So I exited my long manually at 1.3565 to lock in profits. I checked for executions short at 930 and noticed no open positions so I manually entered short at 1.3461 but my pos wasn showing up again so I accidentally doubled the short again at 1.3469 and 15 min later my program executed a third short at 1.3445 now I am really confused how its executing at 945 when it should be trading 30 min bars. Anyway I covered my 2 positions for good profit and let the third ride.
Signals posted, PnL today 15.10 Acct balance is 214.88 Program executions were fixed, no current open trades.
Week 3 is done. Overnight I decided to override the buy signal of my program since the L shaped price action on thursday in my experience rarely leads to an immediate rebound. I took a short at 9:30 for 30 pips which I manually exited a the end of the day. I made a profit of about 3 dollars. Overall: Starting acct value: 200 Week 1: 187 (Lots of chop during Martin Luther King Day) Week 2: 196 (205 was the highest intra-week PnL) Week 3: 217.85 This week started with some execution glitches that I think I have fixed. I did interfere with my programmed strategy but it was more due to my insecurity with its proper executions and a calculated decision not to take a weak looking signal. I will promise less interference going forward, but I will always get out of the way of a freight train if I see its coming. Other than that I have not blown up with max leverage trading against my strategy so there is some improvement but its never too late for me.
I apologize for neglecting the journal but due to my previous issues with glitches it was necessary to recheck my program for problems during executions. In the mean time I have been dormant except for a few small discretionary trades. These are mostly gap trades for small profits. My last trade was against the enormous gap generated on the eur/usd a couple of weeks ago. It was quite challenging with several stop outs and re-entries during the European news stories but luckily it worked out for a handsome profit. Definitely trading has to be hands down the toughest way to squeeze a profit. Even when you have a proven strategy the markets like to test your nerves. Anyway, I have updated the code so that I can resume auto trading. I will restart this week and keep updating the results. So far from the trades executed as well as the entries and exits generated during the downtime are very encouraging. Although I am not making big bucks I feel elated that at least after 7 yrs of work and hobby time I can see some results. (At least temporarily). I need to learn how to handle leverage better but The underlying strategies do work. I have learned that even if you have a strategy that works 90% of the time you can still blow up through over leverage. It's a completely different different knowledge that is just important to a successful trader. It is my personal Achilles heel and I will strive to work on it. Current acct balance: 337 Profit so far this year: 137 Percent return: 68.5%
Just for information. My gap trading is not part of my automated strategy which is actually trend following. I have been looking at ways to combine the two further down the line. Currently I want to simplify my life by testing them independently. I may trade them in the future side by side as part of a portfolio to reduce risk and smooth the total equity curve since both of the strategies are completely uncorrelated.
I just wanted to show a daily chart of the eur/usd to illustrate my trade in case anyone wasn't sure what I was talking about. The gap down occurred Mar 18.
Overall choppy trading and few good signals were generated. Currently trading 2 micro lots. I will look to start scaling up again next week. Acct value was 335.14 with currently losing open short position. I have attached my signals as promised. I am happy with the executions. Knock on wood I think my glitches have been dealt with.
Closed out a great overnight trade this afternoon on 3 micro lots. I will be looking to size up to 4 micro lots when the opportunity is right. Current balance: 369.53 Approximate percent return YTD is 85% Signals are attached below