2025-12-30 · 4 min read
A qualitative run-through of every trade from 2025-12-30: setups, thought process, and outcomes.
The day kicked off with EKSO, which had gapped up significantly and was trading like a thin name. I noticed the early momentum and took a long position at 8.65 as it faded below VWAP, setting up a sub VWAP trap. The stock held up well, with bids showing support around the 1m9 and 5m9 levels, and I managed to exit at 8.80 for a solid gain of $702. The best exit was even better at 8.95, but I’ll take the win.
Continuing with EKSO, I entered again at 8.85 after seeing a similar setup. The stock pulled back slightly but quickly reclaimed VWAP, and I exited at 8.99 for another nice win of $375. The tape was still holding strong, with buyers stepping in and pushing it higher.
Then, I entered again at 9.30, capitalizing on the continuation of the sub VWAP trap setup. It was a similar story; the stock bounced off the 1m9 level at 9.23 and moved up to 9.42, netting me $401. The buying pressure was evident as the stock held above the VWAP.
I took a larger position at 9.92, still in the same trade context. I had a strong exit at 10.39, which brought my profit for this trade to $1,218. The tape was showing clear strength, with the stock pushing past key levels and buyers aggressively stepping in.
However, not all trades were as successful. I entered at 10.49 shortly after that big win, but the stock couldn’t hold its gains. I cut the position for a loss of $382 at 10.35. Sellers were aggressive, and I had to make a quick decision to limit my downside. The stock failed to reclaim the VWAP, and I recognized it wasn’t worth holding.
I tried to re-enter at 10.10, but the stock was losing steam. I exited at 9.98 for another loss of $350. The tape was choppy, and I wasn’t seeing the same buying interest that had previously lifted the stock.
After some back and forth, I found an entry at 10.31, and it finally started to show some momentum again, pushing up to 10.69. I closed that trade for a profit of $772. The earlier losses were weighing on my mind, but I was glad to see some follow-through on this entry.
I made a final push into EKSO at 12.54, trying to catch what looked like a bull flag setup. Unfortunately, the stock rejected near the highs, and I exited at 11.91 for a loss of $857. The tape shifted quickly, and I wasn’t able to adapt in time.
Overall, the day was a mixed bag, heavily centered on EKSO's action. I saw some strong moves but also faced significant challenges with the tape and volatility. The healthcare sector was active, and it was clear that the rotation into names like EKSO was causing some erratic behavior.
What I did well: I identified and capitalized on the early momentum in EKSO.
What I did poorly: I failed to adjust quickly enough to the changing dynamics after my initial success.
Trading grade: C+ — solid entries initially but struggled to manage the later trades effectively.
Looking ahead, I’ll need to refine my entries and exits to avoid the choppy action we saw today.
Trade charts
Selected notable trades (by P&L) with time-of-day vs price (entry → exit).
EKSO 12:44:41 – 12:47:05 — P&L $-453.41
EKSO 11:55:17 – 12:01:14 — P&L $-857.21
EKSO 11:06:05 – 11:08:07 — P&L $+771.72
EKSO 10:32:07 – 10:37:34 — P&L $+1217.79
EKSO 09:48:13 – 09:50:38 — P&L $+702.11