My trading and investing in 2014 was the best and all time high I have ever reached in the entire history of trading and investing. Mr. Market was helping a lot to reach these results and I understand that falling markets will be the biggest test of my trading abilities. But I will worry about it when that happens.
To say that I have to be prepared for that case when markets start falling. The best way to get ready is to hold enough cash reserves.
If you are a pure dividend investor, you do not have to worry. You can invest all your cash when the markets fall and ride the waves.
If you use margin and buy dividend stocks on margin (which I do) you want to hold some cash.
If you trade options on margin (which in case of selling naked puts is a must) you definitely want to hold cash in reserves. If the market falls dramatically, this cash will protect you against your positions losing value (and in case of short naked options gaining value) so you avoid margin calls.
Some traders recommend 30% cash, some even 50%. My goal is to have 30% in cash, although I feel uncomfortable having so much cash sitting idle in my account. The point is to change my investor’s mind to see such cash as working as insurance. Even though it makes no cash, it will protect my already made cash.
That’s the way you can help protecting your portfolio against involuntary liquidation.
June 2014 was the best month so far I ever had. My account doubled for the year, see my new goal here. My overall growth in this month (adjusted for contributions) was staggering 15.91%. The best growth so far in 2014. My second best month was February when the account grew 10.88%
(Our trading account growth since mid-2011. It continues outpacing S&P 500. The chart is adjusted for contributions – contributions are removed from the growth.)
Next week, I will be starting my business – Investment Company. The ultimate goal is to start a hedge fund. But I will start small, with Investment Company first, then working on all licensing and once done, start a hedge fund.
Here are new results for TD account only:
January 2014 premiums: | $156.10 (1.55%) |
February 2014 premiums: | $139.26 (1.38%) |
March 2014 premiums: | $746.62 (7.41%) |
April 2014 premiums: | $421.63 (4.19%) |
May 2014 premiums: | $803.32 (7.98%) |
June 2014 premiums: | $230.21 (2.29%) |
January 2014 dividends: | $25.87 (0.26%) |
February 2014 dividends: | $167.02 (1.66%) |
March 2014 dividends: | $68.77 (0.68%) |
April 2014 dividends: | $25.91 (0.26%) |
May 2014 dividends: | $168.51 (1.67%) |
June 2014 dividends: | $68.81 (0.68%) |
Total 2014 income: | $3,549.69 (35.50%) |
2014 unrealized premiums: | $2,364.00 (23.64%) |
Account balance: | $21,331.68 (+15.91%) |
December 2013 balance: | $10,072.25 |
You can see my dividend and options income on My Trades & Income page.
What about you? How was your June 2014 and the entire year so far? Post a link to your website or write down your results to encourage other investors!
Have a great July 2014 at the markets and a Happy 4th of July!!
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