Tom's Q-Trade Blog

Covered Short at 57.30.

3/1/2010 6:59:00 PM

Current Position: None.

The market took us out of our short position today at 57.30 for a loss of -5.15%. Although I'm not happy; on the positive side I have learned an idea from this that will improve my system for the future. After all, all the signals generated from the inception of this blog last August through today are a test of my Q trade program which will go primetime after a sufficient test period. Each loosing signal is ananlized to see how the trade could be improved and then backtested to make sure any changes are improvements for all signals. Today's analyisis was an improvement for all.

Sold Short at 54.35

2/25/2010 6:12:00 PM

Current Position: Short 54.35.

After going short right after the open the market found strength late in the day and closed against our position by -1.80. I still like this trade but will place a protective buy stop at 57.30 just in case the market takes off from here.

Sell Short QLD at 54.35 Stop.

2/24/2010 3:09:00 PM

Current Position: None

Today's upside action was a little weak on volume, so I'm not sure we'll see much follow through. However, if the market does roll over here, I want to be short on a downside breakdown of yesterday's low. Therefore, I will sell short QLD at 54.35 on a breakdown of yesterday's low.

Sold Long for a gain of +5.60%

2/23/2010 5:10:00 PM

Current Position: None.

The market sold off today hitting our stop at 55.65 for a nice proift of +5.60%. We did not have a short signal so we are flat now looking for a sell short signal. We should get that soon.

New Signal: Sell Long Position at 55.65 Stop.

2/18/2010 3:41:00 PM

Current Position: Long QLD at 52.70.

This has been an interesting week and a half. QLD has rallied strongly in the face of a declining market and with lower than average volume; two elements that are not usually present in a rally phase. But, rally it has and now has entered an overbought situation plus it has reached a resistance level of 56.70 that goes back to November 2009. Therefore I will be selling my long position if the market were to reverse and take out today's low. This is not a short signal, it is just to exit my long position. For tomorrow Sell QLD at 55.65 stop.

Friday Wrapup

2/12/2010 3:40:00 PM

Current Position: Long QLD at 52.70.

Since going long on Tuesday at 52.70 the market has moved higher but faltingly and on lower than average volume. The trend is still down so we have to be careful in the event the market turns and quickly moves lower. Also, QLD reached into the 54 - 55 area as we expected but there is resistance above 54.60. So, if QLD cannot break through 54.60 on increased volume we may be ready for a downside reversal.

Covered QLD Short for 11.39% gain and Now Long QLD at 52.70.

2/9/2010 1:51:00 PM

Current Position: Long QLD at 52.70.

The market unexpectedly jumped at the open hitting our stop and took us out of our short position for a 11.39 % gain and put us long at 52.70. This gain put us back in play with our program and recovered a good part of our recent losses. Altho the market is still in a downtrend this could be an opportunity for a move back to the 54 55 area for starters.

New Lower Stop at 52.70.

2/8/2010 3:20:00 PM

Current Position: Short QLD at 58.70.

Friday's market showed some strength late in the day and with some follow through today, but finally closed down. This gave us a logical point to lower our stop. So, for tomorrow if QLD can rally up to take out today's high I cover my short and go long QLD at 52.70 stop.

Buy QLD at 54.70 Stop.

2/3/2010 6:50:00 PM

Current Position: Short QLD at 58.70.

After a big selloff QLD has rallied for three days but on lower than average volume. This doesn't look like a turn up yet, but it could be, of course. Today's action generated a buy signal, so for tomorrow if QLD takes out today's high and trades at 54.70 or higher I will cover my short and buy long QLD at 54.70, stop.

Buy QLD at 56.95 Stop

1/27/2010 4:05:00 PM

Current Position: Short QLD at 58.70.

For tomorrow, buy to cover short and buy long QLD at 56.95 Stop. If bought tomorrow, place sell stop just under todays low.

Short QLD at 58.70 from 1/20/10

1/21/2010 3:52:00 PM

Current Position: Short QLD at 58.70.

Based on our signal form 1/20/10 we are now short QLD. A stop would be placed at the recent high if we were to see a rally fiom here. However, today's action broke the recent trading range to the downside on big volume, so it looks like we should have some downside follow through.

Sell Short QLD at 58.70 stop.

1/12/2010 4:46:00 PM

Current Position: None.

I will be shorting QLD if it trades through today's low and hits my stop at 58.70.

Covered Short at 61.61

1/11/2010 5:16:00 PM

Current Position: None.

The market opened higher today stopping us out at the open at 61.61. This recorded a loss of -2.37%. We're still waiting for a signal that will give us some follow through.

Short QLD at 60.15

1/7/2010 7:35:00 PM

Current Position: Short QLD at 60.15.

The market took out yesterday's low which put us short at 60.15. We will now protect this position with a buy stop above yesterday's high at 61.50.

Sell Short QLD at 60.15 Stop.

1/6/2010 6:21:00 PM

Current Position: None.

Another short signal. The market is a little overbought so even though we're in an uptrend a selloff could begin here. For tomorrow I will sell short QLD if it breaks today's low and trades at 60.15. If short is established a stop would be placed above today's high.

Sell Short QLD @ 59.15 Stop

1/3/2010 1:14:00 PM

Current Position: None.

