Trading Spreadsheet Specifics

Since my post regarding after the trade analysis, I've been getting a lot of emails regarding some of the specific columns that I use to track the various parts of my trading. I'm pleased to see the subject resonate with so many of you! I thought I would outline the way that I organize my spreadsheet to get some feedback on the various ways you can evaluate your trading performance. Here goes...

1. Trade Number (This helps when it comes to looking at various averages)

2. Date

3. Time (Do I trade better in the morning or afternoon?)

4. # of Contracts / Shares

5. Trade Direction (Am I more successful trading long or short?)

6. Symbol

7. Entry Price

8. Exit Price

9. Ticks / Points gained or lost

10. Commission

11. Profit / Loss (including commission) (Commissions are a very real business expense. Consider them as such because they do affect your bottom line)

12. Advanced GET Trading Strategy (Which strategy am I most effective with?)

13. Running Account Balance (Always a good idea to make sure you and your formal account statements jive)

I always color code my trades (this also helps with generating some stats quickly).

Green background: Profitable Trade

White background: Losing Trade

Gray background: Breakeven Trade

I always break my trades up by month so I can compare various months in the year to prior years. In the Account Balance column, I always color the high and low water mark of the account. This helps identify if you are moving the account in the right direction over time.

Trade Smart

~Duane Gott

 

Comments

[Don V]

I also record the time frame, the trigger method I used, the initial stop and the MOB. This allows me to determine profitability vs. R/R ratio and also determine which trigger method and time frames work best for me. I separate out futures, equities and options. The option plays are often not AGet strategies so they are categorized differently (volatity skews, put/call ratio plays, naked puts etc)