Showing posts with label Risk Management. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Risk Management. Show all posts

Monday, January 20, 2025

URC Daily Chart Analysis: January 17, 2025 – Sell, Hold, or Buy?

Contents:

  • Introduction
  • URC Chart Evaluation Using the 10-Step Trading Strategy
  • Final Decision: SELL
  • Key Takeaways & Next Steps

Introduction

The recent price action of Universal Robina Corporation (URC) has drawn significant attention as the stock continues its downtrend. Using the Hybrid 10-Step Trading Strategy Checklist, we analyze whether URC presents a buying opportunity, a hold signal, or a clear sell indication based on its technical structure, price positioning, and candlestick behavior.

URC daily chart analysis indicating strong downtrend with key moving averages.

URC's daily chart as of January 17, 2025, shows strong bearish momentum.



URC Chart Evaluation Using the Hybrid 10-Step Trading Strategy

Step 1: Identify Market State & Trend Context

Is the market in an uptrend? → ❌ No
Is the market sideways? → ❌ No
Is the market in a downtrend? → ✅ SELL
Analysis: URC remains below its key moving averages (20-MA at ₱76.37, 200-MA at ₱98.15), confirming a strong downtrend.


Step 2: Position, Location & Key Retracement Zones

Is the price above key moving averages and near a support level? → ❌ No
Is the price at mid-range with no clear trend? → ❌ No
Is the price below key moving averages and near resistance? → ✅ SELL
Analysis: Price is trading far below both MAs, signaling continued weakness.


Step 3: Power Bars & Retracement Strength

Are there strong green power bars near support? → ❌ No
Are there strong red power bars near resistance? → ✅ SELL
Analysis: The chart shows dominant red candles, confirming selling pressure and a lack of strong buying momentum.


Step 4: Entry with Confirmation from Both Strategies

Is there a confirmed breakout above resistance? → ❌ No
Has the breakout failed with price moving downward? → ✅ SELL
Analysis: Recent price action failed to break higher and is continuing its downward movement.


Step 5: Tactical Stop-Loss Adjustments

Is the price approaching stop-loss without recovery? → ✅ SELL
Analysis: No recovery attempts indicate a continued bearish bias.


Step 6: Color Change as a Secondary Confirmation

Is there a shift from green to red near resistance? → ✅ SELL
Analysis: The price structure shows strong red candles, confirming continued downside risk.


Step 7: Profit-Taking Aligned with Retracement Targets

Has price reached a major resistance level? → ✅ PARTIAL SELL
Analysis: If holding a position, partial selling can reduce risk exposure.


Step 8: Re-Entry at Secondary Retracement Pullbacks

Has price broken below support? → ✅ SELL
Analysis: The break below ₱70 signals further downside potential.


Step 9: Tactical Position Management

Is price hesitating at key levels? → ✅ PARTIAL SELL
Analysis: Reducing exposure is a logical approach in a downtrend.


Step 10: Counter-Trend Trades Only When Retracement Fails

Is price still in a strong downtrend with no recovery? → ✅ SELL
Analysis: No reversal signals indicate further downside movement.


Final Decision: SELL 🚨

Why SELL?

Market is in a strong downtrend with price below key moving averages

The price has broken key support levels, confirming further downside risk. 

Red power bars and strong selling pressure dominate the chart. 

No bullish reversal patterns are evident, making a recovery unlikely in the near term. 

Failed breakouts reinforce bearish momentum, indicating further selling pressure.

📉 Final Verdict: SELL before further declines.


Key Takeaways & Next Steps

🔹 Short-term traders → Avoid buying until a confirmed reversal pattern emerges.

🔹 Long-term investors → May consider waiting for stabilization before entering.

🔹 Existing holders → Should consider selling or reducing exposure.

🚨 Final Thought: Bottoming is a process, not a single event. Wait for bullish confirmation before considering a buy. 🚨



Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Always do your own research before making any trading decisions.


