Thursday, May 20, 2010

5/20 (+46) Big drop pre-market

Took 4 trades, watched it trade sideways for a while, and then couldn't find a way into the short really. Done.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Added e-mail subscription option

I have added the e-mail subscription option (on the right side) to make it easier for everyone to follow along.

5/19 (+56) Inventory day

Still working..

I think my ATM got me on the 9:17 short yesterday, but I want to confirm a few things before looking like a fool. :)

Quick summary:

Today's calendar from Forex Factory

EUR/USD news today in CST courtesy of ForexFactory.com:

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Report: Germany unilaterally bans naked short-selling

Report: Germany unilaterally bans naked short-selling

5/18 (+92) Switched contracts, strong trend down since open

No, it is not a typo, +92, same as yesterday.

Today, I got a good lesson in probabilities, and discipline to continue after getting your ass whopped for a short time.

Many, many trades today, so instead of charts, I will be breaking down the trades tab.

Slippage (using market orders now) was a factor today on entries and exits, but, nothing game changing.

OK, good start to the day:


Next, ass whooping:


Was close to calling it quits here; but, reminded myself about probabilities, and have not yet hit my max daily loss $.

A decent attempt at a good trade on a big push down:


And, then, the finish:




Updates on ass whooping: 

The trade at 9:11 makes no sense at all.
9:12: late short, didn't work.
9:19: was an add that didn't work.
9:26: failed short; I missed the 9:20 short because I was getting stopped on long!
9:29: either need to be in from .64 or .72 (breakout), poor entry.

Change CL contract from 06-10 to 07-10

Volume is higher on the 07-10 contract as of this morning.

Monday, May 17, 2010

5/17 (+92) Good Monday

I am now using market entries instead of limit orders. I am always using buy/sell stop market orders now on entry and stop market on exit as well.

Still need to focus on:

1) Sticking with the original trade idea, add at key areas, but remember the original target.

2) Be more like a robot with entries; there are many which line up, and I am watching instead of executing.

3) Remind myself it is all about probabilities. Stops will come; but I need to be in every trade which lines up. My edge will play itself out over time; and with my experience and hard work it will pay me as I expect it to.

Charts with comments:

Mark Douglas - Mind over Market

Great video on psychology with trading! Strongly recommend it!

Mark Douglas - Mind over Market

Friday, May 14, 2010

5/14 (+89) T.G.I.F. (+245 for week)

Ready for the weekend; still not feeling 100%, and it is very warm in here. :)

Was good enough to stand aside in the morning as I didn't feel focused or "in tune", missed a few decent trades, but I am OK with that. Waited took one breakdown which didn't go anywhere, and then took a nice short, added at the original entry (not my usual play - what was different here?), and then called it a day.

Charts with comments:

Thursday, May 13, 2010

5/13 (-43) Headache / got spanked

Today was a rough day, woke up with headache, but can't remember if it got worse before or after I was done trading. I am still not feeling 100%, but wanted to get a post done.

Started off OK; then between 9 and 11 CST made multiple mistakes. Most times I had the right direction down, but failed to place my stop properly or just got shaken out / was impatient.

Here is an example of stop misplaced early in the morning:


More mistakes:


Wasn't doing well, and so decided to break for a while around 11; when some nice moves started of course. :)

I did take one "after hours" trade here, it looked too pretty to pass up; and felt like after my afternoon break I was good to trade again.


Wednesday, May 12, 2010

5/12 (+86) - Patience pays on 'Hump Day'

Was up 10 net, and near calling it a day after an extended period of consolidation and chop after the news and then it came, a very nice breakdown which made it relatively easy to cash in on.

Charts with comments:

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

5/11 (+55) - If you can't take the heat, then get out the office

It was especially warm in my office today; almost 84F. I am too cheap to turn on the AC, so I have to get done early. Hah! Just kidding... partially...

Started off missing a trade (right around open, check it out), but took a few nice ones shortly afterward. From there, gave some back, made it back, and ended up near day high. Decided the heat was too much for me, so called it a day.

Well, I was going to post my charts with my notes, but then being a clever guy, I intended to clear my s/r lines from the chart, but instead cleared all drawing objects, including my text and arrows. I won't be re-doing it, so instead will post the Account Performance -> Trades tab for any/all to do their own homework on their charts.




Get in, get out, get done; until tomorrow!

Monday, May 10, 2010

5/10 (+58) - CL still moving very quickly

Last week and today, CL continues to move quicker than usual.

Overall, not a bad day with regards to my rules. I gave the runners a little too much room a couple of times. I also exited on first contract before my original potential target, which almost always was hit, but, I am ok with it, as it sometimes saves me from failed breakdowns/breakouts.I take the signal and then look to the intended target, while monitoring T&S and the DOM for clues on what is happening. Made good progress on leaving the runner alone. Progress and consistency!


Charts with some comments:

Huge gap up

Update: ES now stands near 1160, and oil up to $78 and change.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Futures dart higher on hopes for EU aid deal

20+ points on the ES which is about 1128.50; and about $1 on CL, which is sitting around $76.14 as I write this.

You can read more here:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6341EA20100509 

Friday, May 7, 2010

5/7 (+133) Markets on fire (+235 for week)

Yesterday was a good training day, and a good day for discipline. Started off poorly, ended nicely, and forced myself to watch the day go by without all of the emotion tied to trading live. Spent more time with market replay and reminding myself of my original rules/setup, reminding myself the runner does pay me nicely and to envision that target and don't let the market shake me out on the way, because I know statistically speaking I will hit that target more times than my stop. AKA Trade my damn plan! The plan was created thru hours and hours of experience and statistics, etc. There is no reason for fear to be there when I KNOW it works.

Some trades from today with comments:



Have a great weekend!

Thursday, May 6, 2010

NYSE Arca to cancel multiple trades

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0614132620100506

Record high intraday drop

Almost a 1000 point drop on the Dow, followed by a 600 point reversal all in minutes.

One theory on the drop today:
http://market-ticker.denninger.net/archives/2282-Mr.-President-Unplug-the-Fing-Computers.html

More:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/06/citigroup-trading-error-f_n_566623.html

5/6 - SIM today, only goal, leave runner in per my rules

So, last night I was chatting with one of my trading buddies, George, who reminded me of a number of things, including how to get where I want to go. I did quite a bit of homework, and decided to take a training day in which my only goal was to leave my runner in like I used to be able to do. It would seem even on SIM I am unable to follow my rules thus far this morning. I will wait until the end of today to decide what my goal for tomorrow will be, but, it would appear that I need to "fix" this issue before continuing on to anything else. Is it hard to go to SIM and "train" ? Sure it is, but discipline is what it's all about. I look forward to resolving this soon. I will update this post later today with more information on what George and I spoke about most likely.