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Support Blog

The support blog is a guide for default set ups, fixes and recommendations for Unfair Advantage and other Trading Programs.

Unfair Advantage build x.123 available

  • Now compliant with AmiBroker 5.6
  • Now exports Nearest Futures Group contracts to AmiBroker
  • UA no longer closes AmiBroker after opening it for an update.
  • UA now allows data from chart to be saved to an ASCII file off the right click menu.
  • Allows same markets with differing periods to coexist in same portfolio (ASCII only)
  • Allows same markets with differing setting to coexist in same portfolio (ASCII only)
  • Correctly updates option strike pricing in export files.
  • Catalogs Nearest Future Groups in Portfolio Manager with more detail.
  • Handles initial scroll position with Seasonal study correctly.
  • Now computes # of days traded per year on average in Seasonal Study sampling window, using more than 251 when available.
  • API RetrieveContact(…) and RetrieveSnapshot(…) correctly returns data for Linked markets when a date range is specified.
  • API FindMarketNumber() now filters out exchanges that are not contained in customer’s subscription.
  • Improved performance of CSI’s Factsheet search viewer.
  • Chart Studies are now editable after applying to charts when clicking “e”.
  • Stock Fundamental data is now available in the factsheet and exportable through ASCII data files.

Click here to download UA build 123

Filed Under: UA Builds

Unfair Advantage build x.120 available


Changes:

  • New chart rendoring methods to eliminate flicker.
  • New contract roll indicators with show/hide feature.
  • Holidays now report on holiday downloads, instead of after the fact, when the next day is appended.
  • Added new stock factsheet tab to isolate delisted stocks.
  • Added a new column to express Exchange Traded Symbols in FactSheet. Many are filled, many are not, if you’d like to offer some you know that are missed, we will gladly have them tranmitted.
  • Chart tab synchronization bug no longer exists where editing a charts portfolio entry sometimes confused the ordering.
  • Tested and corrected what we believe to be all the possibile expiry rules.
  • New roll strategy operates properly with Volume/OI roll timing.
  • Added Roll Aligned w/ Data to Nth Nearest Future Contract.
  • Forced a no “merge on contracts” where not appropriate in the Symbol Linker.
  • Add Chart Series dialog remembers last usage settings.
  • Unadjusted Close is now correctly expressed in holiday records when previous close is disignated.
  • Online Help and Remote Support is utilized from Help menu
  • Date Format control which formats ASCII and EXCEL export file dates, and chart tabled dates.
  • Weekends can be inserted into exported ASCII files, and filled in the same way Holidays are. (Portfolio Preferences > Ascii Misc > Handle a Weekend)
  • Edit Portfolio Settings Button added to Portfolio Manager Button Cluster. Portfolio Start and Stop dates can be specified in Edit Portfolio Settings.


Expiration Rule editor:

You can express a new expiration rule, and then check the dates in the Advanced section that are generated based on the rule. Last Business Day for instance….Check the dates against your Calendar. Also, build a back adjust contract, rolling on Date – 31 days from Start, 0 months prior. This will force it to roll on the expiration dates generated by the rule back throughout history.
In practice, Customers can use this rule to base the Days before Expiration on in OI rolling schemes, using these custom expirations, that can now express First Notice Days, instead of the default Last Trading Days, which will help them to roll earlier in the cycle.


Symbol Linker:

This one is less complex to test. The main change is to link Electronic markets with Floor pit Symbols for back-testing, and command them to link when the Electronic Volume surpasses the Floor volume, or when the Electronic Open Interest surpasses the Floor’s Open Interest, or when both conditions are met.

Examples to test:
C > ZC
S > ZS
W > ZW

Stocks, LME forward contracts, and FOREX markets can be linked too:
MTN2 > MTN9
MNI2 > MNI9

Be careful with these as they cannot be linked with futures, we can’t mesh a backadjust contract with a single continuous forward contract series ( at this time ).
An editable adjustment value has been added to multiply or divide the source symbols data to match it against the target.

Examples for this are:
EMI > MEM
EF2 > MFS

A factor of 0.1 is needed to match pricing (this is located in the source symbol area of the interface).


API properties added:

However there is a new property:
HolidayDOW – By default, UA now uses an ’8′ to signify a holiday, to match documentation. This property can be set to -1 to have the DOW expressed, or 0 for 8 (default).
IncludeWeekends – adds records for saturday and sunday, defaults to 0 pricing.
UsePreviousWeekdayData
TreatWeekendByCloseOnly
UseExpiryRule - specifies whether to use user defined expiration rules when rolling continuous contracts.
RollByPercentage - Allows OI and/or Volume rolling to use a 50 – 100% comparison when rolling continuous contracts.
MinMnthsFwd - Specifies the nearest minimum month forward to view when rolling continuous contracts.
MaxMnthsFwd - Specifies the nearest maximum month forward to view when rolling continuous contracts.