Related Readings

The Hybrid 10-Step Trading Strategy: Integrating Retracement for Better Trades

Contents:

  • Understanding the Core Concepts
  • The Hybrid 10-Step Trading Strategy
  • Final Thoughts

The Modified 10-Step Trading Plan has long been a structured approach for executing trades with precision and discipline. However, traders often struggle with identifying the best entry zones for high-probability trades. By integrating retracement trading principles, we can enhance the 10-Step Strategy with high-probability pullback entries, leading to better trade execution, risk management, and overall performance.

Understanding the Core Concepts

To merge retracement principles into the Modified 10-Step Trading Plan, it is crucial to understand the key market mechanics each method focuses on:

The Modified 10-Step Trading Plan:

  • A structured step-by-step trading process.
  • Focuses on market state, moving averages, and power bars.
  • Includes tactical stop-loss management and counter-trend trading.

Retracement Trading:

  • Based on pullbacks after strong price moves.
  • Uses probability-based retracement zones (33%, 50%, 66%).
  • Helps traders enter at the best possible prices instead of chasing breakouts.

By combining these two strategies, traders can improve trade selection, avoid poor entries, and gain better control over risk management.


The Hybrid 10-Step Trading Strategy

A More Effective Approach to Trading

The following table outlines the Hybrid 10-Step Trading Strategy, which retains the 10-Step Plan as the foundation but refines entry zones, profit-taking, and tactical positioning using retracement levels.

StepActionKey ConsiderationsIntegration of Retracement Trading
Step 1: Identify Market State & Trend ContextDetermine if the market is in an Up, Top, Down, or Bottom phase.Use 20-MA and 200-MA for trend direction.Check if price is in a single-bar or multi-bar strength move.
Step 2: Position, Location & Key Retracement ZonesAssess price position relative to moving averages and support/resistance.Look for price above/below MAs and near key structural levels.Overlay retracement zones (33%, 50%-66%) to refine entry points.
Step 3: Power Bars & Retracement StrengthIdentify green power bars, narrow-range bars, and breakouts.Look for strong volume confirmations in power bars.Ensure power bars form within retracement sweet spots (25%-45%).
Step 4: Entry with Confirmation from Both StrategiesEnter only if both retracement levels & technical signals align.Use breakouts, reversals, and moving average confluence.Avoid trades if retracement exceeds 100%, signaling trend failure.
Step 5: Tactical Stop-Loss AdjustmentsPlace stop-loss at logical technical levels (recent swing low).Adjust stop-loss dynamically as price moves in your favor.Deeper retracements (50%-66%) require tighter stops.
Step 6: Color Change as a Secondary ConfirmationLook for color change (red to green) at support levels.A color shift near a retracement zone strengthens trade conviction.If price changes color beyond 66% retracement, trade cautiously.
Step 7: Profit-Taking Aligned with Retracement TargetsExecute partial exits at key resistance levels.Lock in gains while keeping a core position for further upside.Exit fully if retracement moves back to its origin (100%).
Step 8: Re-Entry at Secondary Retracement PullbacksRe-enter if price pulls back after a failed move.Only re-enter at high-probability retracement zones.Retracement to 33%-45% offers the best re-entry chances.
Step 9: Tactical Position ManagementAdjust exposure based on retracement depth.Reduce position size when risk increases.Shallower retracements (33%) → Larger positions, Deeper retracements (66%) → Smaller positions.
Step 10: Counter-Trend Trades Only When Retracement FailsTrade against the trend only under extreme conditions.Use small position sizes and tight stop-losses.If price retraces 100% and fails, look for counter-trend trades.

Final Thoughts

By combining retracement trading principles with the Modified 10-Step Trading Plan, traders can achieve:

✔️ Improved trade selection by filtering low-probability setups.

✔️ Better entries by waiting for pullbacks instead of chasing breakouts.

✔️ Enhanced risk management with tighter stops in deeper retracements.

✔️ More disciplined trade execution based on both market state and probability zones.

This Hybrid 10-Step Trading Strategy provides a structured yet flexible trading methodology that maximizes trend-following opportunities while minimizing risk. 🚀



Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Always do your own research before making any trading decisions.


