Way to go Neke! That makes it three "decent" (hahaha, just kidding) weeks in a row averaging about 10% per week compounded. Keep it up! Sorry to hear about your troubles with the automated strategies. You leave them alone, they hurt you. You override them and that's the time when you would have been better off leaving them alone. Sounds familiar. Other than in your automated trades, do you see any patterns emerging in your trading so far this year? All the best, Jorge
That is why I wrote about the limitations of his investment vehicle. The number of contracts traded is limiting factor, at least in futures.
The amazing thing with the automated strategies is that when I go back to what the strategies would have done, it still tells me it should have been very profitable, if I had let the system take all trades and close them as well. The system on a very active day could detect 10 set-ups, but because of capital limitations, and a desire not to overcommit, I only take a maximum of 2 trades a day (With a fixed commission structure it does not pay to split the amount intended among so many trades), which are the first two trades that show up. So in effect, I have partially been unlucky in that the trades taken constitute a loss altogether, aggravated by my interference. So going forward, I should see an improvement if I let the system do its work. Much of the year has been spent going back and forth trying to nail down some strategies that should form the core of my trades. The idea is to gradually de-emphasize things that are denting my account, while giving greater reins to what works. I think I am making progress in that.
If you have accepted the "calm" within yourself to trading the automated system's output should mean "diddley squat". Frankly,I see you as you own master, and your trading method, while I do not necessarily like but ...hey ...whatever works, right??...you will be succesfull. My only concern has been that you set a goal...it may be what you want, but I will be very happy to see that you are profitable at the end of the year....after all, that is all you really need. My gut feeling is that you will do better than 50% profit... even with a "dog " market . Stay cool....
Weekly Update for week 20 ended 05/30/2008 Barely positive, up 1.1K (0.8%). Pleased to have ended the week above water. On Wednesday, lost 5K through a bearish stand on FSLR. Saw a 3K paper profit turn into a 5K loss. Then came Thursday, and all hell broke loose, as I incurred loss after loss taking a contrarian stance, principally from trying to buy SHLD: I thought it had a good record of holding up in the face of bad news after earnings: wrong decision, wrong entry, wrong exit. Altogether lost 13K on Thursday. Gladly made up for the deep hole on Friday, principally from MA, fading that gap in the morning. Looking to be refreshed over the week-end for another week of battle. Code: Balance B/F: 140,181 Net gain for the week 1,113 ------------------------------------------------ Balance C/F: 141,294 Number of Trades 30 Number of Profitable Trades 15 Since Inception of Thread 01/13/2008 - 05/30/2008 Balance B/F: 102,615 Net gain (Less Margin Interest) 38,679 ------------------------------------------------ Balance C/F: 141,294 (Up 37.7%) Number of Trades 467 Number of Profitable Trades 265 Expected Balance at this time to be on track for Year-End Target : 274,452 Status: Behind Target (Based on adjusted balance before withdrawals) Top/Bottom Discretionary Trades for the week TICKER ENTRY DATE/TIME EXIT DATE/TIME QTY PURCHASE AMT SOLD AMT GAIN/LOSS TYPE MALRE 2008-05-30-10-20-08 2008-05-30-14-56-47 2500 31050 41050 9932 MA PUT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SHLD 2008-05-29-09-32-36 2008-05-29-11-49-11 2000 177530 171428 -6143 LONG