Frequently asked questions

QuantVantage.ai is a quantitative trading signal provider that offers algorithmic trading strategies to help inform your trading decisions. We provide systematic, data-driven signals through our proprietary algorithms. Each strategy's backtested and live results are published alongside the S&P 500 (SPY) and Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) on its Deepdive page. QuantVantage.ai publishes signals; it does not provide personalized investment advice.

Unlike manual trading, which requires hours of analysis and is susceptible to human error and bias, our algorithmic approach provides:

• Instantaneous analysis: Real-time processing of market data
• Rule-based decisions: Reduces emotional and biased trading decisions
• Backtesting: Strategies are tested across diverse historical market conditions
• Continuous monitoring based on our algorithm: Signals are generated whenever the algorithm's conditions are met

No specific trading experience is required to receive our signals. However, the strategies trade leveraged ETFs, which carry substantial risk, and you will need a brokerage account that allows trading of leveraged ETFs. Whether trading them is appropriate for you is your decision. Before subscribing, make sure you understand how leveraged ETFs work and how your platform acts on the signals sent to your webhook.

Leveraged ETFs are exchange-traded funds that use financial derivatives and debt to amplify the returns of an underlying index. For example, a 3x leveraged ETF aims to return three times the daily performance of its underlying index. GenAlpha, GenSigma and GenSpy primarily trade leveraged ETFs (and occasionally non-leveraged ETFs when appropriate) because their algorithms were optimized for risk-adjusted returns in backtesting across multiple market conditions. Leveraged ETFs amplify losses as well as gains, and because they reset daily, their returns over periods longer than a day can differ from the stated multiple of the index's return. GenQ and GenConfluence do not use leveraged ETFs.

Pattern Day Trader (PDT) rules are FINRA rules that apply to traders who execute four or more day trades within five business days in a margin account. Under PDT rules, flagged traders must maintain a minimum account balance of $25,000. While our algorithms are not meant to perform day trades, on rare occasions, market conditions may dictate buys and sells executed on the same day. If there are four such trades within five business days, your account could be flagged as a PDT account by your brokerage. To avoid this, we recommend maintaining a minimum account balance of $25,000.

QuantVantage.ai publishes more than six years of results for each strategy, side by side with the S&P 500 (SPY) and the Nasdaq-100 (QQQ), including risk metrics such as maximum drawdown and Sharpe ratio. Results from January 2019 through December 2025 are based on backtested data; 2026 results reflect actual signals sent to subscribers (calculated from the signals, not from subscriber accounts). We're continuously searching for better strategies—if you find one, we want to hear about it so we can all grow together.

We currently offer five trading strategies with different risk and return characteristics:

• GenSpy (new): Our S&P 500 strategy, with strong risk-adjusted returns in backtesting since 2019.
• GenQ (new): Our steady strategy, with the smallest drawdown of our published strategies in backtesting.
• GenConfluence (new): Our balanced strategy, pairing the Nasdaq-100 with gold.
• GenAlpha: Our flagship strategy that has demonstrated strong risk-adjusted returns in backtesting over the long-term. Waitlisted.
• GenSigma: Our high-flyer strategy for daring souls, with higher returns than The Champion in our published results. Waitlisted.

All strategies use proprietary quantitative analysis and are backtested. Their results compared with major market benchmarks are published on each strategy's Deepdive page, and side by side on the strategy comparison page. Strategy descriptions refer to our published backtested and live results; they are not a promise of future performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

The strategies differ in their risk and return characteristics:

• GenSpy: Our S&P 500 strategy. Backtested results only.
• GenQ: Our steady strategy, with the smallest drawdown of our published strategies in backtesting. Backtested results only.
• GenConfluence: Our balanced strategy, pairing the Nasdaq-100 with gold. Backtested results only.
• GenAlpha: Aims for relatively steady growth with managed risk.
• GenSigma: Targets increased returns and accepts increased volatility and potentially higher drawdowns.

Each strategy's published metrics, including maximum drawdown, volatility, and Sharpe ratio, are on its Deepdive page. To see all our strategies side by side, including GenSpy, GenQ and GenConfluence, visit the strategy comparison page. We do not provide personalized recommendations; the choice of strategy, and whether to trade at all, is yours.

Yes, you can subscribe to more than one strategy. GenAlpha and GenSigma are currently waitlisted.