Related Readings

Sunday, January 19, 2025

Comparing the Modified 10-Step Trading Strategy vs. Retracement Trading Strategy

Contents:

  • Modified 10-Step Trading Strategy Scenario
  • Retracement Trading Strategy
  • Key Differences Between the Two Approaches
  • Conclusion: Which Strategy Is More Effective?

As we refine our live trading approach under the Budget Ethical Trading Account (BETA), we are evaluating two distinct methods: the Modified 10-Step Trading Strategy and the Retracement Trading Strategy. Each approach offers unique insights into market behavior, risk management, and execution style. This post compares both models, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and potential applications.

A market chart illustrating key support and resistance levels, stop-loss placements, and tactical trading decisions under the Modified 10-Step Trading Strategy.

Modified 10-Step Trading Strategy: Key Support, Resistance, and Risk Management in Action


A stock chart displaying retracement zones at different percentage levels, highlighting trend reversal and continuation points.

Retracement Trading Strategy: Using Key Levels to Identify Trend Continuation & Reversal



1️⃣ Modified 10-Step Trading Strategy Scenario

🔹 Primary Focus: Tactical trading based on key support and resistance levels with strict stop-loss placement.

🔹 Entry Strategy:

  • 67.00 as Key Support Level – Entry only if confirmed by a Green Elephant Bar with increasing volume.

  • 71.50 as Hard Resistance – Immediate exit on approach unless volume supports a breakout.

  • 65.50 as Hard Stop-Loss – Exit entirely if price falls below this level to prevent further drawdowns.

  • 60.00 as Bargain Re-Entry Zone – Potential entry if price reaches this level and shows reversal confirmation.

🔹 Risk Management:

  • Volume confirmation required before any entry.

  • Stop-loss placement prioritizes capital preservation.

  • Focus on real-time decision-making based on price action.

🔹 Main Objective: Capital protection and execution discipline, ensuring the strategy adapts dynamically to real-time market conditions.

📌 Full Analysis: Modified 10-Step Trading Strategy Scenario


2️⃣ Retracement Trading Strategy

🔹 Primary Focus: Retracement-based entry and exit levels using percentage-based zones to predict trend continuation or reversals.

🔹 Entry Strategy:

  • 100% Retracement at 104.4 – Origin of power move (October 1, 2024).

  • 75% Retracement at 95 & 55% Retracement at 88Trend Reversal Zones where price is likely to reject and reverse.

  • 45% Retracement at 84 & 25% Retracement at 77Trend Continuation Zones, indicating where price could resume the downtrend.

  • 0% Retracement at 68 – Current bottom of the power move, which is a potential reversal point.

🔹 Risk Management:

  • Focus on retracement levels rather than hard stop-loss points.

  • Entries and exits are predefined based on historical power moves.

  • No immediate reliance on real-time volume confirmation for execution.

🔹 Main Objective: Strategic swing trading using price retracements to identify optimal trend continuation or reversal zones.

📌 Full Analysis: Retracement Trading Strategy


Key Differences Between the Two Approaches

AspectModified 10-Step Trading StrategyRetracement Trading Strategy
Trading ApproachTactical, real-time trading decisionsPredefined retracement zones
Entry CriteriaBased on support/resistance levels & volume confirmationBased on retracement percentages from prior moves
Risk ManagementHard stop-loss at 65.50, bargain entry at 60.00No predefined stop-loss, relies on retracement zones
FocusActive position management & dynamic adjustmentsSwing trading with predefined reversal/continuation points
Main StrengthAdaptable to real-time market movementSystematic approach using Fibonacci-style retracements

Conclusion: Which Strategy Is More Effective?

  • The Modified 10-Step Trading Strategy is ideal for traders who prefer active trading, risk management, and real-time execution adjustments.

  • The Retracement Trading Strategy is suitable for traders focusing on swing trading, predefined retracement-based entries, and trend-following.

  • Combining elements of both strategies can provide a more well-rounded trading approach, using retracement zones as guides while executing based on the Modified 10-Step strategy’s real-time risk management.

📌 Which strategy do you prefer? Follow our live updates as we test both approaches in the BETA Trading Account! 🚀



Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Always do your own research before making any trading decisions.


