Jump to content

Welcome to the new Traders Laboratory! Please bear with us as we finish the migration over the next few days. If you find any issues, want to leave feedback, get in touch with us, or offer suggestions please post to the Support forum here.

  • Welcome Guests

    Welcome. You are currently viewing the forum as a guest which does not give you access to all the great features at Traders Laboratory such as interacting with members, access to all forums, downloading attachments, and eligibility to win free giveaways. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free. Create a FREE Traders Laboratory account here.

CompoundTrader

When to Go Live?

Recommended Posts

I have started live simulation trading this January, but the results are not good enough yet. I am looking for some guidance on how to use maths and statistics to identify when I am ready to go live.

 

The statistics I am tracking so far:

-profit factor (ratio of gross loss to gross profit)

-ratio of net profit to maximum drawdown

-gross losses

 

The reason I am choosing these statistics is that I want to focus on keeping my losses as small as possible in order to use leverage effectively and compound my account. I believe if I prepare properly, total risk can be kept small, so I plan on starting with a $4,000 futures account and staking $10/tick.

 

Profit factor tells me how many dollars I earn for each dollar lost, and I would like this to be 3 or more. Also, in any rolling 5 day period, I want to have made at least 4x my maximum drawdown in that period. Both of these together will ensure that time to recovery after drawdown is as quick as possible.

 

Total gross losses are still far too high. There are various improvements I can make to my method to eliminate some of these losses. This will take time - the question is, when am I successful enough to begin live trading?

 

 

I am always paying the spread on my simulation account and these results include the commissions and fees I will pay when live.

 

I don't plan on going live until I know with high probability I can compound without ever drawing down more than 50% of total account equity.

 

How do traders here approach statistics and position sizing?

 

Sample size.

The above doesn't tell you how many trades I took. I do 6-10 per day, so am I right in thinking that 20 trading days would be a sufficient sample size (120-200 trades) for a short term day trading strategy?

 

Here is the stats produced directly by my order entry software for this week. I made some improvements last weekend, so profit factor for this week above 2. I know that I need at least 4 weeks of good stats without making changes to the method in order to go live - but can I be more scientific?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hey compound trader, another statistic I would look at is expectancy: your (avg w x win rate) - (avg loser x loss rate) less commission.

 

One thing I like to do as well is analyze my trades in groups of 20. This helps me see the bigger picture with a larger data set.

 

As for when to go live, when I started I knew that my results would be a lot better on SIM compared to live. Looking back that was certainly the case as live adds the emotional element you just can't replace when SIM trading.

 

That being said I learned a lot my first few months going live. I stated trading day trading on the YM and while sim trading I waited until I was consistently profitable on a monthly bases for 3 months. Then I switched to live with $1000 trading 1 contract. When I grew the account to $2000 I went to 2 contract and expanded form there.

 

-Tim

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Date: 23rd April 2024. European PMIs Paint Mixed Picture, ECB advise a June Cut is Certain. The German DAX recorded its highest monthly increase as investors continue to predict a weaker EU monetary policy. JP Morgan again advised stocks are overcrowded and may see a stronger downward correction. However, economists advise this is only possible if geo-political tension escalates or companies fail to beat earnings predictions. Gold witnesses its strongest decline in 2024 falling 2.64% on Monday and a further 1.32% during this morning’s Asian session. The Euro is the best performing currency after the day’s PMI releases. However, investors should note that the US Dollar during the Asian session was performing significantly better. USA500 – Visa and Tesla Ready Shareholders For Earnings Release! The SNP500 rose 0.87% during the US trading session and also broke the previous swing high. However, JP Morgan again told journalists there are signs that the stock market is “overcrowded”. When institutions are overexposed to certain stocks or industries, it only takes one big fund to start de-levering and then others will follow. Though, investors should note that this would also depend on three factors. The first is earnings, the second is geo-political tensions and the third is inflation. This week, investors will largely watch earnings, particularly Visa and Tesla. Visa and Tesla currently hold a weight of 2.00% and are two of the most influential stocks. Tesla continues to be one of the worst performing stocks, but Visa’s earnings are less certain. Visa has beat earnings and revenue expectations over the past 4 occasions but has been struggling over the past 30 days. Analysts expect earnings and revenue to remain at the same level compared to the previous quarter. However, higher earnings can potentially increase demand. Visa stocks have risen 5.20% in 2024 and have a dividend yield of 0.76%. However, as mentioned above, the performance of the stock market will largely depend also on inflation and geo-political tensions. Though these are not likely to change within the upcoming days. In regard to inflation, investors will be eager to see if inflation again rises, in which case, interest rate cuts will likely not be possible for 2024. If this scenario materialises, stocks can decline between 20-30% ($3,700-$4,220). GER30 – ECB Ready To Cut Rates In June 2024! On a 2-hour timeframe the price of the GER30 is trading above the 75-Bar EMA and above the VWAP. In addition to this, the asset is obtaining buy signals also from oscillators and price action. The index has retraced since the release of the European PMI data, but if the price rises above 18,067, without breaking the day’s low price, buy signals will become active. One of the key drivers, along with this morning’s PMI release for Germany and France, is the latest comments from members of the ECB. According to ECB representative Mr Villeroy, even if oil remains volatile, the regulator will look to cut in June 2024. In addition to Mr Villeroy, Mr De Guindos told journalists that a rate cut in June is “crystal clear”. The guidance given is increasing the demand for the German DAX as are indications of stronger economic data. The French PMI data saw the Services index rise above 50.00 for the first time since May 2023 and beat expectations. However, the manufacturing index continues to struggle and fell compared to the previous month. The German PMI was a similar picture. The Services PMI rose to a 10-month high and beat expectations, but the Manufacturing Index read lower than the 42.8 expectations and is at a 6-month low. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HFM Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Michalis Efthymiou Market Analyst HFMarkets Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.
    • $DVN Devon Energy stock moving higher off support, https://stockconsultant.com/?DVN
    • $COF Capital One stock nice breakout, from Stocks To Watch, https://stockconsultant.com/?COF  
    • $CVNA Carvana stock back to 70.8 gap support area, high trade quality, https://stockconsultant.com/?CVNA
    • $VKTX Viking Therapeutics stock important area, back to 64.34 gap support, https://stockconsultant.com/?VKTX
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.