An Empirical Evaluation of Non-Linear Trading Rules

In this paper we investigate the profitability of non-linear trading rules based on nearest neighbour predictors. Our results, based on applying this investment strategy to the New York Stock Exchange, suggest that, taking into account trading costs, the non-linear trading rule is superior to a risk-adjusted buy-and-hold strategy (both in terms of returns and of Sharpe ratios) for the 1998 and 1999 periods of upward trend. In contrast, for the relatively "stable" market period of 2000, we found that both strategies generate equal returns, although the risk-adjusted buy-and-hold strategy yields a higher Sharpe ratio.