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UPRO for the long term of TQQQ For The Long Term Minimal | Dereck Nielsen, Pietros Maneos & Raekon v1.4 | okhi2u
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A symphony is an automated trading strategy — Learn more about symphonies here

About

A rule-driven, long-run equity strategy that mainly buys UPRO (3x S&P 500) but dynamically shifts into hedges (SPXU, SQQQ) or volatility proxies when momentum or volatility signals suggest risk, with a Nasdaq tilt and no regular rebalance.
NutHow it works
- Core idea: invest in the long-run equity upside using a 3x long ETF (UPRO) and layer in hedges or alternative bets when signals indicate risk or overextension. - Signals used: momentum (relative strength/RSI) on leveraged Nasdaq (TQQQ) and other assets, price versus trend checks (e.g., 200-day moving average on SPY), and short-window cumulative return tests. - Hedge/alternative bets: when risk signals fire, the strategy may switch into inverse or defensive ETFs (SPXU, SQQQ) or into volatility-related hedges (VIXY, UVXY) depending on the condition. The VIX-related hedges are used sparingly and in a structured way (top-1 selection against a few volatility/defensive instruments). - Nasdaq-dip tilt: there is a sub-block designed to capture buy-the-dip opportunities on Nasdaq by evaluating momentum and trend across Nasdaq-related instruments, selecting a single best hedge or long pair (e.g., SPXU vs SPXL or SPY) based on a short-term momentum screen. - Selection mechanism: the model often uses a top/ best-in-class approach (e.g., top by relative strength index over a 10-day window) among a set of candidate hedges; this is how it chooses SPXU or SQQQ or other hedges in a given moment. - Weighting and rebalancing: the base weight for cash/positions is shown as 100/100 in the core block, implying a full allocation to the selected signal, with a non-traditional, non-regular rebalance rule (rebalance-corridor width = 0.15) that reduces periodic reallocation in favor of signal-driven changes. - Asset mix: primary long exposure to UPRO (and occasionally SPXL/TQQQ depending on the sub-strategy), with hedges in SPXU, SQQQ, SPY/VIX-related instruments, and a Treasury ETF (TLT) as an optional risk-off or diversification component. - Practical takeaway: in rising markets with healthy momentum, expect mainly UPRO exposure. In stress or overextended Nasdaq conditions with rising volatility, expect the algorithm to tilt toward hedges like SPXU or SQQQ and possibly reduce long exposure or use additional hedges to limit drawdown. It’s a complex, rule-based rotation rather than a simple buy-and-hold or fixed-weights approach, and it relies on timely data and volatility behavior to trigger shifts between leveraged longs and hedges.
CheckmarkValue prop
Compelling upside with risk controls: out-of-sample annualized return ~50.7% vs S&P 22.2%, Sharpe ~1.15, Calmar ~1.13. Dynamic hedging and Nasdaq tilt aim for higher gains while limiting drawdowns in volatility.

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Invest in this strategy
OOS Start Date
Oct 27, 2022
Trading Setting
Threshold 15%
Type
Stocks
Category
Leveraged long rotation with risk controls; nasdaq tilt; volatility hedges; us large-cap focus; dynamic asset selection
Tickers in this symphonyThis symphony trades 9 assets in total
Ticker
Type
QQQ
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Stocks
SPXL
Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3x ETF
Stocks
SPXU
ProShares UltraPro Short S&P 500
Stocks
SPY
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Stocks
SQQQ
ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ
Stocks
TLT
iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF
Stocks
TQQQ
ProShares UltraPro QQQ
Stocks
UVXY
ProShares Ultra VIX Short-Term Futures ETF
Stocks
VIXY
ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF
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 toSPXL. Holdings automatically adjust as market conditions change based on the strategy's rules.

Year-to-date, the symphony has returned 42.40%. You can adjust the performance chart above to view returns across different time horizons.

The maximum drawdown for the symphony is 44.82%. 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.