FAQs for Emini-Watch.com

Top 5 FAQs

What trading platform do you recommend?

I recommend TradeStation for 3 reasons. First, the datafeed is in-built – simpler, no fussing around. Second, their indicator and system programming language, EasyLanguage, is extremely easy and logical. Third, pricing is attractive if you use TradeStation as your broker (if not, it’s an expensive option).

I have used TradeStation for years – since the SuperCharts days and when the company was called Omega Research – and would never consider switching. But ultimately, the choice of trading platform is a very personal decision – all I can do is tell you what I use and why.

More information in the Best Charting Software videos here.

Will you release the indicators for ThinkOrSwim, eSignal, Sierra Chart, etc.?

Unlikely. Supporting multiple trading platforms is hard work and I’m a trader, first and foremost. Plus, many of these other platforms simply don’t have the functionality needed.

Do the indicators also work with NQ, YM, TF and EMD?

Yes. The Better indicators and methodology also work for these symbols but you’ll need to adjust your tick charts to account for the lower transaction volumes. The suggested tick charts for each symbol are:

• NQ (mini-NASDAQ) – 150, 450 and 1,350 tick
• YM (mini-Dow) – 100, 300 and 900 tick
• TF (mini-Russell) – 100, 300 and 900 tick
• EMD (mini-S&P Midcap 400) – 25, 75 and 225 tick

I prefer to trade the Emini (ES) because of the higher volume and more Professional activity. You might consider taking signals off the Emini (ES) chart but placing orders on your preferred index futures (NQ, YM, TF or EMD).

How often are the indicators updated and what does each update cost?

From time-to-time the indicator code is improved and updated. Any updates to the indicators will be free to all existing customers. In addition, the indicators are kept up-to-date with new versions of the charting platforms.

However, this updating service is not indefinite and Emini-Watch.com reserves the right to stop updating the indicators for new versions of the charting platforms.

You can check details of the latest versions here.

I get the following error message “Cannot find DLL library file: jrs_aux32.dll”?

This error is generated when you try to use the Jurik Moving Average (JMA) version of the Better Sine Wave without owning the JMA.

There are 2 versions of Better Sine Wave – one that works with the JMA and one that does not (uses weighted moving average instead). I prefer the JMA version but frankly there is very little differences between the two.

Further information is included on page 2 of the Installation PDF (part of the indicator download).

Emini Trading Questions

How much do you risk per trade? What stop loss limits do you set?

I use 4 point stops to trade the Emini. That equates to a 2.5% loss on my capital if the stop gets hit – and I use $8,000 of capital per Emini contract.

The stop loss order is automatically entered when I take a trade – and I NEVER move my stop loss, under any circumstances.

More information in the Exiting Trades: Profit Targets & Stop Loss Orders video.

How do you exit trades? What profit target to you set?

I am a big fan of using profit targets to exit trades – I’d rather use the volatility of the market to exit at an extreme point, rather than trailing a stop and exit when the market is retracing.

I use 4 point profit targets and the order is automatically entered when I take a trade. A 4 point profit target allows me to capture the best part of a trending move and gives me a 1-to-1 risk-to-reward ratio.

More information in the Exiting Trades: Profit Targets & Stop Loss Orders video.

Plus more information in the Exiting Trades: 2 Other Options video.

What is your average time in a trade?

That depends on how fast the market is moving. I’m looking to make 4 points and if the market is moving quickly I can be in and out in 5 minutes.

If the market is moving slowly, because it’s lunchtime or a slow day, that same 4 points can take an hour or more.

At what point do you decide to “bench yourself” and stop trading?

For me there are 2 trigger points for benching myself. Either I’m down a couple of points after 4-5 trades on a choppy day. Or my stop gets hit once (or twice) on a trending day – the stop getting hit is the market telling me I’m out of sync. In both cases, these are signals to stop trading.

More information in the Question of the Day here.

Is it possible to trade the Emini in the after hours (i.e. outside of the day session)?

Yes, but with some caveats.

The Asian session that opens after the US session closes is usually quiet and should be avoided. However, when the Asian session closes and the European session opens, the liquidity increases and trend moves start to set up.

If you can’t trade the US session, then the European session would be the best alternative. Trend moves will be slower – what takes 15 minutes to happen in the US session will take 1 hour in the European session – and profit targets should probably be reduced from 4 points to 2-3 points. Lastly, the closer to the open of the day session the more liquidity and volatility there is – particularly around the data releases that come out 1 hour before the open.

More information in the Question of the Day here.

Trading with the ‘Better’ Indicator Questions

Do you trade with the Better indicators yourself?

