What's easier to do - consistent profits or spikes?

[notouch]

It sound like you mean to ask is it easier to make profits by trading frequently looking for smaller profits or less frequently looking for a larger move. For me I've always found the latter much easier. Traditional candlestick analysis was never designed for scalping, nor was Market Profile or VSA. Longer term swing trading allows for more sober and less emotional trading.

[MrPaul]

I voted consistent

[notouch]

My profits are consistent but I go for longer term moves. I definitely don't like roller coaster rides on my P&L so I can't really answer the question.

[malvado xetra]

In my opinion. swing trading is a lot of easier and more profitable if you really understand how the market works. scalp trading o little profits per day (if you really get them every single day) it is for traders than dont understand the whole sense of markets. for that reason they pick and go away quickly: fear and no control of the situation make them insecure. so they face profits like something hard to get but, actually they may think. uau! lucky smiled to me lets go quick before this turns all up against my position.

I think like this because I used to be a scalper before I had a better knoledge of whats going on in the market.

sorry if my thinking dont like to everybody

[weiwei]

MX, I have seen day-trader made over 10K to 14K on a good day trading YM as a scalper on a consistent base, and I have seen him done it for over 2 years. So it is no luck, he can read market very well.

Basically, I disagree with your anology about scalper. Scalper can said the same thing about swing trader must bear the over night price shock. Like 2/27/2007 gap down. depends on one's position size, the draw down could be hugh, 30% -70% is not impossible. How about the limit up or down for several days.

The point being that every one has a style that fits him/her. Some is doing better at one style then other, that is all.

weiwei.

[cooter]

Weiwei,

What type of size was day-trader scalping with? And for how many points per scalp?

[weiwei]

He scale in 5 at a time for up to 40 cars. most of time it is about 20 to 30 cars. He trades upto5 to 10 swing per day.

As far as how many points, he dose not have a set points for exit. he use MMath and order flow to see if he should stay for more or exit.

the reason that I know is he showed his P/L from his brokerage account to us to prove his points from time to time. and after 2 years trading with him, you know if he is for real or not.

weiwei.