evaluate-factor

Routes factor evaluation tasks to cross-sectional or time-series workflows.

116|38|Updated Feb 26, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/xingwudao/open-xquant --skill evaluate-factor
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: evaluate-factor
Source: https://github.com/xingwudao/open-xquant/tree/main/agent/skills/evaluate-factor
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/xingwudao/open-xquant --skill evaluate-factor

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This Skill eliminates the risk of selecting the wrong factor evaluation workflow for quantitative research, which leads to invalid or misleading conclusions about whether a factor predicts asset returns.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Workflow Routing: Automatically selects the appropriate cross-sectional or time-series factor evaluation workflow based on the number of symbols and research goal (e.g., stock selection vs. directional timing).
  • Guardrails Enforcement: Enforces critical data requirements like forward-return alignment, multi-horizon testing, and transparency around sample size and turnover to avoid biased results.
  • Use Case: For example, if a user wants to test if a value factor predicts 6-month returns for 80 mid-cap stocks, this Skill routes the task to the cross-sectional workflow to calculate IC, Rank IC, and ICIR metrics correctly.

Quick Start

Use the evaluate-factor skill to test whether the 3-month momentum factor predicts 1-month forward returns for the top 50 US large-cap stocks.

Frequently Asked Questions about evaluate-factor

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I evaluate if a quantitative factor predicts asset returns correctly?▼

To evaluate factor performance correctly, route the quantitative factor evaluation task to the appropriate cross-sectional or time-series workflow based on your symbol universe size and research goal.

What is the difference between cross-sectional and time-series factor evaluation?▼

Cross-sectional factor evaluation calculates metrics like IC and ICIR for large symbol universes to test stock selection, whereas time-series evaluation measures directional timing metrics like hit rate and decay curves for small rotation sets.

How do I calculate IC and ICIR for a large universe of stocks?▼

To calculate IC and ICIR for a large universe of stocks, use the cross-sectional factor evaluation workflow, which enforces forward-return alignment and discloses sample size and turnover to ensure valid performance analysis.

Can I test multiple return horizons when evaluating factor performance?▼

Yes, you can test multiple return horizons when evaluating factor performance, as the factor evaluation workflow enforces multi-horizon testing alongside forward-return alignment to prevent biased or misleading conclusions.

Does factor evaluation work for small rotation sets and directional timing?▼

Factor evaluation works for small rotation sets by routing the task to the time-series workflow, which calculates directional timing metrics such as hit rate and decay curves instead of cross-sectional IC.

Why does my factor performance analysis produce biased results?▼

Factor performance analysis produces biased results if it lacks forward-return alignment, multi-horizon testing, or transparency around sample size and turnover, which the evaluation workflow enforces to prevent invalid conclusions.