Related Readings

Preparing for Week 4: Strengthening Downside Scenario Modeling and Volume Confirmation

Contents:

  • 1. Strengthening Downside Scenario Modeling
  • 2. Incorporating Volume Confirmation for Support & Resistance
  • 3. Tactical Adjustments to Trading Strategy
  • Final Takeaways for Week 4

As we move into Week 4 of live testing under the Budget Ethical Trading Account (BETA), our primary focus will be enhancing downside scenario modeling and incorporating volume confirmation for support and resistance levels. Week 3 highlighted critical areas where our trading strategy needed refinement, particularly in identifying weaker support levels and anticipating breakdowns more effectively. This post outlines key adjustments for Week 4 to improve execution and risk management.

A technical analysis chart for URC in Week 4, highlighting key resistance at 71.50, support at 67.00, stop-loss at 65.50, and a bargain price entry at 60.00, with volume analysis to confirm trade decisions.

Week 4 BETA Trading Scenario for URC: Key Support, Resistance, and Risk Management Strategy



1. Strengthening Downside Scenario Modeling

Lessons from Week 3:

  • Our expectation of 77.07 as a strong support level did not hold, leading to a significant price breakdown.

  • We lacked a structured downside contingency plan, resulting in an overly optimistic market expectation.

  • Stop-loss placement worked as intended but could be further optimized to allow tactical re-entries.

Week 4 Adjustments:

Model Multiple Downside Scenarios – Instead of relying on a single support level, we will create a tiered downside risk model based on past price action, volume shifts, and market sentiment. 

Define Alternative Support Zones – A structured approach will identify probable support levels at 67.00 (weak support), 65.50 (hard stop), and 60.00 (bargain entry). 

Tactical Stop-Loss Adjustments – Stops will be refined to protect capital while allowing flexibility for tactical re-entries if strong reversal signals appear.


Simulated Downside Scenarios & Tiered Support Modeling

We will now analyze three potential bearish scenarios to test our model’s response under different market conditions.

🔻 Scenario 1: Gradual Sell-Off & Controlled Decline

  • URC price slowly declines toward 67.00 with low-to-moderate selling volume.

  • At 67.00, if volume remains weak, we assume that the support level will not hold.

  • Price continues drifting downward, hitting 65.50, triggering our hard stop-loss.

  • If selling pressure persists, URC approaches 60.00, where we reassess for a re-entry opportunity.

Trade Action:

No entry at 67.00 without volume confirmation.

🚨 Exit at 65.50 if downtrend continues.

Consider tactical re-entry at 60.00 only if reversal patterns emerge.


🔻 Scenario 2: High-Volume Breakdown Below 67.00

  • Price reaches 67.00 but with high selling volume, confirming further downside pressure.

  • URC sharply declines to 65.50, showing no signs of reversal.

  • Further institutional selling drives the price toward 60.00 within a short period.

  • Support at 60.00 is tested, and volume increases significantly, signaling potential stabilization.

Trade Action:

No entry at 67.00 due to strong bearish momentum.

🚨 Wait for volume stability at 60.00 before considering an entry.

Look for a reversal candle (Green Elephant Bar) before re-entering.


🔻 Scenario 3: False Breakdown & Rapid Reversal

  • URC breaches 67.00 momentarily, triggering stop-losses from weak hands.

  • Suddenly, institutional buyers enter, reversing the price back above 67.00 with a strong green candle.

  • Buying volume spikes, and price recovers toward 71.50, testing resistance.

  • The stock consolidates between 67.00-71.50, forming a bullish structure.

Trade Action:

Enter at 67.00 if strong buying volume appears.

Hold position if recovery momentum continues.

🚨 Exit at 71.50 unless a confirmed breakout is supported by volume.


2. Incorporating Volume Confirmation for Support & Resistance

Lessons from Week 3:

  • Key support levels failed because volume did not confirm buyer strength.

  • High selling volume on January 14-16 reinforced the need for caution in calling support levels.

  • Resistance levels lacked momentum confirmation, making breakouts less likely.

Week 4 Adjustments:

Confirm Support & Resistance with Volume Trends – Any support level must be validated by higher-than-average buying volume. If price reaches support but volume remains low, we will delay entries to avoid premature positioning. 

