1. Reconcile the file
The table on this page shows eight trades of one NQ contract each. Gross results are +150, −100, +250, −150, +50, −50, +100 and −100 USD. Costs of USD 5 per trade total USD 40. This sample defines timestamps as UTC.
2. Calculate each trade after costs
Net results are +145, −105, +245, −155, +45, −55, +95 and −105 USD. Positive results total USD 530, negative results −USD 420. The net balance is USD 110. Reconcile this before interpreting anything else.
3. Read three metrics together
Four of eight trades are positive after costs: a 50 percent win rate. Profit factor is 530 / 420, or about 1.262. Historical expectancy is 110 / 8 = USD 13.75 per trade. These answer different questions; they are not three independent proofs of a strategy.
4. Record the next question
The sample is too small for a reliable performance forecast, but it is enough to check an import and calculations. For a substantive review, add setup, adherence and a larger complete sample. Use the next example to examine sequence and drawdown as well.
A reproducible example
| Measure | Before costs | After costs |
|---|---|---|
| Sum of winning trades (USD) | 550.00 | 530.00 |
| Absolute sum of losing trades (USD) | 400.00 | 420.00 |
| Balance: wins minus losses (USD) | 150.00 | 110.00 |
| Profit Factor | 1.375 | 1.262 |
USD 550 in wins − USD 400 in losses = USD 150 balance before costs. After 8 × USD 5 in costs, USD 110 remains. Net profit factor first deducts costs from each trade: 530 / 420 ≈ 1.262.
- Balance before costs
- 150.00 USD
- Total costs
- 40.00 USD
- Balance after costs
- 110.00 USD
- Profit factor after costs
- 1.26
- Expectancy per trade
- 13.75 USD
- Max. drawdown
- 175.00 USD
| # | Entry (UTC) | Trade before costs | Costs | Trade after costs | Plan followed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2026-09-10 13:30:00 | 150.00 | 5.00 | 145.00 | Yes |
| 2 | 2026-09-10 13:40:00 | -100.00 | 5.00 | -105.00 | Yes |
| 3 | 2026-09-10 13:50:00 | 250.00 | 5.00 | 245.00 | Yes |
| 4 | 2026-09-10 14:00:00 | -150.00 | 5.00 | -155.00 | Yes |
| 5 | 2026-09-10 14:10:00 | 50.00 | 5.00 | 45.00 | No |
| 6 | 2026-09-10 14:20:00 | -50.00 | 5.00 | -55.00 | Yes |
| 7 | 2026-09-10 14:30:00 | 100.00 | 5.00 | 95.00 | Yes |
| 8 | 2026-09-10 14:40:00 | -100.00 | 5.00 | -105.00 | No |