Absolutely – Yes. They are the only indicators I use to day trade the Emini. They have been developed over years of my own trading and because everything else I tried didn’t work, or only worked some of the time.

More information on the Emini-Watch.com methodology here.

What indicators do you use in your Emini day trading?

I use Better Sine Wave, Better Momentum and Better Pro Am.

These 3 indicators are non-correlated and give me the maximum information for making trading decisions. Better Sine Wave analyses price trends. Better Momentum analyses buying/selling volume pressure. Better Pro Am shows me when Professionals and Amateurs are active.

What indicators/systems do you use in your Emini swing trading?

I trade a sub-set of the Better TRIN systems with my own money management rules to limit the number of trades and protect profits.

In addition, the Better TRIN Oscillator is a very useful confirming indicator for swing or day trading. This approach is particularly powerful because the Better TRIN Oscillator is non-price based and therefore non-correlated with more traditional price-based indicators, such as MACD, RSI, moving averages, etc.

Can I use just one of the indicators or must I have all of your indicators to trade?

Each of the Better indicators can be used stand alone. However, you will have a much higher winning percentage by using all 3 Emini day trading indicators together. They are designed to work together as they measure 3 non-correlated data sets – price, volume and average trade size.

More information on the Emini-Watch.com methodology here.

If I wanted to try just one indicator which one would your recommend?

Better Sine Wave is my “flagship” indicator. I could not trade without it. It analyses price and determines if a market is in a trading range or breaking out into a trend. Then once a trend has developed, it signals when the trend is likely to come to an end. That’s the one I’d start with first.

Do the indicators also work on tick, volume, range and momentum bar charts?

The indicators work particularly well on Tick Charts. In my Emini day trading I use 500, 1,500 and 4,500 tick charts. However, Better TRIN does not work on tick charts – TradeStation does not allow multiple data streams to be plotted on the same tick chart.

Volume charts are very similar to tick charts but Better Pro Am does not work on volume charts, so I suggest using tick charts instead.

Range bar charts are very useful in smoothing out market turning points. Better Sine Wave works particularly well on range bar charts. Better Pro Am works on range bar charts to identify Professional and Amateur activity. However, the volume accumulation/distribution patterns (e.g. No Demand) will not calculate correctly.

Momentum bar charts are very similar to range bar charts and the same caveats apply.

Warning regarding NinjaTrader: Real-time and historic range charts on NinjaTrader are difficult to match up because of the rules NinjaTrader uses in starting new bars. This can be mitigated by starting charts at a particular date and time rather than x bars ago. TradeStation does not have these problems.

More information in the Cycles on Volume, Range and Momentum Charts video.

My tick charts don’t match yours. What am I doing wrong?

Tick charts should match if they’re being generated on the same charting platform with the same data feed. For example, if you use TradeStation your charts should match mine exactly. Make sure that:

• Format Symbol > Settings > Time Zone = “Exchange” and
• Format Symbol > Properties > Session = “Regular Session”

After changing any of these settings re-load the data on your chart with View > Refresh > Reload (Ctrl+R).

If this does not work, it is possible that your data cache has been corrupted and needs to be re-loaded. Follow Tip #2 here.

Lastly, make sure you are using the correct TradeStation settings here.

On the other hand, tick charts generated on different charting platforms or with different data feeds will never match exactly. It’s annoying – but data feed providers often have different policies on filtering tick data or re-drawing tick charts at different starting points.

So you’re not doing anything wrong – it’s just a limitation of using tick charts. And in my opinion a limitation that is far outweighed by the advantages of using tick charts.

More information at the bottom of the Tick Charts feature article here.

My tick charts are very slow to load. What setting can I change to speed them up?

In TradeStation, the cache used to store symbol data can get bloated or corrupted. This will result in tick charts being slow to load – particularly large tick charts like 13,500 or 40,500 tick.

The solution is to re-build your cache periodically. Personally, I do this every 2 to 3 weeks or as soon as I notice my tick charts are slow to load.

The steps for re-building your cache are explained in Tip #2 here.

Can I edit the indicator code?

No. The code is protected and not able to be edited. However, indicator Functions are included in the downloads so you can program your own systems or indicators using the indicator outputs.

Currently, the Better TRIN code is unlocked and able to be edited or translated for another trading platform. But this is likely to change once the next version of Better TRIN is released.

Do the indicators also work with NQ, YM, TF and EMD?

