Financial Markets and Trading. An Introduction to Market Microstructure and Trading Strategies

Interest in algorithmic trading is growing massively – it’s cheaper, faster and better to control than standard trading, it enables you to ‘pre-think’ the market, executing complex math in real time and take the required decisions based on the strategy defined. We are no longer limited by human ‘bandwidth’. The cost alone (estimated at 6 cents per share manual, 1 cent per share algorithmic) is a sufficient driver to power the growth of the industry. According to consultant firm, Aite Group LLC, high frequency trading firms alone account for 73% of all US equity trading volume, despite only representing approximately 2% of the total firms operating in the US markets. Algorithmic trading is becoming the industry lifeblood. But it is a secretive industry with few willing to share the secrets of their success. The book begins with a step-by-step guide to algorithmic trading, demystifying this complex subject and providing readers with a specific and usable algorithmic trading knowledge. It provides background information leading to more advanced work by outlining the current trading algorithms, the basics of their design, what they are, how they work, how they are used, their strengths, their weaknesses, where we are now and where we are going. The book then goes on to demonstrate a selection of detailed algorithms including their implementation in the markets. Using actual algorithms that have been used in live trading readers have access to real time trading functionality and can use the never before seen algorithms to trade their own accounts. The markets are complex adaptive systems exhibiting unpredictable behaviour. As the markets evolve algorithmic designers need to be constantly aware of any changes that may impact their work, so for the more adventurous reader there is also a section on how to design trading algorithms. All examples and algorithms are demonstrated in Excel on the accompanying CD ROM, including actual algorithmic examples which have been used in live trading.

Play the forex markets to win with this invaluable guide to strategy and analysis Day Trading and Swing Trading the Currency Market gives forex traders the strategies and skills they need to approach this highly competitive arena on an equal footing with major institutions. Now in it's third edition, this invaluable guide provides the latest statistics, data, and analysis of recent events, giving you the most up-to-date picture of the state of the fast-moving foreign exchange markets. You'll learn how the interbank currency markets work, and how to borrow strategy from the biggest players to profit from trends. Clear and comprehensive, this book describes the technical and fundamental strategies that allow individual traders to compete with bank traders, and gives you comprehensive explanations of strategies involving intermarket relationships, interest rate differentials, option volatilities, news events, and more. The companion website gives you access to video seminars on how to be a better trader, providing another leg up in this competitive market. The multi-billion-dollar foreign exchange market is the most actively traded market in the world. With online trading platforms now offering retail traders direct access to the interbank foreign exchange market, there's never been a better time for individuals to learn the ropes of this somewhat secretive area. This book is your complete guide to forex trading, equipping you to play with the big guys and win—on your own terms. Understand how the foreign currency markets work, and the forces that move them Analyze the market to profit from short-term swings using time-tested strategies Learn a variety of technical trades for navigating overbought or oversold markets Examine the unique characteristics of various currency pairs Many of the world's most successful traders have made the bulk of their winnings in the currency market, and now it's your turn. Day Trading and Swing Trading the Currency Market is the must-have guide for all foreign exchange traders.

A practical, informative, and accessible guide to getting started in trading Louise Bedford has been coaching and mentoring traders for almost twenty years, and in Trading Secrets, Third Edition she's back to share what she's learned. Whether you're just starting out in the trading world, or you're an old hand looking for some new tricks, this book is for you. Packed with everything you need to get in on the action and consistently profit from the markets, Trading Secrets is your personal coach to becoming a trading mastermind. Designed to educate, motivate, and guide you through the sometimes confusing world of trading, the book shows you how to set up a trading business and, most importantly, master your number one trading foe; yourself. Known for her witty and entertaining style, Bedford has demystified the world of share trading for thousands of investors and traders, and you're next. Brings together the processes, careful planning, and risk control techniques that Bedford has used throughout her own successful trading career Offers fascinating insights into everything from how to handle a windfall profit to why men and women trade differently Includes end-of-chapter review materials, essential for helping you master the material

While most books on trading deal with general concepts and shy away from specifics, Forex Patterns and Probabilities provides you with real-world strategies and a rare sense of clarity about the specific mechanics of currency trading. Leading trading educator Ed Ponsi will explain the driving forces in the currency markets and will provide strategies to enter, exit, and manage successful trades. Dozens of chart examples and explanations will guide you each step of the way and allow the reader to «look over the shoulder» of a professional trader hard at work at his craft. This book provides traders with step-by-step methodologies that are based on real market tendencies. The strategies in this book are presented clearly and in detail, so that anyone who wishes to can learn how to trade like a professional. It is written in a style that is easy to understand, so that the reader can quickly learn and use the techniques provided.

A hands-on guide to the fast and ever-changing world of high-frequency, algorithmic trading Financial markets are undergoing rapid innovation due to the continuing proliferation of computer power and algorithms. These developments have created a new investment discipline called high-frequency trading. This book covers all aspects of high-frequency trading, from the business case and formulation of ideas through the development of trading systems to application of capital and subsequent performance evaluation. It also includes numerous quantitative trading strategies, with market microstructure, event arbitrage, and deviations arbitrage discussed in great detail. Contains the tools and techniques needed for building a high-frequency trading system Details the post-trade analysis process, including key performance benchmarks and trade quality evaluation Written by well-known industry professional Irene Aldridge Interest in high-frequency trading has exploded over the past year. This book has what you need to gain a better understanding of how it works and what it takes to apply this approach to your trading endeavors.

