InvestiQuant - What's NewInvestiQuant - What's Newhttps://www.investiquant.com/blogsFri, 23 Oct 2026 00:28:37 -0700http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Matt's Minute: How Much Experience Is Needed]]>https://www.investiquant.com/blogs/post/matt-s-minute-how-much-experience-neededA common concern about autotrading is investor experience level.]]>

Most of the people who autotrade with us aren't professional traders. They're business owners, professionals, and retirees who simply don't have the time to watch markets all day.


If that sounds like you, this week's Matt's Minute is worth 60 seconds to view.


I cover what the professionals handle for you, and the one thing you'll actually need to do (spoiler: it takes about 15 minutes).


]]>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 16:38:24 -0400<![CDATA[How iQ Bitcoin 40 Made Money While Bitcoin Fell]]>https://www.investiquant.com/blogs/post/how-iq-bitcoin-40-made-money-while-bitcoin-fellOver the past 12 months, Bitcoin lost 34% of its value. At its worst point, it was down 53% from its peak. Anyone holding it rode the entire decline. Over the same period, iQ Bitcoin 40 earned 51% in live automated trading profits. The program didn't predict the drop. It didn't need to. Here's why.]]>

Over the past 12 months, Bitcoin lost 34% of its value. At its worst point, it was down 53% from its peak. Anyone holding it rode the entire decline.



During the same period, iQ Bitcoin 40 earned 51% in live automated trading profits. The program didn't predict the drop. It didn't need to. Here's why:


1.  It Trades Both Directions

Buy-and-hold only makes money when the price goes up. iQ Bitcoin 40 trade a basket of trend-following and momentum strategies that go long or short  Micro Bitcoin futures (MBT). When Bitcoin trends lower, the short strategies can profit. When it rallies, the long strategies can. Bitcoin's big swings, in either direction, are the opportunity.


2.  It Doesn't Sit in the Market

The average holding period is about two days. Instead of absorbing a months-long decline, the program takes short, defined-risk positions and then steps aside. Maximum risk on any position is about $1,200, or 3% of the suggested $40,000 funding level.


3.  Its Returns Don't Follow Bitcoin

Because it trades both sides and holds briefly, Bitcoin 40 has low correlation with Bitcoin itself, with stocks (-0.08 to the S&P 500), and with other iQ programs. It adds a return stream that behaves differently from almost everything else you likely own.


What It Won't Do

Not every month is a winner. Trend strategies can struggle in choppy, sideways markets where no trend lasts long enough to capture. The program's largest historical month-to-month drawdown is 19.8%, and as with every strategy, its largest drawdown is likely still ahead. One strong year is not a promise of the next.


Who It's For

Bitcoin 40 can help: 

  • Investors who want to benefit from Bitcoin's volatility without betting on its direction
  • Crypto holders looking for something that has proven it can generate gains when Bitcoin declines
  • Equity-heavy investors looking for diversification from a genuinely different source of return


Suggested funding is $40,000 (minimum $30,000), and intro license pricing is $3,900 per year. Like all iQ autotrading programs, it trades futures, so its gains are tax-advantaged due to IRS Section 1256 tax treatment.


Want to see how it would fit with what you already own? Wants to more detailed performance info?  Check it out in the free iQ Portfolio Builder.


Have questions? View the product page.


How to Get Started

Returns are based on the suggested funding level and are not compounded. License fees are not included. Future drawdowns may exceed those reflected in historical results. Commodity trading programs offer significant potential rewards, but also carry significant risk and are not suitable for all investors. Past performance of any trading system or methodology is not necessarily indicative of future results. You must be willing and able to accept these risks to participate in the futures markets. 


