Trading Summary Week Ended 1st May 2020

47 Trades:

2 AAL + 295 BPS.
2 BP + 258 BPS.
2 GLEN + 525 BPS.
2 RDSB + 50 BPS.
1 STAN + 279 BPS.
38 UK100 + 6,426 BPS.

23 long trades + 368 BPS.
24 short trades + 7,465 BPS.
31 intra-day trades + 1,087 BPS.
16 multi-day trade + 6,746 BPS.
Total trades net + 7,833 BPS.

Return on account for the week + 8.38 % net.
P:L ratio 9.04:1.
Days traded: 5.
Longest trade duration: 488 days.
Shortest trade duration:  1 min.
(All PNL expressed in basis points for the purpose of comparison.)

Thoughts

Another volatile week, the FTSE made a new post COVID19 crash high on Thursday over 6150,  markets seemed to be putting the virus situation behind them. The banks had a powerful rally.

Then we had a sharp sell off down below 5800 on Thursday and Friday.

RD Shell got hammered after they cut the dividend for the first time in decades, which didn't help the overall market, given the weight of BP and Shell in the FTSE.

A fairly busy week, above my 2.5% weekly benchmark.

I'm not sure if the equity markets will want to re-test the recent lows, we shall see.

April was an active month trading, I made 158 trades and a net return of just over 14%.

Looking forward to more volatility and trading opportunities next week.

Stay disciplined.
Stay focussed.
Stay humble.

Trading Summary Week Ended 24th April 2020

28 Trades:

3 AAL + 459 BPS.
1 BP + 461 BPS.
3 GLEN + 3,667 BPS.
1 RDSB + 4 BPS.
1 US CRUDE + 222 BPS.
19 UK100 + 315 BPS.

8 long trades + 404 BPS.
20 short trades + 4,724 BPS.
21 intra-day trades + 1010 BPS.
7 multi-day trade + 4,118 BPS.
Total trades net + 5,128 BPS.

Return on account for the week + 1.01 % net.
P:L ratio N/A.
Days traded: 5.
Longest trade duration: 587 days.
Shortest trade duration:  1 min.
(All PNL expressed in basis points for the purpose of comparison.)

Thoughts

Back to five day weeks after the Easter holiday.

Markets were active again, especially the crude oil market, where futures prices went negative for a while on Monday. This is the 15m chart of WTI:

I suspect this move may have blown up a few hedge funds. We shall hear about any in due course.

The FTSE was weak on Tuesday, dropping to 5,641, then broke above 5,800 on Thursday, exceeding the high from last Friday by a few points, before declining on Friday morning.

Made a few poor trade exits, especially on a long trade on RDSB, which I should have held for much longer. Well below my 2.5% weekly benchmark.

Looking forward to more volatility and trading opportunities next week.

Stay disciplined.
Stay focussed.
Stay humble.

Trading Summary Week Ended 17th April 2020

39 Trades:

2 AAL + 126 BPS.
3 BP + 1,097 BPS.
1 GLEN + 3,523 BPS.
1 FRES + 800 BPS.
32 UK100 + 2,832 BPS.

11 long trades + 960 BPS.
28 short trades + 7,418 BPS.
29 intra-day trades + 497 BPS.
10 multi-day trade + 7,881 BPS.
Total trades net + 8,378 BPS.

Return on account for the week + 3.81 % net.
P:L ratio 33.5:1.
Days traded: 4.
Longest trade duration: 475 days.
Shortest trade duration:  1 min.
(All PNL expressed in basis points for the purpose of comparison.)

Thoughts

Another four day week due to the Easter holiday.
Difficult trading conditions yet again, and there were some big moves on stocks and indices.

Despite some poor exits, still above my 2.5% benchmark, (stock positions were all pretty small).

Overnight on Thursday/Friday we saw a sharp rally on the US futures on hopes of a treatment for the corona virus. This pushed the FTSE back above 5800 for a while, despite some pretty awful GDP data from China.
Since last Friday, the index lost 55.7 points, or 0.95%.

Crude oil was weak again, with WTI crude breaking below $19. It was over $50 in February of this year, a huge decline.

Away from the markets, our lock down has been extended until May the 11th. It's getting very tedious, especially at the weekend when I'm not trading. And I still think it's a misguided policy. But nobody asks me about these things.

