What is a trade report, and what does it show?
A trade report summarises executed positions, including entry and exit prices, order types, and the timeline of events. It serves as a structured document that consolidates the key details of trading activity into a clear and organised format, giving traders a comprehensive overview of what occurred in their account over a specific period, from individual trade outcomes to overall portfolio performance.
A typical trade report includes several categories of information. At the individual trade level, it shows the instrument traded, the direction of the position (long or short), the entry and exit prices, the volume or lot size, the date and time of both opening and closing, and the resulting profit or loss. Associated costs, such as spread charges, commissions, and swap fees accumulated during the life of each position, are also typically itemised, providing a complete picture of the true financial result after all expenses are accounted for. At the account level, trade reports may include summary statistics such as total number of trades executed, overall profit and loss for the period, win rate, average trade duration, and total fees incurred.
Trade reports are valuable tools for multiple purposes. For performance analysis, they allow traders to evaluate the effectiveness of their strategies over time, identify patterns in their results, and pinpoint areas where adjustments may improve future outcomes. For financial record-keeping, they provide the organised documentation needed for tax preparation, personal accounting, or consultations with a financial advisor. Most platforms allow users to generate trade reports for custom date ranges and export them in downloadable formats such as CSV, Excel or PDF. Developing a habit of reviewing trade reports regularly, whether weekly, monthly, or quarterly, is an important part of disciplined trading, as it promotes accountability, supports continuous improvement, and ensures that traders maintain a clear and accurate understanding of their overall trading performance.