to submit orders. AT does not submit trades to both the Paper and GXTrader accounts. It will submit orders to the account selected when you enabled AT and/or when it submits orders. I don't know what would happen if you changed accounts between ToDo analysis and when orders are scheduled to be submitted. My guess is that at order submission time, whatever account is selected is queried for current positions and available funds, then AT calculates what orders to submit, and send them. 2) Yep, 50% is an odd default. If you want 200% margin, then set 200% margin. I set 200% margin. 3) The "Require Order Confirmation" setting has no affect on AT. You do not need to confirm AT orders. 4) If you have an ATM method selcted, e.g. the "ATM ARM5" method, then the method will control AT's trade sizing and which strategies are active. OR, if you have TradeSize selected, then that controls the TradeSize and (I believe) the PortSim configuration controls which Strategy or Strategies are active. 5) As noted in 1) above, AT will submit orders to one account, e.g., GXTrader, or Paper, or ... It will submit the orders at the time configured, or at completion of ToDo Analysis, depending on the configuration. I don't know what happens if you change the Broker/Account between completion of ToDo Analysis, and order submission. If I recall correctly, submitted-pending entry orders will appear as unfilled triangles in the Position column of the Focus List (assuming you've configured the FL to include that column). To monitor your trades, you could use GXTrader TradeAway (https://gxtrader.com/TradeawayIB/index.aspx) or IB TWS (Trader WorkStation https://www.interactivebrokers.com/en/index.php?f=14099) to view positions and pending orders. I prefer and use TWS. I don't know of any place to view pending AT order prior to orders being submitted. My impression/understanding is that this is determined at the moment that orders are to be submitted, although it's possible that it happens at completion of ToDo Analysis. NOTE: I have not experimented with changing the Broker/Account between ToDo Analysis completion and order submission. I have AT configured to run analysis 20 minutes prior to market close. DURING ToDo Analysis, exit orders are submitted as existing in-trade symbols are analyzed. At completion of analysis, MOC entry orders are submitted. (NOTE: GarWoodSecurities/InteractiveBrokers requires MOC orders to be submitted 15 minutes prior to market close, so need to start analysis with enough time to complete for that deadline). Then AT is configured to "Update Portfolio" after final market close data is available. I occasionally get another exit MKT order submitted by AT at that time. 6) I believe that at order submission time, AT queries the selected Broker/Account and obtains position and available funds information, calculates what trades to place, and submits the orders. Until the order is executed, I believe you can cancel it by right clicking the trade chevron on the right side of the chart, and selecting "Cancel Order." 7) I don't know. I have not interrupted AT between ToDo Analysis and order submission. I have stopped AT after order submission, but before "Update Portfolio" has run, and if AT is re-enabled, then "Update Portfolio" runs as scheduled. 8) AT sends email notifications of trades that fail. For example, if AT has an excess of new potential trades, but not enough funds to take those trades, those excess trades will fail. But also, I have seen some occasional entry trade failures which I can't see any reason for them to have failed. Barry and I have exchanged emails discussing the errors. No conclusions yet. And, up to this point in time, there has been quite a bit of AT, ATS and ATM activity, so I'm monitoring closely. Orphan trades: Good question. I am daily monitoring AT (for now). I have intervened a few times, and some "orphaned" trades have occurred but possibly (probably?) due to my messing with things. CONCLUSION: I really like AT. But, as Ed advised, I'd recommend starting with Paper trading and make sure it is doing what you expect. [Edited by SteveL on 2/19/2018 1:55 AM] | |