Yes. The Better indicators and methodology also work for these symbols but you’ll need to adjust your tick charts to account for the lower transaction volumes. The suggested tick charts for each symbol are:

• NQ (mini-NASDAQ) – 150, 450 and 1,350 tick
• YM (mini-Dow) – 100, 300 and 900 tick
• TF (mini-Russell) – 100, 300 and 900 tick
• EMD (mini-S&P Midcap 400) – 25, 75 and 225 tick

I prefer to trade the Emini (ES) because of the higher volume and more Professional activity. You might consider taking signals off the Emini (ES) chart but placing orders on your preferred index futures (NQ, YM, TF or EMD).

Do the indicators work on Forex, Commodities, Bonds and Stocks?

Yes. The Better indicators and methodology also works for Forex, Commodities, Bonds and Stocks.

For Forex, stick to the futures contracts traded on the CME Globex exchange rather than the cash markets. This way you get the volume data needed for the Better Momentum and Better Pro Am indicators.

More information in the Forex video here.

For Commodities and Bonds the Better indicators work for both day trading and swing trading.

More information in the Commodities video here.

For Stocks, stick to swing trading or if you want to day trade stocks then switch to the Emini. If you want to swing trade stocks then use the indicators on daily, weekly and monthly charts.

Do the indicators work on Emini trading outside of the day session?

Yes. The Better indicators work nicely on outside of day session hours. This is because they are designed to be used on tick charts and so “slow” periods are compressed and whipsaw trades avoided.

The only caveat is that Better Pro Am on the 4,500 tick chart needs 10-15 bars to adjust to the after hours average trade size. Obviously after hours trading is slower with less liquidity but you just need to adjust your trading style a little. I’d avoid the Asian session but some nice trades set up in the European session – maybe reduce your profit target though from 4 to 2-3 points per trade.

More information in the Question of the Day here.

Are there any indicator input parameters that need to be changed or optimized?

No. Personally I hate optimized code and none of the indicator input parameters need to be changed based on the market traded or market conditions. The indicator inputs only control things like colors, alerts, etc.

What indicator and chart settings do I use to duplicate your charts?

This video shows how to Duplicate my Emini charts.

Trading Platform Questions

What trading platforms do the ‘Better’ indicators run on?

The ‘Better’ series of indicators are available for TradeStation, MultiCharts and NinjaTrader. The only exception is Better Trend Line is only available for TradeStation.

What trading platform do you recommend?

I recommend TradeStation for 3 reasons. First, the datafeed is in-built – simpler, no fussing around. Second, their indicator and system programming language, EasyLanguage, is extremely easy and logical. Third, pricing is attractive if you use TradeStation as your broker (if not, it’s an expensive option).

I have used TradeStation for years – since the SuperCharts days and when the company was called Omega Research – and would never consider switching. But ultimately, the choice of trading platform is a very personal decision – all I can do is tell you what I use and why.

More information in the Best Charting Software videos here.

Do you use TradeStation as your broker?

No, but not because of any bad experiences with TradeStation brokerage.

I use Interactive Brokers as my broker. They have 2 features that are critical for my trading. First, you can have a “Universal” account where you can hold any security and change the currency that the securities are held in. This allows me to add a “currency overlay” to my trading. Once or maybe twice a year I change my holding currency to an appreciating or strongest one. I don’t want to hold assets in a depreciating currency.

Second, Interactive Brokers allows me to take a single trade and split the contracts traded between multiple accounts. In addition to these 2 features Interactive Brokers are very reasonably priced and I like their “fully electronic” approach and use of technology.

What TradeStation data services do I need to subscribe to?

For Emini day trading you need the CME Data Package #1 (real-time data) which costs $25 per month (price as of March 2010).

More information on TradeStation data services here.

Do the indicators work with TradeStation 2000i?

No. The latest version of the indicators are for TradeStation 9. Previous versions of the indicators are also available for TradeStation 7 and 8.

Do the indicators work the same way in NinjaTrader and MultiCharts?

Yes, the code is identical between TradeStation, NinjaTrader and MultiCharts.

Obviously the “look and feel” of the charts will be different and tick charts from different data feeds will never match exactly. But the indicators should be very similar between the different charting platforms.

More information at the bottom of the page here on Tick Chart Differences.

What data feeds do you recommend for NinjaTrader and MultiCharts?

TradeStation, eSignal, Zen-Fire and Vision Financial. TradeStation and eSignal cover equities, futures, forex and indices. Zen-Fire and Vision Financial only cover futures.

Do the indicators work with NinjaTrader 6.5?

Yes. The latest version of the indicators are for NinjaTrader 7. But previous versions of the indicators (except Better Momentum) are also available for NinjaTrader 6.5.

With NinjaTrader how do I fix “Import failed. File likely corrupt”?

The file is not corrupt, you just need to unzip the downloaded file first.

Once you have unzipped the file you should be able to see the Installation PDF and another zip file that you import into NinjaTrader.