In our published results since January 2019, GenAlpha and GenSigma have had higher returns than the S&P 500 (SPY) and NASDAQ-100 (QQQ); each strategy's Deepdive page shows the full figures, including drawdowns. Performance results from January 2019 through December 2025 are based on backtested data; 2026 results reflect actual signals sent to subscribers (calculated from the signals, not from subscriber accounts). Past performance does not guarantee future results, and this information is provided for informational purposes only. GenSpy, GenQ and GenConfluence results are from a backtest.

No, past performance is not indicative of future results. Performance results from January 2019 through December 2025 are based on backtested data; 2026 results reflect actual signals sent to subscribers (calculated from the signals, not from subscriber accounts). Backtested results have inherent limitations, including differences in transaction costs, slippage, and market impact. Live results carry their own variances from slippage, fees, and execution timing. We cannot guarantee that any account will achieve similar results.

Performance results from January 2019 through December 2025 are based on comprehensive backtesting using historical market data. 2026 results reflect actual signals sent to subscribers (calculated from the signals, not from subscriber accounts) for GenAlpha and GenSigma; GenSpy, GenQ and GenConfluence results are from a backtest. Each strategy is evaluated across multiple years and various market conditions to ensure robustness. Performance metrics include total returns, annual returns, maximum drawdown, and risk-adjusted returns compared to benchmark indices.

Note that the strategy and the benchmarks are not sized on the same basis — see Are the strategy and benchmark returns calculated on the same basis? below.

Backtested results apply each strategy's fixed rules to historical market prices, as if its signals had been followed every time. The rules were developed and tested on historical data that includes the period shown, so the backtested results benefit from hindsight and are hypothetical.

Backtests assume each trade fills at the market price at the moment the signal is generated. They deduct estimated brokerage commissions (about $0.005 per share, with a $1 minimum per order) but do not include slippage, the difference between the signal price and the price you actually receive. Prices are adjusted for splits and dividends, so dividends are treated as reinvested.

Backtested and live figures do not deduct your subscription fee, your platform's fees or your brokerage's actual costs, and your own results will differ with your execution prices and timing. Results for GenAlpha and GenSigma from January 2026 onward reflect actual signals sent to subscribers (calculated from the signals, not from subscriber accounts). GenSpy, GenQ and GenConfluence results are from a backtest only.

No. The benchmark series are fully invested, while the strategies hold back a portion of capital, so the two columns in our tables and charts are not sized the same way.

Your actual returns will vary from the performance charts for several reasons.

Backtest vs. live periods: Results from January 2019 through December 2025 are based on backtested data; 2026 results reflect actual signals sent to subscribers (calculated from the signals, not from subscriber accounts). Live execution introduces variances.

Execution timing (slippage): The price at which a trade executes may differ from the price used in backtesting due to market conditions, order processing delays, or differences in liquidity.

Execution errors: If there are execution errors (for example, Signal Stack connection expired or not reset), there would be variances.

Fees and costs: Brokerage, regulatory, and other fees charged by your specific broker may differ from those modeled in backtesting, leading to variations in performance.

These factors mean realized returns can differ from reported performance even when the exact signals are followed. Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

Our pricing varies by strategy, with each algorithm having its own pricing structure based on complexity and performance. Detailed pricing information is provided during the signup process, allowing you to choose the plan that best fits your trading needs and budget.

To explore our current pricing options and available strategies, visit our signup page, where you'll find comprehensive details about each offering.

Current prices: GenSpy $100 per month, GenQ $50 per month, GenConfluence $50 per month.

To subscribe to our trading signals, simply visit our signup page where you'll find detailed information about our subscription plans, pricing options, and choose the plan that best fits your trading needs. Once you subscribe, you'll gain immediate access to our quantitative trading signals and can integrate with SignalStack.com for routing signals to your brokerage accounts.

You can receive our trading signals through multiple channels, including email alerts, SMS notifications, and direct platform integration with SignalStack.com. You can choose the delivery method that works best for your trading setup and preferences.

SignalStack.com is a third-party platform that can route signals to your brokerage accounts for trade execution. While our signals are compatible with SignalStack, QuantVantage.ai is not affiliated with or endorsed by SignalStack.com. You can configure your trading account with SignalStack.com to execute trades seamlessly, but we never have access to or control over your accounts.

We encourage you to visit our signup page to explore our service and learn more about our approach. You can also contact our support team at support@quantvantage.ai for any specific questions about our signals.

Yes, there are a few additional costs to consider:

• SignalStack fees: You'll need a SignalStack account to route signals to your brokerage accounts. SignalStack requires a paid subscription. For current pricing details, visit https://signalstack.com/pricing/
• Brokerage fees: Most modern brokerages offer zero-commission trading, but you should verify with your specific broker whether any fees apply to your trades
• Other potential costs: Depending on your broker, there may be regulatory fees or other charges

We recommend budgeting for these additional costs and verifying all fee structures with SignalStack and your brokerage before subscribing.

