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Cautious Fund Surfing | SPY vs. SHY | 3x | TQQQ
Today’s Change

A symphony is an automated trading strategy — Learn more about symphonies here

About

Cautious, multi-window momentum/volatility rule: favors 3x Nasdaq exposure (TQQQ) when SPY momentum lags SHY and SPY volatility is low; otherwise stays in cash via USFR; non-rebalanced, multi-threshold risk checks.
NutHow it works
- The strategy alternates between two main assets: TQQQ (a 3x levered Nasdaq ETF) and USFR (a cash-like instrument). - It uses SPY as the stock-market proxy and SHY as the bond-like proxy for momentum comparisons. A key signal is RSI (relative strength index), computed over several lookback periods (14, 21, 28, 35, 42 days). - For each lookback window, it checks if RSI(SPY, window) is less than RSI(SHY, window). If SPY’s momentum is weaker than SHY’s, the plan leans toward TQQQ; if not, it leans toward USFR. - In addition to the RSI comparison, the strategy also assesses SPY’s recent volatility via a standard-deviation-based metric (a return-based measure). It compares SPY’s volatility against fixed thresholds (1%, 1.5%, 2%) depending on the risk setting. - There are multiple risk settings (1% stdev, 1.5% stdev, 2% stdev) each with its own 14d/21d/28d/35d/42d sub-paths. A path tends to allocate to TQQQ only if both RSI-relative conditions and the volatility condition are satisfied for that setting. - The “wt-cash-equal” nodes imply that when conditions do not favor TQQQ, the system weighs cash exposure evenly within the risk framework (i.e., protective posture). - The design favors a cautious approach: it introduces a handful of filters to ensure that a switch to high-risk leverage happens only when momentum signals are favorable across several timeframes and the market hasn’t shown heightened volatility that would undermine risk controls. - Rebalancing is not done on a fixed schedule; instead, signals trigger exposure changes. The corridor width and the nested, multi-window logic indicate the system tolerates only tight, corroborated signals to stay in the leveraged position. - In short: if SPY shows stronger momentum than SHY or volatility is too high, stay in cash (USFR). If SPY lags SHY but volatility is low enough and several lookback windows concur, take a leveraged Nasdaq bet (TQQQ). The result is a cautious, signal-driven, multi-layer rule set rather than a simple single-indicator rule. - Note: USFR is a cash proxy and TQQQ is a high-risk levered exposure; the combination aims to balance upside potential against downside risk within a rule-based framework. The logic does not include other popular tickers beyond the four assets named and relies on RSI and volatility screens across several lookback windows.
CheckmarkValue prop
Out-of-sample, this strategy targets about 38.6% annualized return vs SPY’s 22.6%, using multi-window momentum and volatility signals to time 3x Nasdaq exposure when favorable. Expect higher upside but larger drawdowns (~46% vs SPY’s ~19%).
1M
3M
6M
YTD
1Y
3Y
Max
Performance
Compared to selected benchmarks
AlphaBetaR2R
0.271.070.210.46
Performance Metrics
Cumulative ReturnAnnualized ReturnTrailing 1M ReturnTrailing 3M ReturnSharpe Ratio
369.61%13.65%-1.77%0.2%0.83
6,130.11%40.74%-0.39%-0.89%1.04
Initial Investment
$10,000.00
Final Value
$623,010.70
Regulatory Fees
$1,369.29
Total Slippage
$7,704.64
Invest in this strategy
OOS Start Date
Jan 17, 2024
Trading Setting
Threshold 10%
Type
Stocks
Category
Leveraged equity, momentum, risk-controlled, tactical allocation, spy/shy benchmark, usfr cash proxy
Tickers in this symphonyThis symphony trades 4 assets in total
Ticker
Type
SHY
iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF
Stocks
SPY
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Stocks
TQQQ
ProShares UltraPro QQQ
Stocks
USFR
WisdomTree Floating Rate Treasury Fund
Stocks

FAQ

A Composer symphony is an automated trading strategy that executes trades based on parameters of your choice. Some symphonies are similar to holding one ETF in normal conditions and rotating to a different ETF when market conditions shift, for example a 5% drop in the S&P 500, while others use complex rules with dozens of triggers. However, complex doesn’t always mean better. A simple, well-structured symphony can be just as effective as an intricate one. Learn more about how symphonies work here.

The symphony is currently performing the same as yesterday today. Performance updates in real time during market hours.

The symphony is currently allocated toTQQQ. Holdings automatically adjust as market conditions change based on the strategy's rules.

Year-to-date, the symphony has returned 25.28%. You can adjust the performance chart above to view returns across different time horizons.

The maximum drawdown for the symphony is 46.08%. The maximum drawdown measures the largest peak-to-trough decline. It's an important metric to evaluate risk and the strategy's behavior during market stress.

To invest in the symphony, simply click the Invest button on this page. You'll need to open an account with Composer if you don't have one yet, then you can start investing. Composer will automatically execute the trades for you based on the strategy's rules. Composer also supports trading individual stocks, ETFs, and options.