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I'm New to Algorithmic-trading /seeking Advice
rodolfo emmanuel
edited Mar 7, 2018

Hi.
My name is Rodolfo. For a while now, I have contemplated
the idea of learning how to trade using algorithms.
Nevertheless; I'm new to python, new to finance, new to algorithms.
I'm communicating through this channel seeking advice.
Do I need to go back to school and create an academic path to finally begin trading in Quantopian?
I need to know (as Marc Anthony song goes) I need to know because
I find algorithmic trading fascinating to learn and to earn as well.

I know there is a help for beginners in the site.

Did you guys ever watched that movie I think is (Margin Call) in the conference room the CEO of the fund says,
"Explain it to me as if you were talking to a kid or talking to a golden retriever"

Well, Not necessarily. I understand that my personal commitment and self discipline will play a large part. I guess
I need to hit the python programming classes or find a programming boot camp. aghhrrr! Why did I hear about algorithmic trading, I hope it was not a mistake from my part to want to enter this complicated field.

Ok. But enough with myself pity. Negativity never helped anyone succeed and be happy. So what do you guys think?

Thank you very much!

1 response
Robert Petteruti
Mar 7, 2018

Hi Rodolfo,

Thanks for reaching out and welcome to Quantopian!

The best way to get started using the platform is by going through the Quantopian Tutorials (you will need basic python skills):

  1. The Intro to Research lecture will show you how to run some simple financial analyses using Quantopian's interactive Research environment.
  2. The Getting Started Tutorial covers the basics of the Quantopian API and walks you through writing your first algorithm in 8 short lessons.
  3. The Pipeline Tutorial teaches you how to build factors and filters to dynamically select and weight securities each day.

If you have questions that weren't answered in the tutorials, check out the help documentation or post in the community to solicit feedback or help from other members of the Quantopian community. You can always reach out to me with questions as well.

Once you are comfortable with the platform's API, check out the Quantopian Lecture Series to learn more about quantitative finance and available resources. The series includes lessons on the dangers of overfitting, universe selection, factor risk exposure, beta hedging, and much more. It also covers advanced trading strategies like Long/Short Equity, Pairs Trading and Mean Reversion on Futures models. You can use the accompanying algorithms as templates, or design your own.

I hope this helps you get started with your research. Please let me know if I can assist you with anything else. I can assist you over at [email protected].

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The material on this website is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy, or a recommendation or endorsement for any security or strategy, nor does it constitute an offer to provide investment advisory services by Quantopian. In addition, the material offers no opinion with respect to the suitability of any security or specific investment. No information contained herein should be regarded as a suggestion to engage in or refrain from any investment-related course of action as none of Quantopian nor any of its affiliates is undertaking to provide investment advice, act as an adviser to any plan or entity subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, individual retirement account or individual retirement annuity, or give advice in a fiduciary capacity with respect to the materials presented herein. If you are an individual retirement or other investor, contact your financial advisor or other fiduciary unrelated to Quantopian about whether any given investment idea, strategy, product or service described herein may be appropriate for your circumstances. All investments involve risk, including loss of principal. Quantopian makes no guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of the views expressed in the website. The views are subject to change, and may have become unreliable for various reasons, including changes in market conditions or economic circumstances.

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The material on this website is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy, or a recommendation or endorsement for any security or strategy, nor does it constitute an offer to provide investment advisory services by Quantopian.

In addition, the material offers no opinion with respect to the suitability of any security or specific investment. No information contained herein should be regarded as a suggestion to engage in or refrain from any investment-related course of action as none of Quantopian nor any of its affiliates is undertaking to provide investment advice, act as an adviser to any plan or entity subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, individual retirement account or individual retirement annuity, or give advice in a fiduciary capacity with respect to the materials presented herein. If you are an individual retirement or other investor, contact your financial advisor or other fiduciary unrelated to Quantopian about whether any given investment idea, strategy, product or service described herein may be appropriate for your circumstances. All investments involve risk, including loss of principal. Quantopian makes no guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of the views expressed in the website. The views are subject to change, and may have become unreliable for various reasons, including changes in market conditions or economic circumstances.