Do the indicators work with MultiCharts 5.5 and 6.0?

Yes. The latest version of the indicators are for MultiCharts 7. But previous versions of the indicators are also available for MultiCharts 5.5 and 6.0.

Do the indicators work with MCFX?

No. Unfortunately, MCFX does not allow you to import indicators compiled for MultiCharts. However, the indicators do work with the normal version of MultiCharts.

Do the indicators work with MultiCharts DT (Discretionary Trader)?

No. Unfortunately, MultiCharts DT does not allow you to import locked indicators. However, the indicators do work with the normal version of MultiCharts.

Will you release the indicators for ThinkOrSwim, eSignal, Sierra Chart, etc.?

Unlikely. Supporting multiple trading platforms is hard work and I’m a trader, first and foremost. Plus, many of these other platforms simply don’t have the functionality needed.

Can the indicators be installed on more than one computer?

Yes. Multiple computers are no problem.

Do you need my trading platform user id?

No. The code does not require your trading platform user id to work.

Will the indicators expire in the future?

No. There are no time restrictions built into the code.

Are there any minimum computer system requirements to run the indicators?

There are no specific recommendations on computer specs but the best advice is to get something current and fast. That doesn’t mean a custom built machine just a high spec current machine. The two most critical components are a fast Internet connection (10+ Mbps) and sufficient RAM (4-8 GB).

I use tick charts for my day trading and they are more computer intensive than time-based charts. So I’m pushing my machine a little harder than most traders. On the other hand, I only have 3 windows open during the trading day, following 1 instrument – while other traders have dozens of windows open, following dozens of instruments.

More information on Running charting software.

More information on TradeStation system requirements.

Better Momentum Questions

What is the difference between Better Momentum and Better Momentum SM?

The Better Momentum indicator plots the buying and selling volume waves that you see at the bottom of my charts, plus the Divergence, Exhaustion and Flush signals.

The Better Momentum SM (“ShowMe”) plots just the Divergence, Exhaustion and Flush signals on the price bars themselves.

Both indicators have settings that allow you to turn the Divergence, Exhaustion and Flush signals on and off independently.

When are the bullish (red) and bearish (white) Divergence signals plotted?

The Divergence signals are plotted when the momentum line approaches the zero line. This means that the signals can be plotted retrospectively. The delay is not usually an issue since the Divergence signals lead turning points.

On fast charts such as a 500 tick bar chart the delay is inconsequential. With longer day trading time frames, such as 4,500 tick bar charts, the signal can be anticipated and when it arrives is usually confirmation.

When are the Flush (yellow) signals plotted?

The calculation of Flush signals is very similar to the Divergence signals. They therefore also have a delay as explained in the FAQ above.

When are the Exhaustion (cyan blue) signals plotted?

The Exhaustion signals are always plotted with a 1 bar delay. This 1 bar delay is necessary in confirming Exhaustion buying or selling.

How do you confirm entry signals and ignore early divergence signals?

I look for 3 things. First, I like to see that Exhaustion Volume has recently taken place. This indicates “all the buyers have bought”, in the case of a market top.

Second, I look for Professional activity at price extremes, showing they’re taking profits and reversing their positions.

Third, I look for a turning point using the Better Sine Wave indicator – either an “End of Trend” signal in this time frame or a cyclical turning point in the higher time frame.

More information is provided in the Better Momentum trading videos.

Will my charts run slower if I use Better Momentum?

No, absolutely not.

The old version of Better Momentum for NinjaTrader did slow down the loading of charts. However, the NinjaTrader algorithm has now been totally re-written and does not slow charts down.

Is the NinjaTrader version of Better Momentum the same as TradeStation?

Yes, they are identical. You will see the waves of buying and selling plus get the Divergence, Exhaustion and Flush signals.

Does Better Momentum Any work with any indicator?

Yes, as long as you’re using a Function version of that indicator.

TradeStation and MultiCharts have Function versions of the most common indicators like RSI, MACD, etc. If you’re using a less common indicator you might have to transform it into a Function version first. The EasyLanguage Reference Guide is the best place to get information about how to do this.

The Better Momentum Any indicator is not available with the NinjaTrader version of Better Momentum.

Better Pro Am Questions

What is the difference between Better Pro Am and Better Volume?

The Better Pro Am PaintBars (blue and yellow bars on my charts) identify Professional and Amateur activity using average trade size. Professionals trade in size; Amateurs trade in singles and doubles. So analyzing average trade size directly identifies Professional and Amateur activity.

