10) Algorithmic Trading Strategies
10) Algorithmic Trading Strategies
10) Algorithmic Trading Strategies
Trades are initiated based on the occurrence of desirable trends, which are easy
and straightforward to implement through algorithms without getting into
the complexity of predictive analysis. The above mentioned example of 50
and 200 day moving average is a popular trend following strategy.
2) Arbitrage Opportunities:
Buying a dual listed stock at a lower price in one market and simultaneously
selling it at a higher price in another market offers the price differential as
risk-free profit or arbitrage. The same operation can be replicated for stocks
versus futures instruments, as price differentials do exists from time to time.
Implementing an algorithm to identify such price differentials and placing
the orders allows profitable opportunities in efficient manner.
Index funds have defined periods of rebalancing to bring their holdings to par
with their respective benchmark indices. This creates profitable
opportunities for algorithmic traders, who capitalize on expected trades that
offer 20-80 basis points profits depending upon the number of stocks in the
index fund, just prior to index fund rebalancing. Such trades are initiated via
algorithmic trading systems for timely execution and best prices.
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Mean reversion strategy is based on the idea that the high and low prices of an
asset are a temporary phenomenon that revert to their mean value
periodically. Identifying and defining a price range and implementing
algorithm based on that allows trades to be placed automatically when price
of asset breaks in and out of its defined range.
Volume weighted average price strategy breaks up a large order and releases
dynamically determined smaller chunks of the order to the market using
stock specific historical volume profiles. The aim is to execute the order
close to the Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP), thereby benefiting
on average price.
Time weighted average price strategy breaks up a large order and releases
dynamically determined smaller chunks of the order to the market using
evenly divided time slots between a start and end time. The aim is to
execute the order close to the average price between the start and end times,
thereby minimizing market impact.
Until the trade order is fully filled, this algorithm continues sending partial
orders, according to the defined participation ratio and according to the
volume traded in the markets. The related "steps strategy" sends orders at a
user-defined percentage of market volumes and increases or decreases this
participation rate when the stock price reaches user-defined levels.
9) Implementation Shortfall:
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Such detection through algorithms will help the market maker identify large
order opportunities and enable him to benefit by filling the orders at a
higher price. This is sometimes identified as high-tech front-running.
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