With the development of modern technology, practically every company is now relying on logical code to determine how effective trading is. For accomplishing the desired results, algorithms employ user data, historical data, and a predetermined set of instructions.
For instance, mutual fund firms employ an algorithm to take the predetermined amount from your monthly bank account for a SIP.
However, depositories and stockbrokers are not the only entities that use algorithms. Investors actively employ algorithms to decrease human mistakes and boost trading profit possibilities.
What is Algorithmic Trading?
In algorithmic trading, a deal is placed by a computer program that adheres to a predetermined set of rules. Theoretically, the deal can produce profits at a pace and frequency that are beyond the capabilities of a human trader.
The specified instructions can be based on a mathematical model, time, pricing, quantity, or other factors. In addition to providing the trader with prospects for profit, algo trading increases market liquidity and makes trading more organized by minimizing the influence of human emotions.
Beginning of Algorithmic Trading in India
The historic SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) circular of 2008 announced that India could now expand its marketplaces to Algorithmic Trading. Resultantly, the Direct Market Access (DMA) program was started.
Thanks to DMA’s permission, brokers were allowed to offer their technology to non-retail customers. Such clients were permitted to execute transactions using algorithms-powered software.
Therefore, Algorithmic Trading was conducted in India for the first time without human involvement.
Advantages of Algorithmic Trading
Algorithmic trading has a lot of advantages, particularly when deals are carried out as quickly as feasible.
Some of the main advantages of algo trading include the following:
Removes Human Emotions
One of the main benefits of algorithmic trading is its capacity to eliminate human emotions from trading activity. This is because trading actions are outlined and predicted on a particular set of guidelines.
Unlike automated trading, human trading is susceptible to emotions that could result in irrational trading judgments. In contrast, algo trading is mostly based on computerized or automatic trades without the involvement of humans.
So, for instance, in order to prevent emotions, algo trading continually advises traders not to take on more risk than they can handle.
Accuracy
Precision and accuracy are essential to achieving success in Algo Trading. Normally, there would be a lot of potential for failure in algo trading if humans participated.
Algorithmic trading, however, uses a computer to carry out trades according to a set of instructions, which lowers the risk of mistakes.
Therefore, planning is suggested to make accurate trading choices that will boost and promote transaction accuracy.
Handles Multiple Trades
An algorithmic transaction opens up a channel for traders to execute several trades while maintaining accuracy and speed. It further increases the possibility of making more earnings.
The transaction speed has quickly been boosted thanks to better technological development and innovation.
Ability to Backtest
Traders must ascertain which components of their trading system are flawed and should propose quick modifications to prevent excessive losses. With algo trading, traders can backtest their trades using historical data and compare it with the latest data.
This method is advised to determine whether transaction results will remain the same.
High-Frequency Trading
High-Frequency Trading (HFT) is a unique approach to algorithmic trading that uses highly effective and potent computers to carry out trades in accordance with High-Frequency with predetermined rules.
Moreover, adopting sophisticated algorithms allows for the extremely fast processing of these transactions. Trading turnover is typically higher for high-frequency trading system users than for other systems. Besides, algorithmic trading has high trade ratios in addition to large turnovers.
Increased Market Volume
Traders now have the exceptional chance to diversify their trading platforms thanks to algorithmic trading. Individuals and businesses that trade can efficiently and quickly exchange enormous volumes of shares.
This implies that market participants may allow traders to purchase a large number of shares, sell them very immediately, and profit from a high turnover.
Is Algorithmic Trading Legal?
Yes, Algorithmic Trading is legal!
Any laws or regulations do not constrain the employment of trading algorithms.
SEBI created the regulatory framework to ensure the security of algorithmic trading, safeguard the interests of regular investors, and stop any potential market manipulation.
Some investors can argue that this kind of trading fosters an unjust trading environment that hurts markets.
However, it is not unlawful in any way!
What Programming language Does Algorithmic Trader Use?
C++ is a popular programming language among algorithmic traders because it is very effective at processing large amounts of data.
The more manageable language, such as Python, might be a better choice for finance professionals wishing to get started in programming than C or C++, which are both more sophisticated and challenging.
How to Learn Algorithmic Trading?
Any online instructional materials for algorithmic trading may be challenging to understand. Nobody can stop you from succeeding at Algo trading if you approach your learning process properly.
Here are the steps that any ambitious algorithmic trader should work upon:
Quantitative Analysis
In quantitative analysis (quants), patterns are found, and models are created to access them. The models are therefore applied to forecast securities’ price movements.
Understanding of Financial Market
Since the human mind is naturally wired to learn through observation, it stands to reason that spending time studying the chart will improve one’s understanding of the financial market.
So if you want to create an algorithm, you must have this information.
Programming skills
The next step is to transition to the more complex area of algorithmic trading after mastering the fundamentals. It is to master programming skills if you have never assembled a program.
Although it’s not as tough as you may imagine, most individuals find this component of learning algorithmic trading to be the most challenging. Still, you might need a programmer to implement your trading plan, regardless of the technique you intend to execute.
A quant developer must have solid knowledge of C++, Java, and Python, and the best way to learn programming is by doing.
Technical Requirements of Algorithm Trading?
The last step in Algorithmic Trading is to put the Algorithm into practice using a computer program after backtesting.
