The first quarter of 2015 has come to a close and investors everywhere are reviewing their performance. This is the perfect time to evaluate the effectiveness of your investment strategies and to make adjustments accordingly.
Our VXX Bias and VRP indicators have both navigated the first quarter quite well, at +31% and +29% YTD, respectively. These two indicators each provide end-of-day signals for placing swing trades in XIV and VXX (if you're not already familiar with our trading strategies you can learn more about them here).
Our preferred strategy, VRP + VXX Bias, combines the two signals to place trades only when they agree on direction and is +35% YTD.
The graph below tracks the daily values for each of our indicators as well as XIV (buy-and-hold) as a comparison reference point (the usual investment benchmark, the S&P 500, is not included because it is an irrelevant +0.9% YTD).
We kept commission fees low by placing only a half dozen trades in the first quarter. Trade statistics for each strategy are summarized as follows**:
If you're not quite meeting your investment objectives this year perhaps we can help. For less than $3 per day we provide subscribers access to all of our VIX data & metrics, our indicators, automated Bias change alerts, and the members' forum.
--> New in 2015, we will be providing an additional level of visibility into our trading by having our performance verified by a third party (Marketfy). We recently tweeted our YTD portfolio performance of +17.8%, which was obtained by using the VRP+VXX Bias strategy as our guide. Look for additional updates on real-time notifications of our trades in the future.
- VXX Bias: 2015
- VRP: 2015
- VRP+VXX Bias: 2015
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Hypothetical and Simulated Performance Disclaimer
The results are based on simulated or hypothetical performance results that have certain inherent limitations. Unlike the results shown in an actual performance record, these results do not represent actual trading. Also, because these trades have not actually been executed, these results may have under- or over-compensated for the impact, if any, of certain market factors, such as lack of liquidity. Simulated or hypothetical trading programs in general are also subject to the fact that they are designed with the benefit of hindsight. No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve profits or losses similar to these being shown. Additional performance differences in backtests arise from the methodology of using the 4:00pm ET closing values for XIV, VXX, and ZIV as approximated trade prices for indicators that require VIX and VIX futures to settle at 4:15pm ET.
The results are based on simulated or hypothetical performance results that have certain inherent limitations. Unlike the results shown in an actual performance record, these results do not represent actual trading. Also, because these trades have not actually been executed, these results may have under- or over-compensated for the impact, if any, of certain market factors, such as lack of liquidity. Simulated or hypothetical trading programs in general are also subject to the fact that they are designed with the benefit of hindsight. No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve profits or losses similar to these being shown. Additional performance differences in backtests arise from the methodology of using the 4:00pm ET closing values for XIV, VXX, and ZIV as approximated trade prices for indicators that require VIX and VIX futures to settle at 4:15pm ET.
