Journal Navigation

It’s easy to look up trades.  Choose from Stock symbols, tags used (ex:  #bullCall, #longStraddle), Notes containing certain words or phrases, or date ranges from 1 Day to 1 Year.

On the individual Trade tabs, click the  icon to expand the trade detail.  To edit/add tags, notes,  to the trade entry, click  then ‘save’ when completed.

Once the Trade Tab is expanding , you have additional options:  The “Replay” icon, ,  sends a trade from the Journal to Backtest Analysis.  You can delete a Journal Entry by clicking on .


Virtual Account Overview

Virtual Trading gives you the real trading experience without risking any money.     It is a valuable “next step” learning tool – designed to mimic the trading experience as closely as possible.

You’ll start with a $100,000 account.  Virtual, of course.

Trades are executed during Market hours – 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Eastern Time, however there is a 15 minute delay after Market open for orders to begin executing.

As with Live Accounts, there are limits on trades if there is not sufficient Buying Power in your Virtual Account.   There can be expensive Spread/Margin Requirements to adhere to.

Virtual Accounts do have limitations that Live Accounts do not have:

Virtual Accounts are not subject or responsive to Corporate actions such as buyouts, name or symbol changes, stock/option splits and strike price adjustments to name some examples.

Virtual Accounts are “Auto-Journaled”.   This automatically keeps record of all trades for later analysis and reconciling.

These practice accounts are identified by a yellow bar on the left side of the account window.

Virtual Accounts are powered by Choice Trade to provide the real trading experience.


Snapshot: Comparing Positions

The Snapshot feature gives you the ability to compare up to three scenarios in one view without having to change screens or erase previous setups.  You can even submit a trade from this part of the platform!

  1. From the Calls+Puts chain (as well as “Calls” or “Puts”) enter the initial trade position.
  2. Next click one of the camera icons: 
  3. Repeat the first step using the Rolling Icons to adjust the initial position to a new scenario:
  4.  Click the 2nd camera icon & repeat the above steps for the last trade comparison.

Note: The position lines are color coded to match the Snapshot (or New) icon.

Once you decide on the optimal position, click ‘Trade’ from the P&L Graph and you’ll be taken to the Order Ticket of your brokerage account with the option information auto-filled. 


Portfolio - Positions

Share Performance View

This view keeps information simple.  Aside from the Stock symbol, latest stock price, (price change since open), The Score, Quantity (Lots/Contracts), it shows:
$ Gain (Entry Price – Current Price)
% Gain ($ Gain / Entry price)

Total Performance View

Similar to Share Performance, this view shows the Entry Cost and Current Value of active trades.
$ Gain and % Gain values are calculated the same way as in the Share Performance view.

Total Gains

In addition to Gains $ and Gain %, which are to-date values since the trade’s inception, this view displays Day Gain $ and %.   The latter show performance on the current trading day in relation to the previous trading day.

In this example on ZION:  The previous trading day the $ Gain = $220, and Current Value = $15.00.
The Current Value ‘today’ is $60.00 (a 400% change).


Access Trading Account Information

No need to login to Brokerage Account site for normal day-to-day activity.

Each account includes a Summary page showing the Account Balance, Margin Balance, Stock, Option & Day Trading Buying Power and tracks the current trading day’s activity.

Besides the Order Ticket, the Order Status, Current Positions  & Transaction History are all available.  You can view previous order history in the Order Status tab by clicking on the drop-down menu on the upper-right corner of that screen.

You can access any account and switch accounts with a single click.  You can even change the account from the order ticket.

The newest feature, Journal provides the means of organizing, noting, analyzing & reconciling trades.


Advanced Indicators

We offer select Advanced Upper and Lower Indicators that are not just derived from the price, including proprietary indicators like “Invest4Score” and “Insider Score”.  They are accessible by using the “Add Indicator” drop-down box.

Upper Indicators include:

  • Event Flags – showing Earnings and Dividends
  • Journal Display
  • Support/Resistance
  • Extrema Trend Lines

Lower Indicators include:

  • Historic Volatility/Implied Volatility
  • Insider Score
  • Institutional Percentage
  • Invest4 Score
  • Momentum Score
  • Open Interest
  • Options Volume
  • Put Call Ratios


Clickable Legends

When comparing trades using the Snapshot feature, the P/L Graph can get a little crowded.  You can clear some of the lines by simply clicking on the legend to toggle visibility.

Clickable legends are also available in other graphs and charts within the platform.


Elements of the Template

The Trade Finder Templates are designed to allow you to ‘visually trade’.

When evaluating a position, a Bull Put for example, the template automatically sets up the trade.  You can use the rolling icons to adjust the position:  Roll the position up/down, roll out the time frame, adjust the strikes, etc.   You can even adjust the Net Credit(Debit) of the trade in an attempt to get a more favorable entry cost/credit.

The Performance Channels show the profit/loss of the position.

The P/L summary at the bottom left of the screen shows the Risk/Reward ratio,  Net/Total Credit (Debit),the break-even stock price point,  the max reward/max risk with corresponding stock price.

A snapshot on the right side of the screen, provides a visual structure of the strategy, what market conditions are favorable to the trade, whether volatility and/or time positively, negatively or is neutralized by the strategy.

Greeks and Volatility are also shown.

 

Once satisfied with the position set-up, click ‘Trade’ and the order will auto-fill in the “Order Ticket” of your brokerage account.

Important!  While adjustments may to the template may be made, the system limits what can be changed in order to stay within the constraints of the strategy.  This safety measure ensures you stay in the type of trade you intend to be in.


Adding & Arranging Indicators

Select to add to your studies.
Indicators are grouped by Upper Indicators (which will appear on the Chart) and Lower Indicators (listed below the chart)
Once selected, you can customize the parameters – including the type of line you want for Moving Averages.
The upper Indicator selection summary appears above the chart and has an associated toolbar that allows edits (gear) hide/display(eye), refresh, or remove..

 

Lower indicators can be displayed/hidden, move placement up/down, or delete it to truly customize your view.  

 

Make sure to Save Your New Chart Settings

 

Note:  You cannot alter System Views: Active Trader, Options or Standard View.  You will be prompted to either Overwrite or Save as a New Profile another available profile, such as Default or another Personal View.


Historic & Implied Volatility

This chart displays Historic (HV) and Implied (IV) Volatility with the ability to overlay Call/Put IV

Historic Volatility (green line) is based on how the stock actually moved.

Implied Volatility (blue line) is based on how the options are priced.

When expanded, the stock chart 12-Month Mean (Average) IV and one-year IV High/Low (red line) are also shown. This is very helpful in understanding if option premiums are comparable to historic values.

High HV indicates recent strong movement.

High IV indicates higher premium and, in many cases, anticipated movement.

Note:  You can remove the Stock Chart, HV, IV or Call/Put IV simply by clicking on the corresponding indicator above the chart/graph.