Unlike most stock picking services, we have been tracking and publishing the results of every stock & ETF pick in our newsletters since our company's inception in 2002. Since then, our daily swing trading newsletter has generated a: Fully Invested Annualized Return of approximately 56% Play the 2-minute video below to learn how to earn a Fully Invested Return with our services, then click the link below the video to view actual historical trade performance of our model trading account:
How performance is calculated:
In addition to providing specific entry and exit points for all trade picks, we also provide exact share sizing based on a model trading account. This provides our members with an actual portfolio management service that can be replicated, rather than just "stock picks". Here is how it works...
- Explanation of our model portfolio
The number of shares listed for each trade is based on a model account value of
$50,000 ($100,000 total buying power with standard brokerage margin). This is a
fixed model account value that stays the same from day to day (does not increase
based on cumulative gains). Based on the model account value of $50,000 cash, we
predetermine and provide the exact position size of each stock and ETF trade by
assuming a maximum capital risk of approximately 1% per trade ($500). If,
for example, we enter a new trade that requires a 2-point stop loss, the maximum
position size would be limited to 250 shares ($500 max risk / 2 points = 250 shares).
Depending on market conditions, we sometimes risk less than 1% ($500) per
trade.
Position size for each trade is always reported to members ahead of time so that
they may easily determine their own position size, based on the actual size of their
individual trading accounts. For example, a member with a $25,000 account should
theoretically be able to mirror the percentage of our returns simply by sizing all
his trades at 50% of our listed share size for each trade. Conversely, a member
with a cash account value of $100,000 could simply double our share size for every
trade.
As explained in the video above, we are conservative in our actual trading
with real money. First, we risk only 1% of account value for each trade. Depending
on one's own risk tolerance, a member could simply risk 2% of account value per
trade and still be within generally accepted rules of risk management. Furthermore,
we typically use only about 25% of the account's total marginable buying power of
$100,000 (on average). As such, a member would usually be able to double, triple,
or even quadruple our share size in order to proportionately increase their returns,
relative to our actual reported performance results. Of course, risk works both
ways, so a member taking larger share size must be willing and able to handle larger
profit/loss swings in both directions.
Above all, we firmly believe in maintaining the same maximum
capital risk for each and every trade, regardless of how good any individual trade
setup may appear. Traders who "swing for the fences" on any one particular trade
can not be successful in the long-term. Rather, consistently profitable traders
are successful because they continually work a small mathematical edge on a large
number of trades. Realizing a gain of several percent each month is much better
than making 25% one month, but losing 25% (or more) the following month. This conservative
approach is the reason we have been consistently profitable and have outperformed
the main stock market indexes by a wide margin since 2002.
Commission fees - In order to accurately
simulate a real trading account, brokerage commission fees are automatically factored
in to all trade results. While commission fees vary greatly from one broker to another,
our trade stats assume a commission fee of 1 cent per share. This is in line with
commission fees at many firms who specialize in servicing active traders. If you
are an active trader and still paying "per trade" fees, you should consider switching
to a brokerage firm who charges "per share" commission fees because your savings
can be substantial, especially with smaller accounts. These firms also provide you
with a more extensive inventory of stocks available for short selling. Feel free
to e-mail us for specific suggestions.
Scratches - All trades that resulted in
a net gain or loss of less than $100 (including commission fees) are not
included in our performance results because each of those trades are considered
to be a "scratch." By excluding both winning and losing trades of such a small amount,
one can more easily make an accurate analysis of key statistics such as win/loss
ratios, avg. gain/avg. loss ratios, etc.
Average pricing - Because we sometimes scale
in or out of a trade at various price levels, average entry and exit prices are
automatically reported, rather than each individual buy & sell price for partial
shares of the same trade. Italicized text on the trade detail pages indicates an
average price was used. Similarly, an individual trade date in italics indicates
that MTG scaled in or out of the trade over the course of several days.
Hypothetical results - The performance results
and share sizes reported are hypothetical and for educational purposes only. The
goal is for a trader to learn how to properly manage risk in their own accounts.
Realistic execution prices are used, but actual trades of our "picks" may or may
not have actually been executed in our trading account. Therefore, results may vary
due to market factors including lack of liquidity, slippage, and commissions. Simulated
trading programs in general are also subject to the fact that they are designed
with the benefit of hindsight. No representation is being made that any account
will or is likely to achieve profits or losses similar to those reported. Morpheus
Trading Group may or may not have actual positions in the ETF and stock trades it
presents to subscribers. Similarly, our hedge fund (Morpheus Capital) is typically
positioned in many more trades than are actually presented to newsletter subscribers.
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