What you’ll learn
End-of-day review is where performance compounds. You clean data, segment trades, and turn observations into keep/modify/cut decisions you can execute tomorrow.
- Verify net P&L and costs before forming opinions.
- Segment by setup and session with consistent tags.
- End with keep/modify/cut rules so tomorrow is defined.
Overview
This workflow starts with reconciliation, moves into segmentation, and ends with decisions. It keeps you out of hindsight bias and anchored to metrics.
You’ll know exactly which setups to keep, what to adjust, and which to pause based on expectancy, profit factor, and drawdown.
Write tomorrow’s focus at the top of your journal-review it pre-market.
What you need before you start
Gather these first so the review is fast and calm.
- Broker statement or CSV with fees and fills.
- Tag list/playbook for setups and sessions.
- Screenshots or recordings of key trades.
- ProfitPulse journal dashboards.
- Expectancy/profit factor calculators.
- Decision log (keep/modify/cut).
Shortcut: If you want this workflow automated, use a trading journal app that supports imports + analytics (ProfitPulse).
Step-by-step: review a trading day with decisions
Work top-down: reconcile data, segment, score, then choose keep/modify/cut actions.
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1
Reconcile and clean the day
Cross-check broker statement versus your journal. Fix timezone issues and attach any missing costs so you’re evaluating real net numbers.
- Match net P&L to broker including commissions/fees.
- Fix timezones so entries/exits align with your session tags.
- Remove duplicates and confirm all trades are present.
Goal: Journal data matches the broker and is net, not gross. -
2
Segment by setup and session
Tag trades by setup, session, and account type. This prevents one bad product from hiding a good setup and vice versa.
- Filter to live trades first; review sim separately.
- Group by setup/playbook and session (RTH/ETH/Asia/London).
- Split by instrument (micro/e-mini) if risk differs.
Watch for: Judging a blended pile of trades hides the real winners and offenders. -
3
Score performance versus plan
Score the day: R-multiples, expectancy, profit factor, drawdown, and rule adherence versus your plan.
- Net P&L and average R by setup/session.
- Expectancy, win rate, and profit factor for the day.
- Max adverse excursion/drawdown and whether you respected stops.
Done when: Daily scorecard is saved and tagged for trend tracking. -
4
Identify leaks and costs
Look for where money leaked: slippage, platform hiccups, late exits, or extra commissions.
- Compare planned vs actual costs and slippage per setup.
- Flag mistake trades or rule breaks separately.
- Note any platform/data issues to prevent repeats.
Goal: Stop cost leaks before they snowball. -
5
Decide keep / modify / cut
For each setup/session, decide what to keep, what to adjust, and what to pause.
- Keep: setups with positive expectancy and controlled drawdown.
- Modify: tighten rules (entry, stop distance, size) when stats slip.
- Cut: pause anything breaking rules or with sustained negative expectancy.
Watch for: Recency bias-use multi-day stats, not one trade. -
6
Plan tomorrow
Write a short plan you can read pre-market-focus, risk limits, and do-not-trade rules.
- Top focus setups and sessions (keep/modify/cut list).
- Risk guardrails: max daily loss, stop-after-3 losses, cool-off rules.
- One execution fix you’ll implement immediately.
Done when: Tomorrow’s plan is written and saved.
Pin this next to your screen for every close.
- Reconcile net P&L to broker (with costs).
- Segment by setup/session/account type.
- Score R, expectancy, and drawdown versus plan.
- Write keep/modify/cut actions and tomorrow’s focus.
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
Ignoring costs inflates profit factor and expectancy, leading to false confidence.
Blended stats hide where edge lives; you’ll cut winners and keep losers.
One day or a few trades shouldn’t rewrite your playbook. Use rolling stats and rule-based triggers.
Vent-only reviews change nothing. Finish with keep/modify/cut rules and a one-line focus for tomorrow.
Metrics that matter (so you don’t “review by vibes”)
If your workflow touches performance, anchor your review to real metrics like profit factor, expectancy, net P&L, R-multiples, and drawdown.
Troubleshooting
Check commissions/fees, timezones, and duplicate fills. Re-import with costs if needed so net matches.
Do a 5-minute pass: reconcile P&L, tag setups, log top issue, and schedule a deeper weekly session.
Create a fixed tag list, map old tags to the new list, and re-tag recent trades so filters are clean going forward.
Favor expectancy and R-multiples over raw P&L. Check sample size and costs; outliers can skew short-term numbers.
Frequently asked questions
What metrics should I review every day?
Net P&L, R-multiples, expectancy, profit factor, drawdown, win rate, and rule adherence for each setup or session.
How long should an end-of-day review take?
20–30 minutes is enough when your data is tagged. Do a 5-minute quick pass if you’re exhausted, then a deeper weekend audit.
Do I mix sim and live trades when reviewing?
No. Keep sim separate so it doesn’t dilute live results; only merge once a setup is proven and risk-managed.
What if I only took one trade today?
Still reconcile costs and tag it. Lean on multi-day stats to avoid overreacting; note any rule breaks or execution issues.
Should I review screenshots or screen recordings?
Yes-pair metrics with visuals. Screenshots help you see context, fills, and discipline issues you can’t read from numbers alone.
How do I turn reviews into action items?
Use a keep/modify/cut list. Each item needs a trigger (metric or rule) and the specific change you’ll make tomorrow.
Turn this workflow into a system.
ProfitPulse is a trading journal app built for cost-aware, risk-weighted review. Import trades, tag setups, track net P&L, and review edge using expectancy, profit factor, and drawdown.