Machine Learning is the secret ingredient in my algorithmic trading.
Here are 5 steps to get started (with Python code):
1. Define the Problem and Gather Data
Start by deciding what you want to predict (e.g., stock price direction, volatility) and collect relevant data (e.g., historical prices, volume, economic indicators). Use APIs like yfinance or Alpha Vantage for financial data.
2. Preprocess and Feature Engineering
Clean the data (handle missing values and incorrect prices) and create features like moving averages, RSI, or lagged returns to give the model predictive power.
3. Choose and Train a Model
Pick an ML model for trading (e.g., regression for price prediction, classification for buy/sell signals). Split data into training and testing sets, then train the model.
4. Evaluate and Optimize
Test the model’s performance using metrics like accuracy, precision, or annualized returns. Tune hyperparameters to improve results and avoid overfitting.
5. Backtest and Deploy
Simulate the model’s performance on historical data to estimate profitability and risk. If successful, integrate it into a trading system with proper risk management.
Want to learn how to get started with algorithmic trading with Python?
Then join us on March 5th for a live webinar, how to Build Algorithmic Trading Strategies (that actually get results)
🚨BREAKING: A new open-source multi-agent LLM trading framework in Python
It's called TradingAgents.
Here's what it does (and how to get it for FREE): 🧵
1. What is TradingAgents
TradingAgents is a multi-agent trading framework that mirrors the dynamics of real-world hedge funds.
2. How it works
By deploying specialized LLM-powered agents: from fundamental analysts, sentiment experts, and technical analysts, to trader, risk management team, the platform collaboratively evaluates market conditions and informs trading decisions
yfinance pulls live and historical price data for any ticker in seconds. Plotly turns it into interactive charts. Add your own indicators, overlays, and alerts. No subscription needed.
yfinance exposes full income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements directly. Pull any company's financials into a DataFrame, calculate your own ratios, and build custom models — all in a notebook.
The secret of hedge funds is revealed in a 41-page PDF:
This paper analyzed 464 stocks that 10X-ed over a 24-year period.
Here are the best factors that drive outperformance: (number 3 is the best 🧵)
1. Size Effect
"Small-cap stocks outperform medium and large companies in 11 out of 12 cases"
Smaller stocks tend to perform better, but it's not the only contributor.
2. Value Effect
"A low book-to-market value (B/M < 1), i.e., low equity and relatively high market cap, implies that investors are paying more for a company than its net assets are worth."
Don't overpay - Overpaying tends to drive underperformance.