Quote from Corey:
Don't be so quick to jump to conclusions. His question has merit. You assume far too much about the systems he is proposing.
If my trend following system is looking for a 20 pt move on the upside, but my reversion system, half-way into the trend, is looking for a 5 pt move to the downside, why would I sell my longs? I could take my short, take the profit, and wait for the trend to continue.
It all depends on the setup. Now, if my trend following system and my reversion system give a signal at the exact same time with exact opposite calls, it is another story. In that case, it all depends one which one is more sensitive to the short term time-frame...
First, there really isn't a point of talking about how people pick signals out. Few reasons to this:
1. The reason people pick signals from a system is because there is a discretionary aspect involved with the trading one does. Obviously, a Black Box (fully automated) systems and Grey Box (discretion-added) systems are developed differently.
When developing a Grey Box model, you put into consideration what the trader inputs on top of the coded signal. This can be different things... it can be execution, macro market direction, timing, contract size, news event, momentum... basically it can anything. In simply terms, you delegate a trading process between the code and the trader. Which part of the process you delegate depends on the developer.
With all the possibilities a trader can input into the Grey Box, it's useless to have a generalized discussion over how to combine multiple grey boxes.
2. How someone deals with an automated system is going to be different. Just read MGJ's post. Common sense stuff.
3. Most of you lack clarity in how you develop and approach systematic trading. Even more, what's involved in trading as a whole, discretion included. You guys should start thinking about how a trade is processed in detail, step-by-step. You just don't get a signal and do what you feel. Even more, there's more to a system than having a "setup", "signal", "order entry"...
Even if you have a throrough process defined, you have to dig in deeper, considering the risks of each of the steps within the process.
Finally. The point of running system is not because you get don't emotionally involved or some psycho-shit. If that's the reason why you trade signals or systems, you're going to fail.
Now... I'm going back to my real life...
Peace out... bendejos...