Serious: Last year I turned my account from 25k to 150k. Now my account is down to 90k.

Some ludacris claims being made here - fantasy winnings. Come on people, lets keep it real. Nobody actively trading moves an account in a complete linear up direction way for a year or more - unless they are maybe Citadel. Not even a hit from taxes - fakers always botch that up because they never had a big gain to pay capital gains on before.

 

I believe everything I read on the inet, especially here on et.

 

I was in Europe at the time. It was the night of the presidential election in the U.S.
Austria had had a presidential election that year with a candidate similar to Trump, named Hofer. The similarity was that the mass media were trying to convince everyone that the candidate was stupid and everyone who voted for him must be stupid too. The effect of that was that, in the polls, even anonymous ones, people who would end up voting for him didn't admit to it.

Long story short, I was pretty certain Trump was going to win even though the "experts" were saying Hillary. I was also pretty certain that treasury prices were going to spike up on the initial news, because it would be mostly amateurs trading, thinking the world was going to end (having bought into the media hype). I also thought, after a few hours, as professionals started trading, treasury prices would decline sharply, because Trump or not, a big amount of uncertainty had been removed from the world.

A good friend of mine was convinced Hillary was going to win because his "expert" had predicted all the elections perfectly and was saying Hillary. Therefore I decided not to go long ZB ahead of the election, but instead went to sleep. As a matter of fact, I think I actually stayed short a few contracts of ZB overnight, anticipating a decline in prices eventually, because uncertainty would be removed no matter what.

The next morning (in Europe) I woke up to my girlfriend (listening to the radio) using the s-word, so I knew Trump had won. I took a shower and decided to quit doing what the experts recommended and just have fun with the markets.

This is how I remember the story, but I'll copy and paste my trades from that day, so we can all see the "objective" truth of it all. (Keep in mind, I wrote all this just now, before pulling that statement, so go easy on me if it turns out that I remembered wrong.)

Here you go:

"Symbol","TradeDate","TradeTime","Quantity","TradePrice","TradeMoney","Proceeds","IBCommission","Buy/Sell","FifoPnlRealized"
"BA","20161109","123600","-22","145.44","-3199.68","3199.68","-1.072371024","SELL","117.167629"
"HSBC","20161109","123637","-79","38.83","-3067.57","3067.57","-1.076274026","SELL","54.013726"
"ESZ6","20161109","093047","-1","2123.75","-106187.5","106187.5","-2.03","SELL","0"
"ESZ6","20161109","093112","-1","2129","-106450","106450","-2.03","SELL","0"
"ESZ6","20161109","094909","-1","2137","-106850","106850","-2.03","SELL","0"
"ESZ6","20161109","095954","-1","2138.5","-106925","106925","-2.03","SELL","0"
"ESZ6","20161109","100000","-1","2139.75","-106987.5","106987.5","-2.03","SELL","0"
"ESZ6","20161109","100138","1","2133.75","106687.5","-106687.5","-2.03","BUY","-504.06"
"ESZ6","20161109","100145","1","2133","106650","-106650","-2.03","BUY","-204.06"
"ESZ6","20161109","100156","-1","2134","-106700","106700","-2.03","SELL","0"
"ESZ6","20161109","100158","-1","2135","-106750","106750","-2.03","SELL","0"
"ESZ6","20161109","100234","-1","2136.25","-106812.5","106812.5","-2.03","SELL","0"
"ESZ6","20161109","100646","1","2133","106650","-106650","-2.03","BUY","195.94"
"ESZ6","20161109","100652","1","2132.75","106637.5","-106637.5","-2.03","BUY","283.44"
"ESZ6","20161109","100654","1","2132.5","106625","-106625","-2.03","BUY","358.44"
"ESZ6","20161109","100717","1","2133","106650","-106650","-2.03","BUY","45.94"
"ESZ6","20161109","100718","1","2132.75","106637.5","-106637.5","-2.03","BUY","108.44"
"ESZ6","20161109","100721","1","2132.5","106625","-106625","-2.03","BUY","183.44"
"ESZ6","20161109","111135","-1","2138.5","-106925","106925","-2.03","SELL","0"
"ESZ6","20161109","111212","-1","2139.25","-106962.5","106962.5","-2.03","SELL","0"
"ESZ6","20161109","111412","-1","2140","-107000","107000","-2.03","SELL","0"
"ESZ6","20161109","111507","-1","2141.75","-107087.5","107087.5","-2.03","SELL","0"
"ESZ6","20161109","111533","-1","2143.25","-107162.5","107162.5","-2.03","SELL","0"
"ESZ6","20161109","112257","-1","2144.25","-107212.5","107212.5","-2.03","SELL","0"
"ESZ6","20161109","112947","-1","2145.75","-107287.5","107287.5","-2.03","SELL","0"
"ESZ6","20161109","113122","-1","2149.25","-107462.5","107462.5","-2.03","SELL","0"
"ESZ6","20161109","115243","16","2158.75","1727000","-1727000","-32.48","BUY","-6432.48"
"ESZ6","20161109","152023","-8","2166","-866400","866400","-16.24","SELL","2867.52"
"ESZ6","20161109","154827","1","2157.75","107887.5","-107887.5","-2.03","BUY","0"
"ESZ6","20161109","154837","1","2156.5","107825","-107825","-2.03","BUY","0"
"ESZ6","20161109","154845","-1","2157.75","-107887.5","107887.5","-2.03","SELL","-4.06"
"ESZ6","20161109","154852","-1","2157.5","-107875","107875","-2.03","SELL","45.94"
"ESZ6","20161109","155103","-1","2160.25","-108012.5","108012.5","-2.03","SELL","0"
"ESZ6","20161109","155507","1","2158.5","107925","-107925","-2.03","BUY","83.44"
"ESZ6","20161109","155929","1","2160.25","108012.5","-108012.5","-2.03","BUY","0"
"ESZ6","20161109","155935","1","2159.25","107962.5","-107962.5","-2.03","BUY","0"
"ESZ6","20161109","155942","1","2158.25","107912.5","-107912.5","-2.03","BUY","0"
"ESZ6","20161109","160131","-3","2160.25","-324037.5","324037.5","-6.09","SELL","137.82"
"ESZ6","20161109","160725","1","2160.5","108025","-108025","-2.03","BUY","0"
"ESZ6","20161109","163740","1","2159.5","107975","-107975","-2.03","BUY","0"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","012952","-1","161.65625","-161656.25","161656.25","-1.66","SELL","0"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","050140","1","158.5625","158562.5","-158562.5","-1.66","BUY","3871.68"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","050141","1","158.53125","158531.25","-158531.25","-1.66","BUY","3902.93"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","050152","1","158.53125","158531.25","-158531.25","-1.66","BUY","3902.93"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","050242","1","158.53125","158531.25","-158531.25","-1.66","BUY","3902.93"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","050311","1","158.71875","158718.75","-158718.75","-1.66","BUY","3715.43"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","050312","1","158.6875","158687.5","-158687.5","-1.66","BUY","3746.68"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","051351","4","159.1875","636750","-636750","-6.64","BUY","5712.11"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","051351","2","159.1875","318375","-318375","-3.32","BUY","0"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","051351","1","159.1875","159187.5","-159187.5","-1.66","BUY","0"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","051351","1","159.1875","159187.5","-159187.5","-1.66","BUY","0"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","051351","4","159.1875","636750","-636750","-6.64","BUY","0"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","051539","-20","159.34375","-3186875","3186875","-33.2","SELL","1529.3"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","082000","3","159.25","477750","-477750","-4.98","BUY","271.29"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","082000","2","159.25","318500","-318500","-3.32","BUY","180.86"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","082000","1","159.25","159250","-159250","-1.66","BUY","90.43"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","082000","2","159.25","318500","-318500","-3.32","BUY","180.86"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","082000","2","159.25","318500","-318500","-3.32","BUY","180.86"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","082000","1","159.25","159250","-159250","-1.66","BUY","0"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","082000","3","159.25","477750","-477750","-4.98","BUY","0"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","082000","6","159.25","955500","-955500","-9.96","BUY","0"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","082243","-3","159.34375","-478031.25","478031.25","-4.98","SELL","271.29"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","082243","-2","159.34375","-318687.5","318687.5","-3.32","SELL","180.86"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","082243","-4","159.34375","-637375","637375","-6.64","SELL","361.72"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","082243","-3","159.34375","-478031.25","478031.25","-4.98","SELL","90.43"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","082243","-2","159.34375","-318687.5","318687.5","-3.32","SELL","0"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","082243","-1","159.34375","-159343.75","159343.75","-1.66","SELL","0"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","082243","-5","159.34375","-796718.75","796718.75","-8.3","SELL","0"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","094902","1","159.21875","159218.75","-159218.75","-1.66","BUY","121.68"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","094916","1","159.1875","159187.5","-159187.5","-1.66","BUY","152.93"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","095803","1","159.1875","159187.5","-159187.5","-1.66","BUY","152.93"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","095803","2","159.1875","318375","-318375","-3.32","BUY","305.86"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","095803","1","159.1875","159187.5","-159187.5","-1.66","BUY","152.93"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","095929","4","159.125","636500","-636500","-6.64","BUY","861.72"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","104928","-1","159.59375","-159593.75","159593.75","-1.66","SELL","0"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","105332","-1","159.625","-159625","159625","-1.66","SELL","0"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","105615","-1","159.6875","-159687.5","159687.5","-1.66","SELL","0"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","105805","-1","159.71875","-159718.75","159718.75","-1.66","SELL","0"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","110053","1","159.5625","159562.5","-159562.5","-1.66","BUY","27.93"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","110236","-1","159.6875","-159687.5","159687.5","-1.66","SELL","0"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","110447","1","159.59375","159593.75","-159593.75","-1.66","BUY","27.93"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","110449","1","159.5625","159562.5","-159562.5","-1.66","BUY","121.68"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","110736","1","159.53125","159531.25","-159531.25","-1.66","BUY","184.18"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","111107","1","159.4375","159437.5","-159437.5","-1.66","BUY","246.68"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","122202","1","157.875","157875","-157875","-1.66","BUY","0"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","122352","-1","158","-158000","158000","-1.66","SELL","121.68"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","152856","1","156.90625","156906.25","-156906.25","-1.66","BUY","0"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","154548","1","156.84375","156843.75","-156843.75","-1.66","BUY","0"
"ZB DEC 16","20161109","154610","1","156.8125","156812.5","-156812.5","-1.66","BUY","0"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","103634","-1","4.175","-20875","20875","-2.81","SELL","0"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","103613","-1","4.175","-20875","20875","-2.81","SELL","0"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","103733","-1","4.175","-20875","20875","-2.81","SELL","0"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","103727","-1","4.175","-20875","20875","-2.81","SELL","0"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","122129","2","4.09","40900","-40900","-5.62","BUY","-848.74"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","122141","12","4.09","245400","-245400","-33.72","BUY","-1217.44"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","122510","1","4.065","20325","-20325","-2.81","BUY","0"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","122552","1","4.0525","20262.5","-20262.5","-2.81","BUY","0"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","122559","1","4.0425","20212.5","-20212.5","-2.81","BUY","0"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","122610","1","4.0375","20187.5","-20187.5","-2.81","BUY","0"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","122956","-1","4.0725","-20362.5","20362.5","-2.81","SELL","31.88"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","123000","-3","4.0725","-61087.5","61087.5","-8.43","SELL","408.14"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","123805","-1","4.0975","-20487.5","20487.5","-2.81","SELL","0"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","123858","-1","4.0975","-20487.5","20487.5","-2.81","SELL","0"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","123903","-1","4.0975","-20487.5","20487.5","-2.81","SELL","0"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","124729","1","4.095","20475","-20475","-2.81","BUY","6.88"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","124729","2","4.095","40950","-40950","-5.62","BUY","13.76"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","125539","-1","4.1225","-20612.5","20612.5","-2.81","SELL","0"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","125551","-1","4.125","-20625","20625","-2.81","SELL","0"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","130018","-1","4.1275","-20637.5","20637.5","-2.81","SELL","0"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","130046","-1","4.13","-20650","20650","-2.81","SELL","0"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","130504","1","4.1075","20537.5","-20537.5","-2.81","BUY","69.38"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","133559","1","4.1","20500","-20500","-2.81","BUY","119.38"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","133700","1","4.0975","20487.5","-20487.5","-2.81","BUY","144.38"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","134015","1","4.1025","20512.5","-20512.5","-2.81","BUY","131.88"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","141525","1","4.0625","20312.5","-20312.5","-2.81","BUY","0"
"ZW DEC 16","20161109","141707","-1","4.075","-20375","20375","-2.81","SELL","56.88"

