Pair Trading Strategy Journal

Discussion in 'Journals' started by jonnysharp, Aug 18, 2008.

  1. Yeah no problem saico, anyone can post trades here, I wouldn't mind a bit of friendly competition. I don't pair trade ETF's for reasons previously stated, however with enough leverage the SPY/DIA trade could prove worthwhile.

    Exited one trade

    Sold AXA @ 7.87
    Covered PUK @ 5.92
     
    #651     Mar 6, 2009
  2. New trade

    Long PDC @ 3.49
    Short RDC @ 11.83
     
    #652     Mar 9, 2009
  3. Hi Jonny,

    I noticed that you do in fact take losses, but I am not sure I understand the criteria for taking the loss.

    Is it time based, for example after so many months, you will close out the trade?

    Or since you mentioned that you use the software to take the loss, is it due to the pairs ratio no longer being correct ie positively corelated, or is it the RSI has changed?

    Thanks in advance.
     
    #653     Mar 9, 2009
  4. Yes as said many times before I strictly stick to the system and wait for an exit signal, whether loss or profit as determined by the system, not me.
     
    #654     Mar 9, 2009
  5. Just to make sure...
    Pairs are traded cash neutral, not 100 shares versus 100 shares.
    For today's trade:
    Long PDC @ 3.49
    Short RDC @ 11.83
    Assuming a 1000$ in each stock
    1000/3.49 = 287 shares in PDC
    1000/11.83 = 85 shares in RDC
    Profit calculated accordingly. Maybe you had some losses that where wins?
     
    #655     Mar 9, 2009
  6. 1-Merger Mania: Arbitrage- By Ivan Boesky
    2-Risk Arbitrage: An Investor's Guide- Keith Moore
    3-Convertible Arbitrage- By NIck Calamos

    This a Very good thread, congrats!
     
    #656     Mar 10, 2009
  7. Open new trade this morning:
    Short WLL 20.94, long PVA 8.74.
    Ratio 2.4, target 2, mental stop 2.75.
    Missed EFX:LNC, was not there yesterday at the close, lol.
     
    #657     Mar 10, 2009
  8. tatankas

    tatankas

    Good luck total.
    What are the ratio std-devs for this pair? Or you aren't using std-devs at all?

    Best Regards
     
    #658     Mar 10, 2009
  9. saico

    saico

    Closed out the DIA-SPY pair for a small profit. :) A winner is a winner even its a small one.
     
    #659     Mar 10, 2009
  10. dealmaker

    dealmaker

    More pairs increases the likelyhood of profitability. $ neutrality key as carrying losing pairs if they have continued to perform in the prescribed manner i.e. price, spread etc.
     
    #660     Mar 10, 2009