Build a monthly trading review

Reconcile the month end

Reconcile opening balance, deposits, withdrawals, realized results and open-position value. Account growth caused by a deposit is not trading profit. Use the same valuation time and currency for comparisons.

Weight averages by trade count

In the synthetic example, week A earns USD 120 net across four trades; week B earns −USD 80 across 16 trades. Their averages are USD 30 and −USD 5. The combined average is 40 / 20 = USD 2 per trade, not the unweighted mean of USD 12.50.

Do not simply average weekly profit factors or win rates either. Recalculate them from the combined winning results, losing results and trade counts.

Make changes visible

Record changes in contracts, position sizes, trading hours and rules. Compare setups within similar conditions where possible. A stronger net equity curve can come solely from greater exposure while return per unit of risk declines.

Give the decision a review date

Finish with one practice to retain, one open hypothesis and a date to check it again. Preserve the original notes. This makes it possible to distinguish a rule based on evidence available then from an explanation added after the result became known.