A fully revised second edition of the best guide to high-frequency trading High-frequency trading is a difficult, but profitable, endeavor that can generate stable profits in various market conditions. But solid footing in both the theory and practice of this discipline are essential to success. Whether you're an institutional investor seeking a better understanding of high-frequency operations or an individual investor looking for a new way to trade, this book has what you need to make the most of your time in today's dynamic markets. Building on the success of the original edition, the Second Edition of High-Frequency Trading incorporates the latest research and questions that have come to light since the publication of the first edition. It skillfully covers everything from new portfolio management techniques for high-frequency trading and the latest technological developments enabling HFT to updated risk management strategies and how to safeguard information and order flow in both dark and light markets. Includes numerous quantitative trading strategies and tools for building a high-frequency trading system Address the most essential aspects of high-frequency trading, from formulation of ideas to performance evaluation The book also includes a companion Website where selected sample trading strategies can be downloaded and tested Written by respected industry expert Irene Aldridge While interest in high-frequency trading continues to grow, little has been published to help investors understand and implement this approach—until now. This book has everything you need to gain a firm grip on how high-frequency trading works and what it takes to apply it to your everyday trading endeavors.

Explaining the theory and practice of options from scratch, this book focuses on the practical side of options trading, and deals with hedging of options and how options traders earn money by doing so. Common terms in option theory are explained and readers are shown how they relate to profit. The book gives the necessary tools to deal with options in practice and it includes mathematical formulae to lift explanations from a superficial level. Throughout the book real-life examples will illustrate why investors use option structures to satisfy their needs.

Real trading strategies for making a killing in today's volatile markets Advanced Swing Trading reveals the strategies used by George Soros, Warren Buffett and other high-profile traders to reap whirlwind profits in today's volatile markets. With the demise of day trading, traders are searching for new methods of exploiting the unprecedented volatility of post-9/11 securities markets. The most successful of these methods so far has been swing trading, a powerful technical approach that allows traders to profit from shorter-term price moves, ranging from several days to a couple of months. In Advanced Swing Trading, veteran trader and leading trading coach, John Crane clearly describes his original Action/Reaction swing trading system. With the help of numerous real-world examples, Crane clearly delineates his system and shows readers how to use it to consistently to gain big returns in even the shakiest of markets. John Crane (Loveland, CO) is the founder of Traders Network, a firm providing brokerage service and educational training products for smart investors. His monthly columns have appeared in Futures Options magazine, and articles about his trading strategies have appeared in Barron's, Consensus, and The Wall Street Journal.

An A to Z options trading guide for the new millennium and the new economy Written by professional trader and quantitative analyst Euan Sinclair, Option Trading is a comprehensive guide to this discipline covering everything from historical background, contract types, and market structure to volatility measurement, forecasting, and hedging techniques. This comprehensive guide presents the detail and practical information that professional option traders need, whether they're using options to hedge, manage money, arbitrage, or engage in structured finance deals. It contains information essential to anyone in this field, including option pricing and price forecasting, the Greeks, implied volatility, volatility measurement and forecasting, and specific option strategies. Explains how to break down a typical position, and repair positions Other titles by Sinclair: Volatility Trading Addresses the various concerns of the professional options trader Option trading will continue to be an important part of the financial landscape. This book will show you how to make the most of these profitable products, no matter what the market does.

A clear and practical guide to using binary options to speculate, hedge, and trade Trading Binary Options is a strategic primer on effectively navigating this fast-growing segment. With clear explanations and a practical perspective, this authoritative guide shows you how binaries work, the strategies that bring out their strengths, how to integrate them into your current strategies, and much more. This updated second edition includes new coverage of Cantor-Fitzgerald binaries, New York Stock Exchange binaries, and how to use binaries to hedge trading, along with expert insight on the markets in which binaries are available. Independent traders and investors will find useful guidance on speculating on price movements or hedging their stock portfolios using these simple, less complex options with potentially substantial impact. Binary options provide either a fixed payout or nothing at all. While it sounds simple enough, using them effectively requires a more nuanced understanding of how, where, and why they work. This book provides the critical knowledge you need to utilize binary options to optimal effect. Learn hedging and trading strategies specific to binaries Choose the markets with best liquidity and lowest expenses Find the right broker for your particular binary options strategy Utilize binaries in conjunction with other strategies Popular in the over-the-counter market, binary options are frequently used to hedge or speculate on commodities, currencies, interest rates, and stock indices. They have become available to retail traders through the Chicago Board Options Exchange and the American Stock Exchange, as well as various online platforms, allowing you the opportunity to add yet another tool to your investing arsenal. Trading Binary Options is the essential resource for traders seeking clear guidance on these appealing options.