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Cross-Asset Signals from a Second Data Series in Backtrader

Code backtrader

Summary

This Backtrader example attaches two price data series to one strategy. It calculates a simple moving average on the second series and uses crossovers of that series’ close against its average to create long and exit signals. The sample then submits orders for both data feeds, while exposing parameters for the average period, stake, starting cash, and commission. It also logs order status and feed lengths and can plot the loaded data.

The example frames the two series as correlated and says the second series supplies signals for trading the first, but its order calls also trade the second feed. That implementation detail complicates the stated intent and should be checked before adapting it. The code demonstrates a framework pattern rather than a tested strategy: it reports starting and ending broker value but gives no run results, risk controls, validation, or evidence that the crossover is profitable. Its signal and execution behavior may also depend on how the two feeds are synchronized.

Key ideas

  • The strategy computes a simple moving average on the second data feed.
  • An upward crossover creates long orders, and a downward crossover creates exit orders.
  • The sample submits trades for both feeds despite describing the second feed as the signal source for the first.
  • It illustrates Backtrader mechanics but provides no performance evidence or substantial risk controls.

Tags

Full text
# multidata-strategy.py


```py
#!/usr/bin/env python
# -*- coding: utf-8; py-indent-offset:4 -*-
###############################################################################
#
# Copyright (C) 2015-2023 Daniel Rodriguez
#
# This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
# (at your option) any later version.
#
# This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
# GNU General Public License for more details.
#
# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
# along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
#
###############################################################################
from __future__ import (absolute_import, division, print_function,
                        unicode_literals)

import argparse
import datetime

# The above could be sent to an independent module
import backtrader as bt
import backtrader.feeds as btfeeds
import backtrader.indicators as btind


class MultiDataStrategy(bt.Strategy):
    '''
    This strategy operates on 2 datas. The expectation is that the 2 datas are
    correlated and the 2nd data is used to generate signals on the 1st

      - Buy/Sell Operationss will be executed on the 1st data
      - The signals are generated using a Simple Moving Average on the 2nd data
        when the close price crosses upwwards/downwards

    The strategy is a long-only strategy
    '''
    params = dict(
        period=15,
        stake=10,
        printout=True,
    )

    def log(self, txt, dt=None):
        if self.p.printout:
            dt = dt or self.data.datetime[0]
            dt = bt.num2date(dt)
            print('%s, %s' % (dt.isoformat(), txt))

    def notify_order(self, order):
        if order.status in [bt.Order.Submitted, bt.Order.Accepted]:
            return  # Await further notifications

        if order.status == order.Completed:
            if order.isbuy():
                buytxt = 'BUY COMPLETE, %.2f' % order.executed.price
                self.log(buytxt, order.executed.dt)
            else:
                selltxt = 'SELL COMPLETE, %.2f' % order.executed.price
                self.log(selltxt, order.executed.dt)

        elif order.status in [order.Expired, order.Canceled, order.Margin]:
            self.log('%s ,' % order.Status[order.status])
            pass  # Simply log

        # Allow new orders
        self.orderid = None

    def __init__(self):
        # To control operation entries
        self.orderid = None

        # Create SMA on 2nd data
        sma = btind.MovAv.SMA(self.data1, period=self.p.period)
        # Create a CrossOver Signal from close an moving average
        self.signal = btind.CrossOver(self.data1.close, sma)

    def next(self):
        if self.orderid:
            return  # if an order is active, no new orders are allowed

        if self.p.printout:
            print('Self  len:', len(self))
            print('Data0 len:', len(self.data0))
            print('Data1 len:', len(self.data1))
            print('Data0 len == Data1 len:',
                  len(self.data0) == len(self.data1))

            print('Data0 dt:', self.data0.datetime.datetime())
            print('Data1 dt:', self.data1.datetime.datetime())

        if not self.position:  # not yet in market
            if self.signal > 0.0:  # cross upwards
                self.log('BUY CREATE , %.2f' % self.data1.close[0])
                self.buy(size=self.p.stake)
                self.buy(data=self.data1, size=self.p.stake)

        else:  # in the market
            if self.signal < 0.0:  # crosss downwards
                self.log('SELL CREATE , %.2f' % self.data1.close[0])
                self.sell(size=self.p.stake)
                self.sell(data=self.data1, size=self.p.stake)

    def stop(self):
        print('==================================================')
        print('Starting Value - %.2f' % self.broker.startingcash)
        print('Ending   Value - %.2f' % self.broker.getvalue())
        print('==================================================')


def runstrategy():
    args = parse_args()

    # Create a cerebro
    cerebro = bt.Cerebro()

    # Get the dates from the args
    fromdate = datetime.datetime.strptime(args.fromdate, '%Y-%m-%d')
    todate = datetime.datetime.strptime(args.todate, '%Y-%m-%d')

    # Create the 1st data
    data0 = btfeeds.YahooFinanceCSVData(
        dataname=args.data0,
        fromdate=fromdate,
        todate=todate)

    # Add the 1st data to cerebro
    cerebro.adddata(data0)

    # Create the 2nd data
    data1 = btfeeds.YahooFinanceCSVData(
        dataname=args.data1,
        fromdate=fromdate,
        todate=todate)

    # Add the 2nd data to cerebro
    cerebro.adddata(data1)

    # Add the strategy
    cerebro.addstrategy(MultiDataStrategy,
                        period=args.period,
                        stake=args.stake)

    # Add the commission - only stocks like a for each operation
    cerebro.broker.setcash(args.cash)

    # Add the commission - only stocks like a for each operation
    cerebro.broker.setcommission(commission=args.commperc)

    # And run it
    cerebro.run(runonce=not args.runnext,
                preload=not args.nopreload,
                oldsync=args.oldsync)

    # Plot if requested
    if args.plot:
        cerebro.plot(numfigs=args.numfigs, volume=False, zdown=False)


def parse_args():
    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description='MultiData Strategy')

    parser.add_argument('--data0', '-d0',
                        default='../../datas/orcl-1995-2014.txt',
                        help='1st data into the system')

    parser.add_argument('--data1', '-d1',
                        default='../../datas/yhoo-1996-2014.txt',
                        help='2nd data into the system')

    parser.add_argument('--fromdate', '-f',
                        default='2003-01-01',
                        help='Starting date in YYYY-MM-DD format')

    parser.add_argument('--todate', '-t',
                        default='2005-12-31',
                        help='Starting date in YYYY-MM-DD format')

    parser.add_argument('--period', default=15, type=int,
                        help='Period to apply to the Simple Moving Average')

    parser.add_argument('--cash', default=100000, type=int,
                        help='Starting Cash')

    parser.add_argument('--runnext', action='store_true',
                        help='Use next by next instead of runonce')

    parser.add_argument('--nopreload', action='store_true',
                        help='Do not preload the data')

    parser.add_argument('--oldsync', action='store_true',
                        help='Use old data synchronization method')

    parser.add_argument('--commperc', default=0.005, type=float,
                        help='Percentage commission (0.005 is 0.5%%')

    parser.add_argument('--stake', default=10, type=int,
                        help='Stake to apply in each operation')

    parser.add_argument('--plot', '-p', action='store_true',
                        help='Plot the read data')

    parser.add_argument('--numfigs', '-n', default=1,
                        help='Plot using numfigs figures')

    return parser.parse_args()


if __name__ == '__main__':
    runstrategy()

```

Shown in full with attribution under the source's licence. Licence: GPL-3.0

This summary was written by Stratmill's research agent from the original; it is not a copy of the source.