Monitor Institutional Selling Pressure – Large-volume sell-offs indicate stronger bearish control. If institutions continue offloading shares at high volume, we will adjust our trading expectations accordingly. 

Use Volume to Confirm Breakouts – Instead of assuming resistance levels will break, we will wait for volume-backed moves above resistance before committing to breakout trades.


3. Tactical Adjustments to Trading Strategy

Key Level Week 3 Expectation Week 4 Assumptions and Revised Strategy
77.07 Expected strong support Removed as a key level; now an invalidated support
71.50 Resistance level Hard Resistance. Exit immediately on approach unless volume confirms strength.
67.00 Expected to hold Weak Support. Entry only if confirmed by Green Elephant Bar + volume increase
65.50 Not previously considered Hard Stop-Loss. New hard stop-loss to prevent deeper drawdowns. If price falls below this level, we exit entirely to limit losses.
60.00 Not previously considered Bargain Re-Entry. Strategic re-entry zone for bargain hunting. If the market experiences a deeper sell-off, this level may offer an ideal entry.

Final Takeaways for Week 4

Downside scenarios will be fully modeled, including tiered support levels.

Volume confirmation will be required for any support/resistance validation.

Stop-losses will be strategically adjusted for better tactical positioning.

Breakout expectations will be managed conservatively with volume analysis.

By implementing these refinements, we aim to make more data-driven trading decisions while reducing exposure to unnecessary risks. Week 4 will serve as a key test of our ability to adapt to changing market conditions effectively.

📢 Stay tuned for next week's trading recap and insights as we put these refinements into practice!


Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Always do your own research before making any trading decisions.


Related Readings

Saturday, January 18, 2025

Week 3 Scenario Modeling Assessment for URC: Refining Our Predictive Skills

Contents:

  • 1. Comparing Our Week 3 Model vs. Actual Price Action
  • 2. What We Did Well in Week 3 Scenario Modeling
  • 3. Where We Can Improve Moving Forward
  • 4. Key Takeaways for Future Scenario Modeling
  • Conclusion: Building a More Adaptive Trading Approach

As we assess our scenario modeling performance for Week 3, it is important to evaluate how our projections aligned with actual market outcomes. By comparing our Week 3 Scenario Chart with the Week 3 Closing Chart, we can refine our predictive strategies and improve our execution in future weeks.

A technical analysis chart illustrating the Week 3 scenario model for URC, marking key support, resistance levels, and expected price movement.

Week 3 Scenario Model for URC: Projected Support, Resistance, and Market Movement Analysis

Universal Robina Corporation’s (URC) daily candlestick chart at the close of Week 3 on January 18, 2025, showing key price levels and trend analysis.

URC Daily Chart at Week 3 Close: Evaluating Market Movement as of January 18, 2025


1. Comparing Our Week 3 Model vs. Actual Price Action

🔹 Expected Scenario (Week 3 Model)

  • Probable Resistance: 80.70
  • Probable Support: 77.07
  • Target Breakout Zone: 85.00 (1/3 Zone)
  • Stop-Loss Adjustment: 73.80

Key Assumptions in Our Model: 

✅ We expected URC to consolidate around the 77.07 support level before attempting a move toward 80.70.

✅ We projected that, if momentum built up, a potential breakout towards 85.00 could occur.

✅ Our updated stop-loss of 73.80 was positioned to protect against downside risks while allowing price action to develop.


🔹 Actual Market Movement (Week 3 Closing Chart)

  • Closing Price: 68.60

  • Support Failed: Price dropped significantly below 77.07 and even the stop-loss at 73.80.

  • Bearish Momentum: URC fell sharply, breaching multiple support levels with increased volume.

  • Moving Averages: The 20-day MA (76.37) failed to provide support, confirming further bearish sentiment.

Key Observations from the Actual Price Action:

🔻 The expected support level at 77.07 did not hold—instead, a strong breakdown occurred.

🔻 Stop-loss positioning (73.80) was breached, confirming the importance of having a rigid risk-management system.

🔻 Bearish volume surged, indicating strong selling pressure rather than a recovery attempt.