Better Volume infers Professional activity by looking for large volume but relatively small range bars – “High Churn” bars. The assumption is that Professionals can enter/exit without moving price significantly. Part of the reason they can do this is that they enter/exit at price extremes. Amateurs are seen on low volume bars.

In my own trading I’ve switched 100% to Better Pro Am from Better Volume.

Better Pro Am PaintBar turns most of my bars yellow. What am I doing wrong?

Check Format Analysis Techniques > Better Pro Am PB > General, make sure the "Update values intra-bar" box is un-checked. The indicator should just be calculating when the bar closes, not continuously while the bar is open.

Also check Format Symbol > Settings > For volume use Trade volume, not Tick count. The indicator needs to be referencing real volume traded data.

Why doesn’t the RAMBO (R) text print directly above/below the Amateur bar?

This is a TradeStation glitch/limitation – text and trend lines can only be plotted to the nearest minute, not second.

When the market is moving quickly the signal text (R) is plotted at the nearest whole minute bar and not above or below the real signal (Amateur bar). Apologies, nothing Emini-Watch can do.

What is the difference between Better Pro Am and Better Pro Am PB?

The Better Pro Am indicator plots the Profit Taking, Stopping Volume, No Demand, No Supply and RAMBO volume patterns. These patterns indicate Professional accumulation and distribution and, in the case of the RAMBO pattern, Amateur led breakouts.

The Better Pro Am PB is a PaintBar that identifies Professional and Amateur activity using the average trade size.

Can I use the Better Pro Am indicators on candlestick charts?

Yes. The volume accumulation and distribution patterns are plotted as text above/below the price bars. In addition, there is a ShowMe version of the PaintBar indicator (that plots the Professional/Blue and Amateur/Yellow bars) that plots the signals as dots above and below the price bars.

When are the ShowMe dots plotted above (or below) a bar?

The ShowMe dots are plotted above a bar if the market is in an uptrend (and below a bar if in a downtrend). The indicator uses a very simple algorithm to calculate trend and should not be relied on for determining trend direction.

The ShowMe version of the indicator is only provided as a convenience, primarily for users of candlestick charts.

When are the volume patterns and PaintBars plotted?

The volume patterns and PaintBars are plotted at the close of the bar.

How do you know whether Professionals are buying or selling?

The easiest way to answer this is with a video. Around the 6 minute mark I explain how I interpret Professional and Amateur activity and whether it is buying or selling.

More information in the Professional buying or selling video here.

How do you confirm entry signals and ignore early volume pattern signals?

I look for 3 things. First, I like to see that Exhaustion Volume has recently taken place. This indicates “all the buyers have bought”, in the case of a market top. Second, I look for Professional activity at price extremes, showing they’re taking profits and reversing their positions. Third, I look for a turning point using the Better Sine Wave indicator, either in this time frame or higher time frames.

More information is provided in the Better Pro Am video tutorials.

How do I change the text size of the Better Pro Am signals?

In TradeStation go:

1. Select Drawing > Text and write some text on your chart
2. Right click the text and Format the font, size and color
3. Tick the “Set as default” box > OK
4. Right click and Remove the text
5. Ctrl + R will update the chart with the new text formatting

Plus any new chart will have the new text formatting.

Is there a trading manual in PDF format for Better Pro Am?

No. There are trading manuals in PDF format for Better Sine Wave and Better Momentum. However, for Better Pro Am I have decided to just have the instruction videos with a guide (in text and PDF formats) to help you find particular sections of the videos.

Ideally I’d like all users to have Better Sine Wave, Momentum and Pro Am – since they are designed to work together – and so 3 manuals would be overkill. Eventually there will be 1 manual that covers all three indicators.

Better Sine Wave Questions

Do I need to buy the Jurik moving average (JMA) too?

No. The standard version of the Better Sine Wave does not require the JMA. A second version that does use the JMA has been included in the package because some traders prefer to pre-process (i.e. smooth) input data with the JMA.

I get the following error message “Cannot find DLL library file: jrs_aux32.dll”?

This error is generated when you try to use the Jurik Moving Average (JMA) version of the Better Sine Wave without owning the JMA.

There are 2 versions of Better Sine Wave – one that works with the JMA and one that does not (uses weighted moving average instead). I prefer the JMA version but frankly there is very little differences between the two.

Further information is included on page 2 of the Installation PDF (part of the indicator download).

Why am I not getting the same “Pull Back” (PB) and “End of Trend” (End) signals?

The most likely reason is because you’re not using the JMA version of Better Sine Wave.

The JMA version produces slightly more “Pull Back” (PB) and “End of Trend” (End) signals than the default (weighted average) version. I prefer the JMA version of Better Sine Wave – but interestingly it does not test as well.