A NEW backadjusted strategy

has been employed in the representative price calculation, and is described as follows:

Close new – Close Old Same Day, Roll Day Adjusted (preferred)
-Here the close of the new lead contract is compared with the same-day close of the former lead contract and the price difference is applied to all historical data including the date record of the contract change.New Close to Old Close difference is applied to all price fields, (Open, High, Low and Close) existing at the time of the Roll timing event. This pricing adjustment allows the new contract prices for the next record to be, seamlessly appended to earlier data without any contract pricing gaps. It also preserves the pricing relationships of all prices prior to the Close on the day of the roll by allowing for the execution of the roll during the trading session on the day identified as the roll day.

Example:

NEW – Close new – Close old Same Day, Roll Day Adjusted
Future #552 EBL0_IAB: Back-Adjusted of Euro German Bund-EUREX Daily,
Aligned w/ Data
20111205, 201112, 135.59, 135.64, 134.30, 135.06, 134.82, 0.00, 1008541, 519565
20111206, 201203, 134.61, 135.22, 134.28, 135.02, 135.02, 0.00, 733139, 808290
When Known
20111206, 201112, 134.66, 135.27, 134.33, 135.07, 134.78, 0.00, 1163067, 282129
20111207, 201203, 134.94, 136.21, 134.61, 135.80, 135.80, 0.00, 867432, 845828
When Lagged
20111207, 201112, 135.91, 137.18, 135.58, 136.77, 135.51, 0.00, 421000, 12453
20111208, 201203, 136.78, 136.99, 136.49, 136.82, 136.82, 0.00, 673339, 842290

OLD – Close new Close old Same Day
Align w/ Data
20111206, 201112, 134.61, 135.22, 134.28, 135.02, 134.78, 0.00, 1163067, 282129
20111207, 201203, 134.81, 136.21, 134.54, 135.80, 135.80, 0.00, 867432, 845828
When Known
20111207, 201112, 134.94, 136.21, 134.61, 135.80, 135.51, 0.00, 421000, 12453
20111208, 201203, 135.74, 137.00, 135.18, 136.82, 136.82, 0.00, 673339, 842290
When Lagged ( same as when known… )
20111207, 201112, 134.94, 136.21, 134.61, 135.80, 135.51, 0.00, 421000, 12453
20111208, 201203, 135.74, 137.00, 135.18, 136.82, 136.82, 0.00, 673339, 842290

Click here to download build .120

Filed Under: UA Builds

Unfair Advantage build x.119 available

Changes:

  • # for CSI number has been added to ASCII file name mask
  • M for MetaStock Short Name has been added to ASCII file name mask
  • New Backadjuster settings for specifying Minimum and Maximum Months Forward to use when selecting candidate contracts.
  • Nth Nearest Future settings for specifying Minimum and Maximum Months Forward to use when selecting candidate contracts.
  • Contract Expiry Rules now include a “LAST” option when specifying Week prerequisite to the day of week of expiration.  This handles days in the 4th week that sometimes land in the 5th. ( example SIN June 2011: Last Thu = June 30th [5th thursday] )
  • Importing symbol lists now succeeds to update when importing from directory other than ua root.
  • FindMarketNumber API call now always returns most recent symbol where duplicates exist. ( example: Stock Symbols for MEE were out of order according to CSI # )
  • ASCII Stock file names may now include name so delisted and active stocks with the same symbols can be written to same directories during export.
  • Stock Factsheet Fundamental Data columns have been modified to receive forthcoming data to be released soon.
Filed Under: UA Builds

How to extract a ZIP file?

  1. Download the file to your desktop.
  2. Double click the file.
  3. Click on “Extract all files”.
  4. Click “Next”.
  5. Change the folder location to “C:\UA”.
  6. Press “Next”.
  7. Press “Yes To All” to confirm the replacement of the existing files.
Filed Under: FAQ

How to install Unfair Advantage from CD or a downloaded file?

Before start installing make sure you uninstalled the previous Unfair Advantage versions by using the Windows Uninstaller.

  1. Insert the first CD (UA Program – Disk 1) into your CD/DVD-Rom drive, or execute the downloaded file.
  2. The ‘Unfair Advantage – Install Switch’ screen will pop-up. Select ‘UA Version 2.10.7′ and click the ‘OK’ button.
    The downloaded version won’t ask for the version.
  3. Click the ‘Next’ button to proceed with the installation.
  4. Accept the terms in the license agreement and click the ‘Next’ button.
  5. Check the installation drive and click the ‘Next’ button.
    If you wish to change the installation drive click the ‘Change…’ button.
  6. Double check the current settings and click the ‘Install’ button.
  7. The installation will begin.
    The downloaded version won’t give you the following options.
    You will get a ‘WhichDisksWForm’ pop-up screen.
    Select the package you would like to install.
    (In this example we used the Stocks and Futures package with a total of two CDs.)
  8. Keep the default settings for the ‘File overwrite confirmations’ pop-up window and click the ‘Next’ button.
  9. Keep the default setting for the ‘Update Portfolio’ pop-up window and click the ‘Next’ button.
  10. Select the vendor software you are using from the ‘Which Vendor Software Do You Have?’ window and click the ‘Next’ button.
    By default you do not have to check a box, just click the ‘Next’ button.
  11. If you wish to import a sample portfolio check one or more of the boxes in the ‘CSISamplePortWForm’ window and click the ‘Next’ button.
    By default you do not have to check a box, just click the ‘Next’ button.
  12. The program will start the installation of the first disk.
    If you have selected multiple CDs you will get a message to insert the CD labeled ‘Disk 2′ and ‘Disk 3′.
    The downloaded version won’t ask for further CDs.
  13. After the program and the database is completely installed you will get the final pop-up screen. Click the ‘Finish’ button and Unfair Advantage will launch.
  14. You will get a prompt to enter your user ID and user Password.
    Please enter here the information you received in the email.
    The program will prompt you to do a daily download to unlock the database.
    Click ‘Yes’ and download will start.
Filed Under: FAQ

How to edit an existing portfolio?