No, we do not offer a free trial. Subscriptions are monthly and paid. You can use our signals with either paper trading (virtual money) or real money—the choice is yours.

Your subscription renews automatically each month until you cancel. You can cancel at any time. Your account will be cancelled at the end of the billing period, and you will not be charged for subsequent months. You will continue to receive signals and alerts until the end of the billing period. You may choose to stop receiving the signals and alerts by updating subscription settings, but no refunds will be issued.

We do not currently offer a pause feature for subscriptions.

When you subscribe to our trading signals, you receive buy and sell signals directly for the strategy you selected.

Signals are delivered via email, SMS, and/or the SignalStack APIs, as per your choice. You will provide the email address, mobile number, and the SignalStack endpoint where you want the signals sent. You can connect your brokerage to the SignalStack endpoint to execute trades in your brokerage account.

Brokerage account configuration is handled by third-party platforms that specialize in automated trading.

SignalStack.com is our recommended platform for seamless integration.

The platform allows you to configure webhooks that automatically execute trades based on our signals. Please take a look at this video for info on connecting your brokerage account to SignalStack.

We support the brokers that are supported by SignalStack specifically for stock trading.

Important Disclaimer: QuantVantage.ai is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any brokerages or SignalStack. Broker availability and stock trading support may vary. We recommend verifying current broker support and stock trading availability directly with SignalStack before configuring your account.

To use our trading signals most effectively, you'll want to have at least a limited margin account. This type of account is helpful because

• Same-day trading: Our signals may require same-day trades, which require the ability to trade with unsettled funds—funds from recent sales that have not yet cleared in your account.
• Unsettled funds trading: Limited margin accounts allow you to trade using money from sales that haven't fully settled yet. This means you can act quickly on new trading opportunities, as these accounts let you use pending proceeds for immediate trades.

For Charles Schwab accounts, you can check your account type and margin status by clicking on your Profile and then selecting "Margins and Options" to view your account permissions and settings.

Please note that account requirements may vary by broker. We recommend contacting your specific broker to confirm that your account type supports the trading capabilities needed for our signals.

While we don't mandate a specific portfolio value, we strongly recommend a minimum of $10,000 to effectively implement our trading strategy and manage risk appropriately.

During the subscription process, you'll see a dropdown menu with different model portfolio values we support, allowing you to choose the option that best fits your investment capacity.

Please be aware of Pattern Day Trader restrictions. Pattern Day Trader (PDT) rules are FINRA rules that apply to traders who execute four or more day trades within five business days in a margin account. Under PDT rules, flagged traders must maintain a minimum account balance of $25,000. While our algorithms are not meant to perform day trades, on rare occasions, market conditions may dictate buys and sells executed on the same day. If there are four such trades within five business days, your brokerage may flag your account as a PDT account. To avoid this, we recommend maintaining a minimum account balance of $25,000.

Automation is completely optional. You can receive our signals via email and SMS notifications and execute trades manually if you prefer to maintain full control over your trading decisions.

However, automation provides the following benefits:

• Reduces delays - Manual execution can result in missed opportunities
• Improves consistency - Reduces emotional decision-making
• Works while you are away - Signals can be executed when you are not at your screen

A webhook is a URL endpoint that allows automated systems to communicate with each other. In our case, it enables SignalStack (or your chosen platform) to receive our trading signals and route them to your brokerage account.

To set up a webhook, you'll need to create an account with SignalStack.com, configure your brokerage connection, and copy the webhook URL they provide. You'll then paste this webhook URL into your QuantVantage.ai subscription alert settings.

For detailed setup instructions, please visit the SignalStack website, watch this video, or contact our support team at support@quantvantage.ai for assistance.

Immediate trade settlement allows the proceeds from a stock sale to be used immediately for a new purchase on the same day. Our trading strategy may occasionally sell one position and use those proceeds to enter a new position on the same day.

With a standard cash account, you would need to wait for the trade to "settle" (one business day for most U.S. stock and ETF trades) before using those funds. A limited-margin account allows you to trade with unsettled funds, ensuring our signals can be executed without delay. This is why we require at least a limited margin account for the signals to be executed as designed.

With automated signal routing to your brokerage account using SignalStack, the time commitment is minimal. We recommend spending 5-10 minutes each weekend (Saturday or Sunday) to reset your brokerage connection in SignalStack, as some brokerages require periodic re-authentication.

