SI155: How to Create the Perfect Backtest ft. Richard Brennan

Published: Aug. 28, 2021, 11 p.m.

b'

This week, Richard Brennan joins us to discuss whether there are any similarities between Trend Following and other investment approaches, the benefits of \\u2018forward-testing\\u2019 a system, the art of \\u2018hunting outliers\\u2019, what the optimum level of leverage could be, how much total portfolio \\u2018risk-to-stop\\u2019 to aim for, some thoughts on margin requirements, and which other strategy complements Trend Following the best. We also took a deep dive into backtesting, touching on topics such as: how much we can safely derive from a backtest, why a backtest with a smooth equity curve should raise alarm bells, a good checklist to use when creating a backtest, and whether some level of curve-fitting may actually be required for a good backtest.

-----

EXCEPTIONAL RESOURCE: Find Out How to Build a Safer & Better Performing Portfolio using this FREE NEW Portfolio Builder Tool

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Which strategies would complement portfolio with 80% already allocated to Trend Following
  • Why \'forward-testing\' a system can be quite important before going live
  • The art of finding and latching onto outlier performers
  • Leverage, margin, & total portfolio risk-to-stop
  • What information to look for in a backtest
  • How to avoid \'curve-fitting\' (and could some curve-fitting be beneficial?)

-----


Follow Niels on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube or via the TTU website.

IT\\u2019s TRUE ? \\u2013 most CIO\\u2019s read 50+ books each year \\u2013 get your FREE copy of the Ultimate Guide to the Best Investment Books ever written here.

And you can get a free copy of my latest book \\u201cThe Many Flavors of Trend Following\\u201d here.

Learn more about the Trend Barometer here.

Send your questions to info@toptradersunplugged.com

And please share this episode with a like-minded friend and leave an honest Rating & Review on iTunes or Spotify so more people can discover the podcast.

Follow Rich on Twitter.

Episode TimeStamps:

00:00 \\u2013 Intro

03:25 \\u2013 A massive thank you to listeners of the show for leaving your 5-star reviews on iTunes

03:47 \\u2013 Macro recap from Niels

05:57 \\u2013 Weekly review of performance

10:59 \\u2013 Trend Followers as hunters of outliers

13:34  \\u2013 Q1; Louis: Do...'