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

[brownsfan019]

Hopefully you guys can tell that I am really into the psychology of trading. I think it's much more important than any system you could possibly design. And I think the many threads here really highlight this if you look at what is really being asked...

With that being said, I have a question for everyone. I think there is a poll listed at the top of the thread.

The question is: What is easier to do - create consistent profits on a regular basis or create 'roller coaster' rides on your P&L?

[notouch]

Please clarify what you mean by 'roller coaster' rides on your P&L.

[brownsfan019]

	Quote:	notouch
	Please clarify what you mean by 'roller coaster' rides on your P&L.

Larger swings up and down. Some days you can't believe how much you made and other days you aren't quite sure what happened.

In other words, is it easier to make a solid profit per day and be happy or go for larger dollars, up or down?

[weiwei]

Consistent profit over the long run is definally much harder to achieve in my opinion.

wanting a spike in your account is very easy. Position yourself before any major eco report. You will have a roller coaster ride. This Fri's Employment report can give you the chance to do that.


weiwei

[cooter]

Yep, the roller coaster is quite easy. Especially intra-day. Make your daily goal or more in the morning, and give it away in the afternoon.

Gotta learn to quit when I'm still ahead, and enjoy the profits instead.

[brownsfan019]

Note - I'm curious to see the results/posts and I have a follow up question to this once there's some data.

[notouch]

I find multi-day swing trading much easier and more profitable than scalping 10 ticks here and there during the day. I also find looking for a 40 point intraday move in YM a lot easier and more profitable than trying to find 4 10 point profits.

I haven't voted because your question seems loaded in favour of the first option. I still don't really understand what your question is getting at.

[brownsfan019]

	Quote:	notouch
	I find multi-day swing trading much easier and more profitable than scalping 10 ticks here and there during the day. I also find looking for a 40 point intraday move in YM a lot easier and more profitable than trying to find 4 10 point profits.

Interesting notouch!!

That flies in the face of active daytraders like myself, but it is something that I have looked at more and more actually.

It's very counter-intuitive actually - trade less, make more. Maybe even not trade during the regular session. That will mess with your mind! :rolleyes:

[cooter]

	Quote:	weiwei
	wanting a spike in your account is very easy. Position yourself before any major eco report. You will have a roller coaster ride. This Fri's Employment report can give you the chance to do that. weiwei

You want spikes? Excitement? An intense cardio workout?

Trade the 30 year bonds with SIZE when any econ report is out at 830 or 10am EST. Like placing a buy stop or sell stop a couple of ticks away from the bid/ask, with 25 or more cars.

If you don't blow out your account on a false stop spike just before the report, you could have a very healthy gain to show for it, plus a possible trip to the intensive care ward afterward in either case.

[brownsfan019]

	Quote:	notouch
	I haven't voted because your question seems loaded in favour of the first option. I still don't really understand what your question is getting at.

I didn't mean to do that. I was just curious as to what active traders find easier to do (not necessarily what they would like to be doing) - either you find it easier to make solid money each day/week/etc or easier to go on some swings up/down.

Again, not necessarily what you would WANT to be doing.