Additionally, whenever you receive a signal via email or SMS, we highly recommend verifying that the trade executed correctly in your brokerage account (usually takes 1-2 minutes per alert). Beyond this, the trades execute automatically with no additional monitoring required.

Trading frequency varies significantly with market conditions and can range from a few trades per day to fewer than 1 trade every 2 weeks. Our algorithm generates signals when specific quantitative conditions are met, so the number of trades adapts dynamically to market opportunities rather than following a fixed schedule.

Our strategies are designed to work across various financial markets, with a primary focus on liquid, well-traded instruments. The specific markets and instruments will be detailed when you subscribe to a specific strategy.

Signal frequency depends on market conditions. Our strategies generate signals when specific quantitative conditions are met, ranging from multiple signals per day to weekly signals, depending on market volatility and opportunity availability.

The short answer is no. You can choose which strategies to subscribe to, and you can opt for signals to be sent to email, SMS, and or SignalStack APIs to be delivered directly to your paper trading or brokerage account. Please feel free to contact our support team at support@quantvantage.ai with what you have in mind, and we will see if we can address it.

If you miss a signal (due to automation failure, technical issues, or being unavailable), you can execute the trade that you received in email or SMS manually. The price may have slipped a bit, but it is important that the trades are executed manually to avoid subsequent signals from failing. If you are unable to do so, are not sure, or have missed multiple signals, please contact our support team immediately at support@quantvantage.ai. If we detect a signal delivery or execution failure, we may proactively reach out to you as well, but it may not be practical to do so every time, or we may not be able to detect failures. Hence, it is important that you monitor the signals that you receive and trades on your account to avoid missing out on trades.

While you have complete control over your trading account and can choose to skip any signal, we do not recommend deviating from our algorithm's signals. Our backtested results are based on systematically following all signals over 6+ years across diverse market scenarios.

When you cherry-pick or skip signals, you are essentially reverting to manual, discretionary trading, and your results will not match our backtested performance. The strength of systematic trading lies in the consistent execution of a back-tested strategy, regardless of personal opinions or emotions about individual trades.

You are always free to make your own trading decisions. If you decide to exit the service completely and close all your positions, follow these steps:

1. Review your brokerage account to identify all open ETF/stock positions.
2. Check the quantity of each position.
3. Close each position based on the most recent signal alert you received from our system.
4. Disable the API integration in your QuantVantage.ai account settings to stop receiving automated signals.

If you need assistance, contact support@quantvantage.ai.

Trading in financial markets involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Key risks include:

• Market risk: Prices can move against your positions
• Execution risk: Slippage and transaction costs can impact returns
• Technology risk: Signal delivery or execution may be delayed
• No guarantee of profits: Past performance doesn't guarantee future results

You should only trade with money you can afford to lose and consider your risk tolerance carefully.

No, QuantVantage.ai is a publisher of trading signals, not an investment adviser. We do not provide personalized or individualized investment advice, manage accounts, or execute trades on behalf of clients. The information we publish is for informational and educational purposes only. All trading decisions and executions are solely your responsibility.

You are solely responsible for all trading decisions and executions. We provide signals for informational purposes only and do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of any information. You must execute all trades independently and are responsible for the timing, pricing, and execution of any trades based on our signals.

No, we never have access to or control over your brokerage accounts. Money remains in your brokerage account. We never have access to or know any info about your account. We only provide trading signals and educational content. All account management, trade execution, and financial decisions remain entirely under your control. This ensures your privacy and security while using our service.

Most IRA accounts support our trading strategy. However, based on what we have seen so far, 401(k) accounts generally do not support the type of trading required for our signals.

If you use a traditional IRA or Roth IRA for trading, you allow your investments to grow without immediate tax implications on each trade. Please note this is not formal investment or tax advice—you should verify with your specific brokerage that your retirement account allows leveraged ETF trading and consult with a qualified tax professional about your individual situation.

Our trading strategy may generate frequent trades, resulting in short-term capital gains taxed at your ordinary income tax rate. The tax implications depend on your account type, income level, and individual tax situation.

If you use an IRA or a Roth IRA, you may minimize immediate tax consequences, but this is not formal tax advice. You should consult with a qualified tax professional or CPA to understand the specific tax implications for your situation, including considerations around short-term capital gains, wash sales, and reporting requirements.

For technical support, account issues, or any questions about our services, please contact our support team:

• Email: support@quantvantage.ai
• Response Time: We typically respond within 24 hours
• Business Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 6 PM EST

For subscription and pricing questions, please visit our signup page for detailed information.