Welcome to System Trader!

Algorithmic Strategies and Timing Models that Generate Alpha

Super charge your portfolio by harnessing the momentum edge with System Trader. We combine market timing models, trend filters and momentum ranks to create portfolios that generate above-average returns with lower risk. Our systematic strategies start with breadth models to define market conditions for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100. We then use trend filters and proprietary momentum ranks to trade the leading stocks in each index. These strategies exit stocks when they no longer lead and rotate into the new leaders. There is always a horse in the race.

System Trader Main Pages & Navigation

There are four main pages for System Trader subscribers:

  • System Trader Strategies
  • System Trader Signals & Tables
  • System Trader Broad Breadth Model
  • System Trader Research Report

The Strategies page contains full reports for each strategy. These reports include indicator explanations, signal examples, trading frequency and performance metrics. Note that we update performance metrics at the beginning of every month. These reports also explain the signal tables.

The Signals page shows the signal pages for each strategy. 

  • Momentum Rotation strategy for S&P 500 Stocks (w/o Financials)
  • Momentum Rotation strategy for Nasdaq 100 Stocks
  • Momentum Rotation strategy for ETFs (core all weather list)

The Market Timing page contains the Broad Breadth Model (BBM). We update this page every Saturday (before 6AM ET).  

The  research page contains special reports related to systematic trading. Past reports covered the following:

  • The AI Boom (NVDA) vs the Internet Boom (CSCO)
  • How to Get Started with Momentum Strategies
  • Zweig Breadth Thrust: Testing and Adding a Twist
  • Skip the Noise, Focus on the Signal, Effectively Use the 200-day
  • Market Timing Models Improve Long-term Performance

The navigation links are at the top of every webpage. System Trader page links are under the “System Trader” menu.

System Trader Schedule, Vacation & Email Alerts

We update the market timing models and signal pages on Saturdays (before 6AM ET). 

We send email alerts when there is a new report or weekend update. If you are NOT on the list and would like to be added, click here for the signup form.

Tools of the Trade

First and foremost, I use Amibroker and Norgate data for system development, backtesting and explorations. It is one of the fastest, cleanest and most versatile platforms out there. There is quite a learning curve because it requires detailed coding.

Second, I sometimes link charts in commentaries to an equivalent chart from StockCharts.com, which I also use at times.  

I also created the TIP Indicator Edge Plug-In for StockCharts ACP. This plugin includes 11 unique indicators for trend following, mean-reversion setups, trailing stops and volatility. See this article for complete explanations and chart examples.

Third, I use TradingView (affiliate link here) when following the markets during trading hours. They offer a wide array of indicators and data sources.

Thanks for tuning in and have a great day!

Chart Trader Weekly Report – Broad Market Analysis, Leading Groups (ETFs), Chart Setups and Trading Ideas (Premium)

Today’s report starts with signs of broadening participation as mid-caps perk up. SPY hit another new high, but QQQ and semis remain below their summer highs. Large-cap techs are also showing some fatigue. We then compare SOXX and SMH, cover the leading tech ETFs and highlight the breakout in Bitcoin. We finish with two stocks: HPE (data centers) and MLM (construction materials).

Chart Trader Weekly Report – Broad Market Analysis, Leading Groups (ETFs), Chart Setups and Trading Ideas (Premium) Read More »

Chart Trader Weekly Report – Broad Market Analysis, Leading Groups (ETFs), Chart Setups and Trading Ideas (Premium)

Today’s report starts with strong breadth, the plunge in yield spreads and fresh highs in SPY. Tech-related ETFs are leading in October as triangle breakouts extend (QQQ, XLK, MAGS) and new highs are tagged (CIBR, IGV, SKYY, FINX). We then detail setups in the Healthcare (XLV), Palladium (PALL) and Biotech (IBB). Other Symbols Covered: VRTX, AMGN, AKAM and MU.

Chart Trader Weekly Report – Broad Market Analysis, Leading Groups (ETFs), Chart Setups and Trading Ideas (Premium) Read More »

Chart Trader Weekly Report – Broad Market Analysis, Leading Groups (ETFs), Chart Setups and Trading Ideas (Premium)

Today’s report starts with the Composite Breadth Model, yield spreads and the major trends. Tech-related ETFs are perking up with some triangle breakouts (QQQ, XLK, MAGS) and some new highs (CIBR, IGV, SKYY, FINX). We then detail short-term setups in the Healthcare SPDR (XLV) and Palladium ETF (PALL). Other Symbols Covered: ILMN, INCY, NVDA, TSM, AVGO, MRVL

Chart Trader Weekly Report – Broad Market Analysis, Leading Groups (ETFs), Chart Setups and Trading Ideas (Premium) Read More »

Chart Trader Weekly Report – Broad Market Analysis, Leading Groups (ETFs), Chart Setups and Trading Ideas (Premium)

Today’s report starts with the weight of the evidence for stocks. We look at the Composite Breadth Model, yield spreads and the major trends. Attention then turns the patterns in play for XLK, SOXX and MAGS, as well as four tech ETFs hitting new highs. China stole the show last week so we also analyze the China Large-Cap ETF (FXI), copper and base metals.

