A stock trader who consistently beats the S&P 500 shares the 'after-action review' he uses to refine his investing strategy
Erik Smolinski, a full-time options trader, frequently monitors his progress through after-action reviews (AARs) Erik Smolinski Full-time trader Erik Smolinski uses after-action reviews (AARs) to refine his strategy. He shared his 19-slide AAR for the first half of 2026 with Business Insider. He believes all investors can benefit from regular reviews to check returns, fees, and portfolio fit. Erik Smolinski, a full-time trader , has outperformed the S&P 500 by a wide margin. From Jan. 1 through July 6, 2026, he said his account returned 33.44%, compared with 10.79% for the index. Over the trailing 12 months, he said it gained 57.01%, versus 21.49% for the S&P 500. His process is highly structured. Smolinski maintains a detailed trading plan and trading log, then regularly evaluates both through after-action reviews , or AARs. The exercise helps him assess what worked, what didn't, and what needs to change. "I have different strategies and profit mechanisms that are de...