The market looks like it might be rolling over for a short term sell off. If it breaks Friday's low I will short QLD at 59.15. Since we are technically still in an uptrend any short position should be protected with a stop above last week's high.

2009 Recap, Net Gain 32.75% from August to Year End.

1/1/2010 8:19:00 PM

November and December 2009 proved to be difficult months for the Q-Trader. We took three consecutive losses totalling -10.59%. What's even worse we missed out on two substantial runs which would have netted us a profit to more than cover the loss we took. During this time we entered a sideways trading range which the cause of the false breakout signals. On the positive side, all trading signals since August 2009 (when we started this blog) includings the losses showed a net gain of over 32%. So now we have to look ahead to 2010. I will be posting a new signal, the first for 2010, tomorrow.

Closed Short QLD at 56.75

12/21/2009 2:22:00 PM

Current Position: None.

Today I closed out my short position in QLD as the market blew out above overhead resistance that has been in effect for over a month. This trade resulted in a loss of 2.82%. Today's breakout could mean that finally a resumption of the uptrend is at hand. The problem here is that this breakout was on low volume and also just before a couple of weeks of shortened trading sessions when many people are celebrating the holidays and typically volume during this period is on the light side. This doesn't mean it is not a true breakout but it could be a delayed one. Also it could be a fake out since end of year trading is often a crosscurrent of tax trading, expected year end rally trading and stop running at a market top. In any case, I am out of the market for now and also will be taking time off for the holidays. Its a good time to rest up and recharge your trading engine. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. I will be back here next year.

Sold Short QLD @55.15

12/17/2009 6:46:00 PM

Current Position: Short QLD at 55.15.

The market broke down today putting us short QLD at 55.15. There was good follow through to the downside so we'll see what happens.

SELL SHORT QLD at 55.15 stop

12/16/2009 11:44:00 PM

Current Position; None.

We've been in a trading range for the past few weeks with a choppy market. This market could go either way and if it breaks out above recent highs and closes above 56.75 with good volume the uptrend could be resumed. But for now, I'll be shorting QLD if it breaks down below 55.15 which could be the beginning of a sell off.

Covered Short QLD at 56.25 for a loss of -3.11%.

12/11/2009 4:48:00 PM

Current Position: None.

Well, I was stopped out right at the open today at 56.25. This resulted in a loss of 3.11%. Of course, the market backed off for the rest of the day, but the signals are what they are. We're still in this large trading range and until we get some clear cut signals we'll probably have no position. But I will keep you posted.

Buy to Cover QLD At 56.25 stop.

12/10/2009 2:49:00 PM

Current position: Short QLD at 54.50.

This market can't seem to make up its mind about which direction it is going. We have established another cover signal without a buy signal. We're in a trading range and we're waiting for a breakout to let us know what the direction will be.

Sold Short QLD at 54.50

12/5/2009 12:58:00 PM

Current Position: Short QLD at 54.50.

Talk about an erratic market, this is it. Yesterday's action was a big jump up at the open and then later a big selloff, putting us short, followed by a rally bringing the market up to mid range at the close. A protective stop would have to be at yesterday's high (56.70) but I don't think that's likely so we'll have to wait for Monday's action to determine where the stop will be placed.

Sell Short QLD at 54.50

12/3/2009 1:40:00 PM

Current Position: None.

The market could roll over here so I'm going to sell short QLD at 54.50 if it breaks that price tomorrow. This has been a highly erratic market with several cross currents so I wll keep a tight stop if I get filled short tomorrow.

Cover Short at 55.85 for a loss of 4.66%

12/2/2009 2:13:00 PM

Current Position: None.

I was stopped out of my short today with a loss of 4.46%. I'm not happy about this but still this loss is less than my smallest profitable trade this year. So, overall, things are still good for the year. Lately the market has been highly erratic with less than optimal entry and exit points, but this can't deter me from following my program which has me waiting for the next signal to trade. As soon as I get my new signal I will post it here.

Buy to Cover Short QLD @ 55.85 Stop

11/24/2009 2:27:00 PM

Current Position: Short QLD at 53.25.

This two day bounce gave us a stop point at which to cover but not to go long. I still like this short position even though we had a substantial snapback from our entry price. This Thanksgiving week is typically a low volume week but there have been times in the past where big moves have occured on days that were expected to be quiet non event days. So, anything can happen but I will stay with this short position for now.

Sold Short QLD at 53.25

11/20/2009 6:13:00 PM

Current Position: Short QLD at 53.25.

The market opened sharply lower today hitting our stop and putting us short right after the open. After the open the market stabilized and traded sideways for most of the day, closing slightly against our position. This was a low volume day and options expiration, so next week we should get back to more normal trading.

New Signal: Sell Short Qld 53.25 Stop.

11/19/2009 5:51:00 PM

Current Position: None.

After a long up move a short signal was generated today. For tomorrow, if QLD sells off and trades below today's low, I will sell short at 53.25. This could signal the begining of a new short term downtrend.

Covered Short at 49.90 for a gain of 5.75%

11/5/2009 2:30:00 PM

Current Position: None.

We covered the QLD short position today for a gain of +5.75%. This is the sixth consecutive gain since August 09 and represents a total gain for all signals of +43.3% in less than three months!

We are now flat with no position and no new signal today.