Trades for 10/14 ( P/L = 7.5 ) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Time: 9.32am Entry: Long 1439 Target: 1445 Stop loss: 1437 Exit: 1437 P/L -2 TRIN was strong & the TICK EMA was heading up, so i thought there might be some additional upside even though the market had gapped up. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Time: 9.42am Entry: Short 1435 Target: 1430 Stop loss: 1437 Exit: 1431.5 P/L +3.5 All signals were saying short ( MACD turning down, TICK EMA turned down, TRIN rising ) Exited when target hit. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Time: 9.56am Entry: Short 1433 Target: 1425 Stop loss: 1435 Exit: 1425 P/L +8 I was watching the volume at the 10am reversal & it seemed weak so i started considering another possible short. I waited until the TICK EMA turned down for entry. Target based on slightly above yesterdays high as i thought it should be a good support point. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Time: 10.30am Entry: Long 1423 Target: 1430 Stop loss: 1420 Exit: 1420 P/L -3 Looking for a reversal around 10.30. MACD started to turn up, TICK EMA was turning up and i'd seen a hammer candle on my two minute chart so i thought the odds were in my favor. Target level was from earlier pivot around 10am ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Time: 10.55am Entry: Long 1425 Target: 1430 Stop loss: 1423 Exit: 1426 P/L +1 2nd attempt at previous trade. Looked like a mini double bottom pattern had formed on my two minute chart so i went long. Entry could've been better at around 1424. I stayed in the trade for about 10 mins and it didn't seem to be going anywhere. Also volume had dried up so i exited. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for taking the time and effort to do a journal. Personally, I would find it very interesting if : * the trades were posted real time * charts were posted * your thoughts and feelings at entry - including what you see that is getting you into the trade (like larger timeframes, other indexes, indicators etc.) * your thoughts and feelings during the trade (like larger timeframes, other indexes, indicators etc.) * your thoughts and feelings on exit - including what you see that is getting you out of the trade (like larger timeframes, other indexes, indicators etc.) This may be a lot but I'll bet when you look back, it will be very informative.
When i'm trading i need to have full concentration on it so i don't think i can do it real time. I'll try to post some charts, but haven't worked out how to save the chart out of my charting app. yet ( NeoTicker )
I'm strict with certain rules and not so strict with others. I'll always place a stop loss and target order when i get filled. The target will be planed in advance, but my stops are usually just 2-3 points away from entry. I'm not so strict on exiting at my target. It depends on how i see the trade going. If i feel the market is going against me i often get out even or +.05 etc ... sometimes the market goes on to hit my original target, but other times it takes out my stop. I'd rather be even or up a little rather than down 2. I mainly like to play reversals. I like to use a combination of the MACD and the TICK. When they both reverse i start looking for an entry. This method sometimes gets me into trades too early though ( like today ) so i'm trying to work out if there's another indicator i can use in conjuntion with these. I've read about the ADX indicator but i haven't worked out how to use it properly in trading yet. Also, I'll often look at the MACD from my 30 min chart which includes pre-market to try and get an idea of the trend.
When the MACD & TICK give you a signal, are you also looking for the price action for a signal ? In the past, I found myself looking at my indicators a little too much . Now, I have price action and volume on my screen only. When price action looks good for my method, I then "tab" (on Esignal) and bring up the indicator to see if it is confirming. This way I do not let the indicator be my main guide.
When i'm getting a buy or sell signal from the indicators, i'll take a look at recent S/R levels. I watch volume carefully also. I also setup my time and sales window so that it highlights orders over 50 contracts. So say i get a buy signal ( the MACD and TICK EMA are turning up ) and i'm seeing some decent volume going off at the ask then i'll probably go long. Hope this answers your questions. Another factor i look at is the current range. If market is in a tight range, say 2-3 points, i'll stay away until it breaks out either way.