Expecting more volatility and trading opportunities next week.

Stay disciplined.
Stay focussed.
Stay humble.

Trading Summary Week Ended 10th April 2020

36 Trades:

1 BP + 323 BPS.
2 GLEN + 3,855 BPS.
33 UK100 + 2,005 BPS.

14 long trades + 730 BPS.
20 short trades + 5,453 BPS.
29 intra-day trades + 736 BPS.
5 multi-day trade + 5,447 BPS.
Total trades net + 6,183 BPS.

Return on account for the week + 2.70 % net.
P:L ratio N/A.
Days traded: 4.
Longest trade duration: 469 days.
Shortest trade duration:  1 min.
(All PNL expressed in basis points for the purpose of comparison.)

Thoughts

A four day week due to the Easter holiday.

Equity markets were calmer, after the extreme volatility we have seen recently.
The FTSE rallied above 5800 on Thursday, breaking the high it made on March the 26th.
Over the week, the index rallied 427 points or 7.89%.

Made a few poor trade exits, especially on a couple of long positions on the FTSE on Wednesday, which I should have given more room.
Just above my 2.5% benchmark, (the positions on GLEN and BP were pretty small).

On the subject of the Corona virus, I do think that we are wrecking whole economies on the basis of incomplete data. We simply do not know how deadly this virus is.

This is a good interview on this:




So now we have a four day weekend, but I won't be going very far from home. Not a great prospect really.

Expecting more volatility and opportunities next week.

Stay disciplined.
Stay focussed.
Stay humble.

Trading Summary Week Ended 3rd April 2020

31 Trades:

2 AAL + 311 BPS.
2 BP + 224 BPS.
1 GLEN + 4,351 BPS.
2 RDSB + 23 BPS.
1 STAN + 2,027 BPS.
23 UK100 + 283 BPS.

14 long trades + 397 BPS.
17 short trades + 6,822 BPS.
27 intra-day trades + 484 BPS.
6 multi-day trade + 6,735 BPS.
Total trades net + 7,219 BPS.

Return on account for the week + 1.02 % net.
P:L ratio 35.6:1.
Days traded: 5.
Longest trade duration: 450 days.
Shortest trade duration:  1 min.
(All PNL expressed in basis points for the purpose of comparison.)

Thoughts

Yet another active week on the global equity markets.

Markets again reacted to news on the Corona virus. On Thursday we saw a huge move on crude oil, after rumours of a deal between Russia and Saudi Arabia surfaced.

Brent crude moved over $10 in minutes:

Very tricky trading conditions, as the indices moved with every piece of news, I made a few very poor exits.
Well short of  my weekly 2.5% benchmark.
Over the week, the FTSE lost 95 points or 1.72 %.

For the month of March, I made 167 trades, for a net profit of 46 %.

Away from the markets, we are headed for the now the third weekend under the lock down where I live, not exactly ideal and hopefully the authorities will lift the restrictions of movement before too long. I get out for exercise (cycle or walk) and to walk the dog a couple of times a day, but that's about it at the moment.

Expecting more volatility and opportunities next week.

Stay disciplined.
Stay focussed.
Stay humble.

Trading Summary Week Ended 27th March 2020

38 Trades:

2 AAL + 2,890 BPS.
1 BHP + 55 BPS.
3 BP + 5,108 BPS.
3 FRES + 218 BPS.
1 GLEN + 205 BPS.
28 UK100 + 7,217 BPS.

8 long trades + 254 BPS.
30 short trades + 15,439 BPS.
32 intra-day trades + 1,056 BPS.
6 multi-day trade + 14,637 BPS.
Total trades net + 15,693 BPS.

Return on account for the week + 12.01 % net.
P:L ratio 828:1.
Days traded: 5.
Longest trade duration: 174 days.
Shortest trade duration:  1 min.
(All PNL expressed in basis points for the purpose of comparison.)

Thoughts

Another volatile week on the global equity markets.

Markets reacted to news on the Corona virus, with the FTSE breaking below 5000 on Monday, before rallying over 9% on Tuesday.
Looking back over the historical data, this was the second biggest percentage rise since the index was formed in 1984. Only 24 Nov 2008 was greater, at 9.84 %. Oddly enough, that's my birthday.
Over the week, the index was up 320 points, or 6.16 %.

