DIS reported negative earnings and is going to cost me. I cancelled out my stop as I want to see what this does tomorrow before closing my position. I'm expecting this stock to close the gap from the negative earnings before next week's end and return to today's close ($106-ish). If it's looking bleak tomorrow, I may end up closing it and just taking the loss and wait for the bottom before re-entering. I still think this stock hits $120 within a couple months. GE and TWTR both made comebacks today of 2 and 3% respectively. SPLS and office depot called off the merger and the stock dropped over 10% in after hours. I'll be watching this one tomorrow morning and getting out at some point unless their appears to be no point where it's going to bounce. The closing of this position is assuming the stock is no longer halted.
@Ciao still planning to pay off student loans by the end of the year and then make a deposit and probably use ThinkOrSwim. Until then, my 401K is available, but as I've only been in my job for one year, there's only enough capital in there for one or two trades at a time. Currently, my positions in DIS and TWTR are in my paper portfolio and I own them in my 401K. Of course 2 of my few losers are the ones I actually played with real money I've also bent the rules on DIS by removing my stop after missing earnings and I would have been stopped out this morning. I posted my reasoning in the Disney thread. I closed my position in SPLS at $8.75 this morning. Will post details later today.
$10 is a little high for a trade these days but if it is a long term hold it does not make much difference. I remember when President Clinton was talking about how great the economy was I had a bad feeling on the economy and put my 401K funds on hold and was only drawing interest. Then came the crash when the DOW was about 6500 and I moved the funds from my 401K into a IRA trading account. That was the best move I have ever made to date
No problem but you might not meet the age requirement but I am not up to date on any new rules and regulations. Should it be a 401K or trading account you just want to grow your long positions with some safe bets that pay good div's.
Symbol: SPLS (SHORT) Date Entered: 4/13/16 Price Entered: $11.30 # of shares: 421 Total Investment: $4,757.30 Stop set: $12.25 (MAX RISK $400) Target set: $9.00 Date Exited: 5/11/16 Price Exited: $8.75 % Return: +22.57% Profit (after $20 total trading fees): +$1,053.55 Immediate Thoughts: I entered this trade because SPLS was overbought, coming up on resistance at the 200MA, MACD had just crossed over, it is in a dying market (because of online sales and other outlets that are more convenient). I'm happy with how it played out, though I got lucky that last night the merger did not go through with Office Depot. That sent the stock plummeting. I was still very profitable in the trade before that, and was planning to exit in the $9's.
Opened up a position in F just now at $13.33. It's trading just above the 50MA and 200MA and the 50MA is just crossing over the 200MA. With these two acting as support, and that bullish indicator, I'm expecting this to have very strong support for a low-risk trade. Symbol: F (LONG) Date Entered: 5/11/16 Price Entered: $13.33 # of shares: 484 Total Investment: $6,451.72 Stop set: $13 (MAX RISK $159.80 - 2%) Target set: $14.50 (TARGET GAINS $546.28 - 8.78%)
Opened up a position in BAC this morning at $14.15. It's trading just above the 50MA and below the 200MA. I'm thinking the 50MA will act as support and help carry this stock up towards the 200MA (currently at 15.30). I believe that will be a short-term target, while I think if it gets through the 200MA it can reach the $17-$18 range. Unless this flies right through the 200MA though, I'll probably exit early at the 200MA and lock up some profits (of about 7-8%). Symbol: BAC (LONG) Date Entered: 5/12/16 Price Entered: $14.15 # of shares: 355 Total Investment: $5,023.25 Stop set: $13.70 (MAX RISK $159.80 - 2%) Target set: $17.00 (TARGET GAINS $991.75 - 20.14%)
Closed my positioni in ATVI today. See below for details. Symbol: ATVI (LONG) Date Entered: 4/27/16 Price Entered: $34.49 # of shares: 93 Total Investment: $3,207.57 Stop set: $32 (MAX RISK $400) Target set: $39.50 (originally) - lowered to $38.95 yesterday. Date Exited: 5/13/16 Price Exited: $38.96 % Return: +12.96% Profit (after $20 total trading fees): +$395.71 Immediate Thoughts: I lowered my target price of $39.50 to $38.95 as ATVI was coming up on resistance between $39 and $39.50. In a down market the last few days, I didn't expect it to break through causing me to lower my target to lock up profit. If it drops back down, I can always re-enter. I entered the trade because the 50MA was just crossing over the 200MA at ~$32.50 and headed up, so the 50MA and 200MA would act as support plus it was a bullish indicator that signaled an upcoming increase. It worked just as planned, and with a positive earnings report approached my target price which I exited a little bit under, just a few cents under the HOD. I'm satisfied with how the trade went and glad I put the sell limit order in to lock up profits around $39 as the stock is now at $38.35 and in a sell-off mode. If the market was trending upwards the last few days, I probably would have kept the position open longer, but it's important to adapt to market conditions.