More information on the different versions of Better Sine Wave.

What is the difference between Better Sine Wave and Better Sine SR?

The Better Sine Wave indicator plots the sine wave that you see at the bottom of my charts. The Better Sine SR plots the support and resistance levels (plus breakouts, pullbacks and end of trend signals) on the price bars themselves.

When are the Support (red) and Resistance (white) lines plotted?

The Support and Resistance lines are plotted at the close of each bar. They are real time and NOT adjusted retrospectively. New levels are plotted when the Better Sine Wave crosses and price confirms the turning point.

When are the “End of Trend” (End) and “Pull Back” (PB) signals plotted?

The signals (End and PB) are plotted at the close of the signal bars. They are real time and NOT adjusted retrospectively. More details of how the signals are generated are given in the Better Sine Wave trading videos, enabling traders to anticipate when the signals will be plotted.

How do you differentiate between turning point overshoots and real trend breaks?

I look for 2 things. First, I check to see if the market is close to a turning point in the higher time frames. If so, the chances are greater that this is just an overshoot. Second, I look for confirmation from my volume pattern indicators. For example, volume momentum divergence patterns and Professional bars are usually a sign that the market is about to change direction.

Better Trend Line Questions

Do you use Better Trend Line in your trading?

No, not any more. Better Trend Line is a very simple and elegant indicator used for signalling trades. However, it has been replaced by Better Sine Wave in my trading. One of the things I hate is too many indicators which over-lap each other. So, for that reason I no longer trade with it. However, it’s still a very robust and useful indicator – particularly if you’re just starting out trading.

What do you recommend for entry after a breakout from consolidation?

As the market breaks I enter a trade "at market" – real breakouts will move fast and without a pullback. I anticipate the direction of the breakout by looking at 3 things. First, the breakout is usually in the direction of the trend that preceded the consolidation. Second, I check the trend direction of the next higher time frame. Third, I look for confirmation from my volume pattern indicators.

Can I use the Better Trend Lines and Better TRIN Indicators together?

Yes. The Better TRIN Indicators work extremely well in confirming trend direction.

Can I use the Better Trend Lines on candlestick charts?

Yes. When adding the Better Trend Lines to a new chart go Format > Inputs > Change CandleStick to True. Then go View > Chart Analysis Preferences > General > Untick "When a study paints a candlestick bar, paint the body & wick".

How does the Better Trend Line function work?

To call the Better Trend Line function with a pivot strength of 4, for example, use the following EasyLanguage statement: Value1 = _BetterTrendline(4); Value1 will return 3 possible results: +1 for up trend, -1 for down trend and 0 for congestion.

Better TRIN Questions

Only 1 trading system was included. Where are the 5 systems mentioned?

The 5 trading systems are all programmed in the one code. Each system has a True/False input to switch each one on and off. Look for the input values TypeA to TypeE. You can use the systems individually or combined. When combined, the systems give a sense of market direction too and advanced money management strategies can be tested.

I'm getting the error message "Missing data 2,3". What am I doing wrong?

Follow the installation instructions that come with the code. Set up your chart with 3 data streams: Emini (@ES.D), NYSE TRIN ($TRIN) and NASDAQ TRIN ($TRINQ). Make sure each data stream is set to local time in TradeStation.

I'm getting "You may not mix symbols with different delays". What’s wrong?

Make sure you are subscribed to real-time data for CME Eminis, NYSE and Nasdaq and that each data stream is set to local time when added to a chart. TradeStation takes anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours to update new data settings and you will need to restart TradeStation for the requests to take effect.

Why do some of the Better TRIN ShowMe dots turn blue?

You're getting blue dots because the indicators are updating intra-bar. Go to the indicator format settings and under the General tab, un-tick the “Update value intra-bar” box at the bottom.

What’s the difference between Better TRIN Indicator and Better TRIN Oscillator?

The Better TRIN Indicator measures buying and selling pressure at a particular point in time. For example, a daily reading of +50 indicates moderate buying during that day. The Better TRIN Oscillator shows the waves or cycles of buying and selling. For example, if the oscillator turns up from -100 and starts rising, this indicates the market has bottomed and traders are starting to buy.

Do the indicators and systems work with NQ, YM, TF, EMD, SPY and OEX options?

Yes and No. The indicators and systems also work for the mini-NASDAQ (NQ), mini-Russell (TF) and mini-S&P Midcap 400 (EMD). Instead of inserting ES in a chart, substitute the NQ, TF or EMD. However, because of TradeStation software restrictions you cannot plot TRIN data with the mini-Dow (YM), SPY or OEX options. But the Better TRIN system signals can still be taken on any index market – just trade the YM, SPY or OEX options instead of the Emini.

