promote residual momentum ranking

README.md

@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ Scheduled pipelines turn raw prices into a ranked, gated list of tradeable setup
 Once a day (default 07:00). Steps run **in dependency order**, each consuming the previous step's fresh output:
 
 1. **OHLCV** — fetch the latest daily bars for every tracked ticker (Alpaca); new tickers backfill ~5 years.
-2. **Sentiment** — fetch sentiment for the names that matter and are stale (> 5 days): top-pick feeders (momentum leaders with a tradeable long setup), the watchlist, and open paper trades, plus a top-N-by-composite discovery net. Runs *before* the scan so the scan sees fresh sentiment.
-3. **R:R Scan** — recompute S/R zones, the 5-dimension scores and long/short setups (ATR stops, S/R targets) for every ticker, and attach each ticker's 12‑1 momentum percentile.
+2. **Sentiment** — fetch sentiment for the names that matter and are stale (> 5 days): top-pick feeders (residual-momentum leaders with a tradeable long setup), the watchlist, and open paper trades, plus a top-N-by-composite discovery net. Runs *before* the scan so the scan sees fresh sentiment.
+3. **R:R Scan** — recompute S/R zones, the 5-dimension scores and long/short setups (ATR stops, S/R targets) for every ticker, and attach each ticker's residual 12‑1 momentum activation percentile.
 4. **Outcome Eval** — resolve setups that hit target/stop or expired (default 30 trading days) and auto-close paper trades per the exit policy (default: hold 30 trading days with the initial stop — the backtest-validated exit).
 5. **Market Regime** — recompute the regime index (breadth/trend).
 6. **Regime Monitor** — observational early-warning snapshot (VIX, credit spreads via FRED); feeds nothing else.
@@ -33,8 +33,8 @@ Fundamentals (weekly, early Monday) · Alerts (hourly, Telegram) · Backtest (we
 
 1. **Composite score** — technical, S/R-quality, sentiment, fundamental and momentum sub-scores (0–100) combine into a weighted composite (weights configurable; missing dimensions re-normalize).
 2. **Setups** — the scanner builds long/short setups with ATR stops and S/R targets, then adds a confidence score, conflict flags and a target reach-probability.
-3. **Activation gate** — a setup *qualifies* only if it clears the R:R floor **and** ranks in the top momentum percentile of the universe (the validated edge is long-only momentum; the confidence floor was ablated to zero effect and defaults off).
-4. **Top pick** — the highest-momentum qualified setup; highlighted on the Dashboard and labelled on the ticker page.
+3. **Activation gate** — a setup *qualifies* only if it clears the R:R floor **and** ranks in the top residual-momentum percentile of the universe (the validated edge is long-only; the confidence floor was ablated to zero effect and defaults off).
+4. **Top pick** — the highest residual-momentum qualified setup; highlighted on the Dashboard and labelled on the ticker page.
 
 ## Strategy Status — What's Validated and What Isn't
 
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ Fundamentals (weekly, early Monday) · Alerts (hourly, Telegram) · Backtest (we
 
 | Component | Verdict | Evidence |
 |---|---|---|
-| **12-1 cross-sectional momentum** (the activation gate, long-only) | **The only demonstrated edge — in-sample** | Qualified setups beat the all-setups baseline after costs; rank-IC ≈ 0.05. Residual 12-1 momentum is now evaluated as a research signal, but is not production ranking yet |
+| **Residual 12-1 cross-sectional momentum** (the activation gate, long-only) | **Production ranking — in-sample edge** | Promoted July 2026 after the portfolio variant beat raw 80 on CAGR, Sharpe and drawdown. Raw 12-1 remains a fallback only when benchmark data is unavailable |
 | S/R setup engine (ATR stops, S/R targets, reach-probability) | **Filter/execution context, not the exit** | R:R/room-to-run still earns its keep as a filter, but S/R targets underperform the time exit. The probability model is display-only |
 | Composite score + 5 dimensions | **Display/ranking only** | Sub-scores are hand-built heuristics; none has a measured IC. Note: the "momentum" *dimension* is 5/20-day ROC — NOT the validated 12-1 factor (that lives in `momentum_service`) |
 | LLM sentiment | Display + a bounded composite adjustment (± weight × 100 pts around neutral 50) | Deliberately kept out of the setup engine; no point-in-time history to validate against yet |
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ Fundamentals (weekly, early Monday) · Alerts (hourly, Telegram) · Backtest (we
 | Short setups | **Excluded while the momentum gate is active** | Backtest showed shorts fight the trend and drag expectancy |
 | Expected-value gate (removed June 2026) | Degenerate — do not resurrect | Structurally favored distant lottery targets; selected *worse*-than-random setups |
 
-Caveats on the momentum result: in-sample, roughly one market regime, costs/slippage approximated at 0.1% per side, and the factor is beta-heavy (6-month volatility often posts the top IC — that's beta, not alpha). The **out-of-sample proof is the forward paper-trade record**: Signals → Track Record compares live qualified expectancy against the backtest.
+Caveats on the momentum result: in-sample, roughly one market regime, costs/slippage approximated at 0.1% per side, and residual momentum still needs SPY benchmark history to compute. The **out-of-sample proof is the forward paper-trade record**: Signals → Track Record compares live qualified expectancy against the backtest.
 
 ### The iron rule for strategy changes
 
@@ -64,14 +64,14 @@ Corollaries: never let an unvalidated score gate setups; the outcome evaluator m
 
 ### Highest-value next experiments (in order)
 
-1. **Residual momentum portfolio variants** — compare raw vs beta-adjusted 12-1 momentum in the strategy-variant simulator before changing production ranking.
-2. **Capacity checks for promising variants** — compare max-position variants for raw 90 and residual 80 so a good-looking row is not just a book-slot artifact.
+1. **Raw 90 challenger** — keep comparing raw 12-1 momentum at cutoff 90 against production residual 80; promote only if it beats residual production on Sharpe and drawdown without a meaningful CAGR hit.
+2. **Capacity check** — keep only the residual 80 / max 15 portfolio row as a guardrail; max 20 and raw max 15 added no information in the July 2026 run.
 3. **Signal context snapshots** — accumulate point-in-time composite/sentiment/fundamental context for every new setup so the discretionary overlay can be tested forward-only.
 4. **More breadth, not more history** — widening the ranked universe (e.g. `nasdaq_all`) strengthens each week's cross-section and the IC t-stat, even if only the top slice is traded. (Deeper history was considered and declined.)
 
 ## Key Use Cases
 
-- **Find today's best long setup.** On the **Dashboard**, the *Top Setups* table lists qualified setups ranked by momentum with the #1 flagged "Top pick". Each row opens the ticker page for the chart, scores, S/R targets and entry/stop.
+- **Find today's best long setup.** On the **Dashboard**, the *Top Setups* table lists qualified setups ranked by residual momentum with the #1 flagged "Top pick". Each row opens the ticker page for the chart, scores, S/R targets and entry/stop.
 - **Track a trade you took.** Mark a setup as a **paper trade**: it's marked-to-market against the latest close, auto-closed by the active exit policy (default: 30 trading days with the initial stop), and its sentiment stays fresh while open. *Signals → Track Record* shows the realized edge.
 
