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iOS trading journal

How to Track Market Exposure in Your Trading Journal

Market exposure—the percentage of your capital deployed in active positions—is a critical metric for understanding your risk footprint. Many traders underestimate how leverage, position sizing, and market conditions compound risk exposure over time. By tracking market exposure consistently in your trading journal, you gain clarity on whether your portfolio aligns with your risk tolerance and trading plan. Mantis helps you log and review exposure patterns, revealing whether you're over-leveraged during volatile periods or sitting idle when opportunities arise.

Mantis equity curve and win/loss charts used to review market exposure performance Mantis trading journal on iPhone — the trade log Mantis uses to calculate market exposure
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Why traders use Mantis

Log Exposure at Entry & Exit

Record the percentage of capital deployed each time you open or close a position. Mantis stores these entries locally on your device, letting you quickly review how much exposure you carried on any given trade or day.

Review Exposure Trends Over Time

See patterns in your exposure—are you consistently over-leveraged? Under-deployed? Mantis keeps all your historical data on your phone, making it easy to compare exposure levels across different market conditions.

Correlate Exposure with Outcomes

Link your market exposure entries to trade results and P&L. Identify whether high-exposure periods correlate with larger drawdowns or whether conservative exposure costs you opportunities.

Discipline Through Consistency

Journaling exposure forces you to make a deliberate decision before each trade. Regular logging builds awareness of your actual leverage and helps prevent impulsive over-sizing.

Frequently asked questions

What exactly is market exposure?

Market exposure is the total percentage or dollar amount of your trading capital that is currently at risk in open positions. For example, if you have $10,000 and $3,000 deployed across three trades, your market exposure is 30%. It includes notional exposure from leverage if applicable.

Why should I track exposure in a journal?

Tracking exposure reveals whether your position sizing matches your risk plan and market environment. Over time, you'll spot patterns—such as excessive leverage during emotional trading or under-deployment during high-conviction setups—that inform better future decisions.

How often should I log my market exposure?

Log exposure whenever you open or close a position, and optionally at the end of each trading day. The more consistent you are, the more reliable your historical data becomes for review and analysis.

Is market exposure the same as leverage?

Not quite. Leverage is the tool (borrowed capital or margin), while market exposure is the result—how much of your total capital is actually in play. You can have high exposure without leverage, or leverage with lower exposure depending on position size.

How does Mantis protect my exposure data?

Mantis stores all journal entries locally on your device only—no cloud sync, no iCloud backup, no external servers. Your market exposure records remain private and secure on your phone.

Important: Mantis is a trading journal and analytics tool. This page is not investment advice, not financial advice, and not a recommendation to buy or sell any security or instrument. Trading involves risk; past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.