However, the difficult part is integrating the determined approach into a computer program that can access a trading account and accept orders.
The prerequisites for algorithmic trading are as follows:
- You can hire a developer or use a ready-made trading system to learn the essential computer programming skills to develop the trading strategy.
- Access to trading platforms and networking capabilities for placing orders.
- According to the complexity of the rules implemented in the Algorithm, there is available historical data for backtesting.
How To Start Algorithmic Trading in India?
There are a few steps that you need to take into consideration if you want to start Algorithm-based Trading in India:
Financial Knowledge
You must possess knowledge of the financial market to do algorithmic trading. That’s why you need to own or build some knowledge-based advantage to outperform the competition in any market.
Coding
Understanding an open-source program like Python or R is helpful for this level.
You can access the free libraries that are accessible in both of these languages to the fullest extent and translate your plan into a series of logical statements.
Selecting a Right Broker and Platform
It is crucial to conduct a thorough study before you start, as your whole efforts should make financial sense.
After all, overhead expenses are considered!
Moreover, ensure you only pay for what you need to implement your approach effectively. Keep trade costs low and operations agile, in other words.
Going On-Air and Risk Management
When you’re happy with your Algorithm, let it operate in real marketplaces. Utilize stop-loss, restrictions, and monitoring of the Var/Expected deficit to manage risks effectively.
Keep a watch out for structural changes or regime shifts in the larger economy or industry; in such cases, your plan may need to be adjusted or abandoned entirely.
However, keep in mind that each method has a finite lifespan and limitations!
Keep Developing Advanced Skills and Updating your Knowledge
The finest investment, as they say, is in oneself. Look to improve and refresh your technical abilities and knowledge needed to act on that data and understanding.
Strategies for Algorithmic Trading
Any algorithmic trading strategy needs to have a profitable opportunity that can increase earnings or decrease costs that have been found.
The following are typical trading methods employed in automated trading:
Trend Following Strategies
The most popular algorithmic trading techniques rely on price level changes, moving average trends, channel breakdowns, and other relevant technical indicators.
Since these techniques don’t need making any assumptions or price forecasts, they are the easiest and fastest to execute using algorithmic trading.
Without delving into the complexities of predictive analysis, trades are started based on the frequency of good patterns, which are simple to apply through algorithms.
Arbitrage Opportunities
The price difference can be used as risk-free profit or arbitrage by purchasing a dual-listed stock at a lower price in one market and simultaneously releasing it at a higher price in another.
Since there are price differences between stocks and futures products, the same procedure can be repeated. Profitable opportunities are made possible by implementing an algorithm to find these price gaps and execute the orders effectively.
Index Fund Rebalancing
Index funds have set times for rebalancing to bring their holdings into line with their particular benchmark indexes.
This generates lucrative trading opportunities for algorithmic traders, who profit from anticipated trades that, based on the number of shares in the index fund, give returns of 20 to 80 basis points right before index fund rebalancing.
For prompt implementation and the best prices, such trades have started using algorithmic trading algorithms.
Mean Revision Strategy
The idea behind the mean reversion method is that an asset’s high and low values are cyclical phenomena that regularly return to their mean value (average value).
Trading can be automated when an asset’s price enters or exits a specific price range by identifying, defining, and using an algorithm based on that range.
Volume Weighted Average Price Strategy
The volume-weighted average pricing technique divides up large orders into smaller, dynamically decided chunks that are released to the market using previous volume profiles that are stock-specific.
The order should be executed near the volume-weighted average price (VWAP).
Time Weighted Average Price Strategy
The time-weighted average pricing technique divides up a large transaction using regularly spaced time slots between a start and a finish time. It releases smaller, dynamically decided portions of the transaction to the market.
The objective is to minimize the market impact by executing the order at or around the average price between the start and end timings.
Percentage of Volume Strategy
This Algorithm keeps delivering partial orders by the specified participation ratio and the volume transacted in the exchanges until the trade order is filled.
When the stock price exceeds user-defined levels, the corresponding “steps strategy” raises or lowers this level of participation, thus sending orders at a user-defined proportion of market volumes.
Implementation Shortfall Strategy
By trading on the real-time market, the implementation shortfall approach seeks to reduce an order’s execution costs while also taking advantage of the opportunity cost of late completion.
When the share price rises positively, the strategy will enhance the desired participation rate; conversely, when the stock price moves negatively, it will drop.
Regulations on Algorithmic Trading in India
Every year, SEBI develops rules that traders and intermediaries must abide by to maintain the trading industry secure and risk-controlled.
With algorithmic trading, risk management is essential.
Because of this, markets need a firm to go through several demanding examinations if it wants to trade using algo trading before the markets can authorize any algorithm.
These tests consider the number of orders that would be put per second, the highest order value that could be placed, and the greatest amount that could be exchanged on a given trading day.
Conclusion
Algorithmic trading allows you to improve your profitability when you trade on the stock market. However, System failure, internet connectivity disruption, and incorrect algorithmic instructions are some of the risks associated with this technology.
Therefore, you should have experience trading on the stock market using technical analysis tools before you begin algorithmic trading.
Also, Being a professional trader requires a lot of patience, market research, coding algorithms, backtesting your strategy, and resilience.
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