Jul 14 – Jul 18, 2025
Nick SchmidtJuly 19, 2025SPY+0.64%QQQ+1.27%
Busy week. SOUN got stopped and re-entered same day at half size, added ALAB and RUM on thematic setups, and cleared NFLX, UBER, and META after hours Wednesday to get back under five positions. Nothing was wrong with any of those three, I just need to focus and feel in sync with what I'm holding.
Ended the week with five thematic positions all showing traction. SMCI and QUBT continuing to work, SOUN back on after the shakeout, and ALAB and RUM both getting instant feedback. The environment is still favorable and I'm staying aligned.
Cleared NFLX, UBER, META to stay at five positions. All five showing traction.
SOUN stopped at even, re-entered same day at half size using lows at $10.82 as stop.
Entered ALAB using weekly lows at $87.70 to manage risk.
Cleared NFLX, UBER, and META after hours to get back under five positions.
Entered RUM at weekly lows. Instant traction.
GRRR stopped out, quick entry and exit.
The SOUN re-buy made something click about position sizing. The original buy was 1% of the account risked at a -6% stop. The re-buy was only 0.5% risked at a -2% stop but the actual position size was bigger because the stop was tighter. I might be leaving opportunity on the table by using wider stops and smaller positions when I could be using tighter stops and sizing up for the same dollar risk.
Having over five positions hurts me. I cleared NFLX, UBER, and META, all profitable, just to get back to a number I can stay in sync with. When I'm spread across too many names I lose track of the story in each one and I start making reactive decisions instead of proactive ones. Concentration is what lets me feel the positions and stay aligned.
If I have a cushion built before earnings I'll hold through because the worst case is giving back some profit. But if there's no cushion before they report I sell and revisit after. The expected move from optionslam.com helps frame the risk but the real question is simple: if this gaps against me, am I okay with where I end up? No cushion means the answer is always no.
The edge is in awareness and alignment. When I'm aware the wind is at our backs and the environment is favorable, I just stay aligned until that changes. Then be aware when it changes. The two mistakes are not listening when the environment shifts and giving back progress, or being too protective in anticipation of a correction and missing opportunities that last longer than you think. Right now it's about staying aligned and not overthinking it.