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CosmicDust
Apr 23, 2014 3:20 AM

A simple trend based market timing system - revised 

S&P 500SP

Description

Revised: now using the "MA Cross" indicator which has the actual cross drawn on the chart. Previously I was using my eyes to spot and missed 4 crossovers.

Use 3 month EMA and 5 month EMA cross over as signal to enter or exit market.

Monitoring - once every month at last trading day of the month.
Buy - when 3M EMA crosses above 5M EMA
Sell - when 3M EMA crosses below 5M EMA

Since 2000, this system needs only 14 trades, avoids most of losses and captures most of the gains.

According to this system, if you are a long term investor, you should keep investing now until 3M EMA crosses below 5M EMA.
Comments
simonkjar
Do you enter the market at spot price when you get the signal or buy half-positions or perhaps a third option?
And what about SL's? Are they fixed or dynamic?
CosmicDust
The signal is fixed, meaning once it is there, it would not change regardless next month price. The idea is to buy or sell at last day of the month the signal is issued. A typical portfolio is diversified, meaning that it has a mix of different assets like US stock, foreign stock, bond, etc. This method can be applied to all assets. One can do dollar average in and out, but I really have no idea if that makes any difference over long period of time.
A-shot
I assume you have more experience in backtesting the indicator. Is it better on long term charts rather than short term?
CosmicDust
I do not have a good back testing tool but visually way too many false signals on short term chart.
kocurekc
Great stuff, really liked this, made a few small tweaks
Added inputs to adjust periods and changed the color (red for sell and green for buy)

attached the code here: pastebin.com/S5gB3PW2

CosmicDust
Thanks Kocurekc! Like your new green and red crosses - much more friendly to the eyes.
A-shot
Thanx for the update, it is indeed readable!
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