PredictorXL is one of the components in TraderXL Pro. Unfortunately due to licensing restrictions OLSOFT cannot distribute a time limited demo of PredictorXL. For the purpose of this review I will build a simple model to explore the features of this addin. The image below shows a screenshot of PredictorXL dialog box.

As you can see the options for PredictorXL are extremely straight forward. It is simply a matter of modifying the options for your desired application and then starting the training process. For the purposes of this review we are going to build a simple model to predict the share price for BHP.AX. This is by no means anywhere near a conclusive model and I am only using it to showcase the power of this software. The first thing I have done is to use BulkQuotesXL to download the closing share price and volume for BHP.AX. Secondly I downloaded the closing prices of the following futures contracts:

• Australian Dollar
• 1-Month Libor
• Aluminium
• Cooper
• Gold
• Silver
• Light Crude Oil

The screen shot below shows the data we will be using for this simple Neural Net model.

After you have collected your data it is simply a matter of clicking New in the NeuroXL predictor dialog box and then clicking learn. You can tweak the options as desired. The lag option allows you to define the number of values you wish to predict. I have found the best results are obtained when lag is set to one. If you click on the show process button you will be able to watch the learning process take place. I should note if you have a large data set and a low Error or % the learning process will take a significant amount of time. Below is a screenshot of NeuroXL Predictor learning about the input output pairs from our data set.

After learning is complete it is simply a matter of clicking on the predict button and choosing a desired cell for the prediction to be placed. The screenshot below shows what the actual value of BHP.AX was and also what our model predicted the value would be.

As you can see this is a fairly good result given such a small data set and the fact that the model was very simple. I look forward to exploring this program in more detail over the coming weeks.

Popularity: 13% [?]

BacktestingXL is one of the components in TraderXL Pro that convinced me to buy the program. I am still learning how best to write my own strategies and integrate BulkQuotesXL, AnalyzerXL and BacktestingXL. For the purpose of this review I will use the tether line sample strategy to explore the features of this addin. The image below shows a screenshot of BacktestingXL menu items.

You can download a free 10 day trial of TraderXL Pro.

For this review I simply opened up the tethered line strategy from the samples directory of BacktestingXL. The screenshot below shows the VBA code for the strategy.

Once you are happy with your strategy code you then enter your testing settings as shown in the dialog box below.

After you have entered your settings then it is simply a matter of selecting your data series and generating a detailed report.

After the report is generated the key metrics from the strategy test will be shown in a new worksheet. As you can see below all the key metrics are covered.

To get a detailed visual perspective of how your strategy performed you can click on the Data Series worksheet and a graph will appear as shown below.

After my initial investigation with BacktestingXL I think that this will be a very useful component however I will reserve my final judgement until I have had a chance to develop and test my own strategy with it.

You can download a free 10 day trial of TraderXL Pro.

Popularity: 12% [?]

In our previous article we used a simple method for importing stock quote data into Excel. Today we will look at a robust automated method for querying more data sources then just Yahoo finance. The Stock Market Functions Add-in for Excel is a free tool developed by by Randy Harmelink. The stock market functions Add-In allows you to import data from sites like Yahoo, Business Week, Reuters, Google, Bloomberg, MSN and many more. In the latest release there are beta features for several technical analysis functions like

• Accumulation Distribution Line
• Average True Range
• Commodity Channel Index
• Simple Moving Average
• Moving Average Convergence Divergence
• Exponential Moving Average

Read the full story

Popularity: 10% [?]

This is part six of our Microsoft Excel Tutorial Series, if you haven’t read the previous articles you can find them here:

An Introduction to Microsoft Excel 2007

The basic’s data entry and navigation

Importing Market Data from Yahoo Finance

The basic’s of charting market data the line chart 

The basics of charting market data the bar chart

Today we will be looking at setting up candlestick charts in Excel. This tutorial will go through producing the two built in Excel versions of candlestick charts. Normally a candlestick chart will display open, high, low and close and the range for a given period. They are a great tool to quickly gauge price action.

Candlestick Chart 

I am going to assume that you are familiar with candlestick charts, however if you are new to these type of charts I have included some useful resources on the topic of candlestick charting below.

Introduction to Candlesticks

The Art of Candlestick Charting

Books

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Popularity: 4% [?]

If you have not already read the brief introduction to Excel 2007 I would advise you do so before continuing on with this tutorial series. You may be asking yourself what is the point using Excel as an analysis platform when there are products such as Wealth Lab and TradeStation available. I think that it is important that every trader be able to understand the underlying concepts of the indicators they are using and be able to analyse data. By undertaking this tutorial series you will also get the chance to learn by doing, which helps re-enforces concepts much better than if you were to just passively read the articles.

When you first start Microsoft Excel 2007, you will be presented with a screen similar to the one shown below. The key areas and terminology are also highlighted. Read the full story

Popularity: 22% [?]

In trading as in any other profession it is important to have the right tool for the right job. In our daily life as a trader we work with a large range of data that requires analysis. If you have done any kind of statistical or financial analysis I am sure you will be familiar with Microsoft Excel, however if you are just starting out Microsoft Excel may be less familiar to you.

Microsoft Excel is a powerful spreadsheet based application. The main window is comprised of rows and columns laid out in a grid format. This allows for easy entry and analysis of data. The version I use and would recommend is Microsoft Excel 2007. There are many new features in Excel 2007 these include: larger workbook capacity, completely overhauled user interface, simpler pivot table creation, easier third party data access and a stream lined workflow. The image below shows a screen shot of Excel 2007 in action.

As you can see Microsoft Excel 2007 has a remarkably different user interface to earlier versions of Excel and if you are used to working with previous versions of Excel it will take you a little while to adapt to the new way of doing things.

Microsoft Excel allows you to create your own formulas and apply them to data. Excel also has many built in functions that allow for manipulation of data and the ability to record macros to streamline processes. Before I go through the interface of Excel 2007 there are two key things that you need to do.

1. Install Add ins. Read the full story

   Popularity: 13% [?]