What happened so far in 2026?
So far this year, I have continued trading NVIDIA options, generating approximately 11% return (~37% annualized on a non-compounding basis).
From late February to early April, I developed a strong trading cadence — in capital allocation (options vs. stocks), timing of entries and exits, and strike price selection to balance risk and return. I also moved into a 2-week rolling cycle, which made my trading more structured and systematic.
What I did well
- Established a clear capital allocation strategy between options and stocks
- Built a more systematic approach to entering and exiting positions
- Stayed aligned with the market rhythm during that period
- Balanced risk and return effectively through strike price and premium selection
What I didn’t do well
- Used longer expiration options where the premium did not justify the risk
- Did not always define exit strategy clearly before entering
- At times, acted as if I fully understood the market
One realization
When the market is strong, there will always be moments it cools down — be patient.
When the market is weak, there will always be moments it moves up — be daring.
But more importantly, choose fundamentally strong underlying stocks, so you have confidence they will recover.
Next adjustment
I did well entering positions during market pullbacks and exiting when the market moved up. However, my expectation of a “lower” NVIDIA price was misaligned with the market rhythm. I became too cautious and missed re-entry before the stock moved up to $190.
This was a reminder:
I made the same mistake again — thinking I could predict the market.
For the next two weeks in April:
Since I am currently out of sync with the market rhythm, I will not force trades. Instead, I will wait for the right setup.
A good trading rhythm matters. Once I am off the beat, the right move is to pause and reset, not chase.
For me, this is:
“胜军先胜而后求战” — to secure the win before entering the battle.
Sometimes, no action is part of winning.
Disclaimer
I am not a financial advisor or a lawyer. The information in this post reflects my personal opinions and experiences and is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered financial, legal, or investment advice. Please conduct your own due diligence before making any financial decisions.