Calculating position size quickly

Discussion in 'Trading' started by jimbogf, Sep 15, 2013.

  1. jimbogf

    jimbogf

    I hope this isn't a dumb question. Is there a way to calculate position size quickly in my head without having to take my eyes off the screen and using a calculator while daytrading? Every second counts.

    There have been more than a few times I've seen a setup in my watchlist and scrambled to calculate a position size and make an order only to see the ask get eaten up in the 10-20 ish seconds I've taken to make an order.

    Example: I want to buy around $8k worth of shares of "xyz" at $23.27 What is the fastest most efficient way to calculate how many shares I need? Preferably in my head. It's easy to calculate a 1-3% gain in your head, how about position sizing?
     
  2. ?..... Round the price up and down to an "easy number" to divide. For example, instead of $23.27, round the price to $20 and $25 and then do the division. :cool:
     
  3. kut2k2

    kut2k2

    Seriously? I think you should be more concerned about whether $8K is the right amount to invest than the fastest way to calculate how many shares equal the $8K.
     
  4. Excel window or iPad spreadsheet with round number calculations for easy determination or some sort of semi automation.
     
  5. +1 here. An excel spreadsheet where you just plugin a few numbers can work wonders here.
     
  6. jimbogf

    jimbogf

    It was an... example, really dude?
     
  7. jimbogf

    jimbogf

    8k divided by 20 = 400. some where just below 400 then around 360-380 shares.
    I've been too dependent on my calculator. Ha