Random Portfolios for Evaluating Trading Strategies

16 Pages Posted: 8 Feb 2006

Date Written: January 13, 2006

Abstract

Random portfolios can provide a statistical test that a trading strategy performs better than chance. Each run of the strategy is compared to a number of matching random runs that are known to have zero skill. Importantly, this type of backtest shows periods of time when the strategy works and when it doesn't. Live portfolios can be monitored in this way as well. This allows informed decisions - such as changes in leverage - to be made in real-time.

Keywords: investment skill, MACD, performance measurement

Suggested Citation

Burns, Patrick J., Random Portfolios for Evaluating Trading Strategies (January 13, 2006). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=881735 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.881735

Patrick J. Burns (Contact Author)

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