Another active week, with over 30 trades completed.
A good week's trading for me, with the emphasis on the short side (79%).
Quite stressful though.
Well above my weekly 2.5% benchmark.

Expecting more volatility and opportunities next week.

Stay disciplined.
Stay focussed.
Stay humble.

Trading Summary Week Ended 20th March 2020

48 Trades:

5 AAL + 3,244 BPS.
3 BP + 1,446 BPS.
1 FRES + 981 BPS.
1 GLEN + 76 BPS.
2 RDSB + 139 BPS.
36 UK100 + 9,877 BPS.

3 long trades - 2,408 BPS.
45 short trades + 18,170 BPS.
32 intra-day trades + 2,007 BPS.
16 multi-day trade + 13,755 BPS.
Total trades net + 15,762 BPS.

Return on account for the week + 15.55 % net.
P:L ratio 4.36:1.
Days traded: 5.
Longest trade duration: 666 days.
Shortest trade duration:  2 min.
(All PNL expressed in basis points for the purpose of comparison.)

Thoughts

Another very volatile week on the global equity markets.

Crude oil fell to the low twenties on Wednesday, dragging down the oil and gas stocks..
There were some huge moves in individual shares - RD Shell was down over 10% on Wednesday, before rebounding 10% on Thursday. A pretty remarkable move on the largest company on the FTSE. Unfortunately I only caught a fraction of the move, due to a poor entry and even poorer exit.

Here is the chart of US crude oil over the course of the week:

On the FTSE, the high was 5419.3 (Friday morning) after making a low of 4898.79 on Monday.
The index lost 175 points or 3.27% during the week.
Apart from Thursday, the intra-day range was over 500 BPS every day, pretty high when you consider that some days this number is under 40.

A busy week, with nearly 50 trades completed.
A good week's trading for me, with the emphasis on the short side (94%).
Well north of my weekly 2.5% benchmark.

Expecting more volatility and opportunities next week.

Stay disciplined.
Stay focussed.
Stay humble.

Trading Summary Week Ended 13th March 2020

33 Trades:

1 AAL + 136 BPS.
2 BHP + 862 BPS.
2 BP + 6132 BPS.
1 FRES + 230 BPS.
1 MTRO + 1188 BPS.
26 UK100 + 4336 BPS.

1 long trade + 230 BPS.
31 short trades + 12,654 BPS.
23 intra-day trades + 2352 BPS.
10 multi-day trade + 10,532 BPS.
Total trades net + 12,884 BPS.

Return on account for the week + 8.53 % net.
P:L ratio N/A.
Days traded: 5.
Longest trade duration: 544 days.
Shortest trade duration:  1 min.
(All PNL expressed in basis points for the purpose of comparison.)

Thoughts

Another action - packed week on the global equity markets.

On Sunday night / Monday morning we saw a huge fall on crude oil, after Saudi Arabia flooded the market. I cannot recall seeing a 30% move in one day before...

So the oil and commodity stocks got hammered, as did the US and European markets.

On Monday the FTSE broke below last week's low for the year, below 5900. The intra-day range was over 570 points (880 BPS), which is just huge.

The FTSE mining index lost over 1500 points, again an enormous move. At one point on Monday morning, BP was down over 27%... in a few minutes. Truly panic selling.

Monday's low was then broken late on Wednesday, and again on Thursday, we set another new low for the year, at 5237.48, before we saw a big rally on Friday, which was again sold into.

The chart of the FTSE shows the carnage:

Over the week the index was down just under 1100 points, or over 16%.

Another decent week's trading for me, 97% on the short side. All rallies were sold into again.
More than triple my weekly 2.5% benchmark.

Expecting more volatility next week.

Stay disciplined.
Stay focussed.
Stay humble.

Trading Summary Week Ended 6th March 2020

35 Trades:

1 AAL + 84 BPS.
1 BP + 232 BPS.
34 UK100 + 1941 BPS.

1 long trade + 2 BPS.
34 short trades + 2255 BPS.
27 intra-day trades + 1013 BPS.
8 multi-day trade + 1244 BPS.
Total trades net + 2257 BPS.

Return on account for the week + 3.58 % net.
P:L ratio N/A.
Days traded: 5.
Longest trade duration: 398 days.
Shortest trade duration:  2 min.
(All PNL expressed in basis points for the purpose of comparison.)

