Hi all,

As some of you know, I've been demo-ing z12s since last May. For much of that time they have been on phantom, but initially for a month or 2 they were not. I also recently removed phantom on upgrading to 1.2 as both were healthily in profit Not sure that was wise, but I am testing!

1) FXCM demo spreadbetting account / z12 / started with 50k / margin 50 Risk 10.

Current Balance: 50,616
Current Equity: 50,517
Lowest Balance: 47,000 approx
Max Balance: 51,600 approx

This was a bit of a rollercoaster, but calmed down when I put phantom=1. Not good over Dec. I'd never have put 50k in but I'd be relatively happy on 1.5k over an 8 month period if I did have 10k down.

2) Alpari demo spreadbetting account via MT4 bridge / FX only as commodities and indices are futures / z12 / started with 10k - margin 50 Risk 10.
Mostly on phantom only moved off phantom at 1.20. Worst period of drawdown has been last 6 weeks or so, possibly related to removing phantom until then it was very smooth.

Current Balance: 12,543
Current Equity: 12,597
Lowest Balance: 9,900 approx.
Max Balance: 13,600 approx.

This installation has given me exactly zero problems compared to the FXCM API where I've had issues of can't close and the persistently annoying equity display.

@acidburn - 2.5k on 10k in 8 months would make me very happy on an automated system :-)

BTW At end of year my discretionary trading was up 41.5%. I'm very, very happy with that, even with a peak to trough drawdown of 15.5% (numerator was $drawdown denominator was peak balance). I usually trade at 0.5, 1, 1.5 or max 2% risk of my opening balance each quarter, so I'm very traditional in my risk management and lot sizing.

I have been learning from zorro however, and recently analysed my performance as if I had been using phantom trading of my own equity curve as a discretionary trader. I would have increased my return to 88.4%!!!!! If I can do that in 2014, its bye bye day job!! Now for the discipline to sit on my hands and paper trade when I'm out of synch with the markets!