Long time readers will have noticed a new set of links in the left column called “Software I use.” I’m starting to list the software I use after several readers kept asking me how I do all my data modeling and with what software.

I primarily use the TraderXL Pro package to download my stock, futures, and currency data, apply technical analysis, run my stock models in real time, fool around with its classifier algorithms, and backtest my strategies. I like TraderXL a lot because I’m a heavy Excel user for many of my algorithmic models and this little package allows me to do a lot with stock data.

The TraderXL Pro package comes loaded with several Excel Macros (I bought the whole bunch because it had a Neural Net and Classifier in it) and was surprised by how extensive its technical analysis library was. I wasn’t too ecstatic about using its Neural Net Macro (called PredictorXL) because I started using YALE at the time but its Classifier (aka ClassifierXL) works relatively well. It’s easy to use and I’ve used it some index modeling.

Although a bit clunky at first, the backtesting function (aka BacktestingXL) allows you to test your indicators, or suite of indicators, and generate buy/sell signals on past data. It prepares a nice report on when the signals were issued, how deep your drawdown got, and what your net gain/loss is.

The entire TraderXL suite comes with the following Macros (note: all the links to the macros will be an .exe installation file for a free trail):

1. AnalyzerXL – A heavy duty technical analytic macro. You can download data and attach all kinds of technical analysis functions to your price data. It comes with “expert functions” like Cutler RSI or simple ones like volatility calculations
2. BulkquotesXL – This is my mainstay, I use this macro to download all my stock, futures, and currency data. You can download price data and transform it in different tables, apply technical indicators on the fly, and even automatically generate charts. This is a very powerful data downloading macro
3. DownloaderXL – Similar to BulkquotesXL and it downloads stock data and generates a nice graph with volume. I very rarely use this one because it doesn’t give the flexibility as BulkquotesXL
4. RTQuotesXL – this is a nice macro, it allows to download delayed (free) or real-time (fee-based) stock quotes from Yahoo or PCQuote. There is the ability to integrate other quote provides as well
5. PredictorXL – This is a neural net macro which isn’t all that great but it can help you predict directional price movements
6. BacktestingXL – This is their backtesting and strategy macro and it works really well. The setup takes a bit of time but once its done, a simple click of the button will generate your returns
7. ClassifierXL – For ease of use, and decent results, this is one good little classifier algorithm. I’ve used this to segment the S&P500 index and identify similar groupings of data
8. OptionsXL – I never use this macro but I have downloaded put and call stock option data. I guess this would be handy if you were an option trader
9. PortfolioXL – I never use this macro either but it seems to be pretty good if you like to enter all your stock positions

Now you don’t have to don’t have to download TraderXL and get the entire package, you can download smaller packages to suit your individual needs, for example:

The TraderXL package comes with all the above listed macros.

The AnalyzerXL package comes with: AnalyzerXL, BulkQuotesXL, DownloaderXL, RTQuotesXL, and PortfolioXL, OptionsXL.

The DownloaderXL package comes with: DownloaderXL, RTQuotesXL, PortfolioXL, and OptionsXL.

The PredictorXL and ClassifierXL macros can be downloaded separately.

I hope that this article has helped you understand why I like using TraderXL so much. I’ve been using this package since about 2004 and even used it to build my ETF Trend System in Excel. I hope you take advantage of the free trials to test it out and as always, if you have any questions, please leave me a comment.

News Flash! I just found that they now have an Interactive Broker real-time quote interface (IBXL). I haven’t tried it but if you do, let me know how it goes!