Do the TRIN indicators work for day trading, i.e. on intra-day charts?

Yes. The indicators have been updated to work on intra-day charts. The only exception is the TRIN divergence warning signal does not apply to intra-day charts.

Do the TRIN systems work for day trading, i.e. with intra-day signals?

No. The Better TRIN systems are not designed for day trading, only swing trading. If you want to use the Better TRIN Oscillator for day trading, look for divergence patterns between the oscillator and price for good entry points.

What system settings do you use for the Better TRIN example systems?

“Format Strategy” settings are: TypeA to TypeE = True; DoubleUp = True; Using both NYSE & NASDAQ TRIN data; Look inside bar back-testing disabled. “Properties for All Strategies” settings are: Allow up to 50 entry orders in same direction regardless of entry; Trade Size = 1 contract; Commissions & Slippage = 0; MaxBarsBarck = 50; Max Contracts per Position = 65,000. “Format Symbol” settings are: @ES.D symbol; Daily data; Data from 1998 but NASDAQ TRIN data not available that far back and so signals only generated from December 2001.

What is the logic behind the “Double Up” input in the example TRIN systems?

The "Double Up" input allows the systems to double the number of contracts traded on the next trade after a losing trade. This is a useful trick in improving system performance, however, from a statistician's perspective it is not logical. They would argue that all trades are independent and that the probability of a winning trade after a losing trade is no different than after a winning trade. However, from a practical perspective, if you have a robust system that does not have long losing streaks and you are sufficiently capitalized then the "Double Up" input will improve system performance.

Does the indicator use NYSE or NASDAQ TRIN data?

Both. In TradeStation subscribe to both NASDAQ Level 1 and NYSE data. Each real-time data feed only costs $1 per month. These settings can be found by logging into your TradeStation internet account and going to TradeStation Platform > Add/Remove Data or Features. TradeStation takes anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours to update new data settings and you will need to restart TradeStation for the requests to take effect.

Do the Better TRIN indicators use TradeStation's new TRIN data symbols?

No. The Better TRIN indicators just use the NYSE and NASDAQ TRIN data symbols ($TRIN and $TRINQ). The new TRIN data symbols cover the Dow ($TRINI), S&P500 ($TRINSP), Russell 2000 ($TRINRL) and all US indices ($TRINUS). They are a good idea but do not have sufficient back data to be useful yet.

Do the TRIN indicators work on tick charts or share charts?

No. TradeStation does not allow multiple data streams to be plotted on the same tick chart or share chart.

Purchasing & Installation Questions

How much do the indicators cost?

Better Sine Wave, Better Momentum and Better Pro Am cost $167 each. All 3 indicators are available at a 15% discount in a package deal for $425. Better TRIN, Better Trend Line and Better Volume for NinjaTrader cost $67 each.

Do you offer a discount for multiple indicators?

Yes. If you purchase Better Sine Wave, Better Momentum and Better Pro Am together there is a 15% discount.

More information here on the Package deal for $425.

I bought one indicator. Can I get the discount when I buy the other two?

No. Unfortunately, the discount is only available if you purchase Better Sine Wave, Better Momentum and Better Pro Am together.

How do I pay by credit card?

On the shopping cart page, once you’ve filled in your name, email and address, hit the green “Submit Order” button.

Please ignore the “You have selected PayPal as your payment provider for this transaction” notice – this is very confusing, we know. But unfortunately it is beyond our control.

Then on the next page click the “Don’t have a PayPal account?” link and fill in your credit card details.

I bought NinjaTrader versions of the indicators. Can I get TradeStation ones free?

No, not free but at a 50% discount. Email me via the contact form and I’ll forward a discount coupon code.

How long will it take to receive my indicator after payment is made?

Literally seconds. Once payment is confirmed you are immediately sent to a download page where you download a zip file with indicator, instructions PDF and trading manual. Then you’ll receive a password by email to use the indicator.

Very occasionally the email with password is delayed (because of aggressive email filters) – but by no more than 15 minutes. If this happens you to, just use the contact form to get in touch and we’ll send a password email immediately.

Will I get a DVD and manual in the mail?

No. All the files are delivered electronically.

Once you purchase, you’ll be sent to a web page with a download link which you click to download a zipped file. The Indicator Code, Installation Instructions and Trading Manual are included in the zipped file. The Installation Instructions and Trading Manual are in PDF format.

You’ll also be sent an email with link to a web page where all the video tutorials are available to be watched online.

What is the installation procedure for the ‘Better’ indicators?