CFTC RULE 4.41 - HYPOTHETICAL OR SIMULATED PERFORMANCE RESULTS HAVE CERTAIN LIMITATIONS. UNLIKE AN ACTUAL PERFORMANCE RECORD, SIMULATED RESULTS DO NOT REPRESENT ACTUAL TRADING. ALSO, SINCE THE TRADES HAVE NOT BEEN EXECUTED, THE RESULTS MAY HAVE UNDER-OR-OVER COMPENSATED FOR THE IMPACT, IF ANY, OF CERTAIN MARKET FACTORS, SUCH AS LACK OF LIQUIDITY. SIMULATED TRADING PROGRAMS IN GENERAL ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE DESIGNED WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT. NO REPRESENTATION IS BEING MADE THAT ANY ACCOUNT WILL OR IS LIKELY TO ACHIEVE PROFIT OR LOSSES SIMILAR TO THOSE SHOWN.

InvestiQuant is not a registered commodity trading advisor and does not provide personalized advice. Only consider futures trading and notional funding after careful consultation with a futures broker. Contact us if you would like to speak with one of our futures brokers.

]]>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 13:35:47 -0400<![CDATA[The Capital Efficiency of Futures & Its Impact on Returns]]>https://www.investiquant.com/blogs/post/the-capital-efficiency-of-futures-its-impact-on-returnsMost investors are surprised to learn just how much market exposure a single futures contract provides relative to the capital required to hold it.]]>

Most investors are surprised to learn just how much market exposure a single futures contract provides relative to the capital required to hold it. A single E-mini S&P 500 futures contract currently controls approximately $375,000 of market exposure, yet requires less than $30,000 in a futures account (margin) to trade. 


That means a futures trader can access broad market exposure using a fraction of the capital required to buy the equivalent value in stocks or ETFs outright. This capital efficiency also allows investors to keep more capital in reserve, diversify across more strategies and markets, and size their risk more thoughtfully.


Example: SPY (S&P 500 ETF) vs ES Futures (S&P 500 Futures)

Suppose you have $30,000 to invest. If you purchase $30,000 of SPY, a 1% increase in the S&P 500 would generate a gain of approximately $300.


Now consider using that same $30,000 to buy one E-mini S&P 500 (ES) futures contract. Since one ES contract controls roughly $375,000 of the S&P 500, a 1% increase in the index would produce a gain of approximately $3,750 - more than 10 times the SPY.

                                          *example based upon the S&P 500 trading at 7500

The difference isn't that futures produce better returns, it's that they provide significantly more market exposure for the same amount of capital. This built-in leverage can amplify gains, but it can also amplify losses, which is why proper funding and risk management are so important when trading futures.


Capital efficiency is one of the core reasons systematic futures strategies, like InvestiQuant's autotrading programs, can pursue meaningful returns using relatively modest account sizes. It's also why micro futures contracts, which are one-tenth the size of a standard E-mini, have made systematic trading exposure accessible to a much wider range of investors than ever before.


That same leverage, however, is why funding levels matter so much in futures trading and why InvestiQuant publishes suggested funding levels for each program rather than simply listing a minimum. Our suggested funding levels are calibrated to cover the maximum daily margin the broker may require for each program, plus a meaningful buffer to withstand the normal ups and downs every trading program experiences. While some investors choose to fund with more or less than our recommendation, it's important to understand how that affects reported performance.


Let’s use an average year in the Multi 100 as an example of how this works. It has a suggested funding level of $100,000 and the average annual return is $44,200 per unit or 44.2% of the suggested funding level. If you were more aggressive in your funding and funded it with $80,000 it would still have the same return of $44,200 but the percent return would be 55.3%. If you were to be more conservative in your funding and start with $120,000 you would still have the same return of $44,200 but it would be a 36.8% return on your capital.

Funding at or above our suggested level gives a program more room to navigate the normal ups and downs that every investment experiences. Investors who choose to allocate more capital than recommended will see a lower percentage return, simply because the same dollar gains are spread across a larger account balance. Many investors prefer this approach because it aligns with a more conservative risk profile and lower percentage results also works on the downside, so when a drawdown happens the percent will be smaller there as well.