 

The numbers look good, and it doesn't look like any maintenance margin was required. Nice work!

 

lots of retail pikers had the equities market "figured out" leading up to the March 2000 top. buy anything, if it goes against you, buy some more, they always got paid. until the margin calls came that is . . . and they will come . . . eventually with that style of trading

 

Is there any particular time that day you think there should have been a margin call? I don't remember ever being extremely leveraged that day, but yes, in general, as a "retail piker," I do get lots of margin calls. I'm not saying fire your mutual fund manager or force him to trade like me. The difference between what I do and what they do is like the difference between a surfer and an actuary. Two different worlds.

 

Lady luck was on your side,when to quit is on your mind,
Don't be forced to quit,leave on your own terms,be happy with what you gained.

 

Not from your listing, no. I was talking about maintenance, not intraday. Looks like you knew your trading times and took losses when needed to avoid the evil maintenance calls at market close.

 

Lots of investment banks thought they had the trade of extracting wealth from the public "figured out" leading up to the collapse of the housing bubble in 2008. Hire $8 an our employees to convince other $8 workers that they qualify for a $500k mortgage, then bundle the mortgages, bundle the bundles, bundle the bundles of bundles and hope nobody will notice. They always got paid, until the margin calls came… and they will come… eventually with that kind of "investing."

There is no big difference between retail pikers and investment banks in that sense. The difference is, when a retail piker blows out his account, it's just that, one of his accounts is worthless. When an investment bank does the exact same thing, the tax payer gets to make up for their losses and pay bonuses to their senior management.

It's a question of ethics which you would rather be, the gambler or the scammer.

 

By the way, I mean no disrespect to the more "prudent" traders who are grinding out a living with tight stops and ever-changing algorithms and all that. That's just not what I'm in the markets for, and there's no reason to talk like what I'm doing is so much more risky or stupid than what BSC or LEH or WM were doing, and what the ones that haven't failed yet are currently doing. I remember my Merrill Lynch financial advisor telling me in March of 2000 that gold was the worst investment and to buy technology stocks. Back then they all kept saying stocks and real estate were the best investments. Between 2001 and 2008, it was just real estate. I don't even talk to people like that anymore, so I have no idea what they are currently recommending, but it might be worth going to a bank and getting some advice so I know what to bet against.