CTA Trend Following

Silver — Concentration, Ensemble & The Twelve Sections

Kaufman's robust-region method on Silver (SI=F), then the same twelve sections as the market card — all of it on data ending 2015-12-31.

As of 2015-12-31 — the last ten years are withheld. Every number on this tab is computed on bars up to and including 2015-12-31, and nothing after that date is read by any calculation here. The cut happens on the raw price frame before any indicator touches it, so no parameter on this tab was chosen with knowledge of what came next. This market's window is 1978-04-27 → 2015-12-31 (9,470 daily bars). The withheld data still exists and has not been touched — it is the out-of-sample test for whatever comes out of this work, and it is only worth having once the strategies are fixed.
Funded entries
SMA 42, SMA 95, SMA 100, SMA 105
Direction
System B — Long & Short
Plateau
SMA 95–105 (3/25 tested)
Efficiency ratio (20d)
0.239
Narrow plateau — treat with caution. The good region covers only 3 of 25 tested periods (12%), below the 20% bar this tab uses to call a region broad. The entries are necessarily close together, so they will move together — the mean pairwise correlation between them is 0.66. This market is excluded from the funded book on the index page.

K1. Where The Results Concentrate

Kaufman's method: rather than take the best of the 50 base cells, or their median, find the contiguous stretch of SMA periods that all work. The plateau is the region holding at or above 70% of the smoothed peak. Its width is the honest measure of how much room for error this market gives you.

Sortino By SMA Period — Where The Results Concentrate

Bars are each tested period on its own. The line averages each period with the tested period either side (3-point neighbourhood), which is what the selection reads. The shaded band is the plateau; the outlined bars are the funded entries.

Plateau
SMA 95–105
Width
3 of 25 tested (12%)
Periods in profit
40% of 25
Best / median / worst
0.24 / -0.03 / -0.27

Why this direction

SystemPlateau meanCoveragePeriods in profit
System A — Long Only0.1218%44%
System B — Long & Short ✓0.13712%40%

The direction is chosen on the plateau, not on the best cell. A direction that covers at least 20% of the grid wins over one that scores higher across three adjacent periods, because that narrow high score is exactly the fluke this method exists to avoid.

Speed preference vs efficiency ratio

Speed bandMean sortino
short(SMA 30–54)-0.038
medium(SMA 55–80)-0.092
long(SMA 81–120)0.061

Efficiency ratio over this window: 10d 0.331, 20d 0.239, 60d 0.138. A high ER means price travels in straighter lines, which should favour faster SMAs; a low ER means the path is noisy and a slower SMA should do better. The index page tests that across all markets rather than asserting it here.

K2. The Funded Ensemble — 4 Entries, Equal Weight

Each selected period is funded with 25% of the market's capital and runs as its own base system. They are deliberately spread across the plateau: adjacent periods would be one system counted several times, which is the overfit this is meant to avoid.

EntryBandWeightCAGRMax DDSharpeSortinoCalmarTradesWin rate
SMA 42short25.0%4.0%-90.7%0.140.210.0462633.7%
SMA 95long25.0%1.4%-89.4%0.050.070.0244432.2%
SMA 100long25.0%4.5%-91.0%0.170.240.0537032.7%
SMA 105long25.0%2.9%-86.8%0.110.150.0336828.8%
Ensemble (equal weight)100.0%4.2%-83.0%0.180.260.051808—
Mean pairwise correlation between the members' daily returns is 0.657. The ensemble's Sortino is +0.088 against the average of its members, and its drawdown +0.065 — that difference is the combination working (or not), rather than any member being good.

The ensemble against the three readings it replaces

On sortino, the tab's selection metric.

ReadingsortinoEnsemble minus thisWhat it is
Ensemble0.256—4 periods from the plateau, equal weight.
Buy & hold-0.144+0.400Holding the future outright over the same window.
Median cell-0.012+0.267The middle of all 50 cells — what picking a parameter at random gets you. This is the reading the earlier cross-market tables used.
Best single cell — SMA 1000.238+0.018The luckiest point on the surface. In sample it must win; the question is by how little, because whatever it wins by is what you are betting survives.

