How to set price alerts with custom indicators

Learn how to create and receive price alert messages. Follow this practical example below of a custom VWAP indicator.

1. Create a custom indicator

To create your own custom indicator in Futubull:

• Go to Watchlist > Manage Indicators

• Craft your indicator's formula using the M language, then click Test.

• Once it's confirmed to work correctly, apply it to the chart.

(Images provided are for reference only and may not be up-to-date. Securities or strategies mentioned herein are for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as recommendations.)

2. Use the customized indicator in Algo trading

Once you have made your custom indicator, you can apply it to your algo trading strategy.

• Go to Algo > Manage Strategies > Conditions > Signal > Technical Analysis > More card

• Drag the More card onto the canvas.

• Choose the custom VWAP indicator you've created as the variable for comparison.

(Images provided are for reference only and may not be up-to-date. Securities or strategies mentioned herein are for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as recommendations.)

3. Set price alerts

Now that your algo trading strategy has been updated with your custom indicator, you can set an automated price alert.

3.1 Set an alert without variables

• Find the Alert Message card and drag it onto the canvas.

• Select In-app notification in the Properties panel.

(Images provided are for reference only and may not be up-to-date. Securities or strategies mentioned herein are for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as recommendations.)

After setting up your algo strategy, click Run Strategy > Live Trading to run it.

You will receive an alert when the VWAP indicator meets the pre-set condition (i.e. when the VWAP is lower than the last price). You can also receive the alert message on the mobile app.

(Images provided are for reference only and may not be up-to-date. Securities or strategies mentioned herein are for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as recommendations.)

3.2 Set an alert with variables

If you want to be notified when the 1-hour VWAP for the trigger symbol falls below a stock's last trading price, including both the VWAP and the last price in the alert message:

Follow the steps below:

1. Drag the Alert Message card onto the canvas.

2. Click the Edit button at the bottom right corner of the canvas to convert the card into a custom-coded card.

(Images provided are for reference only and may not be up-to-date. Securities or strategies mentioned herein are for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as recommendations.)

3. Customize your alert message using the alert() function with the necessary variables.

    vwap_value = vwap(symbol=self.trigger_symbol1, bar_type=BarType.H1, select=1)

    last_trade_price = current_price(symbol=self.trigger_symbol1)

    alert(title="", content="The VWAP is {}, which is below the last price {}".format(vwap_value, last_trade_price))

(Images provided are for reference only and may not be up-to-date. Securities or strategies mentioned herein are for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as recommendations.)

4. Your custom indicator alert is ready. You can start live trading.

When your set conditions are met, you'll receive the customized alert message on your devices.

(Images provided are for reference only and may not be up-to-date. Securities or strategies mentioned herein are for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as recommendations.) 

VWAP is the average price of a stock weighted by the total trading volume. VWAP is used to calculate the average price of a stock over a period of time.

Losses can happen more quickly with quant and algorithmic trading compared to other forms of trading. Trading in financial markets carries inherent risks, making effective risk management a crucial aspect of quantitative trading systems. These risks encompass various factors that can disrupt the performance of such systems, including market volatility leading to losses.

Moreover, quants face additional risks such as capital allocation, technology, and broker-related uncertainties. It's important to note that automated investment strategies do not guarantee profits or protect against losses. 

The responsiveness of the trading system or app may vary due to market conditions, system performance, and other factors. Account access, real-time data, and trade execution may be affected by factors such as market volatility.

This presentation is for informational and educational use only and is not a recommendation or endorsement of any particular investment or investment strategy. Investment information provided in this content is general in nature, strictly for illustrative purposes, and may not be appropriate for all investors. It is provided without respect to individual investors’ financial sophistication, financial situation, investment objectives, investing time horizon, or risk tolerance. You should consider the appropriateness of this information having regard to your relevant personal circumstances before making any investment decisions. Past investment performance does not indicate or guarantee future success. Returns will vary, and all investments carry risks, including loss of principal. Futu makes no representation or warranty as to its adequacy, completeness, accuracy or timeliness for any particular purpose of the above content.