Trading e-minis with $1k starting capital

Discussion in 'Journals' started by IndexScalper, Mar 20, 2008.

  1. I'm very upset about today. After being up 240 in the morning I lost everything and then some in the afternoon. I got my a** handed to me on ER2. I should have listened to previous posters that recommended to stay away from it.

    Today, I traded NQ for the first time. Even though I made a bit of money trading it, I don't like it at all. The $5 tick really bothers me.

    I'm really hanging by a thread and there is a good chance that I won't make it, therefore, I need to make a radical change.
    Starting tomorrow I will concentrate mainly on the ES and limit my ER2 activity to a minimum. I may still trade it pre-market where I've been making money consistently.

    Products traded: ES, ER2, NQ
    Contracts: 58
    Opening balance: 977
    Closing balance: 829
    Net P/L: -148
    Discipline: 2
     
    #101     Mar 26, 2008
  2. It sounds like psychology will be your downfall, not your account balance.
     
    #102     Mar 26, 2008
  3. IndexScalper, may I ask, what is your entry signal?
     
    #103     Mar 26, 2008
  4. You should try the YM at this point to even stay in the game.
     
    #104     Mar 26, 2008


  5. Anything worth saying has already been said.

    Osorico
     
    #105     Mar 26, 2008
  6. Pekelo

    Pekelo

    Commission is about $240 with 58 contracts, so you actually made a little money, like $90, but the commission killed you, because it took you 58 trades to make a bit less than 2 ES points. That's why you were negative for the day...

    Also you should have started out with a broker where the margin minimum is $500, so you would have had an extra $300 cushion before you have to stop trading....

    It is possible you would make it if you start out with 3K...
     
    #106     Mar 27, 2008
  7. It is possible to make it but highly unlikely without blowing his account a few times.

    Good trading to all :D
     
    #107     Mar 27, 2008
  8. You are correct about the commission Pekelo, however what killed me was excessive loss on ER2. My net gain on ES was 305 which is 6 points after commissions.
     
    #108     Mar 27, 2008
  9. Sorry, I can't answer that for obvious reasons.
     
    #109     Mar 27, 2008
  10. Thanks Osorico, your posts are spot on! I am making some changes as of today.
     
    #110     Mar 27, 2008