Some investors choose to allocate less than our suggested funding level. This will result in higher percentage returns when the strategy performs well, since the same dollar gains are measured against a smaller capital base. The tradeoff is that the account has less cushion during periods of normal market volatility and may require additional capital if market conditions become more challenging. For investors who actively monitor their accounts, this can be a reasonable approach. However, for most investors - especially those using retirement accounts or seeking a more hands-off experience - funding near or above our suggested levels offers a better balance between capital efficiency and long-term staying power.

Get Started Now
]]>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 16:21:06 -0400<![CDATA[Matt's Minute – Probabilities]]>https://www.investiquant.com/blogs/post/matts-minute-probabilities-101Understanding probabilities can give you a better perspective on how trading and investing results unfold over time.]]>

This video explains an important detail about understanding probabilities that isn’t always obvious.

]]>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 07:00:00 -0400<![CDATA[Matt's Minute: Futures> Stocks]]>https://www.investiquant.com/blogs/post/matt-s-minute-futures-stocksUnique benefits of Futures vs Stocks]]>

Four Reasons Futures Are Better Than Stocks


InvestiQuant’s autotrading programs execute their trades using index futures. We use futures because they are the superior autotrading instrument for our programs. Check out this short video to learn why.




]]>Sun, 26 Jul 2026 07:58:00 -0400<![CDATA[6 Benefits Of Cloud-Based Automated Trading Systems]]>https://www.investiquant.com/blogs/post/6-Benefits-Of-Cloud-Based-Automated-Trading-Systems1Cloud-based automated trading systems use sophisticated algorithms to analyze market data in real time, identify trading opportunities, and execute trades without human intervention...See how you can benefit.]]>

Are you a trader or an active, self-directed investor who has tried different strategies with little success? Are you tired of the emotional rollercoaster that comes with making trading decisions? Or do you find it difficult to monitor the markets and execute trades effectively due to a busy schedule? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it may be time to consider a new approach. Cloud-based automated trading systems use sophisticated algorithms to analyze market data in real time, identify trading opportunities, and execute trades without human intervention. This can eliminate the emotional bias that often plagues manual trading and help you achieve more consistent results. Additionally, cloud-based automated trading programs can operate 24/7, 365 days a year, allowing you to take advantage of more trading opportunities if you have a busy schedule, without having to install or manage complicated software. This innovative trading approach can also leverage advances in technology, like AI, with statistical backing. 

Let’s take a deeper dive into automated, cloud-based trading systems and how you can incorporate them into your investment approach.


What Are Cloud-Based Trading Systems?

Cloud-based trading systems are software applications that are hosted in the “cloud” (via an Internet server farm like those offered by AWS (Amazon) or Microsoft) and managed over the Internet by the system developer.  They are not installed on an individual’s PC or computer.  The trading systems use sophisticated algorithms to analyze market data and identify trading opportunities.  When a market condition meets pre-determined rules and parameters, the algorithms send trade signals to the broker’s signal execution software and execute trades without human intervention. 

Cloud-based, automated trading systems can offer several benefits. However, it is not without risks, and self-directed investors should carefully consider their goals, risk tolerance, and investment capital before using an automated trading program.

 

How Are Fully Automated Trading Systems Different From Other Investment Strategies?

Fully automated trading systems are different from other investment strategies in that they rely on pre-programmed rules and algorithms to execute trades, rather than relying on human decision-making or analysis. These rules can be adaptive based on recent market performance and changing conditions and even driven by advanced machine-learning and AI technology to find opportunities that would not be found otherwise.  Automation also improves execution speed (minimizing missed opportunities) and removes emotion from the trading process, helping to improve consistency and trading results.

Traditional investment strategies, such as those based on fundamental or technical analysis, involve a trader making subjective decisions based on their analysis of market conditions, news events, and other factors. This can be influenced by cognitive biases (such as anchoring, loss aversion, and gamblers’ fallacy) and other emotions and ultimately lead to poor trading results. Fully automated trading programs can also operate 24/7, without the need for human intervention, which can allow for more opportunities and even take advantage of movements in multiple markets simultaneously.