Ensemble Equity — Month-End Cumulative Return

Each funded entry gets 25% of the market's capital and runs independently. Everything stops on 2015-12-31.

Below: the same twelve sections as the market card, rebuilt in-sample. Identical code, identical grids — only the window differs. Use them to see what each risk layer would have done to the funded periods above. Section 13 (Reset / No Reset, added 2026-08-04) is deliberately not here: the client asked for it on the markets “koja imaju sve podatke”, and this tab is the one that does not. The full-history card for Silver is here — do not read it while choosing parameters.
Instrument
Silver (SI=F)
History
1978-04-27 → 2015-12-31
Trading Days / Year
252
Volatility Grid
15–55% (step 5)
All results are net of trading costs. Every round turn (entry + exit) of one contract pays $5.00 commission + 1.5 ticks of slippage (1.5 × $25.00) = $42.50, i.e. 0.85 price points at $50 per point. Half is charged on entry and half on exit (a position still open at the end has paid only its entry half); on the compounding curve the cost is a share of the contract's real value at entry, so it weighs more on short, frequent trades. Profit Factor is gross profit ÷ gross loss over all trades (not the ATR target multiple sections 4–5 call “profit factor”); Avg Trade and Avg Loss are net USD per contract. Contract rolls are not charged as extra round turns.
How this market is calibrated. The volatility factor grid is 15–55%, derived from p10-p90 of annualized 20-day volatility, rounded to a nice step on this market's own history — not Corn's 20–60%, which would be meaningless here. Annualized 20-day volatility percentiles: p5 12.1%, p10 13.9%, p25 18.2%, p50 24.8%, p75 33.3%, p90 43.9%, p95 52.8%. Metrics annualize with 252 trading days per year. A cell at −100% CAGR means a position lost more than its stake — typically a short in a contract that more than doubled before the exit — and the later numbers in that cell are not meaningful. History from 1978-04-27: this card now runs on Norgate's Panama-adjusted series, which for most markets starts in 1978–1983 — years or decades before the feeds this site used earlier (1998–2019, depending on the market). Trend results include the 1980s–90s trends and buy-and-hold includes decades of roll cost, so neither is comparable to figures from those earlier feeds.

1. Moving Average Optimization

SMA periods 30, 33, 36, 39, 42, 45, 48, 51, 54, 57, 60, 63, 66, 69, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120. Entry when the SMA turns up, exit when it turns down (System A flat, System B reverses short). Returns are percentages of capital on a compounding equity curve.

Total Return By SMA Period

System A (Long Only) vs System B (Long & Short, stop-and-reverse on the SMA slope). Percentage return on a compounding equity curve.

2. Risk Metrics — Base Systems

CAGR, total return, max drawdown, Sharpe, trade count, profit factor and the average trade / average losing trade for every base variant of both systems over 9,470 daily bars. System A = Long Only, System B = Long & Short (stop-and-reverse).

Donchian Breakout — Pure Channel

Lookback N grid 20–80 step 3, then 85, 90, 95, 100. Exit on the opposite N-period band break.

