As of 11/29/2023
Indus: 35,430 +13.44 +0.0%
Trans: 14,817 +0.30 +0.0%
Utils: 862 -5.36 -0.6%
Nasdaq: 14,258 -23.27 -0.2%
S&P 500: 4,551 -4.31 -0.1%
|
YTD
+6.9%
+10.6%
-10.8%
+36.2%
+18.5%
|
 34,500 or 36,400 by 12/15/202314,500 or 15,800 by 12/15/2023 900 or 825 by 12/15/202313,700 or 14,450 by 12/15/20234,450 or 4,650 by 12/15/2023 |
As of 11/29/2023
Indus: 35,430 +13.44 +0.0%
Trans: 14,817 +0.30 +0.0%
Utils: 862 -5.36 -0.6%
Nasdaq: 14,258 -23.27 -0.2%
S&P 500: 4,551 -4.31 -0.1%
|
YTD
+6.9%
+10.6%
-10.8%
+36.2%
+18.5%
| |
|
34,500 or 36,400 by 12/15/202314,500 or 15,800 by 12/15/2023900 or 825 by 12/15/202313,700 or 14,450 by 12/15/20234,450 or 4,650 by 12/15/2023 | ||
This page shows my trading results for the last several years. Since late 2006, I find that I am trying to beat the average results of prior years and that is adding negative psychological pressure to my trading. So, I have decided not to update the below table in the future.
The following table shows my trading results compared to the three benchmark indices: the Standard & Poors 500 Index, Nasdaq composite, and Dow Jones industrial average. I do not trade or manage money for others, just for my own account.
| Year | My Gain | S&P500 | Nasdaq | DJIA |
| 2000 | 14.8% | -10.1% | -39.3% | -6.2% |
| 2001 | 18.7% | -13.0% | -21.1% | -7.1% |
| 2002 | 9.0% | -23.4% | -31.5% | -16.8% |
| 2003 | 13.5% | 28.69%* | 50.0% | 28.28%* |
| 2004 | 29.1% | 10.88%* | 8.6% | 5.31%* |
| 2005 | 15.4% | 4.91%* | 1.4% | 1.72%* |
| 2006 | 22.2% | 13.6% | 9.5% | 16.3% |
| # Avg | 17.5% | 1.7% | -3.2% | 3.1% |
# Avg: This is a simple average of the numbers listed in the table.
Green appears for years in which I beat the index, red for negative years, and white otherwise. The indices measure the change in value from the close on the last trading day in each year and do not include dividends or interest unless an asterisk (*) appears. Those are total returns for the indices as reported by the Wall Street Journal. My gains are marked to market, meaning they contain both realized and unrealized gains or losses for the calendar year and include dividends and interest paid on my portfolio throughout the year.
The bear market years of 2000 to 2002 show as red in the indices, but I was able to make a tidy profit in those years. The indices beat me in 2003 and achieved stunning gains. I traded little that year (7 round trip trades) and what I owned did not appreciate as much as hoped. The following year, 2004, I made a massive 29% when I decided to take trading more seriously. In 2005, I made two more trades than in 2004. However, each trade appreciated more in 2004 than in 2005. Dividends and interest helped more in 2005.
Michaels was bought out at 44 on Halloween, closing out my position that I entered at a split-adjusted price of 88 cents in 1990. Once I cashed out, I had funds to buy many potential candidates, which I did, starting in November. The result of the buyout and the soaring of my utility holdings and other stocks blended to create a good year that again beat the indices.
| Year | Wins/ Losses | Profit/ Loss |
Round Trips | Hold Time | My Gain |
| 2000 | 40% | $1.66 | 41 | 120days | 14.8% |
| 2001 | 61% | $5.29 | 14 | 41days | 18.7% |
| 2002 | 38% | $1.52 | 23 | 51days | 9.0% |
| 2003 | 73% | $12.38 | 7 | 25days | 13.5% |
| 2004 | 58% | $3.68 | 39 | 29days | 29.1% |
| 2005 | 55% | $2.76 | 41 | 30days | 15.4% |
| 2006 | 67% | $6.89 | 31 | 61 days | 22.2% |
| Avg | 56% | $4.88 | 28 | 51days | 17.5% |
The wins/losses column is a count of the winners divided by a count of the winners and losers (that is, all trades), including open positions at year end. The profit/loss column shows for every dollar lost how much I gained, marked to market. For example, in 2001 for every dollar lost I made $5.29. The round trips show the number of trades I made during the year and do not include open positions held open at year end. A round trip is a buy and a sale. The hold time is the average for all positions bought and sold within the same year. My gain is the same as in the prior table and I show it here for reference. The avg line is a simple average of the above numbers.
In the bear market years of 2000 and 2002, I lost more often than I won and yet still made money. How? I kept my losses small and let my winners run while collecting dividends and interest on my cash. I am impressed by the $4.55 profit/loss number. For every dollar I lost, I made nearly $5 and earned an average of 16.8% even though three years included a bear market. And I did it all without going short, without using leverage, and trading only stocks.
In 2006, I traded less than the prior year, held twice as long, found more winners, and made more money than in 2005. I did not short nor use leverage on my stock trades. I did use options this year. One was a covered call and 3 were calls. In 2 of those trades I made a small amount of money and two I lost a small amount, ending with a net loss close to $0.
-- Thomas Bulkowski
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