In this chart I removed my fat finger day in April to give a truer reflection of how my pl tracks the vix. This is a 20 day rolling average of daily pl overlaid with a vix plot line. You can see that a vix spike increases both total profit and equity volatility. The huge vix move in May gave me my best period, but then when it spiked again in late June, I had my worst spell, losing $71k in 9 days from June 22 to July 2nd. <img src=http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=3049366>
Actually, that should have been my 4th theme of the year. Opening orders sucked the worst ever in my career. They were good the first half, but since the end of June, I've lost money on them pretty consistently.
looking at your equity curve, it looks like if you took out the fat finger error and the flash crash volatility it would have been smooth as silk. steady grind up.
Great year Lescor! What is your best year if you don't mind sharing? Have you noticed if your trading has become more efficient over the years as far as ticket average, or stayed about the same? Also, when you are accessing your risk for each trade, do you try to keep your risk consistent for each trade as far as $$ amount? Such as, when I put on a trade I always try to risk about the same $$ amount for each trade, that will then determine how many shares I trade. If your answer is too detailed about your strategy I understand just wanted to hear your thoughts.
Hi, lescor, congratulations on a nice year. December was very impressive. I have one question: could you share the yearly profit factor? Also I was wondering if you look at a profit factor when you are adjusting your risk level. I mean do you have some number you feel comfortable with or you look at it just as it is?
thank you lescor for taking us along your ride. this is one of the best threads on ET. period. wishing you nothing but the best and continued success!
Hi Lescor, congrats on your year, please keep sharing your knowledge this days is highly appreciate it.
For strategies where I determine my risk ahead of time I usually use the same method. Decide $ risk then share size based on that. Much of my trading though I don't know what the $ risk is beforehand. I exit based on market conditions or time.