NA: CAGRA: Total ReturnA: Max DDA: SharpeA: SortinoA: CalmarA: TradesA: Profit FactorA: Avg TradeA: Avg LossB: CAGRB: Total ReturnB: Max DDB: SharpeB: SortinoB: CalmarB: TradesB: Profit FactorB: Avg TradeB: Avg Loss
20-1.0%-31.7%-93.7%-0.05-0.06-0.011131.39$827−$3,028-3.6%-74.9%-98.5%-0.13-0.18-0.042261.50$1,031−$3,041
230.3%12.9%-91.3%0.010.020.00961.50$1,131−$3,285-0.6%-19.2%-97.2%-0.02-0.03-0.011931.63$1,362−$3,195
261.4%71.2%-87.9%0.070.090.02821.73$1,630−$3,0391.8%93.8%-93.5%0.060.090.021651.87$1,897−$3,211
290.9%41.1%-88.7%0.040.060.01751.59$1,491−$3,5380.4%17.1%-96.2%0.020.020.001511.71$1,784−$3,686
321.0%45.8%-89.4%0.050.060.01681.61$1,690−$3,5950.4%17.2%-97.0%0.020.020.001371.77$2,011−$3,648
351.7%91.5%-84.1%0.080.110.02591.75$2,047−$3,8492.0%108.8%-94.8%0.070.100.021191.90$2,414−$4,011
381.1%50.6%-87.4%0.050.070.01571.66$1,914−$4,2531.1%51.0%-95.0%0.040.060.011151.82$2,294−$4,153
410.7%29.1%-88.5%0.030.040.01551.63$2,049−$4,6100.7%28.1%-96.2%0.020.030.011101.87$2,482−$4,260
440.3%13.3%-88.7%0.020.020.00531.55$1,874−$4,8750.1%3.3%-95.9%0.000.000.001061.79$2,323−$4,405
47-0.2%-8.5%-90.4%-0.01-0.01-0.00511.47$1,766−$5,004-1.1%-34.0%-97.2%-0.04-0.06-0.011021.71$2,233−$4,601
50-0.5%-18.5%-87.4%-0.02-0.03-0.01471.23$901−$5,394-1.8%-50.2%-97.0%-0.07-0.09-0.02941.39$1,407−$5,419
53-1.0%-30.6%-89.3%-0.04-0.06-0.01461.08$362−$5,896-2.6%-62.4%-97.4%-0.09-0.13-0.03921.22$879−$6,014
56-1.0%-32.3%-89.6%-0.05-0.06-0.01441.09$433−$6,132-2.3%-58.0%-97.3%-0.08-0.11-0.02881.25$974−$5,815
59-0.8%-25.6%-88.5%-0.04-0.05-0.01411.08$361−$6,469-2.1%-54.9%-97.6%-0.08-0.10-0.02821.23$942−$6,164
62-0.3%-10.0%-86.1%-0.01-0.02-0.00371.06$319−$6,914-1.1%-34.7%-96.5%-0.04-0.06-0.01741.22$962−$6,747
650.5%21.9%-81.8%0.020.030.01351.09$474−$7,160-0.4%-13.7%-96.6%-0.01-0.02-0.00701.25$1,160−$6,918
680.6%23.9%-80.4%0.030.040.01331.11$551−$7,232-0.0%-1.5%-95.5%-0.00-0.00-0.00661.29$1,284−$6,860
71-0.0%-1.0%-84.4%-0.00-0.00-0.00331.00$16−$7,556-1.2%-36.9%-96.9%-0.04-0.06-0.01661.16$749−$7,186
740.0%0.7%-84.1%0.000.000.00321.03$155−$7,368-1.0%-31.8%-96.3%-0.04-0.05-0.01641.20$911−$6,956
770.1%4.0%-83.6%0.000.010.00311.00−$10−$7,731-0.8%-26.5%-95.7%-0.03-0.04-0.01621.17$770−$7,338
801.2%55.6%-80.9%0.050.070.01271.11$610−$8,7341.8%98.3%-86.6%0.070.090.02541.32$1,506−$7,934
850.9%40.4%-87.1%0.040.060.01251.22$1,074−$7,2810.8%37.1%-89.7%0.030.040.01501.43$2,041−$7,182
900.2%7.3%-89.3%0.010.010.00251.08$395−$7,688-0.6%-19.7%-92.7%-0.02-0.03-0.01501.27$1,363−$7,726
950.3%13.3%-89.5%0.020.020.00241.09$478−$7,916-0.6%-20.7%-94.4%-0.02-0.03-0.01481.28$1,486−$8,349
1000.5%22.4%-90.9%0.020.030.01231.10$577−$7,948-0.0%-0.7%-92.5%-0.00-0.00-0.00461.29$1,629−$8,484

Moving Average — SMA Slope

SMA period grid 30→70 step 3, then 70→120 step 5. Exit/reverse when the SMA slope flips.

