Can I be long/short simultaneously?

[heech]

I realize I can't be long/short the same instrument in the same "bar"... but any reason I can't be long/short in different BarsInProgress?

ie:

- Bar1, added with the Add() function... use EnterShort().
- Bar2, also added with the Add() function... use EnterLong().

My strategy seems to be having issues trying to do this, and I just want to understand whether this is a fundamental limitation, or if I just have a hidden bug somewhere.

[NinjaTrader_Ben]

Hello,

You cannot be literally long and short at the same time. However you can simulate it:

One of the great features of NinjaTrader is its ability to manage multiple virtual positions in the same market. This allows you to manage a long and short position in the same market simultaneously.
Here is how this is accomplished:

• Open 2 SuperDOMs and set them both to the same market
• Right click in on of the SuperDOMs and select the menu "Properties"
• Set the 'ATM Strategy selection mode' parameter to "DisplaySelectedAtmStrategyOnly"
• Repeat the last two instructions on the second SuperDOM
• Submit a buy order to open a long position in the first SuperDOM
• Submit a sell order to open a short position in the second SuperDOM

In addition to these instructions, I suggest reviewing the content available in our Online Help Guide specific to this topic.

[heech]

Hi Ben,

I'm working with a custom-developed C# strategy... so not sure how to incorporate your instructions regarding ATM Strategy...

Any ideas?

[NinjaTrader_Dierk]

Unfortunately you can't be long and short at the same time on the same instrument/position in the same NinjaScript strategy.

[heech]

Originally Posted by NinjaTrader_Dierk

Unfortunately you can't be long and short at the same time on the same instrument/position in the same NinjaScript strategy.

Okay, understood.

I realize this isn't a question you're "responsible" for... but how do you think IB would behave if I had multiple strategies, that ended up trying to hold short/long positions simultaneously?

I feel like I've seen it reject a BuyToCover when there weren't short shares available. Which would suggest I can't do it across multiple strategies either.

I'd probably have to add another layer of code to kind of "net" together all of my strategy positions, before passing it on to IB...?

[NinjaTrader_Ben]

Hello,

They most likely would not allow you to be both long and short within the same market. One order would cancel the other one.