Fully automated trading programs are complex to build and maintain, but when built properly by trading professionals, can offer many benefits to investors.

 

What Are The Benefits Of Cloud-based, Fully Automated Trading Systems?

Cloud-based, fully automated trading systems offer several benefits to new and experienced traders, and investors alike, including:

  • Consistency: One of the key benefits of using fully automated trading systems is consistency. Unlike human traders who can be influenced by emotions and cognitive biases, an automated trading program follows pre-programmed rules and parameters, leading to more disciplined and profitable trades.

  • Efficiency: Automated trading programs can save traders time by analyzing market data and executing trades much faster than a human trader. This can allow traders to take advantage of more trading opportunities, particularly in fast-moving markets. Moreover, automated trading programs can operate 24/7, meaning traders can benefit from trades that occur outside of regular trading hours.

  • Backtesting: Automated trading systems can be backtested and optimized on historical data, allowing traders to identify strategies with the best odds of success. This can lead to better trading results and help traders avoid costly mistakes that may have been made through trial and error.

  • Risk Management: Automated trading software can help traders manage risk by setting stop-loss orders and other risk-management parameters. This can help prevent large losses and preserve capital, particularly in volatile markets

  • Scalability: Automated trading programs can be scaled up to handle larger trading volumes, which can be difficult for human traders to manage. This can allow traders to take advantage of more trading opportunities without sacrificing performance.

  • Diversification: Automated trading solutions can allow traders to diversify their trading portfolios by using multiple strategies simultaneously. This can help to spread risk and potentially increase returns.


How Do I Get Started With a Cloud-Based Automated Trading System?

Getting started withInvestiQuant's fully automated trading programs is a great way to take advantage of volatility and put advanced technology to work for you. iQ Autotrading offers traders a range of robust, statistically-based, systematic trading strategies that are designed to generate attractive returns, regardless of the direction of the stock market. The best part is that these turnkey solutions can be enabled to autotrade your account at an approved execution broker in a matter of days, without having to install or maintain any software whatsoever.


By utilizing a wide range of strategy inputs, including alternative data, technical patterns, volatility, market profile, seasonal events, and multiple advanced machine-learning techniques,iQ Autotrading offers a diversified approach to algorithmic trading. InvestiQuant's autotrading is a powerful, hands-free solution for traders and investors of all types, offering strong, verified returns, potential for outsized growth, emotion-free, statistically-based trading, low correlation with stock trading strategies, a turnkey, hands-free solution, and aligned interests.


Ready to see how cloud-based, automated trading can transform your investment portfolio? Request info to learn about the performance of InvestiQuant’s automated trading programs and how your account could be enabled for automated trading in a matter of days. 

]]>Sun, 28 Jun 2026 07:55:00 -0400<![CDATA[Matt's Minute: Autotrading – How do I do it? It's easier than you think.]]>https://www.investiquant.com/blogs/post/matt-s-minute-autotrading-easier-than-you-thinkSee how simple it can be to put your trading on autopilot.]]>

Wondering how to actually set up autotrading?

It’s easier and faster than you might think.

This quick walkthrough shows you exactly how to get started, step by step, so you can begin trading automatically without the guesswork. 

See how simple it can be to put your trading on autopilot.

]]>Sun, 22 Mar 2026 21:35:24 -0400<![CDATA[Keep it Real When Autotrading]]>https://www.investiquant.com/blogs/post/keep-it-real-when-autotradingAutotrading is a powerful tool. Success requires the proper mindset and expectations. There are 6 fundamental principles every investor must understand and accept.]]>

Autotrading with iQ can be a powerful tool for portfolio growth and diversification, but success requires the proper mindset and expectations. 


Here are 6 fundamental principles every investor must understand and accept:


1.  Autotrading Is Not an ATM

iQ Autotrading is a powerful portfolio diversification tool, not a source of quick gains for immediate financial needs. A disciplined, long-term approach is key to maximizing its benefits.