Chart Trader Weekly Report – Broad Market Analysis, Leading Groups (ETFs), Chart Setups and Trading Ideas (Premium) Read More »

Finding Bullish Setup Zones within Bigger Uptrends – Requirements, Considerations, Conditions, Setups and Signals (Premium)

This report will show how to find bullish setup zones for trading pullbacks within the bigger uptrend. This is trading in the direction of the bigger uptrend. We are only focused on uptrends and bullish setups. In addition, there are two requirements: the broad market trend must be up and the stock must be

Finding Bullish Setup Zones within Bigger Uptrends – Requirements, Considerations, Conditions, Setups and Signals (Premium) Read More »

Chart Trader Weekly Report – Broad Market Analysis, Leading Groups (ETFs), Chart Setups and Trading Ideas (Premium)

Today’s report starts with the Composite Breadth Model, yield spreads, SPY and QQQ. We then turn to key levels for tech ETFs and highlight the leaders. Commodity-related ETFs are strong since August and we are seeing breakouts base metals, agriculture and others. This report also features three stocks: two from healthcare and one from defense.

Chart Trader Weekly Report – Broad Market Analysis, Leading Groups (ETFs), Chart Setups and Trading Ideas (Premium) Read More »

Chart Trader Weekly Report – Broad Market Analysis, Leading Groups (ETFs), Chart Setups and Trading Ideas (Premium)

We are still in a bull market, but some risk-on groups are lagging and defensive groups are leading. Interest rate sensitive groups are leading. After hard hits in early September, tech names recovered this week with strong advances. We will put these into context and show key levels to watch (QQQ, XLK, MAGS, SOXX). The other four tech ETFs (IGV, CIBR, SKYY, FINX) are holding up better. This report also cover MSFT, META, QCOM, ARM, DELL, AVGO and NVDA.

Chart Trader Weekly Report – Broad Market Analysis, Leading Groups (ETFs), Chart Setups and Trading Ideas (Premium) Read More »

Chart Trader Weekly Report – Broad Market Analysis, Leading Groups (ETFs), Chart Setups and Trading Ideas (Premium)

This comprehensive report and video are published every Friday morning, which gives readers a few days to cover and digest the information. We start with broad market analysis using our breadth models, long-term trends, yield spreads and market disposition. Attention then turns to key groups and leading groups (using ETFs). Based on the leaders, we then feature some stocks with breakouts and trading setups. This report ends with analysis of TLT, GLD and Bitcoin.

Chart Trader Weekly Report – Broad Market Analysis, Leading Groups (ETFs), Chart Setups and Trading Ideas (Premium) Read More »

Chart Trader Weekly Report – Broad Market Analysis, Leading Groups (ETFs), Chart Setups and Trading Ideas (Premium)

Today’s report starts with the CBM and yield spread to define the broad market environment. Despite bull market conditions, odds are increasing for corrective period. We are seeing relative and absolute weakness in key groups, leadership in defensive groups and weak seasonal patterns. GLD and TLT remain strong, while Bitcoin remains weak. We finished with PODD and META.

Chart Trader Weekly Report – Broad Market Analysis, Leading Groups (ETFs), Chart Setups and Trading Ideas (Premium) Read More »

ChartTrader Weekly Report – Market Analysis, Leading Groups (ETFs), Chart Setups and Trading Ideas (Premium)

Today’s report starts with the CBM to define the market. We then address the recent market mood swing as volatility picked up, techs started lagging and defensive groups started leading. Cybersecurity and Fintech are leading within tech and we feature four stocks from these groups. Symbols Covered: XLU, XLP, XLV, XLK, SOXX, CYBR, IGV, FINX, XLRE, ITB, ITA, KIE, IBB, FAN, PBJ, PANW, CYBR, JKHY, PYPL

ChartTrader Weekly Report – Market Analysis, Leading Groups (ETFs), Chart Setups and Trading Ideas (Premium) Read More »

This Housing-Related Stock Just Printed a 5 for the Trend Composite

The Home Construction ETF (ITB) is leading the market as it surged to a new closing high this week. While this high is certainly bullish and points to upside leadership, the real signal triggered back in early July as the Trend Composite turned bullish with an outsized move. Let’s review this signal and then look at a recent signal in

This Housing-Related Stock Just Printed a 5 for the Trend Composite Read More »

ChartTrader – Broad Breadth Model – SPX-NDX Breadth Model – Yield Spreads (Premium)

This report covers the broad market environment and will be updated every Friday. We start with the breadth models to define the broad market environment (bull market or bear market). The first model covers the broader market, while the second model emphasizes the Nasdaq 100. And finally, we finish with yield spreads to assess conditions in the credit markets.

ChartTrader – Broad Breadth Model – SPX-NDX Breadth Model – Yield Spreads (Premium) Read More »

ChartTrader – Overbought Conditions – Price Surges – Volatility Spikes – SPY, QQQ & MAGS – Key Tech ETFs and Stocks (Premium)

Today’s report starts with short-term overbought conditions, the 12 day surge and the increase in volatility. We then turn to the long-term trends for SPY, QQQ and MAGS. Several tech-related ETFs and tech stocks broke short-term resistance levels and we will set the key levels to watch going forward. Analysis covers SOXX, IGV, CIBR, NVDA, AVGO, AMAT, GOOGL, MSFT and more.

ChartTrader – Overbought Conditions – Price Surges – Volatility Spikes – SPY, QQQ & MAGS – Key Tech ETFs and Stocks (Premium) Read More »

ChartTrader – Healthcare and Biotech Continue to Lead – Three Healthcare Stocks with Breakouts  (Premium)

This report starts with the leaders over the last ten days and the leaders based on 52-week highs. Large-cap tech stocks led the 10-day surge, but Healthcare, Consumer Staples and Biotech are leading on charts. We then analyze the Healthcare SPDR, Biotech ETF and three Healthcare stocks (CAH, INCY, ILMN)

ChartTrader – Healthcare and Biotech Continue to Lead – Three Healthcare Stocks with Breakouts  (Premium) Read More »

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