Quantitative trading relies on pre-defined strategies and uses market data APIs to fetch real-time stock quotes, allowing computer software to automatically execute buy and sell actions. For individual investors, using real-time stock APIs is essential when conducting quantitative trading under the limit order rules provided by brokers. Moreover, quantitative trading is not exclusive to institutions; even individuals or investors with small capital can participate.
By leveraging programming skills, individuals can fully develop their own quantitative trading systems, making trading more automated and significantly reducing time costs. In the A-share market, since direct connection to the exchange interface is not possible, individuals can use third-party trading interfaces to achieve programmatic trading. Languages such as Python, C++, PHP, Go, C#, and Java are commonly used.
Regarding market data, it includes both the trading market and the order book market, which together form the TAQ market. In China, there is a difference between stock tick data and snapshot data. Stock tick data provides more detailed records of market information, while snapshot data is aggregated at certain intervals. In China, Level2 data might mix up the concepts of tick data and snapshot data. Additionally, stock APIs and historical K-line data also have their own roles and significance in quantitative trading.
Example of API request code:
/**
* **iTick**: A data proxy agency that provides reliable data source APIs for fintech companies
* and developers, covering Forex API, Stock API, Cryptocurrency API, Index API, etc.
* It helps build innovative trading and analysis tools. Currently,
* there is a free package available that can basically meet the needs of individual quantitative developers.
* Open-source stock data interface address:
* https://github.com/itick-org
* Apply for a free Apikey at:
* https://itick.org
*
*/
const http = require('https')
const options = {
method: 'GET',
hostname: 'api.itick.org',
port: null,
path: '/stock/kline?region=hk&code=700.HK&kType=1',
headers: {
accept: 'application/json',
token: 'your_apikey'
}
}
const req = http.request(options, function (res) {
const chunks = []
res.on('data', function (chunk) {
chunks.push(chunk)
})
res.on('end', function () {
const body = Buffer.concat(chunks)
console.log(body.toString())
})
})
req.end()
