Monday, December 1, 2008

The RO Report, "1955" Edition

After watching that ten year plummet today to 1955 levels, I find myself getting a little obsessed with 1955. I mean, do I have to start putting grease in my hair? Is it not cool to surf? Will I never get laid again? Should I become a Dodgers fan?

Anyway, I found this interesting, although I fully admit that I'm not quite sure what it is. It seems to put a dollar amount to the Dow. In 1955, the Dow was worth $451. In November it was worth $7,997. (Perhaps he's averaging what the Dow was worth over the entire month.)

I dunno... point is, we're not yet really poor, but we're getting there.

For the majority of the trading day, the RO was really poor. And in fact, the Manservants had a great day. But I didn't even know they were dominating because I was mesmerized by the performance of "Trader Z" in the afternoon. Here's a guy who lost pretty big the last two days, came in this morning, had a massive loss, and was able to put it behind him, think clearly and execute a brilliant end of day strategy that saw him swing from -$16k to up over $30k. It's rare to see that kind of dominance over emotion in the face of such numbers.

Also, I just want to say a word concerning the large losses posted today by Trader B and Trader D. Don't just blow them off... those are big losses and I tend to think people have become somewhat immune to some of the numbers I post here. Don't get blind to the pitfalls of this job... Yes, people have made massive money these last few months, but that's because they're taking massive risk. You always have to respect the money.

Luckily, B and D are two of the best traders I know, so by the end of the month, today will probably be a footnote for them.

Anyway, out of 21 traders, 10 finished gross positive, or 48%. 8 traders made over $1,000 gross, but 10 lost over $1,000 gross. It was a tough day for counter-trend trading. I was #8 of 21.

For such an outlandish move, the volume was mediocre, although it really picked up into the close. The Manservants take it today.

"Chambermaid" - Trader D, -$74,938 on 468k shares traded.

2. Trader B,
-$67,567 on 782k shares traded.
3. Trader 10*,
-$8,871 on 2,200 shares traded.
4. Trader 4*,
-$6,525 on 0 shares traded.
5. Trader 9*,
-$6,089 on 500 shares traded.

"Lucky Pierre" - Trader Z, $34,445 on 191k shares traded.


2. Trader P,
$12,678 on 80,200 shares traded.
3. Trader V,
$11,167 on 51,900 shares traded.
4. Trader J,
$8,197 on 57,700 shares traded.
5. Trader A,
$7,698 on 204k shares traded.

Here is today's final "heat map." UGLY.

5 comments:

Dinosister said...

HFS!!!! and OUCH!!!!! Anyone who thinks these guys make a lot of money so a big loss doesn't mean anything to them is nuts....Here is some perspective for you - trader D just lost my entire yearly salary in one day....

I do not have the mental (or physical for that matter, thank you very much) balls for the work that you guys/girls do. I look forward to seeing D and B bouncing back later in the week.

Oh, and DT? Forget grease in your hair. Try to tame your beard with some.... I think a family of birds is nesting in there!

Jawbreaker said...

I have NO doubt that these guys will bounce back rather fast. I dont want to sound like a jerk-off but this is a big boys game. Make big=sometimes lose big. As ALL of these great traders know by now. It sucks but it makes you appreciate the big days that much more. I NEVER allow guys in my office to pump my head up when i have had huge days as tomarrow is not promised to you. This game is all about controlling your loses and not leaking. Your big days will come if your dissapline is there. Iam positive these guys will be positive tomarrow.

Dinosaur Trader said...

Dinosister,

I trimmed my damn beard... didn't you notice at Thanksgiving? When are you going to trim yours?

OH SNAP!

Jaw,

Indeed, that's the deal... you can't make big money without taking big risk and sometimes you lose.

As they say, "exposure is a double edged sword."

-DT

Dinosaur Trader said...

Ok, and in truth, I was being unfair. You haven't had a beard since you were 15 or so.

OH! Score another for little brother!

-DT

Dinosister said...

DT -
"little" brother is such an open-ended term.......

Matchpoint: DS

:-)