2. Drawdowns Are Normal - And Necessary

Account equity declines (drawdowns) are unavoidable and can occur at any time. In fact, market growth and volatility ensure that every trading strategy’s largest drawdown is still ahead. Fortunately, they are also completely normal and part of long-term success and can represent tremendous opportunities for starting. Savvy investors embrace these realities and realize that every prior run-up (period of strong performance) was preceded by a drawdown. 


3. Short-Term Results Are Random 

As with all investments, short term results can and will vary wildly. Despite best efforts, iQ Autotrading may not deliver returns exactly when you want or need them.


4. Most Months Generate Modest Gains or Losses 

iQ Autotrading programs often generate most of their gains within just 3-4 months each year. Waiting for the "perfect moment" to start could mean missing the best month of the year and staying invested at all times is crucial. (Caveat: investors must abide by their own risk tolerance.)


5. Risk Remains Constant, Even in a Drawdown

Unlike hedge funds, iQ Autotrading programs don’t deleverage during a drawdown. To maximize long-term expectancy, they maintain the same daily budget, which means the losses can add up quickly in a single month. BUT, it also means the recovery is as statistically probable as the drawdown itself. The hedge fund phenomenon that a 50% drawdown requires a 100% return to breakeven does not apply here! 


6. Neither Stock Market Rallies nor Declines Guarantee Autotrading Gains

iQ Autotrading programs are designed to be lowly correlated to equities and do not track stock market performance. Historically, these strategies have often (though not always) performed best when traditional markets struggle - helping add meaningful diversification to a portfolio. Like any adaptive strategy, performance can vary, and periods of underperformance may occur as models adjust to changing market conditions. 


How to Get Started
]]>Sun, 01 Mar 2026 08:05:00 -0500<![CDATA[Six Ways to Know If An Autotrading Solution Might Be Worth Trusting With Your Capital]]>https://www.investiquant.com/blogs/post/six-ways-to-knowHow can you make decisions on what autotrading solution to trust...]]>

#6 -The firm does NOT rely on overseas brokerage firms (who may trade against you)

InvestiQuant (iQ) avoids risky overseas brokerages and only utilizes highly regulated brokers registered with U.S securities agencies.



#5 -The firm’s strategies were NOT developed by retail traders who have no professional experience creating and managing scalable investment solutions

iQ’s strategies were built by previously registered Series 3 traders who managed and traded tens of millions of dollars of investors’ capital as licensed professionals prior to launching InvestiQuant’s autotrading solutions. 


#4 - Clients do NOT have to wonder if the autotrading firm actually trades the same strategies they promote

U.S registered brokers are available to verify that iQ only offers strategies to clients that iQ, its shareholders and employees trade and rely on with their own capital.


#3 -The firm does NOT utilize risky Martingale or related techniques 

Unlike some trading “experts” and many AI and forex bots, iQ strategies don’t double-down on losing trades or use other risky techniques to generate gains — a key reason why clients have trusted InvestiQuant for over 16 years. 


#2 -Client orders are NOT executed independently (“first come, first served”) 

iQ clients’ orders are executed at the same time and price averaged by each broker for client fairness. They are NOT at the back of the line (behind the company’s executives and early clients who are front-running them) receiving different / worse prices and results.


#1 -The firm prioritizes results over revenue and does NOT sell ‘unlimited licenses’ or ‘lifetime access’ to clients

Because InvestiQuant and its team rely on the same strategies, they strictly manage client utilization by charging recurring license fees for the amount of trading volume utilized. (Why would anyone with a legitimate edge NOT do that?)



Get Started Now
]]>Thu, 22 Jan 2026 14:37:06 -0500<![CDATA[Matt's Minute: Futures or Stocks?]]>https://www.investiquant.com/blogs/post/matts-minute-futures-or-stocksUnique benefits of Futures vs Stocks]]>

Four Reasons Futures Are Better Than Stocks


There is a major difference between short-term investing in stocks and futures. 

In this quick video, I share 4 reasons why futures are the better option.




]]>Tue, 20 Jan 2026 07:55:00 -0500