11:35 a.m. New York time

I’ve added GH to my Genetics Portfolio, for a debit of $82.71.

11:20 a.m. New York time

In my Growth Portfolio for stocks, the algorithm tossed up WGO as a new position, which I entered for a $53.04 debit.

PWR dropped off of the portfolio. However, it is also listed in one of my secondary strategy portfolios, Value, and so I’ll keep the position, which I entered on Dec. 9 for a $40.47 debit.

In my Genetics Portfolio, today brings the height of the ridiculous. Two positions that I entered yesterday, AQB and NTLA, and one that I entered the day before yesterday, CTSL, all lost their qualifying strategy scores, dropping from the portfolio list. All three continue to show a buy recommendation from Zacks, with a score of 2.

That’s more action in portfolio construction than I want. Only one of the three, NTLA, is showing a profit. And no wonder! Such rapid-fire changes get us into random walk territory rather than a trend.

So, I’m abandoning the letter grades assigned by Zacks to represent a position’s likely performance under a value, growth or momentum strategy. Instead, I’ll retain the three symbols, and going forward shall rely only a Zacks  score of 1 or 2 among the prospects as a qualification for entry. I shall use the strategy scores as guidance for which qualifying prospect I enter first.

Under the new rule, I retain AQB, BMY, CSTL, INCY and NTLA in the Genetics Portfolio. All have a score of 2. In addition, I can now add five more qualifying positions: GH with a score of 1, and CGEN, CLLS, ONVO and PSTI, all with scores of 2.

I’ll add the five in gradually as funds become available, giving priority to GH.

A good change, I think. After all, as a wise mentor once said to me about rules, Rules are for your benefit, not you for the rules. Flexibility is the soul of profit.

By Tim Bovee, Portland, Oregon, December 20, 2019

Disclaimer

Tim Bovee, Private Trader tracks the analysis and trades of a private trader for his own accounts. Nothing in this blog constitutes a recommendation to buy or sell stocks, options or any other financial instrument. The only purpose of this blog is to provide education and entertainment.

No trader is ever 100 percent successful in his or her trades. Trading in the stock and option markets is risky and uncertain. Each trader must make trading decisions for his or her own account, and take responsibility for the consequences.

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Based on a work at www.timbovee.com.