Thoughts

Another sell off week on the global equity markets.

Indices rallied on Wednesday afternoon, after the Fed announced a surprise 'emergency' rate cut, but this was quickly sold into.
The fact that the Fed is so worried is not a very bullish sign to me.

The ongoing Corona virus situation is really producing some selling pressure in the equity markets, odd that it took so long to register (in my opinion).

On Friday the FTSE broke last Friday's low for the year, below 6450.

The situation in Europe is getting more serious, and many sporting events have been cancelled, including this the Strada Bianche one day cycle race this weekend sadly. The Paris - Nice may also be cancelled I believe.

A decent week's trading for me, 97% shorts, all rallies were sold into, well above my weekly 2.5% benchmark.

Expecting more volatility next week.

Stay disciplined.
Stay focussed.
Stay humble.

Trading Summary Week Ended 28th February 2020

38 Trades:

1 BHP - 199 BPS.
1 BP + 479 BPS.
1 GLEN + 403 BPS.

1 MTRO + 246 BPS.
34 UK100 + 2032 BPS.

1 long trade + 15 BPS.
37 short trades + 2946 BPS.
25 intra-day trades + 938 BPS.
13 multi-day trade + 2023 BPS.
Total trades net + 2961 BPS.

Return on account for the week + 3.96 % net.
P:L ratio 26:1.
Days traded: 5.
Longest trade duration: 458 days.
Shortest trade duration:  1 min.
(All PNL expressed in basis points for the purpose of comparison.)

Thoughts

Another very volatile week on the equity markets.

Markets sold off sharply, after seemingly ignoring the Corona virus situation for weeks.

The FTSE made a new low for 2020 on Monday, and then broke below that on Tuesday, Wednesday, and lower again on Thursday and again on Friday when it broke 6500, taking the weeks losses to more than 900 points. Later on Friday it bounced to finish 823 points down for the week (11.12%), quite incredible really.

The Dow lost more than 3500 points.

Crude oil again was also very weak.

Unfortunately, I think the Corona virus will now spread worldwide, it's already in Europe with new outbreaks in Northern Italy, a worry as the Italian border is a mere 30 km from here.

A better week's trading for me, mostly on the FTSE, nearly all shorts, and above my weekly 2.5% benchmark. But it was an an exhausting week.

For the month of February, I made 67 trades for a net return of 4.22%. A very challenging month.

Looking forward to more trading opportunities in March.

Stay disciplined.
Stay focussed.
Stay humble.

Trading Summary Week Ended 21st February 2020

12 Trades:

3 BP + 352 BPS.

9 UK100 + 55 BPS.

8 long trades + 53 BPS.
4 short trades + 354 BPS.
9 intra-day trades + 56 BPS.
2 multi-day trade + 351 BPS.
Total trades net + 407 BPS.

Return on account for the week + 0.18 % net.
P:L ratio N/A.
Days traded: 5.
Longest trade duration: 64 days.
Shortest trade duration:  1 min.
(All PNL expressed in basis points for the purpose of comparison.)

Thoughts

Another difficult week on the equity markets.
Made a couple of very premature exits, especially after the FTSE tested the 7350 zone on Tuesday morning, it then rallied to 7462.
Crude oil found a bid after the recent weakness.

Well below  my weekly 2.5% benchmark.

Looking forward better trading opportunities next week.

Stay disciplined.
Stay focussed.
Stay humble.

Trading Summary Week Ended 14th February 2020

10 Trades:

1 AAL + 15 BPS.
1 BP + 54 BPS.

1 GLEN + 13 BPS.
7 UK100 + 143 BPS.

7 long trades + 194 BPS.
3 short trades + 31 BPS.
8 intra-day trades + 104 BPS.
2 multi-day trade + 121 BPS.
Total trades net + 225 BPS.

Return on account for the week + 0.32 % net.
P:L ratio N/A.
Days traded: 5.
Longest trade duration: 86 days.
Shortest trade duration:  1 min.
(All PNL expressed in basis points for the purpose of comparison.)

Thoughts

Quite a volatile week on the equity markets, we saw a sharp sell off overnight Wednesday / Thursday after China revised higher the number of confirmed Corona virus cases.

