Category Archives: Retrospective

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Sunday Retrospective for May 19

Posted on by Conor Browne

Strategic Adjustments and Platform Comparisons

• Personal Updates and Casual Start: The meeting opens with personal updates from Ernie, discussing his son’s graduation and subsequent professional steps, setting a congenial tone for the session.

• Transition to Business Discussion: The conversation shifts to a discussion on trading platforms, comparing the functionalities and user experiences of Fidelity’s Active Trader Pro and thinkorswim.

• Feedback and Adaptations: Participants discuss issues with software performance, particularly the lag on certain platforms when accessing complex option chains like SPX, and the relative merits of web interfaces versus desktop applications.

• Educational Direction and Broker Strategies: The meeting delves into the business models of TastyTrade and Thinkorswim, exploring how brokerages might influence trading strategies through educational content and platform design.

• Strategic Trading Advice: Ernie advises on strategies to optimize trading setups, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right tool for specific trading needs and discussing potential shifts from one platform to another to enhance trading efficacy.

• Community Feedback and Development: The retrospective emphasizes the importance of community feedback in shaping service offerings, highlighting how past suggestions have led to pivots in service strategy and improvements.

Summary

The Sunday Retrospective on May 19th focused on a blend of personal updates and in-depth technical discussions about trading platforms. Ernie shared his son’s accomplishments, linking personal achievements with the broader theme of progression and improvement. The meeting extensively covered user experiences with various trading platforms, particularly comparing the functionalities of Fidelity’s Active Trader Pro and thinkorswim. Key issues discussed included software performance, the effectiveness of different platform interfaces, and how brokerages might influence trading decisions through educational content. Ernie encouraged feedback from the community, emphasizing its role in continuous service improvement and adaptation to trader needs. The retrospective served as a platform for both novice and experienced traders to voice concerns, learn from each other, and influence the future direction of the trading service.

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Sunday Retrospective for May 5

Posted on by Conor Browne

Navigating Market Volatility: Sunday Strategies and Learning from Losses

• Discussed the impact of recent economic reports and Federal Reserve decisions on market volatility and trading strategies.

• Members shared experiences and lessons learned from trades affected by market news and economic indicators.

• Emphasis on the importance of adjusting trading approaches based on market conditions.

• Introduction of multiple days to expiration (DTE) strategies to better adapt to market changes and improve profitability.

• Continued discussion on managing risks through out-of-the-money butterfly trades and using asymmetric trading strategies to optimize returns while minimizing risks.

• Positive feedback on the value of educational modules and sessions provided, highlighting their role in improving trading practices and understanding of market dynamics.

• Detailed explanations were given about the importance of gamma risk management, the impact of volatility on trade setups, and strategic placement of trades based on volatility and market trends.

Summary

The Sunday Retrospective for May 5 focused on a comprehensive review of trading activities, market conditions, and educational progress among members. Ernie led the discussion, emphasizing the critical role of adapting trading strategies to current market volatility influenced by economic reports and Federal actions. Members actively participated by sharing their trading experiences, particularly how specific trades were impacted by not accounting for economic news. The session also included detailed discussions on the benefits of multiple DTE strategies and the importance of gamma risk management in optimizing trade placements. Educational modules were praised for their effectiveness in enhancing trading knowledge and skills. The meeting concluded with an open forum allowing members to seek advice on specific trading concerns and strategy optimizations, demonstrating a collaborative and educational atmosphere aimed at improving the group’s overall trading acumen.

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Sunday Retrospective for April 28

Posted on by Conor Browne

Exploration and Adaptation in Options Trading

• Review of recent trading strategies and their outcomes, focusing on the effectiveness and areas needing improvement.

• Discussion on volume profile analysis and its application to predict market movements.

• Examination of changes in market volatility and its impact on trading strategies.

• Strategic planning for future trades based on observed market behaviors and trader feedback.

• Input and shared experiences from participants to refine trading approaches.

• Emphasis on continuous learning and adaptation in the face of evolving market conditions.

Summary

This Retrospective involved a thorough review on the past week’s trading activities, focusing on strategy evaluation and potential adjustments. Key discussions included the implementation and effects of recent strategy modifications, with a particular emphasis on volume profile analysis and its utility in setting up trades. Ernie provided detailed explanations on how to effectively use volume profiles to gauge market movements and outlined the necessity of adapting strategies based on changing market volatilities. The session was interactive, with participants sharing their experiences and suggesting improvements. Overall, the meeting highlighted the importance of flexibility and ongoing education in trading strategies to optimize performance in dynamic market environments.

