How To Use The Trading P&L Zones™ (Equities)
The trading P&L Zones™ (profit/loss) are graphical displays that show the potential areas for and estimated amounts of profit/loss from the entry price of an equity or options position. For any trade in either simulated or live trading, the zones are automatically calculated and displayed.
Understanding the P&L Zones (Orders)
Buy order: an order for a long position will show the break even point (the actual price level of the order) as a dashed line with potential profit (green) shown above and potential loss (red) shown below that level.
Sell order: an order for a short position will show the break even point (the actual price level of the order) as a dashed line with potential profit (green) shown below and potential loss (red) shown above that level.
Understanding the P&L Zones (Positions)
Long Position: a long position will show the break even point (the actual entry price of the position) as a dashed line with potential profit (green) shown above and potential loss (red) shown below that level.
Short Position: a short position will show the break even point (the actual entry price of the position) as a dashed line with potential profit (green) shown below and potential loss (red) shown above that level.
Note: the P&L Zones™ will show increasing value both directions by the color zones getting larger. This represents the unlimited potential for profit or loss with equity positions.
Finding potential profit/loss amounts
Place the cursor on the chart at any point. Click to activate pointer mode (crosshairs appear). Note the value in the P&L Zone. This represents the amount of potential profit (or loss) if the position were closed at that price level (shown in white box on the scale).
Creating projection space for P&L Zones
To Increase projection space so that more of the P&L Zones show:
- At the end of the chart: positioned just above the date scale near the right end of the chart is a small white arrow. Hover over the arrow, then click and drag left or right the vertical dashed line that appears.
- At the top/bottom of the chart: positioned just left of the value scale near the top and bottom of the chart are small white arrows. Hover over the arrow, then click and drag up or down the horizontal dashed line that appears.
Turn the P&L Zone display on or off by clicking the Trading icon at the lower left of the chart price pane. Check or uncheck the tick box next to Show P/L Zones™ as preferred.
Use the slider to change the opacity of the P&L Zones (make them lighter or darker on the chart).
The trading tools work on either a LIVE brokerage account or a PAPER (simulated) trading account. Live market trading requires an account with TC2000 Brokerage. Click Here for more.