Switching to IB from TDA's TOS will I be able to analyze options

Joebone · Jun 22, 2017

tommcginnis said:
Remember the origins here -- ToS is an analysis package that trades; TWS is a trading package that (slowly, slowwwwwly) is learning to analyze. To that extent, ToS will have a distinct advantage.

For me (coming as a equities' tick scalper), TWS/IB had the absolute advantage when I was running through hundreds of trades a day. But as I'm now an options premium seller, trading most OPM, in what is sometimes a "combative" environment (i.e., with new All-Time High(s) reported every other week for 6 months in a row...), the speed afforded by TWS set-ups is gratifying, satisfying, *exulting*, ..... marvelous. (I'm putting aside all my MAJOR BITCHING AT I.B. Days.....)

So it boils down to, "Just what do you wish for, in 'analyzing options'??" I have built my own -- a system that resembles screenshots from OptionVue in its overall nature. In the meantime, IB has developed a good number of analysis tools, and very-much improved some others, to the point where I've promised myself to look through the whole mess again and re-acquaint myself. (Some were pretty damn cludgy and juvenile -- and look vastly improved now.)

But yeah -- that multi-account stuff -- Wow. VERY handy.

I encourage you to check out the whole suite of Risk Navigator tools. If you only used half of what ToS had available, this might be right up your alley.

Risk Navigator..... Ill Check that out. Do most trade with TWS at IB or do many use one of the myriad of other platforms?

tommcginnis · Jun 22, 2017

Joebone said:
Risk Navigator..... Ill Check that out. Do most trade with TWS at IB or do many use one of the myriad of other platforms?

I have no direct knowledge, but I assume the majority of IB traffic is institutional, that IB assumes we've all got IT over one shoulder, and Research over the other, and that we're all running an API with our Special Sauce poured all through it. (I'm completing my Special Sauce right now ["Ha!"], and expect to spend the next year putting it in Java for real-time connection. Still, you can do a lot with a periodic .csv off-load and a spreadsheet....

stevegee58 · Jun 23, 2017

The risk navigator isn't up to where the TOS analysis tools are.
Here's a little secret: Do you trading on IB TWS, do your analysis on an unfunded TOS account. You can import a trade log from IB to TOS with a little massaging and track your trades in real time there with *nice* risk graphs.

Joebone · Jun 23, 2017

stevegee58 said:
The risk navigator isn't up to where the TOS analysis tools are.
Here's a little secret: Do you trading on IB TWS, do your analysis on an unfunded TOS account. You can import a trade log from IB to TOS with a little massaging and track your trades in real time there with *nice* risk graphs.

so you import a trade log and it populates the analyze tab?

stevegee58 · Jun 23, 2017

Joebone said:
so you import a trade log and it populates the analyze tab?

With some massaging, yes. I run an activity report, save it as a text file and run it through a custom Python script to get the TOS import/export format.

Joebone · Jun 23, 2017

stevegee58 said:
With some massaging, yes. I run an activity report, save it as a text file and run it through a custom Python script to get the TOS import/export format.

Excellent, thanks for the advice!

Cdntrader · Jun 24, 2017

Joebone said:
Hello,

I'm starting a Friends and Family account at IB(side note: what an amazing offering they have with this!)

I am very comfortable with TDA's TOS options trading. I have years of experience using this platform and know most of its features. I am also semi-capable with Thinkscript to design my own custom indicators for underlying analysis. Does IB's TWS have the tools I will need?

Options position and portfolio analysis?

will I be able to analyze my options by expiration for multiple underlings like I can in TOS?

Also, just interested in general TWS experience as an options trading platform? Your personal experience with it would be great info for me! please share strengths / weaknesses IYO!

Cheers

Have you looked through IB third party apps? Maybe something there. I haven't looked through them in ages though.
https://www.interactivebrokers.com/Universal/servlet/MarketPlace.MarketPlaceServlet

lugui · Jun 28, 2017

stevegee58 said:
With some massaging, yes. I run an activity report, save it as a text file and run it through a custom Python script to get the TOS import/export format.

Hi,

In TOS, what is the command used to import trade log ?

Thanks

lugui

stevegee58 · Jun 28, 2017

Cdntrader said:
Have you looked through IB third party apps? Maybe something there. I haven't looked through them in ages though.
https://www.interactivebrokers.com/Universal/servlet/MarketPlace.MarketPlaceServlet

Sadly there's not much in IB's 3rd party app collection for option trading, at least not a direct TOS replacement. OptionVue is probably the best for risk graphs, modeling and greeks but it's an expensive subscription.

stevegee58 · Jun 28, 2017

lugui said:
In TOS, what is the command used to import trade log ?

Under the analyze tab in the Positions and Simulated Trades pane there's a menu button to the right. The Import Trades menu item does it.
Just keep in mind you can't directly import trades from IB into TOS. The import is for TOS-formatted exported trades.