2. What We Did Well in Week 3 Scenario Modeling

Incorporated Stop-Loss Adjustments: Our dynamic stop-loss strategy at 73.80 was a good move, as it prevented excessive drawdowns.

Plotted Probable Resistance & Support Correctly: While price did not respect support, the levels were based on valid historical price action.

Anticipated Key Market Zones: Our 1/3, 2/3, and 3/3 breakout zones correctly outlined potential bullish scenarios, even though the market ultimately moved in the opposite direction.


3. Where We Can Improve Moving Forward

🔸 1. More Focus on Downside Scenario Modeling

🔹 Our scenario focused heavily on a potential breakout but did not fully model a downside continuation scenario in the event of a breakdown.

🔹 Moving forward, we should build alternative scenarios that consider:

  • A breakdown below key support levels (like what happened this week).
  • Adjusting stop-losses dynamically based on trend weakness.
  • Identifying lower probability, high-impact events (like a major support breach).

🔸 2. Incorporate Stronger Volume & Trend Analysis

🔹 The Week 3 Closing Chart showed a strong increase in selling volume, signaling high conviction from sellers.

🔹 Our future models should incorporate volume analysis to confirm or invalidate price setups.

🔹 If volume is declining while price is testing support, it may be a better indicator that the level is weak, helping us adjust our trade plan.


🔸 3. Refine Tactical Entry & Exit Decisions

🔹 Given the level of volatility, we should explore smaller tactical entries first instead of assuming a full position at a key level.

🔹 Consider layering into positions based on confirmation signals (e.g., if support holds for multiple days rather than entering immediately).

🔹 Transaction costs must also be factored in when making rapid adjustments to positions. (Read More)


4. Key Takeaways for Future Scenario Modeling

Develop Multiple Scenarios – Avoid focusing too much on one primary expectation. Instead, create a bullish, neutral, and bearish model to prepare for any market movement.

Use Volume Confirmation – Support and resistance are only valid if volume confirms the level. Next time, check whether buying volume supports price action before committing to a trade.

Improve Stop-Loss Strategy – The hard stop-loss was effective, but a more dynamic approach (like a trailing stop) may help capture upside while protecting against deeper losses.

Adjust Trade Execution – Future models should factor in smaller position entries rather than assuming full exposure immediately.


Conclusion: Building a More Adaptive Trading Approach

Week 3 provided valuable lessons on scenario modeling, stop-loss placement, and volume analysis. While our upside expectations did not materialize, our risk management approach helped mitigate major losses. Moving forward, more robust alternative scenario modeling and volume-based confirmations will enhance our strategy.

🔔 Next Steps:

  • Improve downside risk scenario planning for better trade execution.

  • Adjust position sizing strategy to allow for tactical entries.

  • Use volume confirmation as a key factor in future market projections.

By refining these elements, our Week 4 model can become even more accurate and adaptable to market conditions! 🚀



Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Always do your own research before making any trading decisions.


Related Readings

BETA Tracker Update – January 17, 2025: Live Testing Insights & Strategy Evolution

Contents:

  • Portfolio Performance Overview (January 17, 2025)
  • Portfolio Allocation & Trading Strategy
  • Key Lessons from Week 3 & BETA's Role in Refining Our Strategy
  • Key Takeaways & Next Steps for BETA
  • Conclusion

As we head into Week 3 of live testing our Modified 10-Step Trading Plan, we continue refining our trading strategy through our Budget Ethical Trading Account (BETA). This dedicated trading portfolio allows us to track our active trading results separately from our Micro Stock Trading Investment Portfolio, which maintains a mix of long-term investments and short-term trades.

Our journey began with the 8-Step Trading Plan, inspired by Oliver Velez, which served as our foundational trading structure. However, through daily trade analysis, we identified areas for improvement, leading to the evolution of the Modified 10-Step Trading Plan (Read More). Now, with BETA in place, we can fine-tune our strategies under real market conditions and adjust as needed.