The FTSE fell to 7403.69 on Friday afternoon, which is almost the 50% retracement level of the recent rally from 7275 to 7533, as shown below:

At the close on Friday, the FTSE was down 58 points, or 0.77% over the week, although around 18 points of that were due to stocks going ex-dividend.

The two largest FTSE oil & gas producers, BP and RD Shell were weak , both going ex-dividend on Thursday, weighing on the index. RD Shell made a new 52 week low on Friday, falling nearly 3% over the course of the week..

Well below  my weekly 2.5% benchmark.

Looking forward better trading opportunities next week.

Stay disciplined.
Stay focussed.
Stay humble.

Trading Summary Week Ended 7th February 2020

7 Trades:

1 BP + 338 BPS.

1 GLEN + 28 BPS.
5 UK100 - 120 BPS.

4 long trades + 73 BPS.
3 short trades - 140 BPS.
5 intraday trades + 83 BPS.
2 multi-day trade - 150 BPS.
Total trades net - 67 BPS.

Return on account for the week - 0.24 % net.
P:L ratio 0.4:1.
Days traded: 5.
Longest trade duration: 4 days.
Shortest trade duration:  1 min.
(All PNL expressed in basis points for the purpose of comparison.)

Thoughts

Not a great start to February. Another difficult week, the equity markets were weak on Monday, before rallying into Thursday. The FTSE finished up 2.48% over the course of the week.

Well below  my weekly 2.5% benchmark.

Looking forward better trading opportunities next week.

Stay disciplined.
Stay focussed.
Stay humble.

Trading Summary Week Ended 31st January 2020

10 Trades:

1 BP + 338 BPS.

9 UK100 + 94 BPS.

7 long trades + 63 BPS.
3 short trades + 369 BPS.
6 intraday trades + 67 BPS.
4 multi-day trade + 365 BPS.
Total trades net + 432 BPS.

Return on account for the week + 0.25 % net.
P:L ratio N/A.
Days traded: 5.
Longest trade duration: 92 days.
Shortest trade duration:  2 min.
(All PNL expressed in basis points for the purpose of comparison.)

Thoughts

A really difficult week, the equity markets fell on the news of the worsening situation in China re the corona virus.

Commodity stocks were badly hit, and the FTSE lost 300 points, or just short of 4% on the week. The FTSE mining index lost over 1100 points or 6% this week.  RD Shell lost over 9%.

Well below  my weekly 2.5% benchmark.

For the month of January I made 39 trades and saw a net return of just 0.86%... a very challenging month. The FTSE fell 3.40% during the month.

Looking forward better trading opportunities next month.

Stay disciplined.
Stay focussed.
Stay humble.

Trading Summary Week Ended 24th January 2020

7 Trades:

1 AAL + 289 BPS.

6 UK100 - 292 BPS.

4 long trades + 547 BPS.
3 short trades - 550 BPS.
3 intraday trades + 16 BPS.
6 multi-day trade - 19 BPS.
Total trades net - 3 BPS.

Return on account for the week - 0.47 % net.
P:L ratio 0.61:1.
Days traded: 5.
Longest trade duration: 47 days.
Shortest trade duration:  4 min.
(All PNL expressed in basis points for the purpose of comparison.)

Thoughts

Not a good week. The equity market rally faltered this week, as Fears over the virus hitting China seemed to have spooked the equity markets on Thursday, with the commodity stocks taking a hit, before bouncing near to the recent high (7689) on Friday.

Again it's unwise to be short this market for very long.

Well below  my weekly 2.5% benchmark.

Looking forward better trading opportunities next week.

Stay disciplined.
Stay focussed.
Stay humble.

Trading Summary Week Ended 17th January 2020

9 Trades:

1 FRES + 182 BPS.

8 UK100 + 194 BPS.

8 long trades + 714 BPS.
1 short trades - 338 BPS.
3 intraday trades + 25 BPS.
6 multi-day trade + 351 BPS.
Total trades net + 376 BPS.

Return on account for the week + 0.43 % net.
P:L ratio 1.59:1.
Days traded: 5.
Longest trade duration: 106 days.
Shortest trade duration:  4 min.
(All PNL expressed in basis points for the purpose of comparison.)

Thoughts

The equity market rally continued this week, with the US indices making new all time highs.
Miners were strong, and the FTSE hit 7689 on Friday after expiry.
The FTSE mining index gained over 600 points on last week's close.
All dips are still being bought.

