Monday 3rd September 2007

This has been one of the most enjoyable days of trading for the Sports Trader, not just because of the result but as there were a few really good trading opportunities. I ended up trading 2 tennis matches, one at either end of the day, 4 horse races and 1 football match.

My day started with the Ginepri v Wawrinka tennis match that had started the evening before but didn't finish until the early hours of today. I am still trying to get used to trading tennis so I was using very small stakes but still came out with a profit of £20.

My first race trade was in the 14:40 at Lingfield where I laid Contented for £100 @ 3.00 to give me a profit of £100.

In the 16:35 at Roscommon someone must have made a huge mistake as with the price for Graceful Star around evens all of a sudden about £2k at 1.20 became available to lay. I took what I could get and ended up with £795 @ 1.20. I put up a back @ 2.25 for £250 but only got matched for £45 so I ended the race with a loss of £103. Even though I lost money it was still a good trade and I so nearly came away with a decent profit.

My next trade was in the 17:00 at Wolverhampton and this resulted in the best result of my day, no week, no month as I backed Opal Haze for £1294 @ 2.00. I did lay off just £10 @ 1.70 before cancelling my lays as it became apparent that she would win. I therefore ended the race with a £1287 profit.

In the 17:10 at Lingfield I laid Almahaza for £22 @ 21.00 to result in a profit of £22.

My last race trade of the day was in the 19:15 at Roscommon where again I had a brilliant opportunity to make a good trade, but alas this one slipped away. With less than 2 furlongs to go Seeking Justice was in a clear lead but I still managed to back her for £28 @ 82.00, for a potential profit of £2270. I put up lays @ 5.00 but could only get matched for £15. I also laid Teffia Native for £7 @ 3.00 so I ended the race with a loss of £7. Seeking Justice eventually finished 3rd and less than a length from the winner.

So my race trading had finished with a profit of £1298.

I watched the Blackpool v Hull football match in the evening  but did not get involved until in injury time when I backed the draw for £83 @ 1.20 which appeared to be a great price, however as many people know to their significant cost a goal was scored in the 4th minute of extra time to give Blackpool a win and cost me £83.

Finlay later in the evening I traded on the Hass v Blake tennis match and managed to come out with a profit of £37.

My day had finished with a profit of £1272.

Away from trading altogether, I came across a website the other day that gives people the chance to invest in small businesses in the developing world. I have always been a little reluctant to give to charities as I do not like the thought that a large slice of the money donated goes to pay the salaries of the administrators and even to corrupt officials instead of the people in need. Kiva is an organisation that allows you to lend money directly to individuals in developing countries that are trying to run a small business to support their families. They have raised over $10 million and have a default rate of just 0.28%. So although it is a charity, any money you invest will be returned at the end of the loan term which is typically 6 - 12 months. The idea is that you would then reinvest the money into other worthy small businesses. I think it is a great idea and have got involved already. Normally you can only invest $25 / business so your investment is spread over many businesses and therefore spreads your risks. Yahoo News has just released this video about Kiva, its well worth watching.   

Comments

[Westernflyer]

Nice one!!!

[Ray]

Hi WF,

Thanks, it was good to get a really decent result and has set me up for a good month.

Good Luck

Ray

[free bets]

Wow, good work man.

[free bets]

Wow, good work man.