Backtesting: Difference between revisions

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:'''''Backtesting''' is the process of testing a trading strategy on relevant historical data to ensure its viability before the trader risks any actual capital. A trader can simulate the trading of a strategy over an appropriate period of time and analyze the results for the levels of profitability and risk.''
:'''''Backtesting''' is the process of testing a trading strategy on relevant historical data to ensure its viability before the trader risks any actual capital. A trader can simulate the trading of a strategy over an appropriate period of time and analyze the results for the levels of profitability and risk.''


Which makes it sound sensible, measured, prudent and not the systematically moronic idea it is.  
Which makes it sound sensible, measured, prudent and not the [[Snake oil|systematically moronic]] idea it is.  


Backtesting is one of those cognitive dissonances that has passed, for now, into embarrassed history, but is sure to re-emerge the moment the markets regain their giddily optimistic resting state. Markets are fueled by the self-confident delusions of vain men.  
Backtesting is one of those [[cognitive dissonance]]s that has passed, for now, into embarrassed history, but is sure to re-emerge the moment the markets regain their giddily optimistic resting state. Markets are fueled by the self-confident delusions of vain men.  


Once upon a time a resourceful [[salesperson]] with a clever new product (one that, you know, embedded [[leveraged alpha]], or something) had to go through the motions of justifying its “extraordinary potential”<ref>i.e., for [[sales credits]]</ref> when pitching it to {{sex|his}} [[mark]]s<ref>Did I say “[[mark]]s”? I meant “sophisticated [[client]]s properly categorised for [[MiFID]] purposes as [[Professional client - COBS Provision|professionals]] who weren’t carpet-bagging blaggers, had the slightest clue what they were about, effortlessly saw [[charlatan]]s coming a mile off and weren’t remotely influenced by the [[corporate entertainment]] — golf, motor racing, fine dining and [[hookers]] — with which they were lavishly festooned”.</ref>.
Once upon a time a resourceful [[salesperson]] with a clever new product (one that, you know, embedded [[leveraged alpha]], or something) had to go through the motions of justifying its “extraordinary potential”<ref>i.e., for [[sales credits]]</ref> when pitching it to {{sex|his}} [[mark]]s<ref>Did I say “[[mark]]s”? I meant “sophisticated [[client]]s properly categorised for [[MiFID]] purposes as [[Professional client - COBS Provision|professionals]] who weren’t carpet-bagging blaggers, had the slightest clue what they were about, effortlessly saw [[charlatan]]s coming a mile off and weren’t remotely influenced by the [[corporate entertainment]] — golf, motor racing, fine dining and [[hookers]] — with which they were lavishly festooned”.</ref>.
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{{seealso}}
{{seealso}}
*[[Confirmation bias]]
*[[Confirmation bias]]
*[[Snake-oil]]
*{{t|Snake oil}}


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{{draft}}
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