 ## Stack
@@ -412,7 +412,7 @@ Context for whoever — human or AI — continues this work. The owner pushes st
 | Concern | File |
 |---|---|
 | Composite + 5 dimension scores, weights | `app/services/scoring_service.py` |
-| 12-1 momentum ranking (the validated factor) | `app/services/momentum_service.py` |
+| Residual 12-1 momentum ranking (the validated activation factor) | `app/services/momentum_service.py` |
 | Setup construction (ATR stop, S/R targets) | `app/services/rr_scanner_service.py` |
 | Confidence, targets, reach-probability, action | `app/services/recommendation_service.py` |
 | Activation gate predicate (mirrored in TS) | `app/services/qualification.py` |

app/config.py

@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ class Settings(BaseSettings):
     # Sentiment search-budget controls (Gemini grounding free tier = 5000/month).
     # Scope (see _get_sentiment_priority_tickers): everything that matters is always
     # refreshed in full — open paper trades + the curated watchlist + top-pick
-    # feeders (momentum leaders with a tradeable long setup) — plus a top-N composite
+    # feeders (residual-momentum leaders with a tradeable long setup) — plus a top-N composite
     # discovery net. No per-run cap: the set is naturally bounded (watchlist <= 20,
     # composite <= top_composite), so a full refresh stays well inside the free tier.
     # Skip anything refreshed within fresh_hours (5 days: sentiment shifts slowly and

app/models/benchmark_price.py

@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ class BenchmarkPrice(Base):
     """Daily close for a benchmark index (e.g. SPY), used to compute trade alpha.
 
     A standalone price series, deliberately NOT a tracked ``Ticker`` — so the
-    benchmark never enters the scanner, the momentum-percentile ranking, or the
-    rankings table. One row per (symbol, date).
+    benchmark never becomes a trade candidate or rankings-table row. Its closes
+    are used for residual momentum and trade alpha. One row per (symbol, date).
     """
 
     __tablename__ = "benchmark_prices"

app/models/trade_setup.py

@@ -26,8 +26,9 @@ class TradeSetup(Base):
     )
 
     confidence_score: Mapped[float | None] = mapped_column(Float, nullable=True)
-    # Ticker's 12-1 momentum percentile across the universe at detection time
-    # (0–100, 100 = strongest). Drives the activation gate's core selection.
+    # Ticker's activation momentum percentile across the universe at detection
+    # time. Since July 2026 this is residual 12-1 momentum when benchmark data is
+    # available, with raw 12-1 as a fallback.
     momentum_percentile: Mapped[float | None] = mapped_column(Float, nullable=True)
     targets_json: Mapped[str | None] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=True)
     conflict_flags_json: Mapped[str | None] = mapped_column(Text, nullable=True)

app/scheduler.py

@@ -222,11 +222,11 @@ async def _get_ohlcv_priority_tickers(db: AsyncSession) -> list[str]:
 async def _get_top_pick_feeder_ids(db: AsyncSession) -> set[int]:
     """Ticker ids whose latest LONG setup makes them a top-pick feeder.
 
-    A dashboard 'top pick' is the highest-momentum *qualified* setup. Sentiment
-    can never move a ticker's momentum percentile (the gate's core axis) — only
-    its confidence and EV ranking. So the only tickers that are, or could become
-    with positive sentiment, a top pick are momentum leaders that already have a
-    tradeable long setup clearing the R:R floor. That set is exactly:
+    A dashboard 'top pick' is the highest residual-momentum *qualified* setup.
+    Sentiment can never move a ticker's activation percentile (the gate's core
+    axis) — only its confidence and EV ranking. So the only tickers that are, or
+    could become with positive sentiment, a top pick are residual-momentum leaders
+    that already have a tradeable long setup clearing the R:R floor. That set is exactly:
 
         latest long setup with momentum_percentile >= gate AND rr_ratio >= floor.
 
@@ -311,7 +311,7 @@ async def _get_sentiment_priority_tickers(db: AsyncSession) -> list[str]:
     is always fully covered. The two tiers only affect ORDER, so a mid-run provider
     rate limit still lands the names we care about first:
 
-      Priority: top-pick feeders (momentum leaders with a tradeable long setup, see
+      Priority: top-pick feeders (residual-momentum leaders with a tradeable long setup, see
         ``_get_top_pick_feeder_ids``) + the curated watchlist + open paper trades —
         the set we never want shown without sentiment.
       Filler: top-N by composite — a cheap discovery net for names not yet covered.

app/services/admin_service.py

@@ -39,8 +39,8 @@ SUPPORTED_TICKER_UNIVERSES = {"sp500", "nasdaq100", "nasdaq_all"}
 # Track Record's qualified stats. The outcome evaluator deliberately ignores
 # these — every setup is evaluated so the gate itself can be validated.
 #
-# The core selection is cross-sectional 12-1 momentum (top percentile of the
-# universe, long-only). R:R and confidence are floors; high-conviction /
+# The core selection is residual cross-sectional 12-1 momentum (top percentile
+# of the universe, long-only). R:R and confidence are floors; high-conviction /
 # clean-read are optional tighteners (off by default).
 _ACTIVATION_FLOAT_KEYS: dict[str, str] = {
     "min_momentum_percentile": "activation_min_momentum_percentile",

app/services/backtest_service.py

@@ -93,6 +93,9 @@ ATR_MULTIPLIER = 1.5
 # signal, not the outcome of a target/stop structure built on top of one.
 MIN_CROSS_SECTION = 20    # min tickers present in a week to score that week
 MIN_RELIABLE_PERIODS = 12 # min non-overlapping windows before a signal's IC is trusted
+PRODUCTION_PERCENTILE_KEY = "activation_momentum_percentile"
+RAW_PERCENTILE_KEY = "momentum_percentile"
+RESIDUAL_PERCENTILE_KEY = "residual_momentum_percentile"
 
 
 def _wrap_levels(level_dicts: list[dict]) -> list[Any]:
@@ -845,9 +848,23 @@ def _assign_momentum_percentiles(candidates: list[dict]) -> None:
 
 
 def _assign_residual_momentum_percentiles(candidates: list[dict]) -> None:
-    """Research-only residual-momentum percentile used by strategy variants."""
+    """Residual-momentum percentile promoted to production activation ranking."""
     _assign_signal_percentiles(
-        candidates, "residual_momentum", "residual_momentum_percentile"
+        candidates, "residual_momentum", RESIDUAL_PERCENTILE_KEY
+    )
+
+
+def _assign_activation_momentum_percentiles(candidates: list[dict]) -> None:
+    """Production activation rank: residual 12-1 when available, raw fallback.
+
+    The raw fallback mirrors the live scanner's behavior when benchmark history
+    is unavailable. In normal backtests, SPY is loaded and this is residual.
+    """
+    for c in candidates:
+        c[PRODUCTION_PERCENTILE_KEY] = (
+            c.get(RESIDUAL_PERCENTILE_KEY)
+            if c.get(RESIDUAL_PERCENTILE_KEY) is not None
+            else c.get(RAW_PERCENTILE_KEY)
         )
 
 
@@ -861,7 +878,7 @@ def _momentum_qualifies(cand: dict, threshold: float) -> bool:
         return True
     if cand["direction"] == "short":
         return False
-    mp = cand.get("momentum_percentile")
+    mp = cand.get(PRODUCTION_PERCENTILE_KEY)
     return mp is not None and mp >= threshold
 
 
@@ -890,7 +907,7 @@ def _gate_ablation(candidates: list[dict], activation: dict, threshold: float) -
             return True
         if c["direction"] == "short":
             return False
-        mp = c.get("momentum_percentile")
+        mp = c.get(PRODUCTION_PERCENTILE_KEY)
         return mp is not None and mp >= threshold
 
     def rr_ok(c: dict) -> bool:
@@ -965,7 +982,7 @@ def _simulate_portfolio(
     hold_days: int,
     *,
     qualified_fn: Callable[[dict], bool] | None = None,
-    ranking_key: str = "momentum_percentile",
+    ranking_key: str = PRODUCTION_PERCENTILE_KEY,
     max_positions: int = SIM_MAX_POSITIONS,
     risk_per_trade: float = SIM_RISK_PER_TRADE,
 ) -> dict | None:
@@ -1189,9 +1206,18 @@ def _simulate_portfolio(
 
 STRATEGY_VARIANTS: tuple[dict, ...] = (
     {
-        "variant": "production_raw_80_fixed10",
-        "label": "Production raw 80 / max 10",
-        "percentile_key": "momentum_percentile",
+        "variant": "production_residual_80_fixed10",
+        "label": "Production residual 80 / max 10",
+        "percentile_key": PRODUCTION_PERCENTILE_KEY,
+        "cutoff": 80.0,
+        "max_positions": 10,
+        "risk_per_trade": 0.01,
+        "risk_scale": None,
+    },
+    {
+        "variant": "legacy_raw_80_fixed10",
+        "label": "Legacy raw 80 / max 10",
+        "percentile_key": RAW_PERCENTILE_KEY,
         "cutoff": 80.0,
         "max_positions": 10,
         "risk_per_trade": 0.01,
@@ -1200,52 +1226,16 @@ STRATEGY_VARIANTS: tuple[dict, ...] = (
     {
         "variant": "raw_90_fixed10",
         "label": "Raw 90 / max 10",
-        "percentile_key": "momentum_percentile",
+        "percentile_key": RAW_PERCENTILE_KEY,
         "cutoff": 90.0,
         "max_positions": 10,
         "risk_per_trade": 0.01,
         "risk_scale": None,
     },
-    {
-        "variant": "raw_90_fixed15",
-        "label": "Raw 90 / max 15",
-        "percentile_key": "momentum_percentile",
-        "cutoff": 90.0,
-        "max_positions": 15,
-        "risk_per_trade": 0.01,
-        "risk_scale": None,
-    },
-    {
-        "variant": "residual_80_fixed10",
-        "label": "Residual 80 / max 10",
-        "percentile_key": "residual_momentum_percentile",
-        "cutoff": 80.0,
-        "max_positions": 10,
-        "risk_per_trade": 0.01,
-        "risk_scale": None,
-    },
     {
         "variant": "residual_80_fixed15",
-        "label": "Residual 80 / max 15",
-        "percentile_key": "residual_momentum_percentile",
-        "cutoff": 80.0,
-        "max_positions": 15,
-        "risk_per_trade": 0.01,
-        "risk_scale": None,
-    },
-    {
-        "variant": "residual_80_fixed20",
-        "label": "Residual 80 / max 20",
-        "percentile_key": "residual_momentum_percentile",
-        "cutoff": 80.0,
-        "max_positions": 20,
-        "risk_per_trade": 0.01,
-        "risk_scale": None,
-    },
-    {
-        "variant": "raw_80_fixed15",
-        "label": "Raw 80 / max 15",
-        "percentile_key": "momentum_percentile",
+        "label": "Residual 80 / max 15 capacity check",
+        "percentile_key": PRODUCTION_PERCENTILE_KEY,
         "cutoff": 80.0,
         "max_positions": 15,
         "risk_per_trade": 0.01,
@@ -1295,7 +1285,7 @@ def _strategy_variant_sims(
         rows.append({
             "variant": cfg["variant"],
             "label": cfg["label"],
-            "ranking": "residual" if "residual" in percentile_key else "raw",
+            "ranking": "raw" if percentile_key == RAW_PERCENTILE_KEY else "residual",
             "cutoff": cutoff,
             "max_positions": int(cfg["max_positions"]),
             "risk_per_trade_pct": round(float(cfg["risk_per_trade"]) * 100, 2),
@@ -1312,14 +1302,12 @@ def _pct_loss(base: float | None, candidate: float | None) -> float | None:
 
 
 def _build_research_recommendation(report: dict) -> dict:
-    """Advisory rules for research variants. These are deliberately conservative:
-    production only changes later if a portfolio variant beats the baseline under
-    transparent drawdown/Sharpe/CAGR constraints."""
+    """Advisory rules for the remaining research variants after residual promotion."""
     variants = {
         v.get("variant"): v
         for v in (report.get("strategy_variants") or {}).get("variants", [])
     }
-    base = variants.get("production_raw_80_fixed10")
+    base = variants.get("production_residual_80_fixed10")
     items: list[dict] = []
     if base is None:
         return {
@@ -1331,25 +1319,25 @@ def _build_research_recommendation(report: dict) -> dict:
     base_dd = base.get("max_drawdown_pct")
     base_cagr = base.get("cagr_pct")
 
-    residuals = [
-        v for key, v in variants.items()
-        if key.startswith("residual_80_") and v.get("risk_scale") is None
-    ]
-    residual = max(residuals, key=lambda v: v.get("sharpe") or -999, default=None)
+    capacity = variants.get("residual_80_fixed15")
     if (
-        residual and base_sharpe is not None and residual.get("sharpe") is not None
-        and base_dd is not None and residual.get("max_drawdown_pct") is not None
+        capacity and base_sharpe is not None and base_cagr is not None
+        and capacity.get("sharpe") is not None and capacity.get("cagr_pct") is not None
+        and capacity.get("max_drawdown_pct") is not None and base_dd is not None
     ):
-        sharpe_delta = residual["sharpe"] - base_sharpe
-        dd_delta = residual["max_drawdown_pct"] - base_dd
-        candidate = sharpe_delta >= 0.10 and dd_delta <= 2.0
+        candidate = (
+            capacity["sharpe"] > base_sharpe
+            and capacity["cagr_pct"] > base_cagr
+            and capacity["max_drawdown_pct"] <= base_dd + 1.0
+        )
         items.append({
-            "topic": "residual_momentum",
+            "topic": "capacity_15",
             "candidate": candidate,
             "text": (
-                f"Residual momentum {'is a promotion candidate' if candidate else 'stays research-only'}: "
-                f"{residual['label']} Sharpe {residual['sharpe']:.2f} vs {base_sharpe:.2f}, "
-                f"drawdown {residual['max_drawdown_pct']:.1f}% vs {base_dd:.1f}%."
+                f"Max-15 capacity {'is worth promoting' if candidate else 'is not needed yet'}: "
+                f"Sharpe {capacity['sharpe']:.2f} vs {base_sharpe:.2f}, "
+                f"CAGR {capacity['cagr_pct']:+.1f}% vs {base_cagr:+.1f}%, "
+                f"skipped {capacity.get('skipped_book_full', 0)} vs {base.get('skipped_book_full', 0)}."
             ),
         })
 
@@ -1385,8 +1373,8 @@ def _build_research_recommendation(report: dict) -> dict:
     return {
         "items": items,
         "note": (
-            "Advisory only. Production changes require a variant to pass the rule "
-            "and then be adopted explicitly in a later strategy-version change."
+            "Residual 12-1 momentum is now the production activation rank. "
+            "Remaining rows are research comparisons only."
         ),
     }
 
@@ -1473,7 +1461,8 @@ def _build_recommendation(report: dict) -> dict:
                     "text": f"Gate: keep the {label} (worth {delta:+.2f}R/trade under the hold exit).",
                 })
 
-    # Momentum cutoff: best per-trade net among the active-gate sweep rows.
+    # Activation cutoff: best per-trade net among the promoted residual-momentum
+    # sweep rows.
     sweep_rows = [
         r for r in report.get("sweep") or []
         if r.get("net_avg_r") is not None and (r.get("min_momentum_percentile") or 0) > 0
@@ -1483,7 +1472,7 @@ def _build_recommendation(report: dict) -> dict:
         items.append({
             "topic": "cutoff",
             "text": (
-                f"Momentum cutoff: {best_cut['min_momentum_percentile']:.0f} has the best "
+                f"Residual-momentum cutoff: {best_cut['min_momentum_percentile']:.0f} has the best "
                 f"per-trade net ({best_cut['net_avg_r']:+.2f}R over {best_cut['total']} setups)."
             ),
         })
@@ -1653,9 +1642,11 @@ async def run_backtest(
         progress_cb(total, total, "")
 
     # Cross-sectional momentum: rank every week's universe, then "qualified" means
-    # floors + top ``min_momentum_percentile`` by 12-1 momentum.
+    # floors + top ``min_momentum_percentile`` by promoted residual 12-1 momentum
+    # (raw 12-1 fallback only when benchmark data is unavailable).
     _assign_momentum_percentiles(candidates)
     _assign_residual_momentum_percentiles(candidates)
+    _assign_activation_momentum_percentiles(candidates)
     current_min_pct = float(activation.get("min_momentum_percentile", 80.0))
     for c in candidates:
         c["qualified"] = _momentum_qualifies(c, current_min_pct)
@@ -1779,10 +1770,9 @@ async def run_backtest(
         "strategy_variants": {
             "variants": strategy_variant_rows,
             "note": (
-                "Research-only hold-to-horizon portfolio variants. These compare "
-                "raw vs residual momentum ranking, cutoff 80 vs 90, and max 10/15/20 "
-                "position capacity. They do not change live "
-                "qualification or paper-trade behavior."
+                "Research-only hold-to-horizon portfolio variants. Production now "
+                "uses residual 12-1 momentum at cutoff 80; the remaining rows compare "
+                "the legacy raw rank, raw cutoff 90, and one max-15 capacity check."
             ),
         },
         "signal_eval": _signal_evaluation(collected),

app/services/benchmark_service.py

@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@
 Fetches the S&P 500 proxy (SPY) daily closes via Alpaca and persists them, so
 paper-trade alpha — a trade's return minus the benchmark's return over the same
 holding period — can be computed. The benchmark is a standalone series, NOT a
-tracked ``Ticker``, so it never contaminates the scanner, momentum-percentile
-ranking, or rankings.
+tracked ``Ticker``; its closes feed residual momentum and alpha, but it never
+becomes a trade candidate or rankings-table row.
 """
 
 from __future__ import annotations

app/services/momentum_service.py

@@ -1,17 +1,18 @@
-"""Cross-sectional 12-1 momentum ranking for the universe.
+"""Cross-sectional residual 12-1 momentum ranking for the universe.
 
 The activation gate selects the top ``min_momentum_percentile`` of the universe
-by 12-1 month momentum (return from ~12 months ago to ~1 month ago — the one
-price signal the backtest showed sorts forward returns). The daily scan ranks
-every ticker and stores each setup's percentile (see ``rr_scanner_service``), so
-the live list, the Track Record's qualified stats, and outcome evaluation all gate
-on the same value.
+by residual 12-1 month momentum: the stock's 12-1 return after subtracting its
+estimated benchmark beta contribution over the same formation window. The daily
+scan ranks every ticker and stores each setup's percentile (see
+``rr_scanner_service``), so the live list, the Track Record's qualified stats,
+and outcome evaluation all gate on the same value.
 """
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import json
 import logging
+from datetime import date
 
 from sqlalchemy import select
 from sqlalchemy.ext.asyncio import AsyncSession
@@ -35,29 +36,101 @@ def compute_12_1_momentum(closes: list[float]) -> float | None:
     return None
 
 
+def compute_residual_12_1_momentum(
+    dates: list[date],
+    closes: list[float],
+    benchmark_closes: dict[date, float],
+) -> float | None:
+    """12-1 momentum after removing linear benchmark exposure.
+
+    Estimate beta from daily stock/benchmark returns over the standard 12-1
+    formation window, then sum stock return minus beta * benchmark return. No
+    intercept is subtracted: fitting an intercept over the same window would make
+    residuals sum to roughly zero and destroy the ranking signal.
+    """
+    i = len(closes) - 1
+    if not benchmark_closes or len(dates) != len(closes) or i - _MOM_LOOKBACK < 0:
+        return None
+
+    stock_rets: list[float] = []
+    market_rets: list[float] = []
+    for k in range(i - _MOM_LOOKBACK + 1, i - _MOM_SKIP + 1):
+        prev_close = closes[k - 1]
+        bench_prev = benchmark_closes.get(dates[k - 1])
+        bench_cur = benchmark_closes.get(dates[k])
+        if prev_close <= 0 or bench_prev is None or bench_cur is None or bench_prev <= 0:
+            continue
+        stock_rets.append(closes[k] / prev_close - 1.0)
+        market_rets.append(bench_cur / bench_prev - 1.0)
+
+    if len(stock_rets) < 100:
+        return None
+    mean_market = sum(market_rets) / len(market_rets)
+    mean_stock = sum(stock_rets) / len(stock_rets)
+    var_market = sum((x - mean_market) ** 2 for x in market_rets)
+    if var_market <= 0:
+        return None
+    cov = sum(
+        (stock_rets[k] - mean_stock) * (market_rets[k] - mean_market)
+        for k in range(len(stock_rets))
+    )
+    beta = cov / var_market
+    return sum(stock_rets[k] - beta * market_rets[k] for k in range(len(stock_rets)))
+
+
+async def _load_activation_benchmark(db: AsyncSession) -> dict[date, float]:
+    """Load SPY closes for residual momentum; refresh once if the table is empty."""
+    try:
+        from app.services.benchmark_service import load_benchmark_closes, refresh_benchmark_prices
+
+        closes = await load_benchmark_closes(db)
+        if closes:
+            return closes
+        await refresh_benchmark_prices(db)
+        return await load_benchmark_closes(db)
+    except Exception:
+        logger.exception("Residual momentum benchmark load failed; falling back to raw momentum")
+        return {}
+
+
 async def compute_momentum_percentiles(db: AsyncSession) -> dict[str, float]:
-    """Compute each ticker's 12-1 momentum and rank the universe into a
-    ``{symbol: percentile}`` map (0–100, 100 = strongest momentum). Tickers
-    without a full year of history are absent (can't be ranked)."""
+    """Compute each ticker's activation momentum rank.
+
+    Production uses residual 12-1 momentum when benchmark data is available. If
+    SPY data is absent, fall back to raw 12-1 momentum rather than disabling the
+    scanner. Tickers without enough stock/benchmark history are absent.
+    """
     result = await db.execute(select(Ticker).order_by(Ticker.symbol))
     tickers = list(result.scalars().all())
 
-    momentum: dict[str, float] = {}
+    benchmark_closes = await _load_activation_benchmark(db)
+    using_residual = len(benchmark_closes) >= _MOM_LOOKBACK
+
+    values: dict[str, float] = {}
     for ticker in tickers:
         try:
             records = await query_ohlcv(db, ticker.symbol)
         except Exception:
             logger.exception("Momentum fetch failed for %s", ticker.symbol)
             continue
-        m = compute_12_1_momentum([float(r.close) for r in records])
-        if m is not None:
-            momentum[ticker.symbol] = m
+        closes = [float(r.close) for r in records]
+        value = (
+            compute_residual_12_1_momentum([r.date for r in records], closes, benchmark_closes)
+            if using_residual
+            else compute_12_1_momentum(closes)
+        )
+        if value is not None:
+            values[ticker.symbol] = value
 
-    ranked = sorted(momentum, key=lambda s: momentum[s])
+    ranked = sorted(values, key=lambda s: values[s])
     n = len(ranked)
     percentiles = {
         sym: round((rank / (n - 1) * 100.0) if n > 1 else 100.0, 2)
         for rank, sym in enumerate(ranked)
     }
-    logger.info(json.dumps({"event": "momentum_ranked", "tickers": n}))
+    logger.info(json.dumps({
+        "event": "momentum_ranked",
+        "signal": "residual_12_1" if using_residual else "raw_12_1_fallback",
+        "tickers": n,
+    }))
     return percentiles

app/services/qualification.py

@@ -2,12 +2,12 @@
 
 A single predicate, driven by the admin activation config, used by the
 performance stats (server) and mirrored on the frontend. The core selection is
-cross-sectional momentum: a setup's ticker must rank in the top
-``min_momentum_percentile`` of the universe by 12-1 month momentum — the one
-signal the backtest showed actually sorts forward returns. R:R and confidence
-remain as floors, and conviction/conflict survive as optional tighteners (off by
-default). The momentum percentile is computed across the universe and attached to
-each setup upstream; when it's absent the gate falls back to the floors.
+residual cross-sectional momentum: a setup's ticker must rank in the top
+``min_momentum_percentile`` of the universe by beta-adjusted 12-1 month momentum.
+R:R and confidence remain as floors, and conviction/conflict survive as optional
+tighteners (off by default). The activation percentile is computed across the
+universe and attached to each setup upstream; when it's absent the gate falls
+back to the floors.
 """
 
 from __future__ import annotations
@@ -65,12 +65,12 @@ def setup_qualifies(setup: Any, config: dict) -> bool:
             return False
     if (setup.confidence_score or 0.0) < config["min_confidence"]:
         return False
-    # Cross-sectional momentum: the core selection. A setup's ticker must rank in
-    # the top ``min_momentum_percentile`` of the universe by 12-1 momentum. The
-    # validated edge is long-only, so while the gate is active shorts (which fight
-    # the trend) never qualify. The percentile floor is only enforced when a
-    # percentile is attached (live setups / backtest); callers that don't attach
-    # it defer to the floors above.
+    # Residual cross-sectional momentum: the core selection. A setup's ticker
+    # must rank in the top ``min_momentum_percentile`` of the universe by
+    # beta-adjusted 12-1 momentum. The validated edge is long-only, so while the
+    # gate is active shorts (which fight the trend) never qualify. The percentile
+    # floor is only enforced when a percentile is attached (live setups /
+    # backtest); callers that don't attach it defer to the floors above.
     min_pct = float(config.get("min_momentum_percentile", 0.0))
     if min_pct > 0:
         if (getattr(setup, "direction", "long") or "long") == "short":
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ def setup_qualifies(setup: Any, config: dict) -> bool:
     # A NEUTRAL recommendation means the engine found no clear directional setup —
     # not an actionable signal, so by default it doesn't qualify (and can't be a
     # top pick). ``exclude_neutral`` defaults on; turn it off to also count
-    # no-clear-direction momentum leaders.
+    # no-clear-direction residual momentum leaders.
     if config.get("exclude_neutral"):
         if (setup.recommended_action or "NEUTRAL") == "NEUTRAL":
             return False

app/services/rr_scanner_service.py

@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ from app.services.recommendation_service import enhance_trade_setup
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
-STRATEGY_VERSION = "momentum_12_1_rr_time_v1"
+STRATEGY_VERSION = "residual_momentum_12_1_rr_time_v2"
 
 
 async def _get_ticker(db: AsyncSession, symbol: str) -> Ticker:
@@ -219,9 +219,9 @@ async def scan_ticker(
 ) -> list[TradeSetup]:
     """Scan a single ticker for trade setups meeting the R:R threshold.
 
-    ``momentum_percentile`` is the ticker's 12-1 momentum rank across the universe
-    (computed by the caller), stored on each setup so the activation gate can
-    select the top slice."""
+    ``momentum_percentile`` is the ticker's residual 12-1 momentum activation
+    rank across the universe (computed by the caller), stored on each setup so
+    the activation gate can select the top slice."""
     ticker = await _get_ticker(db, symbol)
 
     records = await query_ohlcv(db, symbol)
@@ -393,8 +393,9 @@ async def scan_all_tickers(
     tickers = list(result.scalars().all())
     total = len(tickers)
 
-    # Rank the universe by 12-1 momentum up front so each new setup carries its
-    # ticker's percentile (used by the activation gate). Best-effort.
+    # Rank the universe by residual 12-1 momentum up front so each new setup
+    # carries its activation percentile. Best-effort; the ranker falls back to
+    # raw 12-1 momentum only if benchmark data is unavailable.
     try:
         from app.services import momentum_service
 

app/services/watchlist_service.py

@@ -173,8 +173,8 @@ async def _enrich_entry(
         "dimensions": dims,
         "rr_ratio": setup.rr_ratio if setup else None,
         "rr_direction": setup.direction if setup else None,
-        # 12-1 cross-sectional momentum percentile (the top-pick selector); ticker-
-        # level, so any of the ticker's setups carries the same value.
+        # Residual 12-1 activation percentile (the top-pick selector); ticker-level,
+        # so any of the ticker's setups carries the same value.
         "momentum_percentile": setup.momentum_percentile if setup else None,
         "sr_levels": sr_levels,
         "last_close": last_close,

frontend/src/components/admin/ActivationSettings.tsx

@@ -41,16 +41,16 @@ export function ActivationSettings() {
         <p className="mt-1 text-xs text-gray-500">
           What counts as a signal worth acting on. Drives the Dashboard's "Qualified" metric, the
           Signals "Qualified only" view, and the Track Record's qualified stats. The core selection is
-          <span className="text-gray-300"> cross-sectional momentum</span> — the ticker must rank in the
-          top slice of the universe by 12-1 month momentum, the one signal the backtest showed predicts
-          forward returns. R:R and confidence stay as floors. Tune the cutoff against the Track Record's
+          <span className="text-gray-300"> residual cross-sectional momentum</span> — the ticker must rank in the
+          top slice of the universe by beta-adjusted 12-1 month momentum, the production signal promoted
+          from the backtest. R:R and confidence stay as floors. Tune the cutoff against the Track Record's
           momentum sweep to see what actually wins.
         </p>
       </div>
 
       <div className="grid gap-4 md:grid-cols-3">
         <label className="block space-y-1">
-          <span className="text-xs text-gray-400">Min Momentum Percentile</span>
+          <span className="text-xs text-gray-400">Min Residual Momentum Percentile</span>
           <input
             type="number"
             min={0}
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ export function ActivationSettings() {
             onChange={(e) => setForm((prev) => ({ ...prev, min_momentum_percentile: Number(e.target.value) }))}
             className="w-full input-glass px-3 py-2 text-sm"
           />
-          <span className="text-[11px] text-gray-600">Ticker's 12-1 momentum rank. 80 = top 20% of the universe. 0 disables. The core gate.</span>
+          <span className="text-[11px] text-gray-600">Ticker's residual 12-1 momentum rank. 80 = top 20% of the universe. 0 disables. The core gate.</span>
         </label>
         <label className="block space-y-1">
           <span className="text-xs text-gray-400">Min Risk:Reward (1 : x)</span>
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ export function ActivationSettings() {
             Require a directional call (exclude NEUTRAL)
             <span className="mt-0.5 block text-[11px] text-gray-500">
               On by default. A NEUTRAL ("No Clear Setup") recommendation isn't a tradeable signal, so it
-              never qualifies or becomes a top pick. Turn off to also count no-clear-direction momentum leaders.
+              never qualifies or becomes a top pick. Turn off to also count no-clear-direction residual momentum leaders.
             </span>
           </span>
         </label>

frontend/src/components/signals/BacktestPanel.tsx

@@ -308,11 +308,11 @@ export function BacktestPanel() {
             {report.sweep && report.sweep.length > 0 && report.sweep[0].min_momentum_percentile != null && (
               <div>
                 <p className="mb-2 text-xs font-medium uppercase tracking-widest text-gray-500">
-                  Momentum-percentile sweep
+                  Residual-momentum percentile sweep
                 </p>
                 <p className="mb-2 text-[11px] text-gray-500">
-                  How many setups qualify — and how they perform — at each momentum-rank cutoff (floors
-                  held fixed). 80 = only the top 20% of the universe by 12-1 momentum each week; 0 =
+                  How many setups qualify — and how they perform — at each production-rank cutoff (floors
+                  held fixed). 80 = only the top 20% of the universe by residual 12-1 momentum each week; 0 =
                   floors only. Lower = more trades, watch that expectancy holds. Your current setting is
                   highlighted; set it in Admin → Settings → Activation.
                 </p>
@@ -320,7 +320,7 @@ export function BacktestPanel() {
                   <table className="w-full text-sm">
                     <thead>
                       <tr className="border-b border-white/[0.06] text-left text-xs uppercase tracking-wider text-gray-500">
-                        <th className="px-4 py-2.5">Min momentum %ile</th>
+                        <th className="px-4 py-2.5">Min residual %ile</th>
                         <th className="px-4 py-2.5 text-right">Qualified</th>
                         <th className="px-4 py-2.5 text-right">Wins</th>
                         <th className="px-4 py-2.5 text-right">Losses</th>
@@ -541,10 +541,7 @@ export function BacktestPanel() {
                   Strategy variants
                 </p>
                 <p className="mb-2 text-[11px] text-gray-500">
-                  {report.strategy_variants.note ?? 'Research-only portfolio variants.'}{' '}
-                  <span className="text-gray-300">
-                    Residual momentum stays research-only until a variant beats production under the promotion rules.
-                  </span>
+                  {report.strategy_variants.note ?? 'Research-only portfolio variants.'}
                 </p>
                 <div className="glass overflow-x-auto">
                   <table className="w-full text-sm">

frontend/src/components/ticker/StandingMatrix.tsx

@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ export interface FieldPoint {
 interface StandingMatrixProps {
   symbol: string;
   composite: number | null; // X for the highlighted dot (authoritative, from the scores endpoint)
-  momentum: number | null; // Y for the highlighted dot (the ticker's 12-1 momentum percentile)
+  momentum: number | null; // Y for the highlighted dot (residual 12-1 momentum percentile)
   field: FieldPoint[]; // every tracked ticker, for the background cloud
   gateMomentum: number; // Y divider = the activation gate's momentum percentile
   status: 'top-pick' | 'qualified' | 'none';
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ export default function StandingMatrix({
               <p className="mt-1 text-sm leading-snug text-gray-400">{v.note}</p>
               <div className="mt-3 space-y-1 text-xs text-gray-500">
                 <StatRow label="Quality (composite)" value={`${Math.round(here.composite)}`} />
-                <StatRow label="Momentum percentile" value={`${Math.round(here.momentum)}`} />
+                <StatRow label="Residual momentum percentile" value={`${Math.round(here.momentum)}`} />
                 {confidence != null && <StatRow label="Long confidence" value={`${Math.round(confidence)}%`} />}
               </div>
             </>
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ export default function StandingMatrix({
       </div>
       <p className="mt-2 text-[11px] leading-relaxed text-gray-600">
         Each dot is a tracked ticker; <span className="text-gray-300">this one is highlighted</span>. The dashed line is the
-        activation gate ({Math.round(gate)}th-pct momentum) — above it qualifies for a top pick. Click any peer to open it.
+        activation gate ({Math.round(gate)}th-pct residual momentum) — above it qualifies for a top pick. Click any peer to open it.
       </p>
     </div>
   );

frontend/src/lib/qualification.ts

@@ -33,9 +33,9 @@ export function qualifiesSetup(setup: TradeSetup, config: ActivationConfig): boo
     return false;
   }
   if ((setup.confidence_score ?? 0) < config.min_confidence) return false;
-  // Cross-sectional momentum is the core selection (long-only). While the gate is
-  // active, shorts never qualify; the percentile floor is enforced only when a
-  // percentile is attached, otherwise defer to the floors.
+  // Residual cross-sectional momentum is the core selection (long-only). While
+  // the gate is active, shorts never qualify; the percentile floor is enforced
+  // only when a percentile is attached, otherwise defer to the floors.
   if (config.min_momentum_percentile > 0) {
     if (setup.direction === 'short') return false;
     if (setup.momentum_percentile != null && setup.momentum_percentile < config.min_momentum_percentile) {
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ export function qualifiesSetup(setup: TradeSetup, config: ActivationConfig): boo
 
 /**
  * Symbol of the current single 'top pick' — the #1 row the dashboard highlights:
- * the highest 12-1 momentum percentile among qualified setups (or among all
+ * the highest residual 12-1 momentum percentile among qualified setups (or among all
  * setups when none qualify). Returns null when there are no setups. Keep in step
  * with the Top Setups ranking in DashboardPage.
  */
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ export function topPickSymbol(
 /** Short human summary of the active gate, e.g. for tooltips/labels. */
 export function activationSummary(config: ActivationConfig): string {
   const parts = [];
-  if (config.min_momentum_percentile > 0) parts.push(`top ${(100 - config.min_momentum_percentile).toFixed(0)}% momentum`);
+  if (config.min_momentum_percentile > 0) parts.push(`top ${(100 - config.min_momentum_percentile).toFixed(0)}% residual momentum`);
   parts.push(`R:R ≥ ${config.min_rr.toFixed(1)}`, `conf ≥ ${config.min_confidence.toFixed(0)}%`);
   if (config.exclude_neutral) parts.push('directional');
   if (config.require_high_conviction) parts.push('high-conviction');

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPage.tsx

@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ export default function DashboardPage() {
   );
 
   // Show qualified setups first; fall back to the full list when none qualify.
-  // Rank by 12-1 momentum percentile so the strongest names sit at the top.
+  // Rank by residual 12-1 momentum percentile so the strongest names sit at the top.
   const showingQualified = qualifiedSetups.length > 0;
   const topSetups: TradeSetup[] = useMemo(() => {
     const pool = showingQualified ? qualifiedSetups : trades.data ?? [];
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ export default function DashboardPage() {
                       <th className="px-4 py-3 text-right">Entry</th>
                       <th className="px-4 py-3 text-right">R:R</th>
                       <th className="px-4 py-3 text-right">Target&nbsp;Prob</th>
-                      <th className="px-4 py-3 text-right">Momentum</th>
+                      <th className="px-4 py-3 text-right">Residual Mom.</th>
                       <th className="hidden px-4 py-3 md:table-cell">Action</th>
                     </tr>
                   </thead>

frontend/src/pages/TickerDetailPage.tsx

@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ export default function TickerDetailPage() {
     [setupsForSymbol],
   );
 
-  // Standing matrix: this ticker's momentum percentile + long confidence (from its
+  // Standing matrix: this ticker's residual momentum percentile + long confidence (from its
   // setup), the field (every ticker's composite × momentum) for the cloud, and
   // whether it qualifies / is the top pick.
   const myMomentum = longSetup?.momentum_percentile ?? shortSetup?.momentum_percentile ?? null;
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ export default function TickerDetailPage() {
             <StatusPill
               tone="blue"
               label="★ Top Pick"
-              title="Current top pick — highest-momentum qualified setup right now"
+              title="Current top pick — highest residual-momentum qualified setup right now"
             />
           )}
           {hasOpenTrade && (

tests/unit/test_backtest_service.py

@@ -118,14 +118,30 @@ def test_assigns_raw_and_residual_percentiles_independently():
     assert by_resid[0.10] == 0.0
 
 
+def test_activation_percentile_prefers_residual_with_raw_fallback():
+    cands = [
+        {"momentum_percentile": 80.0, "residual_momentum_percentile": 95.0},
+        {"momentum_percentile": 70.0, "residual_momentum_percentile": None},
+    ]
+
+    bt._assign_activation_momentum_percentiles(cands)
+
+    assert cands[0][bt.PRODUCTION_PERCENTILE_KEY] == 95.0
+    assert cands[1][bt.PRODUCTION_PERCENTILE_KEY] == 70.0
+
+
 def test_strategy_variants_keep_only_current_research_candidates():
     variants = {cfg["variant"]: cfg for cfg in bt.STRATEGY_VARIANTS}
 
+    assert "production_raw_80_fixed10" not in variants
     assert "raw_80_regime_scaled" not in variants
     assert "residual_80_regime_scaled" not in variants
     assert "residual_90_fixed10" not in variants
-    assert variants["raw_90_fixed15"]["max_positions"] == 15
-    assert variants["residual_80_fixed20"]["max_positions"] == 20
+    assert "raw_90_fixed15" not in variants
+    assert "residual_80_fixed20" not in variants
+    assert variants["production_residual_80_fixed10"]["percentile_key"] == bt.PRODUCTION_PERCENTILE_KEY
+    assert variants["legacy_raw_80_fixed10"]["percentile_key"] == bt.RAW_PERCENTILE_KEY
+    assert variants["residual_80_fixed15"]["max_positions"] == 15
     assert all(cfg["risk_scale"] is None for cfg in bt.STRATEGY_VARIANTS)
 
 
@@ -136,6 +152,7 @@ def test_strategy_variant_sims_emit_fixed_variants_without_mutating_qualified(mo
         "direction": "long",
         "momentum_percentile": 90.0,
         "residual_momentum_percentile": 91.0,
+        "activation_momentum_percentile": 91.0,
     }]
     calls = []
 
