Auto Correlation
Overview
Auto Correlation (also referred to as cross-auto correlation or serial correlation) is the correlation of a chart with itself at different points in time designed to highlight repeating patterns within a chart.
The display of the Auto Correlation tool is NOT locked to the chart. Ie It is not a traditional time series. Instead, it is a display of all the periods and how correlated either side of the period is. For example, if the display showed a peak near 1 at a Period of 144, we would know that this security has a dominant cycle of 144 periods.
To add the tool to your chart, select the tool from the Fourier tool group, and left-click on the chart to add the tool. Optuma will then draw the tool in a window below the chart using the default settings.
Scripting Function: AUTOCORR()
Actions & Properties
Actions
Copy Data to Clipboard: Will copy the tool’s values to the clipboard which can then be inserted into a spreadsheet, for example, allowing for further analysis.
Add to Toolbar: Adds the selected tool to your custom toolbar.
Apply Settings to All: When multiple Auto Correlation tools have been applied to a chart, page or workbook, this action can be used to apply the settings of the one selected to other instances of the tool. This is a great time saver if an adjustment is made to the tool - such as line colour - as this allows all the other Auto Correlation tools in the chart, page or entire workbook to be updated instantly.
Copy Tool: Allows you to copy the selected tool, which can then be pasted onto a different chart window.
Move to Back: If the tool is displaying in front of other tools or indicators clicking this action will move the tool view to the background.
Move to Front: If the tool is displaying behind other tools or indicators on the chart, clicking this action will bring the tool to the forefront.
Restore Default Settings: Click this action if you have adjusted the default settings of the tool, and wish to return to the standard properties originally installed with Optuma.
Save Settings as Default: If you have adjusted any of the tool’s properties (colour, for example) you can save the adjustments as your new default setting. Each time you apply a new Auto Correlation to a chart, the tool will display using the new settings.
Delete: Deletes the tool from the chart.
Properties
Tool Name: Allows you to adjust the name of the tool, as it’s displayed in the Structure Panel.
Max Periods: Sets the maximum number of bars to be used in the tool’s calculation, the default value is 500.
Regression Length: Sets the regression length value to be used, the default value is 100.
Use Logarithmic Values: When selected Logarithmic values will be used, is enabled by default.
Offset: Moves the tool forward or backwards in time. The offset is measured in bars, so a value of 2 will push the tool forward 2 bars and -2 will move the tool back 2 bars.
Plot Style: Allows you to change how the Auto Correlation is displayed on your chart. There are 6 options available: Line, Dot, Histogram, Step, Shaded, Shaded Step.
Line Style: The Line Style property allows you to adjust the type of the line displayed. There are 8 options available: Solid, Dots, Dash, Dash Dots, Long Dash, Long Dash Dot, Long Dash Dot Dot and Stippled.
Line Width: Allows you to adjust the width of the line. Moving the slider bar to the right increases the thickness of the line.
Line Colour: Allows you to select the colour of the line. Clicking on the drop down arrow will display a colour swatch. Locate the desired colour and left-click it once to select it.
Fill Up / Down Barrier: When the Plot Style is set to Shaded you are able to adjust the barrier value, i.e. the margin between the two correlation plots. The default value is 0.00.
Fill Up Colour: When the Plot Style is set to Shaded you are then able to alter the Fill Colour for the tool.
Fill Down Colour: When the Plot Style is set to Shaded you are then able to alter the Fill Colour for the tool.
Tool Transparency: Use this slider bar to adjust the transparency of the tool. Moving the slider to the left will increase the transparency of the tool.
Visible: Un-tick this checkbox to hide the tool from the chart.