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Sunday Retrospective for April 21

Posted on by Conor Browne

Enhancing Trading Strategies: A Deep Dive into Zero DTE and Market Volatility

• Review of Trading Performance: A comprehensive retrospective on the past week’s trading activities, focusing on what worked and areas needing improvement.

• Strategic Adjustments in Trading: Discussion on the necessary adjustments in trading strategies due to diminishing edges in time and directionality observed over recent periods.

• Expansion of Temporal Windows in Trading: Introduction of trades with varying Days to Expiry (DTE), extending beyond zero DTE to potentially include up to three DTE to adapt to changing market conditions.

• Analyzing and Managing Overlapping Trades: Considerations on whether to close overlapping profitable trades immediately or allow them to mature, depending on their respective expiry and profit potential.

• Technical Discussion on Trading Tools and Platforms: In-depth tutorial on organizing and analyzing trades using specific software tools, enhancing strategic execution.

• Interactive Q&A Session: Participants engaged in a dynamic question-and-answer segment, addressing specific concerns and scenarios related to the modified trading strategies.

Summary

This Sunday’s retrospective meeting delved into the recent trading activities, focusing on refining strategies to adapt to the diminished edges in trading parameters observed. The session highlighted the shift towards managing trades with multiple Days to Expiry (DTE) as a tactical response to recent market changes, which includes a more systematic approach to trading with one, two, and three DTE options. Ernie detailed the technical aspects of trade management, using trading platforms to optimize strategy execution and discussed the implications of these strategies on risk management and profit potential. The meeting also included a practical demonstration on the use of trading tools to organize and analyze trades effectively. The session was highly interactive, with participants actively engaging in discussions, reflecting a strong focus on continuous improvement and strategic agility in trading practices.

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Sunday Retrospective for April 14

Posted on by Conor Browne

Refining Trading Strategies

• Purpose of the Retrospective: Emphasized the importance of reflecting on past trades to identify successful strategies and areas for improvement.

• Volume Profile Usage: Detailed discussion on the practical application of volume profiles in trading, focusing on SPX and ES futures contracts.

• Trade Log Challenges: Addressed difficulties some members face in maintaining a trade log, emphasizing the importance of accurate record-keeping for effective trading analysis.

• Feedback and Suggestions: Encouraged participants to provide feedback and suggestions to continually adapt and improve the trading service.

• Technical Clarifications: Clarified technical queries about volume profiles and their implications on trading strategies.

• Interactive Q&A: Engaged in a comprehensive Q&A session, resolving specific queries related to trading tools and strategies.

Summary

This Retrospective focused on a comprehensive review of the past week’s trading activities within the Zero DTE service. Ernie, the session leader, urged participants to come prepared with questions or suggestions, emphasizing the retrospective’s role in refining trading strategies. The meeting delved into the technical aspects of trading, particularly the use of volume profiles and the challenges of maintaining accurate trade logs. Detailed explanations were provided on how to interpret and apply volume profiles to enhance trading decisions, especially concerning the SPX and ES futures. The session was interactive, with participants actively engaging in discussions, asking technical questions, and seeking advice on trading practices. This collaborative approach aimed to equip traders with better tools and strategies, enhancing their trading outcomes in the upcoming weeks.

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Sunday Retrospective for March 24

Posted on by Conor Browne

Enhancing Trading Insights and Community Learning

• Introduction of Belt Programs: Discussion on the purpose and structure of the White Belt program, aimed at validating and demonstrating the acquired trading knowledge and skills.

• Question Clarification: Detailed clarification on specific questions within the White Belt program, emphasizing the importance of precise language and understanding in educational content.

• Gamma Risk Exploration: In-depth explanation of gamma risk in options trading, highlighting its impact on strategy value and sensitivity to market movements.

• Strategic Adjustments for Market Conditions: Conversations on adjusting trading strategies based on volatility, including practical examples and the significance of premium decay in strategy evaluation.

• Educational Methodology: Focus on the educational aspect of trading, leveraging questions and shared experiences as learning opportunities, with Ernie offering detailed explanations and visuals to aid understanding.

• Community Feedback and Improvements: Open forum for feedback on course materials and user experience, leading to immediate improvements such as adjusting text color for better readability.

Summary

The Sunday Retrospective on March 24 centered around enriching the educational experience for traders within the community. Ernie introduced the Belt Programs, starting with the White Belt, designed to consolidate traders’ understanding and practical application of learned concepts. A significant part of the meeting was devoted to clarifying questions from the program, where Ernie took the opportunity to delve into detailed explanations, particularly on the topic of gamma risk and its relevance to trading strategies. This led to a broader discussion on the need for strategy adjustments in varying market conditions, emphasizing the role of premium decay and gamma sensitivity.