Weekly update on OPEN positions (total gain/loss since position was started): LONG plays: GE: Entry price $30.89. Current price $29.64 -4.05% TWTR: Entry price $14.92. Current price $14.10. -5.50% DIS: Entry price $104.14. Current price $100.52. -3.48% VKTX: Entry price $1.25. Current price $1.18. -5.60% KMI: Entry price $17.08. Current price $17.13. +0.29% F: Entry price $13.33. Current price $13.22. -0.83% BAC: Entry price $14.15. Current price $13.88. -1.91% SHORT plays: None Open -------------------------------------------- Weekly update on CLOSED positions this week: LONG plays: ATVI: Entry price $34.49. Exit price $38.96. +12.96% SHORT plays: SPLS: Entry price $11.30. Exit price $8.75. +22.57% --------------------------------------------- Things I'm currently watching closely next week and in the near future: DIS to start making a recovery from the drop after earnings this week. It has to stay above the 50MA and break above the 200MA soon. GE to announce their dividend soon. TWTR to close over $15 next week. Still waiting on this one FCAU to head back down to the lower $7 range for another swing trade up to $8. SKX to continue heading back down to the $26 range for another swing trade up to $34. It's been trading in that 26-34 channel since last October, bouncing off each 2-3 times. AMD news for a possible entry if we can get a decent price before. All that red in my open portfolio is painful to look at Lots of huge gainers over the past couple months though should soften the blow if none of these make moves back up in the near future.
Opened multiple new positions today. All details below. Symbol: IHG (LONG) Date Entered: 5/17/16 Price Entered: $37.70 # of shares: 116 Total Investment: $4,373.20 Stop set: $37 (MAX RISK $80.98 - 1%) Target set: $41.72 (TARGET GAINS $446.32 - 10.66%) Symbol: BYD (LONG) Date Entered: 5/17/16 Price Entered: $18.49 # of shares: 352 Total Investment: $6,508.48 Stop set: $18.03 (MAX RISK $161.95 - 2%) Target set: $21.22 (TARGET GAINS $940.96 - 14.76%) Symbol: AA (LONG) Date Entered: 5/17/16 Price Entered: $9.22 # of shares: 476 Total Investment: $4,388.72 Stop set: $8.88 (MAX RISK $161.95 - 2%) Target set: $11.30 (TARGET GAINS $970.08 - 22.56%) Symbol: JBHT (LONG) Date Entered: 5/17/16 Price Entered: $80.74 # of shares: 84 Total Investment: $6,782.16 Stop set: $80 (MAX RISK $80.98 - 1%) Target set: $88 (TARGET GAINS $589.84 - 8.99%) Symbol: S (SHORT) Date Entered: 5/17/16 Price Entered: $3.50 # of shares: 810 Total Investment: $2,835 Stop set: $3.80 (MAX RISK $242.93 - 3%) Target set: $2.50 (TARGET GAINS $790 - 28.57%)
Got stopped out of JBHT a little while ago today. See below for details. Symbol: JBHT (LONG) Date Entered: 5/17/16 Price Entered: $80.74 # of shares: 84 Total Investment: $6,782.16 Stop set: $80 (MAX RISK $80.98 - 1%) Target set: $88 (TARGET GAINS $589.84 - 8.99%) Date Exited: 5/18/16 Price Exited: $80 % Return: -0.92% Profit (after $20 total trading fees): -$82.16 Immediate Thoughts: This was a very small play with potential upside of 9% gains. There was support around the $81 level, so I figured if it dropped below $80 I would just get out, as it gets more risky to see a drop below a round number like $80. The stock has bounced back up and I could still be in, but I'm ok with getting out and keeping risk low on a play that I obviously wasn't super comfortable with since I only risked 1%.
Got stopped out of two positions today in IHG and AA. Details posted below. Symbol: IHG (LONG) Date Entered: 5/17/16 Price Entered: $37.70 # of shares: 116 Total Investment: $4,373.20 Stop set: $37(MAX RISK $80.98 - 1%) Target set: $41.72 (TARGET GAINS $446.32 - 10.66%) Date Exited: 5/19/16 Price Exited: $37 % Return: -1.86% Profit (after $20 total trading fees): -$101.20 Immediate Thoughts: Very similar situation as JBHT position yesterday. Same thoughts: This was a very small play with potential upside of 10% gains. There was support around the $37.50 level + 200MA support at the same area. I was hoping for a bounce and a ride up to $41-$42 but it dropped through my stop and I cut my losses. Symbol: AA (LONG) Date Entered: 5/17/16 Price Entered: $7.22 # of shares: 476 Total Investment: $4,388.72 Stop set: $8.88 (MAX RISK $161.95 - 2%) Target set: $11.30 (TARGET GAINS $970.08 - 22.56%) Date Exited: 5/19/16 Price Exited: $8.85 % Return: -4.01% Profit (after $20 total trading fees): -$196.12 Immediate Thoughts: This broke below the 200MA yesterday on the news about potential rate hike. This caused the steel industry to take a small hit and stopped me out of my position. It's unexpected bad news like this that make stop losses a must and make sticking to the rules important. A lot of losses lately as the market goes down, but because we're sticking to our rules and implementing stop losses, they're not hurting that bad (in most cases). Our big gainers have definitely made us money over our multiple small losers so far since beginning trading a month and a half ago.
