(P.S. Make sure to get the PDF version from a reputable source to ensure you're getting the most up-to-date and accurate information.)
Robert Carver, a seasoned trader and author, shares his expertise on advanced futures trading strategies in this comprehensive guide. The book is geared towards traders who already have a basic understanding of futures trading and are looking to take their skills to the next level.
If you are looking to build a resilient, long-term futures trading operation, shifting your focus away from "perfect entries" and toward Carver's systematic architecture—dynamic volatility sizing, multi-horizon forecasting, and rigorous cost control—is the most sustainable path forward.
| # | Strategy Name | |---|---------------| | 1 | Buy and hold, single contract | | 2 | Buy and hold with risk scaling | | 3 | Buy and hold with variable risk scaling | | 4 | Buy and hold portfolio with variable risk position sizing | | 5 | Slow trend following, long only | | 6 | Slow trend following, long and short | | 7 | Slow trend following with trend strength | | 8 | Fast trend following, long and short with trend strength | | 9 | Multiple trend following rules | | 10 | Basic carry | | 11 | Combined carry and trend | advanced futures trading strategies robert carver pdf
These are non-directional strategies, often involving trading two related contracts against each other, looking for a return to historical price relationships (mean reversion). Part Six: Tactics
The first strategy presents the simplest strategy possible. Strategies two to eight gradually improve the previous ones, introducing several important components that a complete negotiation strategy must have. Strategies nine, ten, and eleven are comprehensive negotiation strategies that can be used as a basis for other strategies of parts two and three. By the time you reach the advanced strategies, you'll have a profound understanding of how each component fits into a complete trading system.
3. Institutional Portfolio Construction and Asset Allocation If you are looking to build a resilient,
Note: Robert Carver’s writings focus on systematic, quantitative approaches to futures and CTA-style trading. Below is a concise, actionable write-up synthesizing the key concepts typically associated with Carver’s work (not a reproduction of any PDF).
EWMAC=EMAfast−EMAslowEWMAC equals EMA sub fast end-sub minus EMA sub slow end-sub
However, an advanced nuance in Carver’s work is the inclusion of the "Carry" factor. In futures markets, carry refers to the profit or loss that accrues to a holder of a futures contract solely due to the passage of time, assuming the underlying spot price remains unchanged. For example, if a commodity is in backwardation, a long futures position can earn a positive roll yield. Carver demonstrates that combining momentum with carry—a strategy that goes long if the trend is up and the carry is positive—can produce Sharpe ratios superior to using either factor in isolation. This statistical edge is a hallmark of the "advanced" designation in his methodology. Strategies two to eight gradually improve the previous
: 16-day vs. 64-day crossover. Acts as the anchor for most systematic portfolios.
To help you apply these concepts practically, could you share a bit more about your current trading setup? Please let me know:
The book is geared towards:
While trend following thrives in directional markets, mean reversion capitalizes on overextended price movements. These models assume that prices will eventually revert to a rolling statistical average. Advanced frameworks use indicators like the Relative Strength Index (RSI) or Bollinger Bands, applying them strictly to range-bound or highly liquid financial futures where structural caps or floors exist. Carry Trading in Futures Markets
If you were to download a hypothetical "advanced strategies PDF" by Carver, here is what the table of contents would look like.