TradeQuantiX Portfolio Update: 9/21/2024
Staying pretty relaxed as the portfolio enters new highs
Since just the last week or two, the portfolio has actually done very well. I was in a small drawdown in the last portfolio update, which was 100% expected because I just had a recent performance spike. But since that update, I have launched out of drawdown into new equity highs.
To be honest, I was not really expecting that to happen, but when I look at a chart of the S&P 500, there has been a small recovery since the last update. I tend to use the S&P 500 as my benchmark and market barometer, so my portfolio will generally be compared to the S&P 500 (I use the SPY ETF to represent the S&P 500). See the SPY chart below:
I guess maybe it makes sense that I am at new equity highs, the markets hit new highs too. I honestly didn’t even realize the markets hit a new high. For some reason, I thought we may see a little more market wide churn first. Anyway, I just added the new portfolio data and SPY data to my performance tracking plot:
The last couple weeks haven’t been too bad, honestly pretty good if you ask me.
If you’re reading this confused why it seems like I have no idea what’s going on in the markets, it’s because it’s true. I’m literally writing this portfolio update and looking at charts/trades my portfolio has taken the past couple weeks at the same time. Yes, if you’re reading in between the lines, that means I do not look at charts everyday. I hardly even look at the trades my trading systems put on day to day, especially this past couple weeks because I have been busy. Is that irresponsible? Personally, I don’t think so.
I use systematic trading systems, the entries and exits are all coded and systematized. Also, my order management software points out any inconsistencies to me every morning when I am placing my trades, so I can fix any issues, if needed, real time. Sure, I do periodic reviews every week or two, but daily reviews are pretty unnecessary, especially after having traded systematically for a few years now. After awhile, you start to trust that your systems and process are working properly. A mistake may happen from time to time and go unnoticed for a couple days, but these events are rare and when they happen I put a process in place to prevent them in the future.
Honestly, I feel pretty lucky that I have gotten to the point to where I can trade systematically and not have to worry about the day to day. Most of the time I only look at my PnL in my broker once a day, when I am running my trading systems; and I only look because I have to so I can properly size my trades based on my current account balance. Other than that, I tend not to look at my portfolio until the next day when I have to place my orders again. Basically, I’m the opposite of this guy I made with an AI image generator, staring a multiple charts all day:
These portfolio updates give me a chance to decompress, review, and reflect on my portfolio and its performance. Most of the day I don’t even think about my trading performance, I’m too focused on something else, like my day job, or my workout, or my 4 month old puppy.
He’s cute isn’t he?
All that being said, I can’t just ignore what’s going on in my portfolio, at least not for longer than 2-3 weeks at most. I feel like that’s where it would start to become irresponsible. There needs to be some rhythm to being on top of what’s going on, hence why I started writing these journals, to force me to review everything with the portfolio and ensure it’s all in line. I hope these journals will keep me accountable and on top of everything. I’m sure once I go into a large drawdown my attention will start to focus a lot more on my performance; but so far this year has been pretty smooth sailing.
Anyway, here’s a couple screenshots of the recent winners (all of these positions are still open):
Now that I shared all these screenshots, these trades will all be losers next week, just watch.
Anyway, that’s all folks!