2023 marked a pivotal year in my investing journey. By that point, I had been actively managing my personal trades for roughly two years. I consider myself fortunate — not only did I avoid losing money as a beginner, but I also achieved a solid 20% return during that early period.
My serious commitment to trading began in late 2020 and early 2021. The COVID-19 lockdowns gave me extra time, reduced expenses, and some additional capital from part-time work and stimulus checks. It was the perfect window to dive deep into the markets. I started small, testing strategies while consuming everything I could: online articles, YouTube tutorials, and classic investing books like The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham and How to Make Money in Stocks by William J. O’Neil.
These books aren’t meant to be read once. It took me nearly three years of revisiting them to truly absorb their core lessons. I began applying what I learned practically — setting clear stop-losses and profit targets. Early on, my risk was limited to around $2,000, roughly the amount I had received in stimulus checks. Fortunately, my early trades went well, which gave me the confidence to treat this more seriously.
This growing conviction eventually led me to formalize my approach through JTMS Management Company — turning what started as personal trading into a structured private investment vehicle.
My Approach at JTMS Management Company
At JTMS, I blend intuition with rigorous research. I look for companies that resonate with me — whether through strong leadership, innovative products, or meaningful market potential. I rely heavily on Investor’s Business Daily (IBD) for quick fundamental insights, which I then cross-reference with additional data and independent analysis.
Every trade I make has clear rules:
- A defined maximum loss (stop-loss)
- A profit target range, typically between 15–25%
Discipline is non-negotiable. I aim to lock in gains methodically and cut losses quickly without hesitation.
2023 Performance and Key Trades
2023 was a relatively calm year in terms of market volatility. I stuck closely to my rules — taking profits when targets were hit and cutting losses without second-guessing. This disciplined approach delivered a 16% return on deployed capital for the year.
Two standout performers that year were Coinbase (COIN) and Tesla (TSLA).
Coinbase (COIN)
Coinbase stood out during the crypto sector’s strong momentum. I entered the position at $35 per share — my largest position at the time — with a 10% stop-loss and a 50% upside target. I exited at $50, locking in a 43% gain. While the stock continued higher afterward, I have no regrets. Crypto is volatile, and protecting gains was the right decision based on my strategy.
Tesla (TSLA)
Tesla was another major winner. I was drawn to Elon Musk’s track record and the company’s long-term vision in electric vehicles. I built a position around $100 per share early in the year and sold above $140, generating roughly 40% in gains. While the stock has moved significantly higher since, my focus at JTMS Management Company is on generating consistent, reliable returns rather than holding indefinitely in hopes of bigger moves.
Key Takeaways from 2023
2023 was JTMS Management Company’s first full year operating as a private investment fund. Looking back, I feel a strong sense of accomplishment. The year reinforced several important principles that continue to guide me:
- Stay faithful to your strategy
- Maintain discipline on both entries and exits
- Limit downside risk
- Extract lessons quickly and move forward without regret
My current mindset as CIO is to target at least 15% annual returns with a 12-month investment horizon, while aiming to do better when opportunities allow. Smaller wins combined with controlled losses helped us reach that 16% milestone in our debut year.
Best regards,
Syed I. Hussain
CIO, JTMS Management Company Inc.
Disclaimer: This blog post is a personal reflection on past trading experiences and is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any securities. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal.