2013 Trade Analysis

Well I can't say I'm happy about how the year went but I didn't blow up any accounts or do any major damage that can't be overcome.  Over the past 12 months, I took $50,013 and turned it into $43,019 for a net loss of -$6994 or -14%.  As mentioned, this is the third year in a row I have been gross positive, but net negative.  I can't seem to cover my commissions.  Previous year's analysis: 2010, 2011, 2012.

If you look at the 4 years I have been showing my equity curve, I have actually grossed $57,179 in profits but after deducting commissions, my net is a loss of -$9065.  Most of this gross gain was in 2010 but the bottom line is I have not demonstrated any consistent edge since then that can overcome the cost of commissions.

Delving into the numbers for 2013 below, I noted (no surprise) that my better months tended to be when my Avg$Win/Avg$Loss (Reward:Risk) was higher.  On the bright side, ZS was again my best symbol and I also did okay with system trades in 6E.

Looking just at NQ and ZS which I traded most often:

A few more looking at all trades below.  The 4th chart isn't as smooth as some past years but once again it proves that it's really hard to produce a consistent winner in the first minutes a trade is open. It takes time to recoup spread, slippage, and commission.

That's it for now. I'll elaborate more on my plan for 2014 in January. My trading may be limited for the short term as I work on plans. Happy 2014 to all!

Quarter 4 2013 Trading Results

December Trading Results

Net breakdown (contracts traded):
ZS $911(85), ES $58(16), NQ $36(141), TF -$2766(33), CL -$1131(7), 6E $856(4)

RESULTS FOR DECEMBER
Contracts:	286
Net $P/L:	-2036
Wins:	45
Losses:	56
Win%:	45
$Commissions:	986
Avg$Win:	274
Avg$Loss:	-257

Tues. 12/31

11:35am CST - Year end wrap-up coming later but the abbreviated version is that I lost $7k or 14% of my equity this year.  Final equity curve on the right.  It is also the third year in a row that I was gross positive but did not cover commissions.

To address the comments from a couple days ago, I understand your concern but my blog does not provide you enough information for you to decide my future. Sure, everyone has an opinion and my trading results are 100% transparent but you do not know the whole picture of my life, other income sources, etc.  Trading remains my passion and "past performance does not guarantee future results" works both ways.  The future is unknown of course, but good trading to all in 2014!

Net breakdown (contracts traded):
ZS $340(2), TF -$220(4)

RESULTS FOR DAY
Contracts:	6
Net $P/L:	119
Wins:	2
Losses:	2
Win%:	50
Avg$Win:	174
Avg$Loss:	-114

Mon. 12/30

2:50pm CST - In case you haven't heard, CME is raising some prices. I'm sure your broker, like mine, will pass these along.  Starting in 2 days, you will pay 2 cents more per roundtrip for E-minis and 28 cents more for grains. 
Net breakdown (contracts traded):
ZS -$281(6), NQ $24(10)

RESULTS FOR DAY
Contracts:	16
Net $P/L:	-257
Wins:	2
Losses:	4
Win%:	33
Avg$Win:	147
Avg$Loss:	-138

Thurs. 12/26

3:00pm CST - Beans ended up moving more than I thought they would.

RESULTS FOR DAY
ZS Contracts:	4
Net $P/L:	204
Wins:	2
Losses:	0
Win%:	100
Avg$Win:	102
Avg$Loss:	0

Mon. 12/23

5:50pm CST - Made 1 attempt today and figured that was enough.  It went a few points in favor before stopping me out.  I'm in Holiday mode now!

RESULTS FOR DAY
NQ Contracts:	2
Net $P/L:	5
Wins:	1
Losses:	0
Win%:	100
Avg$Win:	5
Avg$Loss:	0

Fri. 12/20

2:00pm CST - For the week, net gain $274. 

RESULTS FOR DAY
ZS Contracts:	4
Net $P/L:	604
Wins:	2
Losses:	0
Win%:	100
Avg$Win:	302
Avg$Loss:	0

Thurs. 12/19

2:00pm CST - Chopped to pieces. No FOMC to bail me out today!  Nearly had a nice ZS day if not for a stop out to exact tick....
Net breakdown (contracts traded):
ZS -$356(6), NQ -$1257(35)

RESULTS FOR DAY
Contracts:	41
Net $P/L:	-1613
Wins:	1
Losses:	8
Win%:	11
Avg$Win:	37
Avg$Loss:	-206

Wed. 12/18 -FOMC Day

3:00pm CST - Tough start to the day and nearly threw in the towel but I knew FOMC would give plenty of opportunity to get out of the hole.  Very frustrating day on ZS which is rolling over and I did quit on that just before it dropped 20 cents!

Net breakdown (contracts traded):
ZS -$841(8), NQ $1036(74), 6E $441(2)

RESULTS FOR DAY
Contracts:	84
Net $P/L:	635
Wins:	6
Losses:	14
Win%:	30
Avg$Win:	635
Avg$Loss:	-227

Tues. 12/17

3:05pm CST - First time in many, many months I clicked the wrong part of my DOM.  I meant to click in middle to set an alert but I clicked the "buy" part instead and got in long accidentally on my first trade.  I bailed right away for a $25 loss.

Net breakdown (contracts traded):
ZS $204(4), NQ $108(16)

RESULTS FOR DAY
Contracts:	20
Net $P/L:	312
Wins:	5
Losses:	3
Win%:	63
Avg$Win:	102
Avg$Loss:	-65

Mon. 12/16 & CTA Performers

2:25pm CST - Yes, I should have held long trades in both symbols for much much much longer...

Net breakdown (contracts traded):
ZS $215(2), NQ $120(4)

RESULTS FOR DAY
Contracts:	6
Net $P/L:	334
Wins:	2
Losses:	1
Win%:	67
Avg$Win:	170
Avg$Loss:	-5

CTA Performance
Below is from Barclay's 4th Quarter 2013 Managed Funds Report. Interesting to me is "largest drawdown" amounts and the fact that most of them normally have 3 or 4 losing months each year.

In other news, you can trade penny stocks and become a millionaire! I wonder how much Tim Sykes paid CNN to publish this "story?"

Fri. 12/13

2:55pm CST - Friday the 13th...  For the week, net gain $751.

Net breakdown (contracts traded):
ZS $4(4), TF -$846(6)

RESULTS FOR DAY
Contracts:	10
Net $P/L:	-841
Wins:	1
Losses:	4
Win%:	20
Avg$Win:	165
Avg$Loss:	-252

Thurs. 12/12

2:50pm CST - Should have held the initial short!

RESULTS FOR DAY
ZS Contracts:	10
Net $P/L:	398
Wins:	3
Losses:	2
Win%:	60
Avg$Win:	206
Avg$Loss:	-110

Wed. 12/11

2:15pm CST -

Net breakdown (contracts traded):
ZS -$854(8), TF $917(1)

RESULTS FOR DAY
Contracts:	9
Net $P/L:	64
Wins:	1
Losses:	3
Win%:	25
Avg$Win:	917
Avg$Loss:	-285

Tues. 12/10

1:20pm CST - Crop report made for an interesting day as predicted.  Did okay once I got on the right side.

RESULTS FOR DAY
ZS Contracts:	14
Net $P/L:	628
Wins:	4
Losses:	2
Win%:	67
Avg$Win:	325
Avg$Loss:	-335

Mon. 12/09

1:25pm CST - Guess I can live with $62 in slippage when I can make $500 in under a minute.  Tomorrow's monthly crop report at 11am CST will make for an interesting day in grains.

RESULTS FOR DAY
ZS Contracts:	2
Net $P/L:	502
Wins:	1
Losses:	0
Win%:	100
Avg$Win:	502
Avg$Loss:	0

Guess I'm not the only one having a bad year. This likely lends to the theory that trading is becoming harder, not easier.

Fri. 12/06

2:25pm CST - Traded ES just after NFP reports and couldn't get anything to stick.  Glad this week is over.  For week, down net -$3132.

Net breakdown (contracts traded):
ZS $7(6), TF $7(1), ES $58(16)

RESULTS FOR DAY
Contracts:	23
Net $P/L:	72
Wins:	5
Losses:	4
Win%:	56
Avg$Win:	280
Avg$Loss:	-332

Thurs. 12/05

2:20pm CST - I should know better. Increasing size on a discretionary TF system that I haven't traded live for that long knowing that there are a limited number of trading days left in year which means a limited number of days to get back to breakeven or above, is not the most sound approach.  On the plus side, a 6E system trade worked very well.
Net breakdown (contracts traded):
6E $416(2), TF -$2481(12)

RESULTS FOR DAY
Contracts:	14
Net $P/L:	-2066
Wins:	1
Losses:	3
Win%:	25
Avg$Win:	416
Avg$Loss:	-827

Wed. 12/04

1:30pm CST - Missed the move up (in soybeans too!) and thought I got enough of the move down...

RESULTS FOR DAY
TF Contracts:	2
Net $P/L:	515
Wins:	1
Losses:	0
Win%:	100
Avg$Win:	515
Avg$Loss:	0

Tues. 12/03

2:55pm CST -
Net breakdown (contracts traded):
ZS $35(3), TF -$490(4)

RESULTS FOR DAY
Contracts:	7
Net $P/L:	-456
Wins:	2
Losses:	2
Win%:	50
Avg$Win:	35
Avg$Loss:	-263

Mon. 12/02

3:30pm CST -
Net breakdown (contracts traded):
ZS $102(2), TF -$168(3), CL -$1131(7)

RESULTS FOR DAY
Contracts:	12
Net $P/L:	-1197
Wins:	3
Losses:	4
Win%:	43
Avg$Win:	95
Avg$Loss:	-371

November Trading Summary

Net breakdown (contracts traded):
ZS $1652(19), ES $207(2), TF $821(118), 6E -$194(4)

RESULTS FOR NOVEMBER
Contracts:	143
Net $P/L:	2486
Wins:	68
Losses:	47
Win%:	59
$Commissions:	431
Avg$Win:	322
Avg$Loss:	-543

Fri. 11/29

12:25pm CST - Saw a nice gap open for ZS on this shortened day so decided to trade.  No luck and every trade went against me so glad to be out for even.  

RESULTS FOR DAY
ZS Contracts:	8
Net $P/L:	9
Wins:	2
Losses:	2
Win%:	50
Avg$Win:	92
Avg$Loss:	-88

Wed. 11/27

11:25am CST - Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Net breakdown (contracts traded):
ZS $207(1), TF $102(3)

RESULTS FOR DAY
Contracts:	4
Net $P/L:	309
Wins:	3
Losses:	0
Win%:	100
Avg$Win:	103
Avg$Loss:	0

Tues. 11/26 + Custom Audio Alerts

2:25pm CST - The first 45 min or so were so dead I did not expect anything much to happen today and passed on lots of buy signals on the slow crawl up!

RESULTS FOR DAY
TF Contracts:	4
Net $P/L:	50
Wins:	1
Losses:	2
Win%:	33
Avg$Win:	215
Avg$Loss:	-83

Custom Audio Alerts

For those that like to have your trading software make noises at you when an indicator says it's time to enter a trade or time to look for a trade, did you know it's real easy to create custom .wav files? I watch several markets so I have custom wav files say "Soybeans" or "Nasdaq", etc. using Voice Recognition software. And to alert me to which indicator on a chart might be firing I combine wav files to create, for example, one that makes the "boing" noise followed instantly by the robotic voice saying "Soybeans". The sky is the limit. I guess you can record your own voice with your microphone but I don't want to hear myself bark out alerts to myself and the computer generated voices sound much more professional and allow you to select different voices and vary the pitch, etc.

Anyways, if interested, the links to the free software I use are below.
Speakonia - Voice Recognition Software
Audacity - Audio Editor (to combine .wav files)

For Ninja users, if you don't know how to allow the selection of a wav file in the indicator's parameters, here's the basic code you can add to the proper sections.  Be sure you put any custom wav files you create into the C:\Program Files (x86)\NinjaTrader 7\sounds folder.  Email me if you need any help.

Ninjascript
#region Variables
private string alarmFilename = @"Bullet.wav"; //default alarm
private bool soundAlarm = false;
#endregion

protected override void OnBarUpdate()
if (SoundAlarm)
PlaySound(alarmFilename);

#region Properties
[Description("Sound Alarm when triggered")]
[GridCategory("Parameters")]
public bool SoundAlarm
{
get { return soundAlarm; }
set { soundAlarm = value; }
}
[Description("Filename of Alarm from Ninja folder")]
[GridCategory("Parameters")]
public string AlarmFilename
{
get { return alarmFilename; }
set { alarmFilename = value; }
}
#endregion

Mon. 11/25

3:30pm CST - Just 2 trades today, short TF and long ZS.

Net breakdown (contracts traded):
ZS $77(2), TF $307(1)

RESULTS FOR DAY
Contracts:	3
Net $P/L:	385
Wins:	2
Losses:	0
Win%:	100
Avg$Win:	192
Avg$Loss:	0

Fri. 11/22

2:35pm CST - Tough day again but at least I eeked out a tiny gain.  For the week, net gain $788.  That's not even a tick per contract traded.  This week has been a bit of a break from strategy work and I plan to retool some things this weekend and perhaps test drive a new method next week.  We'll see. With Thanksgiving on Thurs., I expect a quiet week.

RESULTS FOR DAY
TF Contracts:	28
Net $P/L:	27
Wins:	11
Losses:	10
Win%:	52
Avg$Win:	93
Avg$Loss:	-99

Symbol Range, Part 2

For those that use NinjaTrader and are data geeks like me, I thought I'd share the indicator I made that you can use to pretty quickly analyze any chart data (see Sat. post).  You can download it here
(EDIT: - after selecting download link you will see a couple files. You don't want either of those but the ".zip" file.  At the top of page you'll see "File Edit View Help" menus.  Select File, then download to get the .zip file.)  and then in Ninja, "File - Utilities - Import NinjaScript..." and it should appear in your indicator list as SymbolRange.

It prints data to the Output Window in Ninja so be sure you have that open.  You can save that data as a .csv file and then open in Excel if you want to analyze further. I purposely put commas between the labels and the data just so I could import to Excel.  If you use a super fast chart (like a 1-tick) it will make your CPU crawl so be careful not to have too many days of data on your chart.  For a 1-tick chart, less than 15 days isn't bad!  For minute data, years is very quick.

Output examples looking at range for first two hours on 11/20:
11/20/2013 10:30:00 AM, 83000 to 103000, NQ, Total$Range=,385, TotalTickRange=,77, TickRangeEachBarSummed=,7827, (1 Tick chart), Ratio=,101.65

11/20/2013 10:30:00 AM, 83000 to 103000, TF, Total$Range=,890, TotalTickRange=,89, TickRangeEachBarSummed=,6769, (1 Tick chart), Ratio=,76.06

11/20/2013 10:30:00 AM, 83000 to 103000, YM, Total$Range=,340, TotalTickRange=,68, TickRangeEachBarSummed=,5606, (1 Tick chart), Ratio=,82.44

11/20/2013 10:30:00 AM, 83000 to 103000, ES, Total$Range=,425, TotalTickRange=,34, TickRangeEachBarSummed=,7348, (1 Tick chart), Ratio=,216.12

You can compare the range of any symbol against others or compare various time intervals of a day within the same symbol.

Another example looking at past 42 trading days, and averaging data in Excel, proves quantitatively what we all know, that the middle period of day (lunch time) is much less volatile.

"TickRangeEachBarSummed" for a 1-tick chart represents the total "travel" of every wiggle in price.  This is of course dependent on your data provider and may vary depending on if they filter the data you are charting.  "TickRangeEachBarSummed" for any other chart type is the addition of every bar's High minus its Low.

Thurs. 11/21

2:30pm CST - Should have quit after the first trade...

RESULTS FOR DAY
TF Contracts:	30
Net $P/L:	101
Wins:	13
Losses:	9
Win%:	59
Avg$Win:	89
Avg$Loss:	-117

Wed. 11/20

3:15pm CST - One 6E system trade and too many TF trades (discretionary).

Net breakdown (contracts traded):
6E $441(2), TF -$164(32)

RESULTS FOR DAY
Contracts:	34
Net $P/L:	277
Wins:	18
Losses:	12
Win%:	60
Avg$Win:	92
Avg$Loss:	-115

Tues. 11/19

3:15pm CST -

RESULTS FOR DAY
TF Contracts:	8
Net $P/L:	369
Wins:	5
Losses:	3
Win%:	63
Avg$Win:	121
Avg$Loss:	-79

If you missed this good news yesterday, Federal Court in New York Orders MF Global Inc. to Pay over $1 Billion in Restitution!

Mon. 11/18

3:25pm CST -

RESULTS FOR DAY
TF Contracts:	10
Net $P/L:	14
Wins:	4
Losses:	5
Win%:	44
Avg$Win:	109
Avg$Loss:	-85

Symbol Range

Daily figures updated on how much range various symbols cover, on average, each day during their opening 2 hours...

Fri. 11/15

11:20am CST - Still working on the plan forward but took 2 short TF trades today and got some lunch money after the potential proceeds for a wild weekend! :)

RESULTS FOR DAY
TF Contracts:	2
Net $P/L:	15
Wins:	2
Losses:	0
Win%:	100
Avg$Win:	7
Avg$Loss:	0

Mon. 11/11

2:35pm CST - Not worth mentioning, but took 1 trade at open last night that stopped out for a tick. Happy Veteran's day to all who have served!

RESULTS FOR DAY
ZS Contracts:	1
Net $P/L:	7
Wins:	1
Losses:	0
Win%:	100
Avg$Win:	7
Avg$Loss:	0

Fri. 11/08

1:45pm CST - Crazy day with NFP and Crop reports.  Mad at my self for moving a stop in a 6E system trade.  Some day I will learn to never break my rules.  Ever!

Net breakdown (contracts traded):
6E -$5(1), ES $207(2), ZS $1351(7)

RESULTS FOR DAY
Contracts:	10
Net $P/L:	1554
Wins:	6
Losses:	3
Win%:	67
Avg$Win:	328
Avg$Loss:	-138

Thurs. 11/17

3:20pm CST - Took a full stop on a 6E system trade.

RESULTS FOR DAY
6E Contracts:	1
Net $P/L:	-630
Wins:	0
Losses:	1
Win%:	0
Avg$Win:	0
Avg$Loss:	-630

Mon. 11/04

3:20pm CST - No trades for me yet this month.  Working on the plan and new systems.  It's been 3 months since I've been focusing mostly on discretionary trading and I can't say I like the results.  For this reason, I'm going back to predominately mechanical system trading.  That's not to say there won't be some discretion on occasion but I plan to make it very limited.

The method I mentioned last week that I dusted off and thought was a good way forward I am less keen on now.  After more testing it does not produce enough profit per trade, ~2 ticks gross at best, and has too erratic of equity curve.

An update on my TF system I stopped trading 3 months ago now is that I've missed out on about $2400 in gains.  It's still performing below the average line but within expectations and I will continue to track this and may resume trading it if I don't find a better use of my time and capital.

The only other system I have right now which I have been trading is a 6E system. It only signals about 3-4 times a month and I've taken 2 trades in Sept. and one in Oct.  So far, all winners for about $1300 total.

October Trading Summary

Net breakdown (contracts traded):
ZS $309(20), CL -$248(4), NQ -$6926(550), 6E $570(1)

RESULTS FOR OCTOBER
Contracts:	575
Net $P/L:	-6294
Wins:	45
Losses:	76
Win%:	37
$Commissions:	1567
Avg$Win:	302
Avg$Loss:	-261

Thurs. 10/31

1:25pm CDT - Just a ZS trade today.

RESULTS FOR DAY
ZS Contracts:	2
Net $P/L:	27
Wins:	1
Losses:	0
Win%:	100
Avg$Win:	27
Avg$Loss:	0

Wed. 10/30

3:50pm CDT - No trades yesterday thanks to AT&T U-verse 14 hour outage!  It affected a "limited" number of customers nationwide after a software upgrade to residential gateways caused them all to have to reauthorize at same time and the servers couldn't cope.  That's one story I read anyways.

Today's CFTC meeting on enhancing customer protections that was webcast today got pretty boring and was basically a non-event. You can read some it here under "October 30."

RESULTS FOR DAY
NQ Contracts:	15
Net $P/L:	-339
Wins:	4
Losses:	7
Win%:	36
Avg$Win:	122
Avg$Loss:	-118

Mon. 10/28

2:50pm CDT - Out with the old, in with the new.  I tossed out my old discretionary approach I had been trading and dusted off something I had developed years ago.  I'm not sure why I didn't pursue it more back then but I think it's a good way forward for me.  Starting small size for now...

RESULTS FOR DAY
NQ Contracts:	1
Net $P/L:	67
Wins:	1
Losses:	0
Win%:	100
Avg$Win:	67
Avg$Loss:	0

Thurs. 10/24

10:15am CDT - Time for a break.  Down 14% on year.

RESULTS FOR DAY
NQ Contracts:	45
Net $P/L:	-3038
Wins:	0
Losses:	7
Win%:	0
Avg$Win:	0
Avg$Loss:	-434

Wed. 10/23

2:40pm CDT - You can't accuse me of only showing winning trades...  (ZS winner not shown)

Net breakdown (contracts traded):
ZS $215(2), NQ -$1029(30)

RESULTS FOR DAY
Contracts:	32
Net $P/L:	-814
Wins:	1
Losses:	6
Win%:	14
Avg$Win:	215
Avg$Loss:	-171

Tues. 10/22

3:50pm CDT - An NQ trade stopped out for a tick and a 6E system trade made it to target.
Net breakdown (contracts traded):
6E $570(1), NQ $12(5)

RESULTS FOR DAY
Contracts:	6
Net $P/L:	582
Wins:	2
Losses:	0
Win%:	100
Avg$Win:	291
Avg$Loss:	0

Mon. 10/21

11:35am CDT - Today, like Fri. was a good example of why wider stops are a mixed bag. Earlier last week they did great for me and allowed trades to work. But today I take 2 losses and I'm done, not willing to risk more. Both trades today I had the direction correct but just got in way too early.  And getting stopped out 3 ticks of the high is always fun! In hindsight, there are of course reasons I should have managed things differently. I have been mostly using longer timeframes (5 min.) but am considering at even longer (15 min.) after some work over the weekend. Taking larger losses is okay as long as they match up with wins of equal or greater size (I've yet to prove I can actually do this). I've always believed that I can be a very happy trader if my typical week results in 4 days that cancel each other out and 1 day with solid wins. The road to get there however, is proving rocky.

RESULTS FOR DAY
NQ Contracts:	15
Net $P/L:	-1834
Wins:	0
Losses:	2
Win%:	0
Avg$Win:	0
Avg$Loss:	-917

Fri. 10/18

10:20am CDT - Took 2 early losses, ~$1700 total, and then had a nice long trade that came within 2 ticks of breakeven for the day.  I stubbornly kept my stop just above entry to give trade lots of room to work higher and paid the price when price worked lower to stop me out.  Calling it a day early to work on strategies.  For the week, net loss -$159.
Net breakdown (contracts traded):
ZS -$21(4), NQ -$1743(45)

RESULTS FOR DAY
Contracts:	49
Net $P/L:	-1764
Wins:	1
Losses:	5
Win%:	17
Avg$Win:	224
Avg$Loss:	-398

This infographic tells us what we all know but most passive investors do not...
The Myth of the Successful Money Manager

Thurs. 10/17

1:30pm CDT - The market wore me down today.  Too many mistakes...

RESULTS FOR DAY
NQ Contracts:	45
Net $P/L:	-493
Wins:	3
Losses:	5
Win%:	38
Avg$Win:	216
Avg$Loss:	-228

Wed. 10/16

12:45pm CDT - Not sure what afternoon gyrations will be but I'm content to call it a day after catching a good chunk of the early up move.

RESULTS FOR DAY
NQ Contracts:	20
Net $P/L:	1063
Wins:	1
Losses:	2
Win%:	33
Avg$Win:	1774
Avg$Loss:	-356

Tues. 10/15

2:25pm CDT - With the market jumping up and down on every new headline coming out of Congress about debt ceiling/default negotiations, today felt more like gambling.  Glad to get out positive after being down, unrealized, more than $1800 at one point. 

RESULTS FOR DAY
NQ Contracts:	30
Net $P/L:	521
Wins:	3
Losses:	1
Win%:	75
Avg$Win:	445
Avg$Loss:	-813

Mon. 10/14

1:45pm CDT - Between Columbus Day here, Canadian Thanksgiving, and Chung Yeung Day in Hong Kong, I didn't expect much today.  Turns out there was another $2500 move up after I got out of a winning long trade.  And after seeing this, why is it we celebrate Columbus?

RESULTS FOR DAY
NQ Contracts:	10
Net $P/L:	514
Wins:	1
Losses:	1
Win%:	50
Avg$Win:	737
Avg$Loss:	-223

Fri. 10/11

2:50pm CDT - A good week but same problem as yesterday.  Trailed a stop too soon and too tight.  For the week net +$3052.  I heard this song today and it reminded me, like many things do, of my trading journey.  Comments from last Friday's post seem to indicate that opinions are across the board regarding not having a back up plan as a winning attribute.  Time will tell.  In the meantime, I will carry on!

RESULTS FOR DAY
NQ Contracts:	5
Net $P/L:	512
Wins:	1
Losses:	0
Win%:	100
Avg$Win:	512
Avg$Loss:	0

Thurs. 10/10

3:00pm CDT - When will I learn?  Had 4 good trade entries but only got 6 pts. out of the 41 pt. NQ range today.  When trades go instantly in my favor, I tend to trail a stop to quickly and, of course, I get stopped.

RESULTS FOR DAY
NQ Contracts:	23
Net $P/L:	575
Wins:	4
Losses:	1
Win%:	80
Avg$Win:	147
Avg$Loss:	-13

Wed. 10/09

3:25pm CDT - Last 3 trades today were CL.  I mistakenly thought there might some good, tradeable moves just after the inventory report.

Net breakdown (contracts traded):
NQ $848(20), CL -$243(3)

RESULTS FOR DAY
Contracts:	23
Net $P/L:	604
Wins:	3
Losses:	4
Win%:	43
Avg$Win:	516
Avg$Loss:	-236

Tues. 10/08

9:35am CDT -

RESULTS FOR DAY
NQ Contracts:	5
Net $P/L:	987
Wins:	1
Losses:	0
Win%:	100
Avg$Win:	987
Avg$Loss:	0

Mon. 10/07

2:30pm CDT -

RESULTS FOR DAY
NQ Contracts:	10
Net $P/L:	374
Wins:	1
Losses:	1
Win%:	50
Avg$Win:	987
Avg$Loss:	-613

Fri. 10/04

12:45pm CDT - Revamped the trade plan to focus on slower timeframe charts, fewer trades (2-3 per day per symbol), and wider stops.  Of course the market laughs at my plan on the first day trading it.  And the 4th trade, which I did not take, went over $2500 in the money.  What do they say, without bad luck I'd have no luck at all?

RESULTS FOR DAY
NQ Contracts:	15
Net $P/L:	-2089
Wins:	0
Losses:	3
Win%:	0
Avg$Win:	0
Avg$Loss:	-696

Weekend thoughts: This graphic spoke to me when I saw it. "You're going to have to sell" doesn't really apply but the rest are spot on when it comes to trading imho. I really like "Don't have a backup plan!" :)
** 8 Things Successful People Traders Do and Why They Work **

Thurs. 10/03

3:15pm CDT - Before my daily curve fell off a cliff, I had at least 6 NQ trades that stopped out at breakeven to instantly go at least 5 pts in the planned direction.  Extreme frustration.  Took a large loss on trade #21 because I decided my stops were too tight for today's wild action.  That didn't work either.  Discretionary trading is still as hard as ever...

Net breakdown (contracts traded):
ZS -$46(4), NQ -$1525(101)

RESULTS FOR DAY
Contracts:	105
Net $P/L:	-1570
Wins:	7
Losses:	15
Win%:	32
Avg$Win:	97
Avg$Loss:	-150

Wed. 10/02

3:00pm CDT - Couldn't quite get back yesterday's loss but close enough.  Captured some consecutive screen shots of ZS DOM which shows why you shouldn't always let really high ASK quantity keep you from taking longs.

  

Net breakdown (contracts traded):
ZS $4(4), NQ $807(45)

RESULTS FOR DAY
Contracts:	49
Net $P/L:	811
Wins:	6
Losses:	5
Win%:	55
Avg$Win:	246
Avg$Loss:	-133