SMAA: CAGRA: Total ReturnA: Max DDA: SharpeA: SortinoA: CalmarA: TradesA: Profit FactorA: Avg TradeA: Avg LossB: CAGRB: Total ReturnB: Max DDB: SharpeB: SortinoB: CalmarB: TradesB: Profit FactorB: Avg TradeB: Avg Loss
30-0.1%-5.4%-92.7%-0.01-0.01-0.003781.35$301−$1,217-1.3%-39.4%-97.7%-0.05-0.07-0.017561.42$362−$1,268
33-2.1%-54.3%-95.3%-0.10-0.13-0.023651.10$94−$1,280-5.2%-86.6%-99.3%-0.18-0.26-0.057301.16$157−$1,348
360.0%0.9%-93.9%0.000.000.003571.38$331−$1,224-1.3%-39.1%-98.0%-0.05-0.07-0.017141.47$397−$1,223
392.8%186.4%-86.5%0.130.180.033191.69$541−$1,1254.2%361.2%-92.4%0.150.210.046381.76$614−$1,159
422.5%153.4%-86.1%0.120.160.033131.50$433−$1,2084.0%341.6%-90.7%0.140.210.046261.58$508−$1,321
450.5%21.1%-89.8%0.020.030.012981.43$362−$1,1750.1%3.3%-96.1%0.000.000.005961.50$439−$1,271
48-0.9%-28.6%-93.7%-0.04-0.06-0.012941.33$307−$1,245-2.9%-67.0%-99.2%-0.10-0.15-0.035881.41$385−$1,295
51-0.6%-19.5%-92.7%-0.03-0.04-0.012681.18$201−$1,540-2.2%-57.1%-98.3%-0.08-0.11-0.025361.26$287−$1,600
54-0.8%-26.2%-91.4%-0.04-0.05-0.012611.25$249−$1,439-2.4%-59.4%-98.3%-0.09-0.12-0.025221.33$337−$1,441
57-1.0%-32.2%-91.9%-0.05-0.06-0.012671.10$117−$1,549-2.9%-67.4%-98.0%-0.10-0.15-0.035341.19$203−$1,550
60-2.6%-62.8%-95.8%-0.12-0.16-0.032651.08$94−$1,598-5.4%-87.8%-98.8%-0.19-0.27-0.065301.17$183−$1,478
63-1.0%-30.3%-88.8%-0.04-0.06-0.012571.00$6−$1,765-2.6%-63.5%-97.7%-0.09-0.13-0.035141.08$98−$1,649
66-0.4%-15.3%-86.9%-0.02-0.03-0.012391.02$25−$1,762-1.6%-44.5%-97.0%-0.06-0.08-0.024781.10$125−$1,688
69-0.1%-4.8%-86.3%-0.01-0.01-0.002431.07$83−$1,591-0.5%-17.6%-95.7%-0.02-0.03-0.014861.16$181−$1,596
700.5%22.1%-82.2%0.020.030.012391.03$33−$1,8001.1%48.5%-93.7%0.040.050.014781.11$132−$1,671
75-1.2%-37.5%-90.1%-0.06-0.08-0.012330.98−$23−$1,613-2.4%-60.5%-97.0%-0.09-0.12-0.034661.07$80−$1,627
80-0.1%-4.0%-88.6%-0.01-0.01-0.002491.08$88−$1,491-0.4%-13.8%-93.0%-0.01-0.02-0.004981.17$181−$1,486
85-0.1%-3.3%-87.3%-0.00-0.01-0.002490.97−$40−$1,697-0.4%-12.7%-94.4%-0.01-0.02-0.004981.05$53−$1,680
900.7%27.9%-88.7%0.030.040.012201.08$96−$1,6021.2%58.0%-88.8%0.040.060.014401.19$204−$1,584
950.8%32.7%-88.1%0.040.050.012221.14$154−$1,5731.4%70.4%-89.4%0.050.070.024441.25$259−$1,509
1002.3%138.9%-88.9%0.110.150.031851.65$645−$1,4024.5%427.6%-91.0%0.170.240.053701.85$772−$1,347
1051.5%77.3%-88.9%0.070.100.021841.46$455−$1,4472.9%192.8%-86.8%0.110.150.033681.60$584−$1,368
1100.2%9.1%-91.5%0.010.010.001951.37$339−$1,2420.0%0.8%-94.3%0.000.000.003901.50$463−$1,274
115-0.2%-7.7%-92.0%-0.01-0.01-0.001851.21$223−$1,514-0.6%-20.7%-95.0%-0.02-0.03-0.013701.34$355−$1,468
1200.1%5.4%-93.0%0.010.010.001731.26$294−$1,5720.1%5.3%-93.3%0.010.010.003461.41$435−$1,510

