In general terms it is by looking at the stocks making stories in the market, and keeping them on my watchlist long enough.
I dont think I would be too concerned about this week. This was a hellish week to trade. These damn levitations are great for investors but as a trader I just cant stand them. Hope the panic returns soon, though I doubt it will happen before the new year. These idiots and their positive seasonality and rate hopes will keep this house of cards afloat a bit longer.
12/07/2007 Weekly Update for week 41 ended 12/07/2007 This makes it four in a row. Lost 5K. No excuse for this week, other than lacking in confidence to take my normal trades and not holding long enough to reap the benefits: Result was 15 meagre winning trades and 5 losers, with the strength of the former wiping out the little gains and more. Once again found myself chasing trades (like the MBI trade given) after I had taken an initial look and turned away. If it was not a short at 28.4 when I turned away, why come back a few minutes later and short at 26! Lack of meaningful opportunities is making me not avoid the petty trades. With two weeks to go (won't trade the last week of the year), the emphasis is just wrapping things up, avoiding major casualty, and preparing and solidifying the game plan for next year. I have classified my discretionary strategies and defined some "minimum objective criteria" for entries and exits. Will be developing two or three automated strategies in the coming weeks that will form my only tradeable automatic methods for next year. Code: Balance B/F: 175,511 Net Loss for the week -5,288 Cash Withdrawal -10,000 ------------------------------------------------ Balance C/F: 160,223 Number of Trades 20 Number of Profitable Trades 15 Since Inception of Thread 2/25/2007 - 12/07/2007 Balance B/F: 76,636 Net Gain (Less Margin Interest) 164,587 Cash Withdrawal -81,000 ------------------------------------------------ Balance C/F: 160,223 (Adjusted balance before withdrawals is 241223, up 215% ) Number of Trades 1094 Number of Profitable Trades 622 Expected Balance at this time to be on track for Year-End Target : 439,990 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 GAINS/LOSS TYPE MVSN 2007-12-07-10-21-26 2007-12-07-13-41-59 5000 96450 101793 5321 SHORT GPYXD 2007-12-04-09-43-25 2007-12-04-14-32-46 4000 38800 42400 3519 GOOG PUT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ETFC 2007-12-03-08-11-35 2007-12-03-11-34-04 30000 121800 115513 -6329 SHORT MBI 2007-12-05-15-00-48 2007-12-05-15-42-55 6000 166800 157500 -9332 SHORT (Before Interest and Other charges) TRANSACTIONS ANALYSIS FROM 2007-02-25 TO 2007-12-08 Current Week | Since Inception of Thread | Method Gains/Loss No Of Profitable | Gains/Loss No Of Profitable Trades Trades | Trades Trades Automated AutoTrade1 0 0 0 | 5652 208 116 AutoTrade2 0 0 0 | 3372 12 8 AutoTrade3 0 0 0 | -4523 3 0 AutoTrade4 0 0 0 | -15301 3 0 ----------- -------- ------------ | ----------- ------ ------------ Total Automated 0 0 0 | -10800 226 124 ----------- -------- ------------ | ----------- ------ ------------ Discretionary Long -1046 5 4 | -75285 288 168 Short -4056 12 9 | 83335 313 184 Options(long) -390 3 2 | 167897 267 146 ----------- -------- ------------ | ----------- ------ ------------ Total Discretionary -5491 20 15 | 175948 868 498 =========== ======== ============ | =========== ====== ============ Net Totals -5491 20 15 | 165148 1094 622 =========== ======== ============ | =========== ====== ============
Neke, Can you keep this thread going next year? Also, you should pull a Timothy Sykes and write a book...my quest to turn $76,000 into $500,000 in one year!
Damnit, Interesting how you changed your mind. You seem to initially look down to each and everyone and suddenly you are one of Neke's most fervent defenders. (I myself have no opinion of his trading style whatsoever). Out of pure curiosity, what made you change your mind?