TheTradingLearning Curve
Kevin D. Sowter


The Trading Learning Curve : Augest Portfolio/trades- This is my small experimental account to allow me to practice swing-trades of individual stocks. Goal is to develop the ability to improve my trading execution (Entry,Exit,Stops) using TA indicators/price action, and eventually make more than I lose.
I have a full-time job and usually no computor access during trading hours.Have a couple of hours in the pm to spend .By placing my charts here, it allows me to share some of this learning process with a few others.-Hopefully it will prove beneficial-one way or another
Please feel free to comment or make suggestions-I started a page to try to keep it focused-
http://groups.msn.com/TheTradingLearningCurve/
Long journey ahead-
8-7 Notes- Stopped out all positions except RIGS- And a carelessly placed at close price stop on UVN took me out of that move up!
8-13 Added HMY using buy-stop. Due to market weakness and downside risk, I'm taking a low-risk approach with tighter stops, and hopefully more disciplined entrys.
8-21 I had added ET<AMZN<SFA<ANDW<PLL
My tight auto trailing stop took me out of AMZN at a small loss, ($.21), ET @ $.01, SFA @ +.$.28 Part of the key to using this auto trailing stop was to protect me if a position should reverse strongly from the high.
I also added ANDW-looking good, KLIC, NVDA.
With the market gaining strength this week, I'll add more on Monday.
8-30 Tried to update the charts- doing better @ TLC site I hope-
Present Positions RIGS, ANDW, TRMM(8-26), DPL (8-30)- Stopped out on other positions.
Still looking MFLO @ 12.20, krb @ 24.30 -
9-02 Looking to see the results of buy-stops set for the following: KRB 24.51,RS 39.51,ACR 6.15,AIB 32.20, KTO 14.10,CNC 40.01, DG 20.20,EP 8.30, PEG 42.50, CSCS 32.80,SGMS,17.20,VITA 4.75

.01MFLO- 60 Minute Candlesticks, Huge (620)


.02Moldflow Corp. (mflo)
This cup never got close to getting level. After the 8-13 doji, and the bullish close on the 60 min, thought there might be potential for this to break out to the upside. I'll set a buy-stop @ 11.98. This is above the past 3 days trading range, and should only get filled on a strong upside move. The right side of the cup has been almost 'parabolic',likely it's reached it's peak.
So is this even worth considering as having any potential? Market seemed to slow it's decline Friday.
See what Monday brings.
8-16 My buy-stop order was not taken @ 11.98. I expect this was due to my attached limit of 12.02 Since the stock went up to 12.90, the price likely went past my $.04 limit faster than it could be executed.
This is the first time this has happened- I usually allow $.05 range between the stop price and the limit price. Market rallied today-
Would this be worth pursuing tomorrow? Possibly, but notice the high spike, but the close didn't make it above June 11 high near 12.55.

8-30- I have placed a limit order buy @ 12.20-If this is a handle forming-Looks like selling volume has declined.Holding near $20.00
8-17 That tall tail told the story- Glad I didn't chase it-It has Failed.
Have to look this over tonight


A - Daily Candlesticks, Large (520)
I should title this- 'HOW TO LET A NICE PROFIT SLIP AWAY' hAD A GOOD ENTRY HERE, AND ON THE SECOND DAY A GREAT FOLLOW THROUGH-UP FROM 27 TO 29.60 +/-
This is aggravating - off to a good start, and back in a mode where I want to allow a stock to become a profitable-long term holding-I've found that my long-term perspective allowed a short-term gain to slip through my fingers.
The lesson here is to make my trading more rigid in volatile markets, and take profits sooner, and cut losses sooner.

7-30 Notes- Back in again-Early entry by the indicators. 23.87 Market is trying here,Initial stop set @ 22.60 = $1.27 risk-


A-E Weekly Candlesticks, Large (520)
7-30 Entry @ 23.87. Weekly trend is down and support @ 22.00. Using this perspective from the weekly to guage my potential downside risk=higher. I am setting initial stop @ 22.60 --slightly below the recent low of 22.63.
This should allow for intraday volatility- should the stock close below the recent bullish days, I will close the position or raise a tight trailing stop.


Air T, Inc. (airt)


Andrew Corp. (andw)


Charles Schwab Corp. (sch)


Corinthian Colleges, Inc. (coco)


CVH.01- Weekly Candlesticks, Huge (620)


cvh -Coventry Health Care Inc. (cvh)