Quantitative Trading: How to Build Your Own Algorithmic Trading Business - Hardcover

Chan, Ernest P.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0470284889 ISBN 13: 9780470284889

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc, 2008

Synopsis

While institutional traders continue to implement quantitative (or algorithmic) trading, many independent traders have wondered if they can still challenge powerful industry professionals at their own game? The answer is "yes," and in Quantitative Trading, Dr. Ernest Chan, a respected independent trader and consultant, will show you how. Whether you're an independent "retail" trader looking to start your own quantitative trading business or an individual who aspires to work as a quantitative trader at a major financial institution, this practical guide contains the information you need to succeed.

About this title

About the Author

Ernest P. Chan, PhD, is a quantitative trader and consultant who advises clients on how to implement automated statistical trading strategies. He has worked as a quantitative researcher and trader in various investment banks including Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse, as well as hedge funds such as Mapleridge Capital, Millennium Partners, and MANE Fund Management. Dr. Chan earned a PhD in physics from Cornell University.

From the Back Cover

Praise for Quantitative Trading

"As technology has evolved, so has the ease in developing trading strategies. Ernest Chan does all traders, current and prospective, a real service by succinctly outlining the tremendous benefits, but also some of the pitfalls, in utilizing many of the recently implemented quantitative trading techniques."
—PETER BORISH, Founding Partner, Tudor Investment Corporation

"Dr. Ernest Chan provides an optimal framework for strategy development, back-testing, risk management, programming knowledge, and real-time system implementation to develop and run an algorithmic trading business step by step in Quantitative Trading."
—YASER ANWAR, trader

"Quantitative systematic trading is a challenging field that has always been shrouded in mystery, seemingly too difficult to master by all but an elite few. In this honest and practical guide, Dr. Chan highlights the essential cornerstones of a successful automated trading operation and shares lessons he learned the hard way while offering clear direction to steer readers away from common traps that both individual and institutional traders often succumb to."
—ROSARIO M. INGARGIOLA, CTO, Alphacet, Inc.

"This book provides valuable insight into how private investors can establish a solid structure for success in algorithmic trading. Ernie's extensive hands-on experience in building trading systems is invaluable for aspiring traders who wish to take their knowledge to the next level."
—RAMON CUMMINS, private investor

"Out of the many books and articles on quantitative trading that I've read over the years, very few have been of much use at all. In most instances, the authors have no real knowledge of the subject matter, or do have something important to say but are unwilling to do so because of fears of having trade secrets stolen. Ernie subscribes to a different credo: Share meaningful information and have meaningful interactions with the quantitative community at large. Ernie successfully distills a large amount of detailed and difficult subject matter down to a very clear and comprehensive resource for novice and pro alike."
—STEVE HALPERN, founder, HCC Capital, LLC

From the Inside Flap

By some estimates, quantitative (or algorithmic) trading now accounts for over one-third of trading volume in the United States. While institutional traders continue to implement this highly effective approach, many independent traders—with limited resources and less computing power—have wondered if they can still challenge powerful industry professionals at their own game? The answer is "yes," and in Quantitative Trading, author Dr. Ernest Chan, a respected independent trader and consultant, will show you how.

Whether you're an independent "retail" trader looking to start your own quantitative trading business or an individual who aspires to work as a quantitative trader at a major financial institution, this practical guide contains the information you need to succeed.

Organized around the steps you should take to start trading quantitatively, this book skillfully addresses how to:

• Find a viable trading strategy that you're both comfortable with and confident in

• Backtest your strategy—with MATLAB®, Excel, and other platforms—to ensure good historical performance

• Build and implement an automated trading system to execute your strategy

• Scale up or wind down your strategies depending on their real-world profitability

• Manage the money and risks involved in holding positions generated by your strategy

• Incorporate advanced concepts that most professionals use into your everyday trading activities

• And much more

While Dr. Chan takes the time to outline the essential aspects of turning quantitative trading strategies into profits, he doesn't get into overly theoretical or sophisticated theories. Instead, he highlights the simple tools and techniques you can use to gain a much-needed edge over today's institutional traders.

And for those who want to keep up with the latest news, ideas, and trends in quantitative trading, you're welcome to visit Dr. Chan's blog, epchan.blogspot.com, as well as his premium content Web site, epchan.com/subscriptions, which you'll have free access to with purchase of this book.

As an independent trader, you're free from the con-straints found in today's institutional environment—and as long as you adhere to the discipline of quantitative trading, you can achieve significant returns. With this reliable resource as your guide, you'll quickly discover what it takes to make it in such a dynamic and demanding field.

Edition details

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0470284889
• ISBN 13: 9780470284889
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 181