Hi all,

I'd like to dive into backtesting with Ninjatrader8 and would like to hear some comments and suggestions of the pro's in here. I remember to have heard that the history data plays an important role when backtesting.

1st question)
When I open Strategy Analyzer in NT8 and perform a history backtest on a sample strategy, what data is used for that backtest? Does it need to be connected to my market data provider (in my case it's Ninjatrader Brokerage with CQG data) while performing such a backtest?

2nd question)
do I need to download specific data from Kinetick or any other vendor? Do I need to pay for such data or is it available for free?

3rd question)
I remember that here on NexusFi there were very good historic data available for free download, is that still true and is it compatible with Ninjatrader8? If so, where can I get this data and how do Im import and use it?

general question)
if anyone can point me to a good primer or step-by-step tutorial on how to learn strategy backtesting in Ninjatrader8, I would be really happy. I know there is the NT8 documentation but honestly said I do not find it very helpful for a beginner. My experience showed that third-party sources like YouTube videos, NexusFi or other forums and tutorials on the net helped me much better to gain understanding.

Looking forward to any helpful comment. Thanks a bunch in advance
Patricia.

patricia 

Hi all, I'd like to dive into backtesting with Ninjatrader8 and would like to hear some comments and suggestions of the pro's in here. I remember to have heard that the history data plays an important role when backtesting. 1st question) When I open Strategy Analyzer in NT8 and perform a history backtest on a sample strategy, what data is used for that backtest? Does it need to be connected to my market data provider (in my case it's Ninjatrader Brokerage with CQG data) while performing such a backtest?

It will use whatever data it has stored first. If you are trying to backtest over a range of dates where it doesn't have data downloaded, it will download that data, if able.

I'm not sure what it'll do if you are trying to backtest over a range of dates where it doesn't have data downloaded, and aren't connected to the internet, or have no connections to an appropriate data source.

patricia 

2nd question) do I need to download specific data from Kinetick or any other vendor? Do I need to pay for such data or is it available for free?

You can import data into NT from an online source, or from a downloaded source. NT doesn't care whether your sources are free or not.

patricia 

3rd question) I remember that here on NexusFi there were very good historic data available for free download, is that still true and is it compatible with Ninjatrader8? If so, where can I get this data and how do Im import and use it?

I have no knowledge either way.

patricia 

general question) if anyone can point me to a good primer or step-by-step tutorial on how to learn strategy backtesting in Ninjatrader8, I would be really happy. I know there is the NT8 documentation but honestly said I do not find it very helpful for a beginner. My experience showed that third-party sources like YouTube videos, NexusFi or other forums and tutorials on the net helped me much better to gain understanding.

Sadly, most are clueless about proper backtesting. It's an art, and a science. I don't recall coming across that one video or source that 'get's it exactly and completely right.' I do, however, acknowledge that one can argue that they are right, and I'm the one that's wrong.

patricia 

Looking forward to any helpful comment. Thanks a bunch in advance Patricia.