  1. To edit a portfolio right click the symbol description and select “Edit File Settings” from the menu
  2. Make any changes to the symbol and click the “OK” button..
Filed Under: FAQ

How to get the remote support software?

Download the software!

  • Please download the file from here, and SAVE it to your Windows Desktop.
  • Execute the file “TeamViewerQS.exe” on your Windows Desktop.
  • Click the “RUN” button at the “Open File – Security Warning” window.
  • Tell the CSI representative the TeamViewer ID (xxx xxx xxx) and Password (xxxx).
  • KEEP TEAMVIEWER OPEN

Don’t want to download?
(only Unfair Advantage version 2.10.7)

  • Navigate to the \UA folder and look for the file TeamViewerQS.exe.
  • Execute the file “TeamViewerQS.exe”.
  • Click the “RUN” button at the “Open File – Security Warning” window.
  • Tell the CSI representative the TeamViewer ID (xxx xxx xxx) and Password (xxxx).
  • KEEP TEAMVIEWER OPEN
Filed Under: FAQ

How to move a portfolio from one version to another?

  1. Navigate to the START button and select MY COMPUTER (Windows XP) or COMPUTER (Windows Vista).
  2. Select the drive where you installed Unfair Advantage.
  3. Go to the folder \ua\archives.
  4. Backup the file PORTFILE.ADM to your desktop.
    You could also make a backup of the files portfile.b1 …, portfile.d1 …, portfile.m1 …
    These files are backup files which Unfaire Advantage creates.
    (Right click the mouse button, and select COPY | go to your desktop | right click the mouse button again, and select PASTE)
  5. Uninstall your current Unfair Advantage version via Control Panel.
    (START | CONTROL PANEL | ADD OR REMOVE PROGRAMS (Windows XP) or PROGRAM FEATURES (Windows Vista)
  6. Delete the \ua folder manually.
  7. Install the new version of Unfair Advantage.
  8. Do a daily download.
  9. Copy the file PORTFILE.ADM back to the folder \ua\archives.
Filed Under: FAQ

How to restore a PORTFILE.ADM from a backup file?

Steps if you are able to launch Unfair Advantage:

  1. Double click the LAUNCH UA icon on your desktop.
  2. Click PORTFOLIO along the top.
  3. Select OVERWRITE PORTFOLIO WITH BACKUP COPY.
  4. Choose the most recent date with the biggest file size, and click the OK button.

Steps if you are NOT able to launch Unfair Advantage:

  1. Navigate to the START button and select MY COMPUTER (Windows XP) or COMPUTER (Windows Vista).
  2. Select the hard drive where you installed Unfair Advantage.
  3. Go to the folder \ua\archives.
  4. Click the VIEWS icon in the Windows Explorer and choose DETAILS.
    Navigate to the SIZE column and click it until you get the highest to the lowest file size.
    Look for the PORTFILE.ADM file.
    Choose a backup file (i.e portfile.r1 …, portfile.b1 …, portfile.d1 …, portfile.m1 …) which compares to the size of the PORTFILE.ADM file.
  5. Delete the PORTFILE.ADM file and rename the backup file (i.e portfile.r1) to PORTFILE.ADM.
  6. Go back to your desktop and double click LANUCH UA.
Filed Under: FAQ

How to refresh the database history?

Issue:

  • gap in the data
  • history missing
  • the chart doesn’t look right
  • data missing

Versions affected:

  • all UA versions

Solution for Futures

  • Click LAUNCH UA on your desktop,
  • select DATABASE from the main menu,
  • click REFRESH (DATABASE) PRICE HISTORY,
  • hit the first tab SELECT MARKETS,
  • type in and hit the DOWNLOAD button.
  • This process may take a few minutes.

Solution for Stocks

  • Click LAUNCH UA on your desktop,
  • select DATABASE from the main menu,
  • click REFRESH (DATABASE) PRICE HISTORY,
  • hit the first tab SELECT MARKETS,
  • change the ‘Market Type’ to ALL STOCKS AND MUTUAL FUNDS,
  • type in and hit the DOWNLOAD button.
  • This process may take a few minutes.

Solution for all portfolios

  • Click LAUNCH UA on your desktop,
  • select DATABASE from the main menu,
  • click REFRESH (DATABASE) PRICE HISTORY,
  • hit the second tab SELECT PORTFOLIO,
  • and hit the DOWNLOAD button.
  • This process may take a few minutes.
Filed Under: FAQ
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