08/15/13: ($690.63) (1.07%) vs. SPX (1.43%) Stopped out again. Not sure if it is the system that is completely broken now or I'm journaling during a period when system isn't doing well. It's hard to tell when it's done well before but just can't seem to hit any of the notes the past 3 weeks. The next timing window is EOD 08/16 + open on 08/19.
You may want to risk less money than you are currently risking for at least a while so you can figure out whether the strategy you're using is working. This could save you a lot of money. Smaller amounts of risks means you can test different strategies at the same time so you can find out which works best for you in the long term. Just saying this because I notice you've been lossing quiet a bit lately.
Thanks Andrew for the feedback - I completely agree. I'm using less capital than when I started (about 2/3rds of before) and in hindsight I should use even less. From the start of this journal to now, aggregate losses are (3-4%) on total trading capital. This is clearly not ideal. I'm really only interested in absolute returns so with the SPX being down (2-3%) since the start of the journal, I really want to be targeting positive performance, not just outperformance. The system doesn't have enough statistical significance for me to trash it just yet but at the same time, it's like "well, what happens if I incur additional losses?" I'm going to give it another couple months and evaluate. Today: 08/20/13: +$304 [+0.48%] vs. SPX +0.38% I had hesitated yesterday to buy at the close. I suppose it would have been a great entry in hindsight. Holding 1 lot UPRO tomorrow. Another timing window around noon.
Today: 08/21/13: ($196) [-0.31%] vs. SPX -0.58% Made an intraday UPRO long near the lows and then was stopped out later in the final hour. Still holding 1 lot UPRO into tomorrow. Thanks
Today: 08/22/13: +$557 [+0.87%] vs. SPX +0.86% Still holding 1 lot UPRO into tomorrow. Timing window is tomorrow Friday in the afternoon.
Today: 08/23/13: +$1.25 [+0.00%] vs. SPX +0.39% Closed last lot of UPRO @ 69.55 (bought @ 68.69) Bought 1.5 lots of SPXU so holding into Monday but wiped out the gains from UPRO today. Looking for a lower low to be put in but heck who knows. weekly review to come.
Today: 08/26/13: +$618.15 [+0.96%] vs. SPX -0.40% Behind on setting up the weekly performance. Holding 2 lots of SPXU. Still think we are going lower into end of week. Possible bounce tomorrow.