AS OF: JANUARY 18, 2025
PORTFOLIO SUMMARY BETA
Inception Date: January 15, 2025
Initial Deposit: Php 15,000.00
Net Cash Flows: Php 21,228.38
Adjusted Principal Portfolio Value: Php 36,228.38
Starting Portfolio Value: Php 36,228.38
Ending Portolio Value: Php 35,977.93
Realized Gain/Loss: - Php 250.46
Percent Realized Gain/Loss: - 0.69%
PORTFOLIO ALLOCATION: 100%
     Universal Robina Corporation (URC) 22%
     RL Commercial REIT, Inc. (RCR) 17%
     Cash Balance 62%
DIVIDENDS: 0
     Universal Robina Corporation (URC) 0
     RL Commercial REIT, Inc. (RCR) 0
NUMBER OF TRANSACTIONS 13



Portfolio Performance Overview (January 15 to 17, 2025)

  • Initial Deposit: PHP 15,000.00
  • Net Cash Flows: PHP 21,228.38
  • Adjusted Principal Portfolio Value: PHP 36,228.38
  • Starting Portfolio Value: PHP 36,228.38
  • Ending Portfolio Value: PHP 35,977.93
  • Realized Gain/Loss: -PHP 250.46
  • Unrealized Gain/Loss: -0.69%

Portfolio Allocation & Trading Strategy

  • Universal Robina Corporation (URC): 22%
  • RL Commercial REIT, Inc. (RCR): 17%
  • Cash Balance: 62%

Key Lessons from Week 3 & BETA's Role in Refining Our Strategy

1. The Importance of Stop-Loss Adjustments in Live Trading

One of the biggest takeaways from Week 3 has been the need for a dynamic stop-loss setup in response to market volatility. Early on, we encountered significant price swings, reinforcing the importance of:
Hard Stop-Loss: A rigid, non-negotiable level that protects capital from deep drawdowns.
Dynamic Stop-Loss: A flexible approach that adapts to market conditions, helping us capture gains while managing risk.

Our experiences in Week 3 have shown that without proper stop-loss implementation, small trading accounts like BETA can quickly erode capital. (Read More)




2. Tactical Entries & Exits: Balancing Strategy with Transaction Costs

Another critical evolution in our trading approach has been refining tactical entries and exits, particularly when considering transaction costs. In smaller accounts, frequent trades can eat into profits, requiring a careful balance between execution and cost efficiency.

Key adjustments made in BETA:
Tactical Entries: Smaller, strategic positions placed at key market levels.
Core Positions: Longer-hold positions based on a strong technical setup.
Transaction Cost Consideration: Ensuring each trade has a sufficient risk-reward ratio to justify execution.

These refinements allow us to protect our trading capital while maintaining active market participation. (Read More)


Key Takeaways & Next Steps for BETA

1️⃣ Live Testing Validates Strategy Adjustments:

  • The Modified 10-Step Trading Plan has improved execution clarity by separating tactical trading (BETA) from long-term investments (Micro Stock Trading Investment Portfolio).

2️⃣ Stop-Loss Refinements Are Crucial for Small Accounts:

  • Hard stops protect capital, while dynamic stop-losses ensure we stay in profitable trades while reducing downside exposure.

3️⃣ Efficient Tactical Entries/Exits Are Necessary for Long-Term Growth:

  • Managing transaction costs and ensuring proper trade setups will be a continued focus in upcoming weeks.

Conclusion

The launch of BETA Trading Account in Week 3 marks an important milestone in our trading strategy evolution. By tracking our active trading activities separately, we can refine execution, manage risk, and optimize tactical trading without affecting long-term investment holdings.

As we move forward, our focus will be on adapting to market conditions while maintaining strict discipline in execution. The lessons learned in BETA will serve as the foundation for improving our overall investment approach in both trading and portfolio management.

📢 Stay tuned for next week's update as we continue refining our strategy in live market conditions!


Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Always do your own research before making any trading decisions.


Related Readings

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

The Modified 10-Step Trading Plan: Enhancing Risk Management and Flexibility

Contents:

  • The Modified 10-Step Trading Plan
  • Journal Keeping – A Strong Suggestion
  • Why This Modified Plan Works

At Micro Stock Trader, we continuously refine our strategies to improve our trading outcomes. One of the most significant steps in this process is updating our core strategy—now called the Modified 10-Step Trading Plan. This latest version incorporates new strategies for tactical position management and stop-loss monitoring, both of which were crucial lessons learned during our live testing period, particularly with our Budget Ethical Trading Account (BETA).

