Genetic Strategy Optimization

Genetic optimization is a very complex subject that has a lot of specialized literature written about it. Basically, its chief benefit is that it takes only a fraction of the time of exhaustive optimization, and it finds nearly optimal results.

Find a needle in a haystack

This strategy optimization method makes it possible to find workable solutions amongst billions of combinations, whereas exhaustive optimization would take an unacceptably long amount of time.

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Based on principles of biological evolution
Genetic optimization does not try every possible combination. Instead, it uses complex algorithms that use principles of biological evolution. It randomly picks a sample of inputs, and tests for positive results. The best inputs are kept, and the worst ones are replaced with new random inputs—survival of the fittest. You can even customize your optimization by changing the number of generations, population size, and the convergence type.

Make sure your results are robust

If the algorithm thinks it has found something good, it will start testing around the newly found peak to determine if this peak is an outlier. If this result is an outlier, genetic optimization leaves it and moves on to other areas.

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More combinations equals better optimization
In fact, the more possible combinations you have, the better genetic optimization works. After you complete genetic optimization, you can test the inputs you found even more, with exhaustive optimization, walk-forward testing, or technical indicators.

Find new opportunities

Genetic optimization makes it possible to find new opportunities when creating trading systems, as opposed to fine-tuning an already existing system.

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Systematically work through thousands of parameters
For example, you can apply many indicators to your chart—each one of which has literally thousands of parameters. Then you can check if these indicators help predict price patterns by including and excluding them by telling genetic optimization to turn them off and on systematically. You can then use these findings to filter out the indicators that don’t work, and keep the ones that do.

Explore genetic optimization further

To fully understand how genetic optimization works, we recommend you read additional professional literature on genetic algorithms.

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Risk Warning:
Trading financial instruments, including foreign exchange on margin, carries a high level of risk and is not suitable for all investors. The high degree of leverage can work against you as well as for you. Before deciding to invest in financial instruments or foreign exchange you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite. The possibility exists that you could sustain a loss of some or all of your initial investment and therefore you should not invest money that you cannot afford to lose. You should be aware of all the risks associated with trading and seek advice from an independent financial advisor if you have any doubts.