Running PnL

What is Running PnL?

Running PnL is the continuous PnL graph that tells you the PnL of your position at any point in time during the duration you were in the trade. TradesViz takes PnL snapshots every 5 seconds to 1 minute (depending on trade duration), creating a complete picture of how your trade evolved.

Learn more: Running PnL Risk Analysis | Unrealized Running PnL

Why Running PnL Matters

Have you ever heard "cut your losers" and "let your winners run"? It's nice to hear, but impossible to implement in real-time. However, you can analyze your historical trades to see if this was the case.

Two trades can have identical final P&L but very different journeys:

Trade A: Entry to smooth climb to exit = Low stress
Trade B: Entry, deep drawdown, recovery to exit = High stress

Standard P&L shows the same result. Running PnL exposes the critical difference and whether you're truly managing risk or just getting lucky.

Running PnL Analysis Charts

Under Trades Analysis > Running PnL Analysis, you'll find 4 powerful scatter charts:

1. PnL vs Positive Running PnL Duration

Shows how long you were in profit during each trade. If you see points in the top left quadrant (long time in profit but negative final PnL), ask: Why didn't you exit while in profit?

2. PnL vs Negative Running PnL Duration

Shows how long you were in a loss. Points in the top right quadrant (long time in loss but positive PnL) indicate potential "Hopium" trading were you just lucky to recover?

3. PnL vs Peak of Running PnL

Shows maximum unrealized profit during the trade. Vertical spread on the right = you're letting winners run correctly.

4. PnL vs Low of Running PnL

Shows maximum unrealized loss. This reveals your true risk exposure during each trade.

Time in Green/Red

Total positive PnL duration = time the trade was in profit (exiting would give gross PnL > 0)
Total negative PnL duration = time the trade was in loss (exiting would give gross PnL < 0)

Without proper risk metrics, you would have very unbalanced durations and this can answer: Have you really improved in risk management, or are you just a lucky bag holder?

Derived Metrics: Running MFE/MAE

The peak and trough of your Running PnL curve become your Running MFE and Running MAE when "Use running PnL for Trade MFE/MAE calculation" is enabled in Account Settings.

How it works:
1. TradesViz captures your PnL every 5 seconds to 1 minute during the trade
2. Running MFE = Peak (highest value) of this PnL curve
3. Running MAE = Trough (lowest value) of this PnL curve

Example:
- Running PnL peaked at +$6,000 → Running MFE = $6,000
- Running PnL dropped to -$3,125 → Running MAE = -$3,125
- Final exit PnL = $2,375

This tells you: even though you made $2,375, you experienced a -$3,125 drawdown and left $3,625 on the table from your peak.

Prop Firm Application

Prop firms evaluate traders using trailing drawdown from high-water marks. Running PnL MAE is exactly what they measure. Enable "Use running PnL for Trade MFE/MAE calculation" in your account settings to match their methodology.

Learning from Your Scars

These charts serve to remind you of your battle scars. For example, a -$200 final PnL with -$2,000 running low means you nearly lost $2,000 before recovering not a good trade. Use this insight in everyday trading.

Goal: Minimize data points in "bad" quadrants over time as you evolve in your trading journey.

Availability

Running PnL charts and metrics are available for Platinum plan users.