All the indicators come with installation instructions in PDF format. These instructions are easy to follow and show you exactly what steps to go through. That being said, the ‘Better’ indicators are no different from other standard indicators and are easily installed – the detailed instructions are for peace of mind and to specifically help new traders.

In addition, online videos are included to show how to install the indicators on TradeStation. The steps for NinjaTrader and MultiCharts are very similar.

Can I get help if I have a technical problem installing?

Yes, absolutely. If you have any technical difficulties installing then just send an email and I will help. Don’t forget to follow the installation instructions first and to specifically check the charting platform version you are using.

Is the price a one-time fee or recurring monthly charge for the software?

There is just one payment for each of the indicators and no recurring charges.

However, in the future the ‘Better’ indicators will be moved to a subscription model with monthly charge. At least 6 months notice will be given before this change takes effect.

How secure is the payment process?

All payments are processed by PayPal with their industry leading focus on data encryption and customer protection. PayPal, a division of eBay, has been providing online payment services since 1998.

Do all the fields in the payment information need to be filled in?

Yes, but we’ve kept the amount of information required to the minimum.

Can I buy if I live outside the US?

Yes. All you need is a credit card or PayPal account.

I don’t have a credit card. How else can I pay?

Payments by PayPal and bank transfer (eCheque/eCheck) are also accepted.

How often are the indicators updated and what does each update cost?

From time-to-time the indicator code is improved and updated. Any updates to the indicators will be free to all existing customers. In addition, the indicators are kept up-to-date with new versions of the charting platforms.

However, this updating service is not indefinite and Emini-Watch.com reserves the right to stop updating the indicators for new versions of the charting platforms.

You can check details of the latest versions here.

How are indicator updates handled?

Customers are emailed as soon as a new version of one of the ‘Better’ indicators is available. The email will include a download link plus installation instructions. You can check details of the latest versions here.

I had a hard disk crash and lost my indicators. What should I do?

Emini-Watch.com now charges a service fee to replace lost files and passwords. This change has become necessary becomes of the large number of such time consuming requests.

Use the shopping cart link below to make payment and then send an email via the contact form with details of the files and passwords you need.

Shopping cart link: Service Fee to Replace Lost Files and Passwords.

More information about online backup here: The 5 Step Trading Backup Plan.

A virus has been detected in my download. What should I do?

Emini-Watch.com does not send out viruses – period.

When virus scanners like Norton Antivirus or Yahoo.com web email come across a file they do not recognize (like a trading platform import file) they automatically default to calling it a virus. Please don’t waste my time by sending an email telling me I have sent you a virus.

I downloaded a “zip” file. How do I “unzip” this file?

Use a free zip utility program, like 7-Zip or Filzip, to “unzip” the downloaded files.

Do you offer free trials?

No. Once you have downloaded any of the ‘Better’ indicators there is no way of returning them – you can use them forever as there are no time restrictions built into the code. Instead, the indicators are offered at very reasonable prices.

If you are unsure about purchasing any of the indicators please hold back – subscribe to Emini-Watch.com and follow the daily updates until you are more certain. If you do choose to purchase, please just purchase one indicator rather than the complete suite of indicators.

What is your refund policy?

In general, there are no refunds. However, in exceptional circumstances I will consider a refund for genuine reasons.

If you are unsure about purchasing any of the ‘Better’ indicators, please hold back – Emini-Watch.com is probably not for you and you might be better off finding a more “full service” provider.

Subscribing Questions

How do I subscribe to the free daily updates from Emini-Watch.com?

Just input your email address in the form in the sidebar and hit the Subscribe button. You’ll be asked to input a “captcha” series of characters and then you’ll be sent a confirmation email.

You can also subscribe via RSS feed, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, iTunes and LinkedIn. Follow this link to access the other subscription options.

How do I unsubscribe from the daily updates?

At the bottom of every daily update email there is a 1-click unsubscribe link. Just click on that link and you’ll automatically be removed from the mailing list.

Emini-Watch.com hates spam and we would never send you emails you did not want to receive.

How do I change my email address for receiving the daily updates?

At the bottom of every daily update email there is a 1-click unsubscribe link. Just click on that link to unsubscribe that email address. Then input your new email address in the form in the sidebar and hit the Subscribe button.

Can I be notified of new daily updates by RSS, Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn?

Yes, you can be notified of new daily updates by RSS feed, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Follow this link to access all the Emini-Watch.com subscription options.

Can I watch new daily videos on YouTube or on my iPhone or Android phone?

Yes, new daily videos are posted to YouTube and you can subscribe there. The videos are also available on iTunes and can be subscribed to via your iPhone or Android phone.

Follow this link to access all the Emini-Watch.com subscription options.