FCAU dropped back to the same price I entered 1-2 months ago for a 16.6% gain. I didn't notice until today when it climbed back 3.59% so far, so I missed my entry. I'll probably see if it drops a bit and snag it if I can get in below $7 and take it for another ride up into the $8's. SKX is back under $30. I rode it from 26-34 1-2 months ago and will do the same again if it can get back down near $26. It's consistently bounced between the $26-$34 range since November last year.
Locked up some profit in VKTX today. Details and thoughts below. Symbol: VKTX (LONG) Date Entered: 5/4/16 Price Entered: $1.25 # of shares: 1624 Total Investment: $2,030.00 Stop set: $1.10 (MAX RISK $243.57 - 3%) Target set: $1.55 originally (TARGET GAINS $467.20 - 24%), lowered to $1.33 a couple days ago (TARGET GAINS $109.92 - 6.4%) Date Exited: 5/20/16 Price Exited: $1.33 % Return: +6.40% Profit (after $20 total trading fees): +$109.92 Immediate Thoughts: I entered this trade a little above strong support in the $1.20 area. I was expecting a quick bounce, with low risk and a stop loss set at a 3% portfolio loss for a medium sized investment in my trading strategy. My plan was to get out at resistance of the 50MA at about a 24% gain. The stock consolidated and consolidated and had trouble moving anywhere, getting much closer to my stop than to my target, so I decided to adjust my target much lower and lock up gains at 6.4%. Can't always hit our targets, but it's important to lock up profit and adjust where necessary. Makes up for a few losses the last few days.
Really wanted to get FCAU in the 6's, but I missed it yesterday. Got in today an hour or two before close at $7.03. Will post details later tonight if I get around to it, otherwise in the morning tomorrow.
Scratch that. I have time to enter trade details now. Symbol: FCAU (LONG) Date Entered: 5/20/16 Price Entered: $7.03 # of shares: 740 Total Investment: $5,202.20 Stop set: $6.70 (MAX RISK $244.05 - 3% portfolio) Target set: $8.18 (TARGET GAINS $831 - 16.36%)
Weekly update on OPEN positions (total gain/loss since position was started): LONG plays: GE: Entry price $30.89. Current price $29.56 -4.31% TWTR: Entry price $14.92. Current price $14.43. -3.28% DIS: Entry price $104.14. Current price $99.78. -4.19% KMI: Entry price $17.08. Current price $17.75. +3.92% F: Entry price $13.33. Current price $13.19. -1.05% BAC: Entry price $14.15. Current price $14.52. +2.61% BYD: Entry price $18.49. Current price $18.23. -1.41% FCAU: Entry price $7.03. Current price $7.04. +0.14% SHORT plays: S: Entry price $3.50. Current price $3.59. -2.57% -------------------------------------------- Weekly update on CLOSED positions this week: LONG plays: JBHT: Entry price $80.74. Exit price $80. -0.92% IHG: Entry price $37.70. Exit price $37. -1.86% AA: Entry price $9.22. Exit price $8.85. -4.01% VKTX: Entry price $1.25. Exit price $1.33. +6.40% SHORT plays: None --------------------------------------------- Things I'm currently watching closely next week and in the near future: DIS to move up past $100 and the 50MA. After 7 straight losing days and then finally a positive day yesterday, it will be nice to see some more momentum gained GE to announce their dividend soon. TWTR to close over $15 next week. Still waiting on this one FCAU to move back up to $8 again after dropping down into the 6's (did this same trade a month or two ago) SKX to continue heading back down to the $26 range for another swing trade up to $34. It's been trading in that 26-34 channel since last October, bouncing off each 2-3 times. ATVI a possible reentry. Again, lots of red in the portfolio currently Lots of huge gainers over the past couple months though should soften the blow if none of these make moves back up in the near future.
Got stopped out of FCAU today. Details and thoughts below. Symbol: FCAU (LONG) Date Entered: 5/20/16 Price Entered: $7.03 # of shares: 740 Total Investment: $5,202.20 Stop set: $6.70 (MAX RISK $244.05 - 3%) Target set: $8.18 (TARGET GAINS $831 - 16%) Date Exited: 5/23/16 Price Exited: $6.75 % Return: -3.98% Profit (after $20 total trading fees): -$227.20 Immediate Thoughts: I did a very similar trade on this from 4/7-4/19 and a +16% gain. I entered this one a little early (wanted sub $7's), but it wouldn't have mattered as I still would have been stopped out. It was very unfortunate timing, as their was some negative news that came out after I entered and caused a drop today at open. I may look for another entry when the accusation from the German government passes if it is found that FCAU does indeed meet emissions standards and is not cheating in the same way that Volkswagen did.
