Actually, I don't know if you saw some of my previous posts, but I decided I wouldn't be able to keep up the blotter as it wouldn't be even close to real-time, and I don't think that posting trades after the market closes is legit.
I've recently had a dramatic reduction in leizure time, and journal upkeep doesn't fall high on my priority list. Thanks to the efforts of others I think this thread does offer some value when compared to opinions of some other threads. So I will continue to participate, and answer questions as I get time.
Anyway, I broke a couple rules in OCT and it cost me. One was trying to outguess a market rally. When the market is in obvious rallymode, it's best to stay out of the way. The second was selling premium at extraordinarily low vols. I'd talked myself into a market top, and was willing to take the vol risk as I was more comfortable directionally.
I've been experimenting with a vertical roll scenario on the SPX bear calls, but finally reversed the position (bot back the shorts) on the big rally monday as it became obvious that we would head back up toward previous highs again. Unfortunately I didn't hold overnight on monday even though I was predicting a rally to previous highs. I only caught about 6 points of the rally because I chickened out and took the loss.
As I stated in my previous blotter update, I rolled the NEM bull puts out to NOV. They were looking really good until today, and now they are barely OTM. I think there is support at $44.5 though. If that holds out through NOV expiry then I'll make about 6.5% port return on that.
Anyway, all said and done it works out to be close to a 5% port loss from the SPX position. So if the NEM position works out that will be about 65% ROA for the year. Admittedly, I stopped keeping close track when I indicated that I didn't have the time anymore.
When I started the journal my target was higher, but I soon realized how time consuming it is to locate trades and manage a port completely separate from my real account. Results might have been better if I was soley devoted to this account, but results could've been worse. It's all speculation really. Personally I think there was more money to be made this year than is reflected by this journal blotter.
Also in my real account I don't restrict myself to trades that fit a certain type. I change according to market conditions. Like right now I have only one credit spread. Admittedly though OCT was tough for me because of the above mentioned mistakes. NOV has been much more rewarding since I decided to get out of the way and stear clear of credit spreads until vols pick up. DEC will be tricky because that is usually my favorite IC month.
