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This commodity pyramid trading Excel form appendix contains a brief description of the "Trading Form" that is included with your Commodity PYRAMID Trading CourseTM and how they are used. A full description is provide in the Appendix of the complete Commodity PYRAMID Trading CourseTM.
The purpose of this form is to help you quickly identify and select commodities which have near-term potential for high profit. You would then use the process described in the Commodity FUTURES Trading CourseTM to identify when to enter and exit the market.
Purchasers of the complete Commodity PYRAMID Trading CourseTM receive fully-functional Excel "Trading Forms". Visitors only have access to the "formula-stripped" (non-calculating) FREE version of this form to evaluate the usefulness of these resources.
Download each file into a previously-created pyramid directory/folder on your computer. You do this by moving your mouse pointer to each chapter file link so the mouse icon changes from an arrow to a pointing hand. Click the Right mouse button (a menu of choices is displayed). Move the mouse pointer to the Save Links As..." option and select it with the Left mouse button. This will display a "Save As..." dialog box where you can specify the pyramid directory/folder as the download location for the selected file. Repeat this procedure for each file.
Note 1: To accommodate differing verisons of Excel, all ".xls" files are saved in Excel 97 & 5.0/95 workbook format. This means that they can be read by higher versions of Excel if your copy of Excel was installed with the required file conversion program. If you encounter an error message that states; "file format is not valid" -or- "cannot be accessed, the file may be read only or you may be trying to access a read only location or the server the document is stored in may not be responding", this means the necessary Excel file conversion program was not installed. You will either need to install the Excel file conversion program(s) on your computer (using your Excel installation disk), or load the files into Excel on another computer and save them in the format recognized by your Version of Excel.
Note 2: These trading forms are for the Microsoft Excel program only. They will not load in Microsoft Works spreadsheet program.
Note 3: All trading forms are "locked" to avoid accidental erasure of important formulas in the forms. There are times when you will need to unlock a form to change the numeric format of certain cells so they will display the commodity's data values correctly. It is assumed that you are familiar with Excel to perform these tasks. Cells where data entry is permitted have a light blue background.
Note 4: All trading form Excel files have been provided to you as a convenient way to monitor and track your trading activities. I do not provide support for any of these files. If you want them changed, you must either do it yourself or find someone who can make the changes. You should make copies of your original forms and use the copies. Because your trades may exceed the timeframe available on the trading forms, you should make copies using filenames in sequence (i.e., filename1.xls, filename2.xls, etc.) transferring applicable data to the subsequent form.
Pyramid Trading Form.TM (substituted
filename used: p9.xls)
This form helps you to define and track high-risk Pyramid/Pillar trading activities. You can also use it for just a single (non-pyramid) trade.
Special Note: You must copy the original trading form to another file name which you will use with your trade. Always use an unaltered copy of this form. Never use the original. The reason is described below.
This trading form lets you track up to three commodities. The cells where you can enter data are shaded in light blue (some have a yellow background color). In addition, the cell for "Today's Close" is shaded in pink. All other cells are "locked". The default numeric format of the cells in which commodity price data is either entered or displayed is two decimal places. If you need to change the decimal format for a commodity which has price data other than two decimal places (i.e., Cocoa: no decimal places, Swiss Franc: four decimal places), you must first unlock the form. You can unlock a copy of the form from the Tools menu, selecting Protection, Unprotect Sheet (no password is used). Next, change the formatting of the cells (described below) from the Format menu, selecting Cells, Number – selecting the desired decimal display format). When done, reapply protection to the form by using the Tools menu, selecting Protection, Protect Sheet – don't use a password).
The following cells need their numeric format changed for a commodity with price data which is other than two decimal places. The cells to change are listed below. Make sure you reapply protection to the form after changing the numeric format.
Form Content Description
This trading form uses columns A-U, and rows 1-32. The following information describes each area of the form.
The cells in the following rows (8, 16, or 24) are used to either enter or display data. There are a few row exceptions which are described when the applicable column is encountered. The purpose and operation of each cell is described below, and is presented in a column sequence from Column A through Column U.
