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How to Compare Current vs Previous Period Performance

Overview​

Compare trading performance across different time periods to track improvement and identify trends.

Steps​

1. Navigate to Period Comparison​

Go to Reports > Comparison > Period Compare

Screenshot: Period comparison menu

2. Select Periods to Compare​

Quick Presets:

  • This Month vs Last Month
  • This Quarter vs Last Quarter
  • This Year vs Last Year
  • Last 30 Days vs Previous 30 Days

Custom:

  • Select any two date ranges
  • Compare specific weeks
  • Any period combination

Screenshot: Period selection

3. View Comparison Table​

Side-by-side metrics:

  • Total P&L
  • Win rate %
  • Trade count
  • Average trade
  • ROI %
  • Max drawdown
  • Best/worst trades

Screenshot: Comparison table

4. Analyze Change %​

Each metric shows:

  • Period 1 value
  • Period 2 value
  • Change amount
  • Change percentage
  • Trend indicator (↑↓)

Screenshot: Change percentages

5. Review Visual Comparison​

Charts showing:

  • P&L comparison bars
  • Win rate comparison
  • Trade volume
  • Daily P&L overlay

Screenshot: Comparison charts

Success!​

You're comparing period performance effectively.

Key Metrics Compared​

Performance Metrics​

📊 Total P&L: Profit improvement?
📊 Win Rate: Success consistency?
📊 Trade Count: Activity level?
📊 Avg Trade: Per-trade efficiency?

Risk Metrics​

📉 Max Drawdown: Risk control?
📉 Volatility: Stability?
📉 Recovery Time: Bounce back speed?

Efficiency Metrics​

💰 ROI: Capital efficiency?
💰 Profit Factor: Win/loss ratio?
💰 Sharpe Ratio: Risk-adjusted return?

Screenshot: Metrics breakdown

Trend Indicators​

Improvement Signs​

✅ Higher P&L
✅ Better win rate
✅ Larger average win
✅ Smaller average loss
✅ Lower drawdown
✅ More consistency

Decline Signs​

⚠️ Lower P&L
⚠️ Declining win rate
⚠️ Smaller wins
⚠️ Larger losses
⚠️ Higher drawdown
⚠️ More volatility

What Changed?​

Identify Changes​

Compare between periods:

  • Strategy Changes: New/modified strategies?
  • Market Conditions: Different environment?
  • Discipline: Better/worse execution?
  • Position Sizing: Risk management?
  • Frequency: More/fewer trades?

Screenshot: Change analysis

Monthly Comparison​

Month-over-Month​

Track monthly:

  • P&L trend
  • Win rate stability
  • Trading volume
  • Strategy performance
  • Goal achievement

Goal: Consistent improvement

Screenshot: Monthly comparison

Quarterly Review​

Quarter-over-Quarter​

Bigger picture view:

  • Seasonal patterns
  • Long-term trends
  • Strategy evolution
  • Market cycle impact

Year-over-Year​

Annual Comparison​

  • Overall growth
  • Skill development
  • Major improvements
  • Areas still weak

Screenshot: Annual comparison

Statistical Significance​

Is Change Real?​

  • Sample size sufficient?
  • Random variance?
  • Genuine improvement?
  • Market condition effect?

Need: Minimum 30 trades per period

Segment Comparison​

Drill Down​

Compare periods by:

  • Strategy: Strategy A performance?
  • Symbol: Same symbols traded?
  • Tags: Setup success rates?
  • Time: Best trading times?

Screenshot: Segment comparison

Goal Tracking​

Progress to Goals​

  • Set monthly goals
  • Compare actual vs target
  • Track achievement %
  • Adjust goals if needed

Action Items​

Based on Comparison​

If Improved: ✅ Identify what worked
✅ Maintain practices
✅ Replicate success
✅ Set new targets

If Declined: ❌ Identify problems
❌ Fix issues
❌ Review rules
❌ Adjust approach

Screenshot: Action items

Export Comparison​

Save Report​

  1. Complete comparison
  2. Click "Export Comparison"
  3. PDF or Excel
  4. Share with mentor/review later

Quick Tips​

  • Compare similar market conditions
  • Look at multiple metrics
  • Don't compare too-short periods
  • Account for market environment
  • Focus on controllables
  • Track long-term trends

Comparison Frequency​

Regular Reviews​

📅 Weekly: Quick check
📅 Monthly: Detailed review
📅 Quarterly: Big picture
📅 Annually: Year-end analysis

Next Steps​

Troubleshooting​

Can't compare? Check both periods have trades
Results seem odd? Verify date ranges
Missing metrics? Ensure data synced
Change % wrong? Check calculation method
Need help? Contact support@tradelyser.com