Great week for futures trading,

While I've had my ups and downs real-time paper trading my futures strategies, it looks like things may, may be coming together. I think much depends on market action, not my system, so the question is: what makes a market good to trade or bad to trade? The remarkable fact is my trend system did very well this week even though the market saw many, many intraday reversals...



For the week:

79 trades, 274 contracts (counting both buys and sells), +$1479.20

For the record, last week was:

58 trades, 252 contracts (buys and sells), +$918.72

My biggest issue going forward is going to be commissions and margin requirements. I am planning on trading a ~3k to 5k account, so margins will hurt. Also, commissions look to be ~$5/round trip, so I'd be paying ~$400 this week and ~$300 last week for commissions. There are ways to get around commissions, but not with the size available with the small account. I'll post a futures broker review later. Oh, yeah, then taxes, f' me. Once I get up and running, I may trade black box style in a managed futures retirement account--fun, and f' the tax man.

Good weekend all,
Masterjaz out

Happy 4th

Nothing much to say, pulled some paper profits and getting ready for the holiday. Back to the markets on Monday.


Masterjaz out

Best day ever

Well at least on paper, got killed on my real positions. But that is why I want to get going with futures as a hedge for my long-term portfolios.


Lots of activity today and could have been better had I not gone to lunch with family. But, family comes first and there will always be more days like today.

Masterjaz out

Screenshot of paper trading,

Just to show wincity and others that I am really paper trading and the PnL is legitimate, here is a screenshot from today. Maybe I'll post a shot everyday until I go live.


I am currently testing a couple systems before risking real capital. My first system worked only so, so and I got killed today. I'll only be trading ~$3000 account, so a -$290 day hurts, bad, real bad. That's why I'm testing. I am learning that it is all about stops, nothing else matters.

For now,
Masterjaz out

F' the SEC and Pattern Day Trading restrictions...

I'm off to futures, but testing rigorously as I can see a blowout in my future. Posts will start once I'm trading for real. Right now it is all paper, but I can still dream...

Oh crude...



Maybe I'll even join that VO thing, a sure way to mediocrity.

Masterjaz out

Double

Always easier to post winners over losers. Good trade today, still working on objectivity, namely, when to sell. Today sold as I hit 1% targets.

TSFG:

Gross: +$26.50, net +$22.46

Tomorrow?
Masterjaz out

Way behind...

Took this trade on 4/17/2008, nothing much to say. Great looking setup, sold at the bottom, watched stock pop. No worries, at least it was objective. It was also the final trade for the week, so weekend numbers follow...

EXPE:

Gross: -$9.48, net -$11.92

As for the week: Balance is $2904.04, lost a whopping -$0.58 or 0.02%, 2 trades with 50% winning %, profit factor of 0.95. In short, a blah week.

Until next week,
Masterjaz out