E-mini Rookie Trading Journal

Discussion in 'Journals' started by bronks, May 30, 2002.

  1. bronks

    bronks

    FUTURES TRADES
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Trade Time Exchange Description Qty Trade Price Set
    Price Gain/Loss *
    ----------------- --------- ----------- ----- -----------
    ----------- ----------- -
    02-07-31 11:05:47 GLOBEX NQ SEP02 -1 955.0000
    964.5000 -190.00
    02-07-31 11:22:00 GLOBEX NQ SEP02 1 958.0000
    964.5000 130.00
    02-07-31 12:03:04 GLOBEX NQ SEP02 -1 959.5000
    964.5000 -100.00
    02-07-31 12:11:49 GLOBEX NQ SEP02 1 959.5000
    964.5000 100.00
    02-07-31 12:12:02 GLOBEX NQ SEP02 1 960.0000
    964.5000 90.00
    02-07-31 12:28:46 GLOBEX NQ SEP02 -1 957.0000
    964.5000 -150.00
    02-07-31 12:53:14 GLOBEX NQ SEP02 1 956.5000
    964.5000 160.00
    02-07-31 13:19:18 GLOBEX NQ SEP02 -1 952.5000
    964.5000 -240.00
    02-07-31 13:42:54 GLOBEX NQ SEP02 1 953.5000
    964.5000 220.00
    02-07-31 13:45:27 GLOBEX NQ SEP02 -1 951.5000
    964.5000 -260.00
    02-07-31 13:51:42 GLOBEX NQ SEP02 -1 949.5000
    964.5000 -300.00
    02-07-31 14:06:44 GLOBEX NQ SEP02 1 942.5000
    964.5000 440.00
    02-07-31 15:08:33 GLOBEX NQ SEP02 1 947.0000
    964.5000 350.00
    02-07-31 15:21:07 GLOBEX NQ SEP02 -1 951.5000
    964.5000 -260.00
    02-07-31 15:25:39 GLOBEX NQ SEP02 1 953.5000
    964.5000 220.00
    02-07-31 15:29:49 GLOBEX NQ SEP02 -1 950.0000
    964.5000 -290.00
    02-07-31 15:34:52 GLOBEX NQ SEP02 1 952.0000
    964.5000 250.00
    02-07-31 15:38:09 GLOBEX NQ SEP02 -1 956.5000
    964.5000 -160.00
    =====
    ===========
    0
    10.00


    ===========
    USD
    Total: 10.00


    FUTURES GAIN/LOSS SUMMARY
    ----------------------------------------------------------------

    Gain/Loss From Futures Trades
    10.00


    ============
    USD Total:
    10.00


    ==========================================================================================

    ACCOUNT STATUS
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    USD
    Starting cash balance 4103.60
    Settled: 4103.60
    Cash deposits/withdrawals 0.00
    Total Futures Gain/Loss 10.00
    Total Commissions -43.20
    ==============
    ==============
    ==> Ending cash balance 4070.40
    Settled: 4070.40
     
    #281     Jul 31, 2002
  2. Hi...

    I'm glad you and I know it's not a waste of time to all traders.

    There are a few (including I) that if we come across someone that's been around the block a few times...with a thicker wallet at each turn...that's someone we as traders should do whatever it takes to absorb as much info as possible or as much as your willing to give.

    I hope bronks seeks out advice from you or anybody else that has a good grasp of trading...if needed.

    I know this is bronks journal but I want to tell 3 stories that happen today:

    I was in 4 mIRC rooms today and 1 ICQ group chat...in 5 private chats...

    Via ICQ...I watch 1 trader that consistently has losses giving advice to another trader that consistently has losses...both telling a seasoned trader that her strategies are old and not reliable in today's market...today, both had their worst trading days in months. ...however, she closed up +18 points (4 trades).

    Via mIRC...I watch a pro today make +21 ES points on 2 contracts (6 trades) while helping a newbie trader be profitable for the first time in weeks.

    Via mIRC...I watch another pro make +27 NQ points on 2 contracts (3 trades) teach another pro that asked for quick advice after his first trade of the day put him down -166.50 NQ points on 27 contracts...by market end...was up +52.50 NQ points (14 trades).

    My point is this...if seasoned successful traders pay close attention to one another...why shouldn't newbies keep an open ear to a pro?

    I think that's bronks purpose of his journal...it's his way of keeping an open ear to any suggestions a trader makes...to later decide which merits further investigation.

    At least that's what I hope he is doing :)

    Further...I'm learning how we respond to a dismal situation or market environment...will ultimately play an important role whether we succeed or fail

    Mike...keep talking (share some insights of your trading day)...I'm listening and would greatly welcome such insights.

    Maybe its time for a trader to start a journal on what he sees each trading day via a few specific trades by others...could be an interesting twist via what he/she saw others take and why (trade setup).

