My Swing Trading Approach

I expect to be conservative in my trading approach today, booking gains where it makes sense, and finishing out the year strong.  

Indicators

VIX – Fell 2.8%, but still above 10. Look for a potential year-end close below 10. 

T2108 (% of stocks trading below their 40-day moving average): Small bump yesterday of 1.5%, closing at 64%. Still indicating a lot of sideways price action. 

Moving averages (SPX): Managed to rally at the end of the day, to hold on to the 5-day moving average. 

RELATED: Patterns to Profits: An Intro Trading Course

Industries to Watch Today

Basic Materials remains the strongest sector right now, while Financials are starting to wake up. Utilities  and Real Estate showing some life, while Technology continues to struggle. 

My Market Sentiment

Emerging out of a bull flag pattern. Last day of the trading year tends to have some volatility in both directions and can even see above average volume. 

S&P 500 Technical Analysis

Current Stock Trading Portfolio Balance

• 4 long positions

Recent Stock Trade Notables:

• Square (SQ): Long at $41.28, sold at 42.29 for a 2.2% profit.
• Twitter (TWTR): Long at 20.34, sold at 22.06 for an 8.5% profit.
• Micron (MU): Long at 45.61, sold at 47.91 for a 5.1% profit. 
• TNA: Long at $61.00, sold at $64.08 for a 5.1% profit.
• Micron (MU) Long at $43.20, sold at $44.78 for a 3.7% profit. 
• Alibaba (BABA): Long at $186.42, sold at 179.29 for a 3.8% loss. 
• Paypal (PYPL): Long at $74.18, sold at $73.29 for a 1.2% loss.
• Square (SQ): Long at $36.00, sold at $37.35 for a 3.8% profit. 
• Adobe (ADBE) : Long at $175.20, sold at $179.62 for a 2.5% profit. 
• Alibaba (BABA): Long at $187.00, sold at 181.77 for a 2.8% loss. 
• Paypal (PYPL): Long at $71.94, sold at $72.98 for a 1.5% profit. 
• Lam Research (LRCX): Long at 210.41, sold at $205.20 for a 2.4% loss. 
• Baidu (BIDU): Long at $242.80; sold at 248.29 for a 1% profit.
• Nvida (NVDA): Long at $195.17, sold at $204.88 for a 5% profit.
• Humana (HUM): Long at $248.73, sold at $261.20 for a 5% profit.
• Square (SQ): Long at $32.92, sold at $34.36 for a 4.4% profit. 
• Nvida (NVDA): Long at $198.17, sold at $194.06 for a 2% loss. 
• Lennar Homes (LEN): Long at $56.63, sold at $58.10 for a 2.6% profit. 
• Lam Research (LRCX): Long at $185.23, sold at $192.24 for a 3.8% profit.
• Starbucks (SBUX): Long at $55.59, sold at $54.94 for a 1.1% loss. 
• Illinois Tool Works (ITW): Long at $148.63, sold at $151.23 for a 1.8% profit.
• Nvdia (NVDA): Long at $180.18, sold at $187.38 for a 4% profit. 
• Olin Corp (OLN): Long at $34.37, sold at $36.14 for a 5.2% profit.
• Lowe’s (LOW): Long at $77.97, sold at $81.52 for a 4.6% profit
• IBB: Long at $330.91, sold at $338.25 for a 2.2% profit. 
• Seagate Technologies (STX): Long at $34.35, sold at $33.89 for a 1.3% loss. 
• Wynn Resorts (WYNN): Long at $149.65, sold at $147.14 for a 1.7% loss. 
• Imax Corp (IMAX): Long at $23.03, sold at 22.26 for a 3.3% loss. 
• Marriott International (MAR): Long at $106.26, sold at $108.26 for a 1.9% profit. 
• Alibaba Group (BABA): Long at $170.63, sold at $170.29 for a 5.0% profit. 
• Workday (WDAY): Long at $106.91, sold at $104.90 for a 1.8% loss. 
• Nvdia (NVDA): Long at $170.45, sold at $187.94 for a 10.3% profit. 

See my entire swing-trading past performance here.