...that will work well with Matlab and makes data import/export fairly easy. I would like to be able to import fundamental data and use it in some longer-term trading strategies. Therefore it would also have to have the ability to scan through different instruments to find ones that fit the criteria and then trade them automatically. Is there software that makes this possible? Can anybody recommend a platform that is pretty flexible in terms of how it handles data import/export?

I like the looks of Neoticker, RightEdge and Multicharts.

nlhaines 

...that will work well with Matlab and makes data import/export fairly easy. I would like to be able to import fundamental data and use it in some longer-term trading strategies. Therefore it would also have to have the ability to scan through different instruments to find ones that fit the criteria and then trade them automatically. Is there software that makes this possible? Can anybody recommend a platform that is pretty flexible in terms of how it handles data import/export? I like the looks of Neoticker, RightEdge and Multicharts.

I have never used CQG, but if you want to use Matlab, I would explore that option at a later stage.

https://www.cqg.com/Docs/CQG_MathWorks_PressRelease.pdf

To start with CQG would be too expensive, and to trade well you certainly do not need Matlab. Psychology is more important than mathematics.

The Datafeed toolbox in Matlab R2010b has an ESignal adapter.

You might also consider that "longer term trading strategies" don't really require automatic execution. You can get your platform to email you signals every day.

Edit to add: https://www.exchangeapi.com/ if you are OK with Interactive Brokers. There is also some Java and Python stuff floating around the net for Matlab to IB links.

I would agree with fat tails, CQG seems to be the only one that directly supports mathlab.

RTS RTD Tango directly supports calls to Matlab, but that makes CQG look inexpensive.

MXASJ 

RTS RTD Tango directly supports calls to Matlab, but that makes CQG look inexpensive.

I have already made the mistake mentioning CQG, which is certainly not a solution recommended for a beginner.

But suggesting an institutional/professional level software (RTS Tango Trader) at >10 k per month is a bit heavy. I think that there are few brokers that will offer this solution.

I don't really need matlab to be integrated, it's just that I'd like the option to occasionally use R or Matlab to analyze some data because I am familiar with them.

So what I'm looking for is something that makes data import/export fairly easy as I'd like to be able to import fundamentals and economic data and to be able to export data for occasional analysis.