    Note: Pro = Trader that's been around the block a few times and still making a living in this business.

    NihabaAshi
     
    #282     Jul 31, 2002
  3. tamvik

    tamvik

    Trend Fader

    Thanks a lot for a prompt reply I realy enjoy your posts
    Please continue to post your experience so I can learn.
    I have more questions to ask but have to think what is the best
    way to present them to you so it will make sense.
    Once again thanks for your prompt reply to my question
    I have to digest it now.


    tamvik
     
    #283     Aug 1, 2002
  4. C. Coffee

    C. Coffee

    Could you clarify something?

    When you say down -166.50 NQ points on 27 contracts and finishing up +52.50, do you mean down 6 nq points and finishing up 2 nq points overall regardless of contract size? I'm assuming so, but if not then you you lost me. Same question goes for the 21 ES point trades (10.5 points?) and 27 NQ point trades (13.5?) mentioned.

    I'm use to seeing just points gained or lost regardless of contract size as we all trade different size.

    Thanks for sharing the experiences.

    :)
     
    #284     Aug 1, 2002
  5. I have been getting some emails asking me about my trading history.. here it goes..

    I started out 8 years ago trading my own personal account. In the very beginning I made a killing purely using technical analysis. I quickly doubled my account in a matter months. I though I was God and the best trader in the world.. then as you all guess.. I blew up. I lost nearly half of what I started with. I realized my gains were all luck.. and that I really didn't have a plan.

    Then I took time off. Read dozens of books, studied the markets like a student. I stepped back in the market a year later.. using cautious risk measures, sound entry and exit techniques based on technical analysis.. etc. After doing this for a year... I was not going anywhere in my account. Every time I had a winning streak and started making $.. I just got killed and went back to ground zero. I was working a night job and on the weekends to make my real money.

    Then I developed a system to fade trends and started to apply a mechanical approach to entry and timing... and discretionary approach for exit. I figured that if I enter and the trade is going the right way... I will figure out how to exit with my profit or loss as it happens. Who care about the exit so much.. its all about timing the entry.. and when I have a profit I will take it as it comes. I started to make some nice money. But I lacked consistency. My equity chart was really one big roller coaster. Although I was net profitable with this new plan... I couldn't handle the volatility and wild drawdowns. I figured.. I'd rather make less $ if I can make it consistently.. then make boat loads of $ and lose boat loads of $.. and somehow come out a head.

    Then I went totally mechanical and traded the Indices. Only override my system a few times regarding entry.. but once trade was on.. it was purely mechanical. I totally focused on exit and only traded intraday a few times a week. I realized something amazing. Although I was making less at a slower pace.. I had consistency in my gains. I felt comfortable trading. Been doing this for quite some time and have been very happy.

    Personally, my objective in the market is to make $ consistently. I don't like it when my profits or loss get way out of hand. I realized I have become a pro trader after learning interesting tidbits about my trading skills. One of the most unique of them all.. is that when I go on a huge winning streak.. I pray that I will get some losers. to keep me in check with reality and ... to keep my equity chart in a nice uptrend. Never a parabolic rise and of course never looking like the Nasdaq.


    --MIKE
     
    #285     Aug 1, 2002
  6. I am a fan :) :) :)
     
    #286     Aug 1, 2002
  7. Reference Example: If a trader goes short at NQ 965 and covers 3 mins later at 960 = +5 NQ points per contract. If that trader had 3 contracts on that particular trade = +15 points (minus commissions).

    Ok...in the -166.50...the trader had scaled out of the position and then traded a smaller contract size the remainder of the day...

    same in the ES +21 point example...2 contract position in the first trade (scaled out) and then 1 contract positions the remainder of the day.

    Sorry about the confusement...I don't keep track when they exit 1/2 or 1/3 or 1/4 at certain profit targets. I was just keeping track of the Start and then End result.

    C. Coffee...if I didn't answer your question...just pm me and I can actually show you with the link to the trading rooms...make sure your pm box is not full so I can reply :)

    NihabaAshi
     
    #287     Aug 1, 2002
  8. Atlantic

    Atlantic

    somehow i tend to come to the same conclusion. in the last few months the daily range of the es increased considerably vs. the nq. it seems that on the one hand the es has less noise at the moment (for most of the time) - and by far the more rewarding moves on the other side - with ranges that are higher than nq's even in points(!). somtimes when nq still seems a bit undecided - the es is already up and away.

    not to forget es has on avg. three times the volume than nq.
     
    #288     Aug 1, 2002
  9. nljones5

    nljones5

    Trend Fader, I would be interested in how you went about developing your mechanical entries, like what software you use, if/how you back test, etc. Thanks.
     
    #289     Aug 1, 2002
  10. lojze

    lojze

    What's discretionary approach?


    Lojze
     
    #290     Aug 1, 2002