Made a couple of very premature exits on the FTSE (longs naturally).

Short of  my weekly 2.5% benchmark.

Looking forward better trading opportunities next week.

Stay disciplined.
Stay focussed.
Stay humble.

Trading Summary Week Ended 10th January 2020

8 Trades:

2 BHP + 42 BPS.

6 UK100 + 27 BPS.

8 long trades + 69 BPS.
0 short trades.
7 intraday trades + 47 BPS.
1 multi-day trade + 22 BPS.
Total trades net + 69 BPS.

Return on account for the week + 0.08 % net.
P:L ratio N/A.
Days traded: 5.
Longest trade duration: 1 day.
Shortest trade duration:  8 min.
(All PNL expressed in basis points for the purpose of comparison.)

Thoughts

The first full trading week of the new year. Not a great start for me.

On the equity markets, FTSE was range - bound for most of the week, trading down to 7525 and as high as 7632.
The US markets continued their march ever higher, after selling off on Tuesday night (after Iran retaliated against the US over the killing of a senior military officer), before quickly resuming the rally. On Friday both the SPX 500 and the Dow made new all time highs. All dips are still being bought.

Below my weekly 2.5% benchmark.

Looking forward better trading opportunities next week.

Stay disciplined.
Stay focussed.
Stay humble.

Trading Summary Week Ended 3rd January 2020

9 Trades:

1 FRES + 40 BPS.

8 UK100 + 281 BPS.

9 long trades + 321 BPS.
0 short trades.
8 intraday trades + 86 BPS.
1 multi-day trades 235 BPS.
Total trades net + 281 BPS.

Return on account for the week + 0.61 % net.
P:L ratio N/A.
Days traded: 3.5.
Longest trade duration: 98 days.
Shortest trade duration:  1 min.
(All PNL expressed in basis points for the purpose of comparison.)

Thoughts

So we reached 2020 and the world is still more or less in one piece.
My new year was pretty quiet, I actually detest new year's eve and all the hullabaloo, and was asleep well before the clocks struck midnight.
At least the weather over Christmas and the new year was decent.

On the equity markets, the rally on the FTSE faltered after hitting 7665 on the 27th December. Crude spiked early on Friday after the US announced it had killed a senior Iranian General.

Only a few trades, as the markets were closed for a day and a half this week.

Below my weekly 2.5% benchmark.

For the month of December, I made a net return of 2.7%, with 36 trades closed.

Looking forward to more trading opportunities in 2020.

Stay disciplined.
Stay focussed.
Stay humble.

Trading Summary Week Ended 27th December 2019

2 Trades:

2 UK100 + 316 BPS.

2 long trades + 316 BPS.
0 short trades.
0 intraday trades.
2 multi-day trades  + 316 BPS.
Total trades net + 316 BPS.

Return on account for the week + 0.67 % net.
P:L ratio N/A.
Days traded: 2.5.
Longest trade duration: 88 days.
Shortest trade duration:  3 days.
(All PNL expressed in basis points for the purpose of comparison.)

Thoughts

Christmas week was pretty uneventful. The rally on the FTSE continued, with the index hitting 7665 on Friday.

In the US the SPX broke through 3240, making new all time highs.

Only a couple of trades. Again below my weekly 2.5% benchmark.


Stay disciplined.
Stay focussed.
Stay humble.

Trading Summary Week Ended 20th December 2019

3 Trades:

1 AAL + 94 BPS.
2 UK100 + 210 BPS.

3 long trades + 304 BPS.
0 short trades.
0 intraday trades.
3 multi-day trades  + 304 BPS.
Total trades net + 304 BPS.

Return on account for the week + 0.50 % net.
P:L ratio N/A.
Days traded: 5.
Longest trade duration: 14 days.
Shortest trade duration:  3 days.
(All PNL expressed in basis points for the purpose of comparison.)

Thoughts

A quieter week. The post election rally on the FTSE continued, with the index testing the 7600 level on Friday.

In the US the SPX broke through 3200, yet another new all time high.

Again below my weekly 2.5% benchmark.

Next week the LSE closes early on Tuesday for Christmas, and re-opens on Thursday. The markets will no doubt be fairly quiet.


Stay disciplined.
Stay focussed.
Stay humble.