Dump it Here

[Skate]

That haphazard style makes plenty of money for someone like me too , with only a basic , discretionary trading system . It's been working well for decades , so why change tack now ?
Can't be bothered to learn coding now ,either . It seems too complicated. An educated beginner finding this wonderful thread would definitely not be computer illiterate , like me .
Finally Mr Skate , I'm so pleased you've said what has to be said about paper trading . Old mate " Share Success " called it right somewhere else . It's a completely utter waste of time . Don't do it . Even for a beginner , just jump right in with real dough .

Hey @dyna, it's awesome that your discretionary system has been a winner for decades. It just goes to show there are many paths to success in the market. Sticking with what works is always a smart move.

Skate.

 

[Skate]

HappyCat Signal Performance, Unfiltered
This exercise shifts from "portfolio management" to pure "signal tracking". Instead of ranking signals and only taking the top ones, I’ll be tracking every single buy signal the Exploration produces, regardless of rank or portfolio limits. Each signal is treated as a trade, subject only to its own sell rules. The aim is to remove selection bias and see the true quality of all HappyCat signals in isolation.

Deciding on a weekly performance format
There is a fine line between "displaying the right amount" of information to evaluate the performance of each position and over-posting. I’ll post the performance at week’s end using graphics and screenshots for clarity, keeping text minimal to focus on the data.

Reporting Format
Recap of the signals this week.




Signal Performance
This is the performance of the signals for the last two days.




Performance metrics



Skate.

 

[Skate]

I’m excited to live trade the HappyCat Strategy
I’ll be sharing real-time weekly signals generated directly by the HappyCat Trading Strategy. The portfolio will purchase the highest-ranked signals from the "Amibroker Exploration Report" and execute trades as they’re identified, until the portfolio reaches its full capacity.

Strategy Evolution
Strategy development, backtesting, paper trading = your system validation checklist.

But live trading?
That's when real money management kicks in.

Now taking HappyCat live
I've built automatic position sizing into the Parameters.

Details coming in the next post!

Skate.

 

[Skate]

Smart Position Sizing for Live Trading
Now that I'm going live with HappyCat – I've added automatic position sizing to the Parameter Settings

How it works (super simple)
1. Enter your total trading capital (CBA Funds)
2. Set how many positions you want to buy
3. The exploration code divides the cash available by the positions required. The next procedure subtracts the commission ($15.95) and gives you your "real" buying power per trade

Example
$50k ÷ 5 positions = $10k each position, which equates to an investment of $9,984 = the actual buying power.

The magic
Weekly Exploration recalculates the position size (the next series of bets or bet) based on the "current" cash account balance.

After the first sale
Imagine the first win adds $2k. The next trade jumps to ensure that profit is added to the next position size calculation. The bet size automatically scales with your wins (or protects you after losses).

Bottom line
The Exploration analysis report shows the exact number of shares to buy. No more "wait, how much cash do I actually have left?"

No more math headaches
Just follow the "# Shares (Buy)" column and place the "Offer Price" in the pre-auction.



Skate.

 

[Skate]

Live Trading
Adding an automatic position sizing calculator to the "parameter settings" means you're always trading the full cash account, not your starting capital. No more guesswork.

Bottom Line
The Exploration analysis does all the math, calculating the new bet size by automatically scaling with your success, or protects you from over betting after a loss.

Why This Matters
In live trading, your account balance is dynamic. The position size calculator keeps your risk management "automatic and precise", so you can focus on trading.

Skate.

 

[Skate]

Paper Trading vs. Live Trading
Paper trading focuses on maximising returns, while live trading prioritises capital preservation. The latest HappyCat strategy update is a perfect example of this. The refined code isn't designed for the highest returns – it's designed for the best bang for buck. This is achieved by design through two key improvements:

#1. Superior Risk Management
A critical code tweak now re-prioritises exits, ruthlessly cutting losses and minimising drawdowns. This is better at protecting the portfolio's capital from large hits.

#2. Higher Quality Trades
The new liquidity-adjusted ranking system is a solid improvement. It's designed to be more selective, filtering out lower-quality stocks and ensuring the strategy takes fewer, higher-quality trades. This is a deliberate choice to prioritise a more reliable and capital-efficient strategy.

In Summary
While the paper trading version showed a higher gross profit, it did so by taking on more risk. The refined strategy is what professionals use - it’s designed to take fewer, higher-quality trades and, most importantly, protect the portfolio capital with ruthless efficiency. This is the essence of transitioning to live trading.

Skate.

 

[Skate]

HappyCat Signal Performance, Unfiltered
This exercise shifts from "portfolio management" to pure "signal tracking". Each signal is treated as a trade, subject only to its own sell rules. The aim is to remove selection bias and see the true quality of all HappyCat signals in isolation.












Skate.

 

[TimeISmoney]

The set and forget AI selections are still going strong.

 

[Skate]

Next Week's Signals
The HappyCat Signal Performance is shifting from "portfolio management" to pure "signal tracking." Each signal becomes a standalone trade, guided solely by its sell rules with no portfolio-level overrides. Starting next week, the raw Exploration signals will flow directly from the HappyCat Trading Strategy. Portfolio positions have been updated to align with this focused approach.



Skate.

 

[Skate]

A Breadth Filter Is a Game Changer
The HappyCat trading strategy uses a 40% breadth filter to avoid false breakouts with no real backing. A trade is only allowed if at least 40% of stocks in the All Ordinaries (XAO) are advancing.

Why this works
If the rest of the market isn't supporting the move, "meaning breadth is weak", that breakout is likely to "reverse". The breadth filter acts as a market health check, ensuring you're trading with genuine momentum. If the market isn't participating, there's no trade.

Ultimately
The breadth filter isn't a trading signal - it's a "protective rule" that tells you when "not to trade", saving you from chasing misleading price action.

Skate.

 

[Skate]

Breadth + Volume: The Best Confirmation Combo You’re Not Using
The breadth filter isn’t just a background check or gatekeeper — it’s a frontline defence that tells you whether the market is actually supporting the price move.

Pair the Breadth Filter with volume, and the picture becomes crystal clear
When both fire together, you're seeing real momentum, not noise or isolated hype. Ignore one or both, and you risk chasing shadows. What you are looking for is a price move backed by real buying.

Summary
1. Breadth tells you if the market is participating.
2. Volume tells you how strongly it’s participating.

Together, they help filter out noise and focus on trades with real momentum.

Skate.

 

[Skate]

Systematic Trading: More Than Just Buy Signals
A robust trading system like the HappyCat isn't built on a single indicator. It's a systematic trend strategy with multiple layers, each serving a specific purpose.

#1. Filters
Tools like the breadth and volume filters are the first line of defence. They screen out weak setups, ensuring you only enter trades with genuine momentum.

#2. Entries
Trades only trigger when all conditions align, confirming the setup is strong.

#3. Exits
This is where the real edge is. The sell logic, using take profit stops, trailing stops, stale exits, and max-loss rules, is what locks in profits and protects capital.

Summary
This layered approach is what gives the system its power. It's not about trying to predict the market - it's about consistently reacting to what the market is actually doing.

Skate.