This updated plan provides a structured approach to entering, managing, and exiting trades while ensuring flexibility during volatile market conditions.

The Modified 10-Step Trading Plan by Micro Stock Trader highlights disciplined execution, risk management, tactical position management, and stop-loss strategies.

Creating a focused trading environment is key to executing the Modified 10-Step Trading Plan, emphasizing discipline, strategy, and continuous learning.


The Modified 10-Step Trading Plan

  1. Step 1: State
    The first step involves identifying the current market phase (Up, Top, Down, or Bottom) and assessing whether the 20-MA and 200-MA are in a tight/narrow state or wide state.

  2. Step 2: Position and Location
    Evaluate whether the price is above or below the key moving averages and determine whether it’s near a critical support or resistance level.

  3. Step 3: Assess Power Bars
    Look for key price action signals such as green power bars or narrow-range bars, which could indicate potential breakouts or breakdowns.

  4. Step 4: Entry
    Enter a position when clear technical signals are present, such as breakouts above resistance or rebounds from support with strong volume confirmation.

  5. Step 5: Place and Monitor Stop Loss
    This step now includes dynamic stop-loss monitoring:

    • Place an initial stop loss at a logical technical level (e.g., below recent swing lows).
    • Adjust the stop loss dynamically as the price moves in your favor.
    • Use a hard stop-loss limit to avoid endlessly lowering your stop loss during downturns.
      This approach ensures disciplined risk management while allowing flexibility to protect gains.
  6. Step 6: Color Change
    Watch for a color change (e.g., from red to green candles) near key support or resistance levels to identify potential trend reversals.

  7. Step 7: Profit Take (with Tactical Exits)
    Introduced under this step is the tactical position management strategy, which recommends partial exits near key resistance levels or profit targets:

    • Sell part of your position to lock in gains and reduce exposure while keeping a core position to benefit from further potential upside.
  8. Step 8: Re-entry
    Re-enter positions when clear signals indicate a continuation of the trend or after a pullback to support.

  9. Step 9: Tactical Position Management
    This new step formalizes tactical position management, a strategy designed to balance short-term volatility with long-term positioning:

    • Use tactical exits to reduce risk during periods of high uncertainty or as the price nears key levels.
    • Re-enter with small tactical positions when opportunities arise at critical levels.
  10. Step 10: Counter-Trend Entries
    Execute counter-trend trades only when specific conditions are met, such as multiple gap-downs or significant drops below the 200-MA. Use smaller position sizes and tighter stop losses for these trades to limit risk.

Journal Keeping – A Strong Suggestion

While not a formal step in the plan, tracking all trades in a journal remains an essential practice for every trader. By keeping a detailed record of trades—including entry and exit points, reasons for the trade, and outcomes—traders can identify patterns, improve decision-making, and refine their strategy over time.

Why This Modified Plan Works

The Modified 10-Step Trading Plan introduces more flexibility and risk management tools, which are crucial in real-world trading where market conditions can change rapidly. By incorporating tactical position management and dynamic stop-loss monitoring, traders can stay engaged in the market while protecting their capital and maximizing opportunities.

Key benefits of this plan include:

  • Disciplined risk management through well-placed stop-losses and tactical exits.
  • Increased flexibility to handle both trending and volatile markets.
  • Improved adaptability by allowing tactical re-entries after partial exits.
  • Consistent learning through detailed trade tracking and review.

Final Thoughts

Our journey in refining this trading plan has been a valuable learning process. The addition of tactical position management and stop-loss monitoring ensures that we remain disciplined while adapting to ever-changing market conditions. As we continue testing and refining our strategies, we aim to build a robust approach that balances both risk and reward.

Stay tuned for more updates as we document our progress with the Budget Ethical Trading Account (BETA) and further improvements to the trading plan!



Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Always do your own research before making any trading decisions.



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