Daytrading Newsletter
for Active Traders

Vol 1 - Issue No. 1 June 1998

Daytraders, find "What's New" at the Daytrader's Bulletin

+ Publisher's Notes
+ Unabled Trades
+ Signal Alerts - New Real-Time Signal
+ New Tips
+ Bookstore
+ Results for first half of June 1998
+ Software Spotlight

============ Publisher's Notes
At the beginning of this month we began tracking Trade Overhead -- an element of crucial importance to daytraders. Trade Overhead includes trade slippage, brokerage commissions, and fees. Trade slippage is by far the greatest expense facing daytraders. It is highly unlikely that any daytrading system can be profitable without taking this major expense into account. Our Real-Time Signals attempt to enter during periods of low volatility in order to reduce the effects of slippage on our bottom line.

Trade Overhead is shown in the Overnight Update on pg. 5, Current Performance. Each entry or exit shows slippage amount: either a plus figure or a minus figure if slippage was to our disadvantage. These entries are netted and shown in the Trade Overhead Summary box along with broker commissions assumed at $25 per round turn.

Total Expenses are subtracted from our Gross Profit for the day to give you an idea of the actual bottom line for that day. Please Note: The Trading Statistics (page 6) currently show profits without slippage or commissions deducted and is so footnoted.

When the Bulletin collects sufficient back data to incorporate Trade Overhead into the Trading Statistics, we will do so. (Ed. Note. This was changed in Jan. '99). For now, we will not mix apples and oranges.

============ Unabled Trades
We have recently had two unabled trades -- trades that moved quickly outside the bounds of our slippage area (the +/- X.XX following the Price @ Entry field). Given the recent increase in market volatility, we believe it is an appropriate time to restate our policies regarding these disallowed trades.

If price moves beyond the Price @ Entry field after the +/- slippage factor is applied within 10 seconds of us sending the signal, then that trade will not be included in our Statistics or Performance data. This applies whether the trade moves in our favor or against us.

We will make every attempt to follow that trade for the benefit of those users who either were extraordinarily quick in getting in on the trade and those who inadvertently entered the trade. Though we will attempt to follow the unabled trade, if a compelling trading opportunity occurs, we will stop following the disallowed trade in favor of the new trading opportunity.

The ten second period was selected because that is, to us, a reasonable period assuming the signal was received within 2-3 seconds of us sending it, 3-4 seconds of viewing the trading parameters and applying the +/- slippage factor to the Price @ Signal field, 2-3 seconds of reviewing current price on your quote machine and then (in the case of electronic order submision) pressing the Send button on a pre-entered parked order (as per LeoWeb).

Even though we will make a best efforts attempt at following the disallowed trade, we will not include it in our Performance or Statistics data. What are your opinions and comments regarding the issue of disabled trades? We welcome any approach that is more equitable or reasonable. Let us hear your comments.

For additional information on the (+/- X.XX) slippage field refer to:

Bulletin Signals
FAQs Answers
The Bulletin Method

============ New Real-Time Signal: Signal Alerts
We have recently instituted a new Signal: The Signal Alert. It is intended to alert you to the possibility of an impending trade. This will allow you to accomplish other tasks rather than always "Stand- By."

Please note that while we will always attempt to issue a Signal Alert prior to a trade, we may not always be able to do so, as our systems may have us enter on very short-term notice.

============ New Tips
We have posted two new tips. Check them out if you haven't already.

Trade Execution is about pulling the trigger, fear and personal perception.

Winning Mental States is about assessing your mental state prior to trading and offers a technique for changing your mental state from a negative or neutral rating to a peak mental state.

============ Bookstore
In the past month we have become an affiliate of Trader's Press (Ed - this has changed as of 4/99 to Amazon due to better discounts). They have a reputation for having the most complete, in-stock selection of books on trading.

Select one of the choices on the drop-down menu on our home page, or press one of the links at the bottom of our pages marked "Daytrader's Book Store." If you don't find your favorites, send us the titles to include in our Trader's Recommendations.

============= Results for June 1998
After slippage and brokerage fees are deducted, we are up $10,250 net from June 1 to June 12. This equates to a monthly return of 75.2% and an annualized return of 902%, after trading overhead is deducted. This assumes trading a three contract set and a $30,000 starting account. These are significant returns by anyone's measure.

They are all the more significant since we have had our largest drawdown to date during this period (June 8 - $1,400; June 9 - $2,700; and June 10 - $1,150 for a total of $5,250 including slippage and broker commissions).

Additionally, several excellent opportunities passed us by which we were unable to act on. Though we are doing well by anyone's standards, we are not up to our statistical norms and are working to return to those rates of return.

============ Software Spotlight
Reminders for Windows 95/NT. We have recently discovered a great tool for use with our Cycle Timing. It is a shareware product called Reminders for Windows 95/NT.

After downloading, double-click the file you just saved and this will begin the installation. After installation, simply open the program, press Edit > New Reminder. A pop-up window will appear. Give the reminder a name (Cycle Timing), enter the message (Cycle Timing 8:29 to 8:36), we schedule it for Daily and enter the Time (usually 3 minutes prior to the actual Cycle Timing).

When entering the time, make sure you enter zeros as place holders: i.e, 8:03 would be 08:03 AM. Click the days you want that reminder to be active -- we click all weekdays. Minimize the window and you are ready to go.

Tips for use:

(1) We enter the Cycle Timings the evening prior to the next trading session.

(2) Once you have created the initial reminder windows, just re-use them day after day. Change the reminder time on those you can use the next day, and any extras just set the time for a time your computer is shut down anyway, like the middle of the night.

(3) Double-click the Reminder Name in the program window to edit the reminder. Press the Multi-media Tab at the top of the Edit Reminder window to select a sound file or change the icon associated with the reminder.

Please Note: We cannot answer support questions regarding the use of this shareware program nor warrant its reliability. We mention it only because we find it of use and think you too may enjoy and profit by its use.

Good trading,
Charles Holt, Publisher Daytraders Bulletin