Ernie’s approach to education through direct engagement, using questions as a springboard for deeper insights into trading mechanics, highlighted the community’s learning culture. Feedback from participants prompted immediate action, such as adjusting the text color on the course platform to enhance accessibility. The meeting not only addressed specific educational content but also reinforced the community’s collaborative ethos, where continuous feedback and improvement are integral to the learning journey.

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Sunday Retrospective for March 17

Posted on by Conor Browne

Adapting Strategies in a Stagnant Volatility Environment

• Deep dive into the nuances of trading in a low volatility market, with a focus on the necessity of adopting more conservative strategies, such as reducing position sizes and extending trade durations.

• Discussion on the significance of patience and strategic planning to capitalize on overnight market movements, emphasizing the importance of timing in executing trades to enhance profitability.

• The meeting highlighted a collective observation of the market’s atypical behavior, marked by a continuous upward trend without substantial corrections, sparking a conversation on adapting trading strategies to this unique environment.

• Exploration of specific trading strategies suitable for small account holders, including a focus on one-sided trend-following trades and leveraging indices like the XSP for their lower cost and risk profile.

• Conversations around external economic influences on the market, such as Federal Reserve policies and inflation trends, and their implications for trading strategies and market anticipation.

• Aside from market strategies, the meeting also touched on personal development and mental resilience through the 75 Hard challenge, underlining the parallels between the discipline required for trading and personal habits.

Summary

The Sunday Retrospective served as a platform for seasoned traders to reflect on and strategize for the prevailing market conditions characterized by unusually low volatility. Ernie, alongside fellow traders, emphasized the critical need for adaptability in trading practices, advocating for smaller positions and longer timelines for holding trades as a response to the stagnant volatility. The meeting underscored the importance of timing in leveraging overnight movements to secure profits in a sluggish market.

Participants shared insights on the peculiar trend of consistent upward market movements, lacking significant pullbacks, challenging traders to reassess their conventional approaches. For traders managing smaller accounts, the discussion steered towards practical strategies that minimize risk while maximizing opportunities within the constraints of lower volatility, including the strategic focus on trend-following trades and utilizing cost-effective indices like the XSP.

Moreover, the dialogue extended beyond trading tactics to encompass broader economic factors influencing market dynamics, highlighting the need for traders to stay informed on macroeconomic policies and their potential impact on market behavior.

In a departure from strictly market-related topics, the meeting also explored the concept of mental toughness through the 75 Hard challenge, drawing parallels between the disciplined mindset required for successful trading and the challenge’s rigorous demands. This discussion illuminated the integral role of personal development and psychological resilience in navigating the complexities of trading, particularly in an environment fraught with uncertainty and minimal volatility.

Overall, the Sunday Retrospective for March 17 provided valuable perspectives on adjusting to a low volatility market, blending tactical trading discussions with broader economic considerations and personal growth reflections.

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Sunday Retrospective for March 10

Posted on by Conor Browne

Insights and Strategy Discussion

• The meeting started with a discussion on the current market condition, noting that despite a flat pre-market, recent economic indicators suggest the potential onset of a recession in the United States, aligning with global trends.

• There was an in-depth analysis of Friday’s market reversal, attributing it to the market’s digestion of the jobs report, suggesting a cautious approach towards upcoming CPI and PPI reports for further Fed action insights.

• Participants engaged in technical discussions on continuous contracts versus specific futures contracts (e.g., E-mini S&P futures and NDX), highlighting the importance of understanding contract rollovers for effective trading.

• A significant portion of the conversation focused on the effectiveness of trading strategies based on candlestick patterns, particularly the bearish engulfing pattern, and the potential for these to indicate market reversals.

• The meeting explored practical trading insights, such as the difference in trading hours between futures and SPX options, the use of after-hours trading to leverage overnight market moves, and the application of Jerry P’s strategy for exploiting these movements.

• Toward the end, the discussion pivoted to the development and application of AI and specialized agents for enhancing trading strategies and decision-making, including an accountability bot to assist in psychological and performance aspects of trading.

Summary

The daily meeting covered a broad range of topics, from macroeconomic indicators hinting at a possible recession to detailed trading strategy discussions. The group dissected recent market behaviors, such as the reaction to job reports and the significance of candlestick patterns like the bearish engulfing for predicting market direction. Technical aspects of futures trading, including contract rollovers and the nuances of trading the E-mini S&P futures versus SPX options, were also discussed, providing valuable insights for practical trading. Additionally, the conversation delved into the utilization of after-hours trading to capture overnight market moves and discussed the innovative use of AI technology and specialized agents to support and enhance trading strategies. Overall, the meeting offered a blend of macroeconomic analysis, technical trading insights, and forward-looking discussions on the use of technology in trading.