Column A. These cells for each of the three sections display the "quan" (quantity) and is a calculated field. This column will either display a "1" in each row of the section, or will display a "1, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32" in the rows. Which sequence is displayed is determined by the code that you enter in cell B12, B20, or B28. The two codes which are used is a "1" for a pillar trade, and a "2" for a pyramid trade. A code of "1" will cause the "quan" column to display a "1" in each row. A code of "2" will display a doubling (i.e., 1, 1, 2, 4, 8, etc.) in each row. These values are subsequently used for calculations in both the "Total P/L" column and the "risk w/cur. stop-loss" column.
Column B. "Month" – this cell is used to enter the month of the commodity. Use the first three letters of the month (i.e., Sep).
Column B. "code" (row 12, 20, or 28) – this cell is used to enter the type of trade. Use "1" for a pillar trade, and a "2" for a pyramid trade (also see Column A).
Column C. "Commodity" – this cell is used to enter the name of the commodity.
Column D. "Pos" – this cell is used to enter the position taken for the trade. Use an uppercase "L" for a Long position, and an uppercase "S" for a Short position.
Column D. "Daily Limit" (row 15, 23, or 31) – this cell is used to enter the daily limit the price of the commodity may move. This is set by the exchange and is printed in Commodity Price Charts. No calculation is performed on this item. It is used to remind you of the consequences of a limit move against your position.
Column E. "Fnd" – this cell is used to enter the First Notice Day of the commodity. Use a mm/dd format. No calculation is performed on this item. It is used to remind you of this important date by being visible and conspicuous on the form.
Column F. "Ltd" – this cell is used to enter the Last Trading Day of the commodity. Use a mm/dd format. No calculation is performed on this item. It is used to remind you of this important date by being visible and conspicuous on the form.
Column F. "$ Risk Amt:" (row 12, 20, or 28) – this cell is used to enter the maximum amount of risk (in dollars) for this trade.
Column G. "Opt. Exp." – this cell is used to enter the Option Expiration Date of the commodity. Use a mm/dd format. No calculation is performed on this item. It is used to remind you of this important date by being visible and conspicuous on the form.
Column H. "Margin" – this cell is used to enter the current
margin for the commodity. Because it's possible that the margin requirement
may change after you have already entered a position, there is provision
to enter margin changes in column H. This will be used for recalculating
subsequent Finance Target points. Enter the revised margin on the
row where your most recent Entry Price exists. Subsequent rows in
this column contain formulas which look at the previous row value,
and will reflect the entered value for the new margin. The background
color of these cells (rows 10-14, 18-22, 26-30) is yellow. On the remote
chance that there is another margin change, again enter it in the row where
the most recent Entry Price exists.
Note: Entering a revised margin value will delete a formula at that
position, and it is for this reason that you must use a copy of the
Pyramid Trading Form. This ensures that the file you will be using has an
unaltered/pristine content.
Column I. "Price Multip." – this cell is used to enter the price multiplier for the commodity. This is identified on track-3.xls, and also in Appendix E under Futures Multiplier Table of your Commodity FUTURES Trading Course.
Column J. "Daily" – this cell is used to enter the daily 50% target. No calculation is performed on this item. It is used to remind you of your trading objective.
Column J. (rows 9-14, 17-22, and 25-30). Displays the number of contracts to be acquired for each level of pyramiding (i.e., a doubling for each pyramid trade, and one for each pillar trade).
Column K. "Weekly" – this cell is used to enter the weekly 50% target. No calculation is performed on this item. It is used to remind you of your trading objective. If no substantial weekly 50% target exists, enter an "n/a" (not applicable) in this field.
Column L. "Pyr. xtnt" – this cell is used to enter a pyramid extent value. This is a ratio (in percent) of how much the next entry level of contract(s) is internally financed vs. how much you put up out of your trading account. The value you enter in the top row will be displayed in a sequence of the value you entered. For example, a value of "1.0" (100%) means that the profit from the current position must equal 100% of the margin required to finance additional contracts. A value of "0.75" (75%) means that the profit from the current position will be 75% of the margin required to finance additional contracts – with the remaining 25% coming out of your trading account. A value of "0.5" (50%) means that the profit from the current position will be half the margin required to finance additional contracts – with the remaining 50% coming out of your trading account. The upside of entering "0.5" (or any other value less that "1") is that you pyramid sooner. The downside is that you risk going farther out on the financial limb.
Column M. "Finance Target" – this cell displays the suggested optimum entry point for the next level of trade. It is a calculated field that builds off the "Entry Price".
Column N. "Entry Date" – this cell is used to enter the date your market order was filled. Use a mm/dd format. Subsequent rows are used to enter the date when your next round of market order(s) is filled. After the initial Entry Date, a subsequent "Entry Date" is required to display values on the row in columns "S", "T", and "U".
Column O. "Entry Price" – this cell is used to enter the initial entry price you have selected after you have defined your trading plan. Frequently, the fill price of your initial order will be different and should be entered as the replacement entry price. This value is used to calculate the suggested "Finance Target" values. Subsequent rows are used to enter the entry price (again, replaced by the fill price) when your next round of market order(s) is filled.
Column P. "Exit Date" – this cell is used to enter the date your trade ended. Use a mm/dd format. Subsequent rows will display a suggested revised stop-loss value to use, based on your "$ Risk Amt:" if an "Entry Price" is in that row.
Column P. "Suggest Stop-Loss" (rows 9-14, 17-22, or 25-30) – these cells display a suggested Stop-Loss value, based on your position and risk amount. The suggested value is only displayed if you enter a value into the "Entry Price" cell (from P1 through P6). It is wise to temper this suggested value with support and resistance points which exist on the price chart.
Column Q. "Today Close" (row 8, 16, or 24) – this cell is used to enter the closing price of the commodity, generally on a daily basis, and lets you assess the state of your trade. This cell has a pink background color. In addition, row 5 displays today's date in mm/dd format. When the entire position is closed out, the exit price is entered into this field.
Column R. "Initial S-L" (row 8, 16, or 24) – this cell is used to display the initial stop-loss value, based on the position, entry price, risk amount, and price multiplier. It is a calculated field.
Column R. "+ S-L" (rows 9, 17, or 25) – this cell is used to
enter a revised stop-loss value during the trade. When the stop-loss is moved,
it is for ALL the positions. Subsequent rows will display the revised value if and
entry price exists on the row.
Note: Once your "P1" trade has been filled (row 9, 17, or 25), you
are required to enter a stop-loss value in this field, even if it's
the same value as the Initial stop-loss.
Column S. "Unit P/L" – this cell is used to display the current unit profit/loss of the position. It is a calculated field which displays the profit/loss for "each" contract at the applicable entry price. Values which are displayed in parenthesis "( )" mean losses. Values with no parenthesis are profit.
Column T. "Total P/L" – this cell is used to display the profit/loss for "all" contracts at the applicable entry price. It is a calculated field. Rows 15, 23, 31 display the Gross P/L for the commodity. Row 32 displays the Gross P/L for all positions.
Column T. "Gross for all trades" (row 1) – this cell displays the value in row 32.
Column T. "Less commissions" (row 2) – this cell is used to display the calculated commission for all trades and is subtracted from the value in row 1.
Column T. "Net for all trades" (row 3) – this cell is used to display the calculated net profit/loss of all trades on this form.
Column U. "risk w/cur. stop-loss" – this cell is used to display the current risk (in dollars) your position exposes you to, if price goes against you and your stop-loss is hit. Values which are displayed in parenthesis "( )" indicate the potential loss if your stop-loss value is executed. Values which are not in parenthesis indicate profit if your stop-loss value is hit. Rows 15, 23, 31 display the gross risk for the trade, which is a mathematical sum of all applicable values in this column. This means that at some point, the gross risk will show a profit even if price moves against you. Row 32 displays the gross risk for all trades.
Column U. "comm/trade" (row 2) – this cell is used to enter the total commission for a single trade. Column T, row 2 calculates the commission cost for all contracts which are held in the trade(s).
Brief Instructions
When starting a trade, all of the following data must be entered into the trading form in either of the three sections: Month and Commodity, Pyramid code, Pos, Fnd, Ltd, $ Risk Amt:, Opt. Exp., Margin, Price Multip., Daily, Weekly, Pyr. xtnt, Entry Price, Today Close, comm/trade. Until all data is entered, the values displayed in Columns S, T, and U will not be correct.
Special Note:
The calculations for both the T-Note and T-Bond are currently not implemented. This calculation is not as straightforward as the others because of the way price is quoted for these commodities (in 32nds instead of in decimal values). I just haven't had a large enough block of time to focus on defining this calculation. Hopefully soon...
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