@@ -168,34 +185,31 @@ def test_strategy_variant_sims_emit_fixed_variants_without_mutating_qualified(mo
 
     assert [r["variant"] for r in rows] == [cfg["variant"] for cfg in bt.STRATEGY_VARIANTS]
     assert all(call["exit_policy"] == "hold" for call in calls)
-    assert any(call["ranking_key"] == "residual_momentum_percentile" for call in calls)
-    assert any(call["max_positions"] == 20 for call in calls)
+    assert any(call["ranking_key"] == bt.PRODUCTION_PERCENTILE_KEY for call in calls)
+    assert any(call["ranking_key"] == bt.RAW_PERCENTILE_KEY for call in calls)
+    assert any(call["max_positions"] == 15 for call in calls)
     assert cands[0]["qualified"] is False
 
 
 def test_build_research_recommendation_applies_promotion_rules():
     report = {
         "strategy_variants": {"variants": [
-            {"variant": "production_raw_80_fixed10", "label": "Base", "sharpe": 1.20,
-             "max_drawdown_pct": 20.0, "cagr_pct": 30.0},
-            {"variant": "residual_80_fixed10", "label": "Residual", "sharpe": 1.35,
-             "max_drawdown_pct": 21.0, "cagr_pct": 31.0, "risk_scale": None},
-            {"variant": "residual_80_fixed20", "label": "Residual 20", "sharpe": 1.40,
-             "max_drawdown_pct": 20.5, "cagr_pct": 32.0, "risk_scale": None},
+            {"variant": "production_residual_80_fixed10", "label": "Base", "sharpe": 1.40,
+             "max_drawdown_pct": 20.0, "cagr_pct": 32.0, "skipped_book_full": 7},
+            {"variant": "residual_80_fixed15", "label": "Capacity", "sharpe": 1.39,
+             "max_drawdown_pct": 20.0, "cagr_pct": 32.0, "skipped_book_full": 0},
             {"variant": "raw_90_fixed10", "label": "Cutoff 90", "sharpe": 1.25,
              "max_drawdown_pct": 19.0, "cagr_pct": 28.0},
-            {"variant": "raw_90_fixed15", "label": "Cutoff 90 / 15", "sharpe": 1.30,
-             "max_drawdown_pct": 18.0, "cagr_pct": 29.0},
         ]},
     }
 
     rec = bt._build_research_recommendation(report)
     by_topic = {item["topic"]: item for item in rec["items"]}
 
-    assert by_topic["residual_momentum"]["candidate"] is True
-    assert "Residual 20" in by_topic["residual_momentum"]["text"]
-    assert by_topic["cutoff_90"]["candidate"] is True
-    assert "Cutoff 90 / 15" in by_topic["cutoff_90"]["text"]
+    assert by_topic["capacity_15"]["candidate"] is False
+    assert "not needed yet" in by_topic["capacity_15"]["text"]
+    assert by_topic["cutoff_90"]["candidate"] is False
+    assert "Cutoff 90" in by_topic["cutoff_90"]["text"]
 
 
 class TestStopFillR:
@@ -305,6 +319,7 @@ def _acand(
         "confidence": conf,
         "action": action,
         "momentum_percentile": mp,
+        "activation_momentum_percentile": mp,
         "direction": direction,
         "meets_core": meets,
         "risk_level": "Low",
@@ -380,6 +395,7 @@ def _sim_cand(
         "stop": stop,
         "target": target,
         "momentum_percentile": mp,
+        "activation_momentum_percentile": mp,
     }
 
 

tests/unit/test_momentum_service.py

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-"""Unit tests for the cross-sectional 12-1 momentum ranking."""
+"""Unit tests for the cross-sectional activation momentum ranking."""
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
@@ -35,6 +35,21 @@ async def _seed(session, symbol: str, rate: float, n: int = 280) -> None:
     await session.commit()
 
 
+async def _seed_closes(session, symbol: str, closes: list[float]) -> None:
+    t = Ticker(symbol=symbol)
+    session.add(t)
+    await session.flush()
+    base = date(2024, 1, 1)
+    for i, close in enumerate(closes):
+        session.add(OHLCVRecord(
+            ticker_id=t.id,
+            date=base + timedelta(days=i),
+            open=close, high=close, low=close, close=close,
+            volume=1_000_000,
+        ))
+    await session.commit()
+
+
 def test_compute_momentum_insufficient_history():
     assert ms.compute_12_1_momentum([100.0] * 100) is None
 
@@ -47,7 +62,11 @@ def test_compute_momentum_value():
     assert m > 0
 
 
-async def test_ranks_universe_into_percentiles(session):
+async def test_ranks_universe_into_raw_percentiles_when_benchmark_missing(session, monkeypatch):
+    async def no_benchmark(_db):
+        return {}
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(ms, "_load_activation_benchmark", no_benchmark)
     await _seed(session, "HIGH", rate=1.010)   # strong uptrend → top momentum
     await _seed(session, "MID", rate=1.002)
     await _seed(session, "LOW", rate=0.999)     # declining → bottom momentum
@@ -58,7 +77,31 @@ async def test_ranks_universe_into_percentiles(session):
     assert pct["LOW"] == 0.0
 
 
-async def test_short_history_ticker_is_unranked(session):
+async def test_ranks_universe_into_residual_percentiles_when_benchmark_available(session, monkeypatch):
+    base = date(2024, 1, 1)
+    n = 280
+    benchmark = {base + timedelta(days=i): 100.0 * (1.001 ** i) for i in range(n)}
+
+    async def with_benchmark(_db):
+        return benchmark
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(ms, "_load_activation_benchmark", with_benchmark)
+    market = [benchmark[base + timedelta(days=i)] for i in range(n)]
+    await _seed_closes(session, "DRIFT", [market[i] * (1.0008 ** i) for i in range(n)])
+    await _seed_closes(session, "BETA", market)
+    await _seed_closes(session, "LAG", [market[i] * (0.9992 ** i) for i in range(n)])
+
+    pct = await ms.compute_momentum_percentiles(session)
+    assert pct["DRIFT"] == 100.0
+    assert pct["BETA"] == 50.0
+    assert pct["LAG"] == 0.0
+
+
+async def test_short_history_ticker_is_unranked(session, monkeypatch):
+    async def no_benchmark(_db):
+        return {}
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(ms, "_load_activation_benchmark", no_benchmark)
     await _seed(session, "LONG", rate=1.005)
     await _seed(session, "SHORTHX", rate=1.005, n=100)  # < 1y → no momentum
 
@@ -67,5 +110,9 @@ async def test_short_history_ticker_is_unranked(session):
     assert "SHORTHX" not in pct
 
 
-async def test_empty_universe_returns_empty(session):
+async def test_empty_universe_returns_empty(session, monkeypatch):
+    async def no_benchmark(_db):
+        return {}
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(ms, "_load_activation_benchmark", no_benchmark)
     assert await ms.compute_momentum_percentiles(session) == {}

tests/unit/test_sentiment_priority.py

@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 """Tests for sentiment-collection scoping (``_get_sentiment_priority_tickers``).
 
-A dashboard 'top pick' is the highest-momentum *qualified* long setup. Sentiment
-can never move a ticker's momentum percentile (the gate's core axis) — only its
+A dashboard 'top pick' is the highest residual-momentum *qualified* long setup. Sentiment
+can never move a ticker's activation percentile (the gate's core axis) — only its
 confidence and EV ranking. So the tickers that are, or could become with positive
-sentiment, a top pick are exactly the momentum leaders that already carry a
+sentiment, a top pick are exactly the residual-momentum leaders that already carry a
 tradeable long setup over the R:R floor. These tests pin that priority tier
 (always refreshed, cap-exempt) and the capped filler tier behind it.
 """