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Sunday Retrospective for February 25

Posted on by Conor Browne

Strategies and Reflections: Navigating Low Volatility in Trading

• Weekly Retrospective Practice: Emphasized the importance of reviewing trading logs and behavior to identify patterns, emphasizing the value of consistency and adherence to a trading plan rather than focusing solely on wins or losses.

• Addressing Commission and Fees in Trading Logs: Discussion on how to adjust trade logs to account for commission fees accurately, especially in cases where brokers do not charge for certain actions, suggesting modifications for more accurate accounting.

• Trading Strategy Adjustments: Conversations on adjusting strategies based on the Hull Moving Average (HMA) to determine the trend direction and the effectiveness of Batman trades versus single directional trades in low volatility conditions.

• Technical Issues and Solutions: Issues with Thinkorswim simulations were noted, including unrealistic fill prices in simulations and suggestions for more accurate manual record-keeping of trades.

• Network Attached Storage (NAS) for Data Management: The discussion shifted towards technical solutions for data storage, comparing different NAS systems for personal and trading data management, highlighting the importance of having efficient data storage solutions.

• Trading in Low Volatility Markets: The meeting reiterated the challenge of trading in low volatility markets, stressing the importance of small, consistent wins and the patience needed in such market conditions.

Summary

This retrospective focused on various aspects of trading and personal data management. It started with the importance of self-retrospection in trading, analyzing one’s performance not by the outcome of trades but by the adherence to the trading plan. The conversation also touched upon the practical aspects of managing commissions and fees in trade logs, suggesting adjustments to reflect costs more accurately based on individual broker policies.

Further, the discussion delved into trading strategies, particularly the use of the Hull Moving Average to gauge market trends and how to adjust trades accordingly. The efficacy and preferences between using Batman trades versus single directional trades in a low volatility market were also examined, underscoring the significance of consistency and patience.

Additionally, the meeting explored technical solutions for data management, specifically the use of Network Attached Storage (NAS) systems, comparing features, capacities, and prices to enhance trading data storage and management.

Overall, the meeting underscored the multifaceted nature of trading, from strategy formulation and execution to technical infrastructure, all while highlighting the importance of adaptability and disciplined review in achieving trading success.

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Retrospective for February 4

Posted on by Conor Browne

Enhancements and Strategies in the 0-DTE Trading

• Introduction of AI technologies to clone the coach’s knowledge, including the development of an AI chatbot for strategy and trade inquiries, showcasing the community’s forward-thinking approach to leveraging technology in trading support.

• Announcement of new merchandise options for the Zero DTE community, such as high-quality hats and shirts, fostering a stronger sense of identity and camaraderie among members.

• In-depth tutorial on using Thinkorswim (TOS) for setting up trades, with a focus on the importance of volatility in determining option pricing and strategy selection, illustrating the practical application of trading tools and concepts.

• Explanation of the development and use of new tools for trade analysis and the enhancement of the coaching program with AI, aimed at improving trade planning and execution through advanced technology.

• Discussion on the impact of volatility on trading strategies, especially in the context of low versus high volatility environments, and how it affects the decay of premium and trade management decisions.

• Q&A session addressing specific trading scenarios, including managing trades towards the market close, utilizing the profit taker tool, and strategies for exiting trades efficiently, providing actionable insights and solutions to common trading challenges.

Summary

This Retrospective focused on several exciting developments and discussions within the Zero DTE trading community. The introduction of AI-generated meeting notes and the development of an AI chatbot promise to revolutionize how members access information and receive advice on trades, strategies, and processes. The community’s growth is being supported with new tools for trade analysis and an enhanced coaching program incorporating AI, aimed at cloning the extensive knowledge of the coach into a digital format for easy access.

Merchandise options, including high-quality hats and shirts, were showcased, indicating an interest in building a stronger community identity. A significant portion of the meeting involved a detailed walkthrough on Thinkorswim (TOS) for setting up trades, emphasizing the impact of volatility on pricing and the importance of situational awareness for optimal trade placement.

The Q&A session addressed practical trading concerns, such as managing trades towards market close, understanding the nuances of volatility on trade strategies, and the correct use of the profit taker tool. The discussions highlighted the community’s focus on risk management, the importance of controlling the volatility of returns, and the ongoing efforts to provide tools and resources to support traders at all levels.