3. Equity Curve Explorer

Pick a period, direction and ATR profit target (or Base) to see its month-end cumulative return, starting at 0%.

Every ATR profit target is overlaid against the base system.

Loading equity curves…

4. Profit Factor Sweep

An ATR profit target swept 1.5 → 10.0 (step 0.5) for every variant. Target = entry ± PF × ATR₂₀, frozen at entry. The swept multiple is labelled ATR Target below, so it is not confused with the Profit Factor column (gross profit ÷ gross loss).

Loading atr target grid…

5. Volatility-Adjusted Profit Target (Dynamic)

The same sweep as section 4, but the target is recomputed each day from the current ATR instead of frozen at entry, so it breathes with volatility while staying anchored to the entry price. Click an ATR target under the charts to take it off them and let the axis rescale to the rest.

Loading atr target grid…

6. Stop Loss Sweep

A protective ATR stop swept 1.5 → 10.0 (step 0.5). Stop = entry ∓ SL × ATR₂₀, no take-profit; the position still reverses on the opposite SMA-slope signal if the stop is not hit first.

Loading stop loss factor grid…

7. ATR Trailing Stop Sweep

A trailing ATR stop, distinct from section 6: stop = best price reached since entry ∓ f × ATR₂₀, recomputed daily. It ratchets in the trade's favour and retreats when volatility rises. Swept 1.0 → 10.0 (step 0.5).

Loading trailing factor grid…

8. Stop Loss + Time Stop — Equity Curves

The full strategy: SMA entry, ATR stop loss, and a time stop that exits a trade still not in profit 5/10/15/20/30/40 days after entry. Split into one file per SMA period so this loads in a fraction of the Corn page's payload.

Loading equity curves…

9. Time Stop Only — Equity Curves

The time stop judged on its own, with no ATR stop, against the plain SMA baseline. Each line exits a trade still underwater 5/10/15/20/30/40 days after entry.

Loading equity curves…

10. Volatility Filter Sweep

Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily returns — the standard deviation of the last 20 daily returns × √252. The factor is a maximum: a new position opens only on a day at or below it, so the strategy stands aside in turbulence. An open trade is never closed by the filter.

Loading volatility factor grid…

11. Volatility Filter + ATR Trailing Stop

The first combined risk layer: the section-10 filter and the section-7 trailing stop in one strategy, swept together across every combination. The last column is section 7 on its own, so you can read left to right whether adding the filter helps.

Loading the volatility × trailing-stop grid…

12. Volatility Regime Switch

The same threshold as section 10, but acting as a regime switch: above it the open position is closed at that day's close, nothing opens while volatility stays high, and the position re-opens on the first calm day the SMA slope still points the right way — no fresh signal required.

Loading volatility factor grid…

Source: Norgate Data continuous futures, Panama (difference) back-adjusted, rolled one business day before last trade or first notice; percentages over the real contract price (daily OHLC), truncated at 2015-12-31 — nothing after that date was read by any calculation on this page. Generated 2026-10-06 13:39:00 UTC.