Thinking Stuff's ATM

Automated Trading Machine (ATM) makes it simple to remove fear and greed from your trading. Automated trading is no longer just for the rich or nerdy. Our revolutionary software runs on your computer, using your trading rules, but none of your emotions. There's just one requirement - you know how to use a mouse.  Learn more...

Thinking Stuff's ATE

Automated Trading Execution (ATE) is where we run your trading systems for you on our servers. Your system can be exported from ATM, or written in plain English and we'll make it for you. We'll even backtest and suggest improvements if you want us to. This service essentially automates your automated trading.  Learn more...

Thinking Stuff's Groups

Join a group of like-minded individuals, and help each other to trading success. Once you join a group, you will have access to that group's trading systems, ideas, and feedback. And please contribute your own knowledge as much as possible. Or contact us to start your own group.  Learn more...

Rules and Values

 
Trading systems

Rules specify when some trading action is to take place; values specify where.

Rules and values - where you have one, you always need both.

For example, it's optional to specify stop loss management rules. But if you do, you also have to specify a stop loss management value (and vice versa). The former tells ATM when it should move the stop loss; the latter at what price to move it to.

Here's the full list:
 

Category Stage Description
Entry Entry Rules Specify when you are allowed to trade. All rules (if there are more than one) must evaluate to true for an order to be placed. Use groups to set up optional entry rules.
Entry Values If the Entry Rules allow an order to be placed, the Entry Values specify the entry price for the order. "Enter At Market" creates a market order. Any other setting creates a limit order.
Initial Stop Loss Value If the Entry Rules allow an order to be placed, the Initial Stop Loss Values specify the initial stop loss price for the order.
Initial Take Profit Value If the Entry Rules allow an order to be placed, the Initial Take Profit Values specify the initial take profit for the order.
Stop Loss Management Move To Break-Even (Rules) Once in a trade, these Rules determine when the stop loss will be moved to a position of break-even. (More correctly, to where the entry price was, because commission is not included in the calculation). As the where is already known (i.e. the entry price), there are no matching Values required in this one case.
Stop Loss Mgmt Rules Once in a trade, the Stop Loss Management Rules determine whether or not the stop loss will be moved. All rules must evaluate to true for the stop loss to be moved. There are 9 different groups (#1-#9) for stop loss management.
Stop Loss Mgmt Value If the Stop Loss Mgmt Rules allow the stop loss to be moved, the Stop Loss Management Values specify where the stop loss will be moved to. Make sure to match up the numbers (#1-#9) to the rules. A stop loss will never be moved to a position of increased risk though. That is, a stop loss can only go up for long trades, and only down for short trades. "Exit At Market" can be used here.
Take Profit Management Take Profit Mgmt Rules Once in a trade, the Take Profit Management Rules determine whether or not the take profit will be moved. All rules must evaluate to true for the take profit to be moved. There are 2 different groups (#1, #2) for take profit management.
Take Profit Mgmt Value If the Take Profit Mgmt Rules allow the take profit to be moved, the Take Profit Management Values specify where the take profit will be moved to. Make sure to match up the numbers (#1, #2) to the rules. A take profit can be moved up or down for both long and short trades. "Exit At Market" can be used here.

Each of the above can be used for both the Long and Short directions.

You can have multiple rules, of course. But less obvious is that you can also have multiple values.

See also:

Alerts

Alerts have only alerting rules - there are no values to worry about. This is because alerts only need to know when to send you a notification.

Normally all alerting rules must be true for alert to fire. However, you can use groups to set up optional alerting rules.
 

Groups: