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.

daveyjones

Trading for a Living

Recommended Posts

A year ago February, Stocks & Commodities had an article on using Value Line composite as the trigger to go long or short the Russel 2000. Back tested from the beginning of R 2000, he averaged something like a 20% return (he was using Martin Zweig's program). Best year was something like 50% return - worst year was about a -3%.

 

So, just using that as an average, one needs to keep in mind that to obtain that overall average a) the program has to work in the future, and b) no money was withdrawn (which may be the most critical point...).

 

Unless and until you have a track record of years (not months), you won't have any statistically relevant numbers to even decide from. Ask anyone who was making money hand over fist during a bull market and then ran headlong into a bear market with a program that wouldn't work then.

 

Add to that the need to pay taxes, even if you are reinvesting everything... and you won't be getting a 20% return.

 

But assuming you have a track record that has validity - meaning you have had good and bad markets you have survived - first before anything you pay your taxes. Then the second rule is you take out what you need (not what you want- what actual needs are), and you reinvest the rest.

 

Don't want to reinvest anything? Ever heard of inflation? Draw down? Enough said.

 

Keep in mind that you may have profits coming in hand over fist at the beginning of the year, and at the end of the year without drawing down anything, and not putting anything away for taxes, you can have less than you started with. Possibly significantly less.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Unless and until you have a track record of years (not months), you won't have any statistically relevant numbers to even decide from.

 

The statistical relevance depends upon the confidence level and margin of error needed to make a profit. And that in turn depends upon the sample size, and the sample size depends upon the number of trades that a system generates. It a system generates 200 trades a day, then it doesn't take years for enough data to do a statistical analysis. If the system generates 25 trades a year, then it will take years.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
The statistical relevance depends upon the confidence level and margin of error needed to make a profit. And that in turn depends upon the sample size, and the sample size depends upon the number of trades that a system generates. It a system generates 200 trades a day, then it doesn't take years for enough data to do a statistical analysis. If the system generates 25 trades a year, then it will take years.

 

I actually think this is a common misconception depending on the strategy.

People could produce plenty of simple back tested results that look good over a period of time and they hit all the right statistical measures. It does not mean they will work over all types of markets. I would ideally like to see how well something performs in a market that does not suit the strategy. It is when things are doing badly that the mistakes creep in to make things worse.

Even short term day trading systems often work better in one set of markets, or instruments than others. So unless you are truly and accurately testing a trading system over a portfolio of instruments or over many types of markets, backtesting is just that, a theoretical bunch of assumptions that tests and possibly curve fits the data available.:2c:

 

Not that backtesting is not relevant, but just because it is statistically relevant does not make it real life relevant.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Not that backtesting is not relevant, but just because it is statistically relevant does not make it real life relevant.

 

I totally agree. In fact, I would state that a statistically relevant backtest could become absolutely meaningless. The underlying rules of a strategy may have absolutely nothing to do with accurately valuing the underlying security. A backtest could be a reflection of nothing more than investor behavior over a certain period of time. Investor behavior could change. If investors were basically speculators for the last 20 years, and not accurately valuing securities, that could be a potential problem going forward. I'm not saying that is the case. I'm just pointing out the issue of how value is determined for securities, and IF it is flawed, then trouble is inevitable at some point.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
I actually think this is a common misconception depending on the strategy.

People could produce plenty of simple back tested results that look good over a period of time and they hit all the right statistical measures. It does not mean they will work over all types of markets. I would ideally like to see how well something performs in a market that does not suit the strategy. It is when things are doing badly that the mistakes creep in to make things worse.

Even short term day trading systems often work better in one set of markets, or instruments than others. So unless you are truly and accurately testing a trading system over a portfolio of instruments or over many types of markets, backtesting is just that, a theoretical bunch of assumptions that tests and possibly curve fits the data available.:2c:

 

Not that backtesting is not relevant, but just because it is statistically relevant does not make it real life relevant.

 

A lot of times back testing a strategy is very similar to looking at the pattern of rain drops and figuring out a path that you could have taken to get from your font door to the road without getting wet. You will find the pattern and be excited when you do. But, what are the chances that the exact wind, cloud, and obstacles (a bird or plane flying by) occur at the same time next time?

 

On the other hand, you can look at the sky and quickly detect if it is a lot of rain or a light drizzle and get to the road when you will only get minimally wet.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
A lot of times back testing a strategy is very similar to looking at the pattern of rain drops and figuring out a path that you could have taken to get from your font door to the road without getting wet. You will find the pattern and be excited when you do. But, what are the chances that the exact wind, cloud, and obstacles (a bird or plane flying by) occur at the same time next time?

 

On the other hand, you can look at the sky and quickly detect if it is a lot of rain or a light drizzle and get to the road when you will only get minimally wet.

 

Haha, love that analogy MM, spot on. It's my opinion that focusing on the system is not the crucial factor. As much as having a statistical edge and trading system is necessary, the crucial points come from within us and our ability to detach ourselves from the money and trade completely objective. Not giving into the fear of losing money, or the fear of being wrong on this trade. Being able to follow a system to the T and set your impulse aside makes a great trader.

 

Spend less time on the system, more time on detaching yourself from the money.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Trading is often viewed as a high barrier-to-entry field, but this is simply not the case in today's market. Now, anyone with ambition and patience can trade, and do it for a living, even with little to no money

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

We can not rely on trading for a living in start however it can help us in future to earn good ROI and pay off our bills. SO it is good to start it as a hobby while doing the primary jobs to avoid financial losses.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
On 11/1/2016 at 7:59 PM, aimhi said:

We can not rely on trading for a living in start however it can help us in future to earn good ROI and pay off our bills. SO it is good to start it as a hobby while doing the primary jobs to avoid financial losses.

Absolutely agree with you:)

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

    • also ... and barely on topic... Winners (always*) overpay. Buying the dips is a subscription to the belief that winners win by underpaying - when in actuality winners (inevitably/always*) win by overpaying... it’s amazing the percentage of traders who think winners win by underpaying ... “Winners (always*) overpay.” ...  One way to implement this ‘belief’ is to only reenter when prices have emphatically resumed the 'trend' .   (Fwiw, While “Winners (always*) overpay.” holds true in most endeavors (relationships, business, sports, etc...) - “Winners (always*) overpay.”  is especially true for auctions... continuous auctions included.)
    • re:  "Does it make sense to always buy the dips?  “Buy the dip.”  You hear this all the time in crypto investing trading speculation gambling. [zdo taking some liberties] It refers, of course, to buying more bitcoin (or digital assets) when they go down in price: when the price “dips.” Some people brag about “buying the dip," showing they know better than the crowd. Others “buy the dip” as an investment strategy: they’re getting a bargain. The problem is, buying the dip is a fallacy. You can’t buy the dip, because you can't see the total dip until much later. First, I’ll explain this in a way that will make it simple and obvious to you; then I’ll show you a better way of investing. You Only Know the Dip in Hindsight When people talk about “buying the dip,” what they’re really saying is, “I bought when the price was going down.” " ... example of a dip ... 
    • Date: 19th April 2024. Weekly Commodity Market Update: Oil Prices Correct and Supply Concerns Persist.   The ongoing developments in the Middle East sparked a wave of risk aversion and fueled supply concerns and investors headed for safety. Hopes for imminent rate cuts from the Federal Reserve diminish while attention is now turning towards the demand outlook. The Gold price hit a high of $2417.89 per ounce overnight. Sentiment has already calmed down again and bullion is trading at $2376.50 per ounce as haven flows ease. Oil prices initially moved higher as concern over escalating tensions with the WTI contract hit a session high of $85.508 per barrel overnight, before correcting to currently $81.45 per barrel. Oil Prices Under Pressure Amid Middle East Tensions Last week, commodity indexes showed little movement, with Oil prices undergoing a slight correction. Meanwhile, Gold reached yet another record high, mirroring the upward trend in cocoa prices. Once again today, USOil prices experienced a correction and has remained under pressure, retesting the 50-day EMA at $81.00 as we moving into the weekend. Hence, despite the Israel’s retaliatory strike on Iran, sentiments stabilized following reports suggesting a measured response aimed at avoiding further escalation. Brent crude futures witnessed a more than 4% leap, driven by concerns over potential disruptions to oil supplies in the Middle East, only to subsequently erase all gains. Similarly with USOIL, UKOIL hovers just below $87 per barrel, marginally below Thursday’s closing figures. Nevertheless, volatility is expected to continue in the market as several potential risks loom:   Disruption to the Strait of Hormuz: The possibility of Iran disrupting navigation through the vital shipping lane, is still in play. The Strait of Hormuz serves as the Persian Gulf’s primary route to international waters, with approximately 21 million barrels of oil passing through daily. Recent events, including Iran’s seizure of an Israel-linked container ship, underscore the geopolitical sensitivity of the region. Tougher Sanctions on Iran: Analysts speculate that the US may impose stricter sanctions on Iranian oil exports or intensify enforcement of existing restrictions. With global oil consumption reaching 102 million barrels per day, Iran’s production of 3.3 million barrels remains significant. Recent actions targeting Venezuelan oil highlight the potential for increased pressure on Iranian exports. OPEC Output Increases: Despite the desire for higher prices, OPEC members such as Saudi Arabia and Russia have constrained output in recent years. However, sustained crude prices above $100 per barrel could prompt concerns about demand and incentivize increased production. The OPEC may opt to boost oil output should tensions escalate further and prices surge. Ukraine Conflict: Amidst the focus on the Middle East, markets overlooking Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Potential retaliatory strikes by Kyiv on Russian oil infrastructure could impact exports, adding further complexity to global oil markets.   Technical Analysis USOIL is marking one of the steepest weekly declines witnessed this year after a brief period of consolidation. The breach below the pivotal support level of 84.00, coupled with the descent below the mid of the 4-month upchannel, signals a possible shift in market sentiment towards a bearish trend reversal. Adding to the bearish outlook are indications such as the downward slope in the RSI. However, the asset still hold above the 50-day EMA which coincides also with the mid of last year’s downleg, with key support zone at $80.00-$81.00. If it breaks this support zone, the focus may shift towards the 200-day EMA and 38.2% Fib. level at $77.60-$79.00. Conversely, a rejection of the $81 level and an upside potential could see the price returning back to $84.00. A break of the latter could trigger the attention back to the December’s resistance, situated around $86.60. A breakthrough above this level could ignite a stronger rally towards the $89.20-$90.00 zone. 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 HMarkets 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 perfrmance 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.
    • Date: 18th April 2024. Market News – Stock markets benefit from Dollar correction. Economic Indicators & Central Banks:   Technical buying, bargain hunting, and risk aversion helped Treasuries rally and unwind recent losses. Yields dropped from the recent 2024 highs. Asian stock markets strengthened, as the US Dollar corrected in the wake of comments from Japan’s currency chief Masato Kanda, who said G7 countries continue to stress that excessive swings and disorderly moves in the foreign exchange market were harmful for economies. US Stockpiles expanded to 10-month high. The data overshadowed the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East as traders await Israel’s response to Iran’s unprecedented recent attack. President Joe Biden called for higher tariffs on imports of Chinese steel and aluminum.   Financial Markets Performance:   The USDIndex stumbled, falling to 105.66 at the end of the day from the intraday high of 106.48. It lost ground against most of its G10 peers. There wasn’t much on the calendar to provide new direction. USDJPY lows retesting the 154 bottom! NOT an intervention yet. BoJ/MoF USDJPY intervention happens when there is more than 100+ pip move in seconds, not 50 pips. USOIL slumped by 3% near $82, as US crude inventories rose by 2.7 million barrels last week, hitting the highest level since last June, while gauges of fuel demand declined. Gold strengthened as the dollar weakened and bullion is trading at $2378.44 per ounce. Market Trends:   Wall Street closed in the red after opening with small corrective gains. The NASDAQ underperformed, slumping -1.15%, with the S&P500 -0.58% lower, while the Dow lost -0.12. The Nikkei closed 0.2% higher, the Hang Seng gained more than 1. European and US futures are finding buyers. A gauge of global chip stocks and AI bellwether Nvidia Corp. have both fallen into a technical correction. The TMSC reported its first profit rise in a year, after strong AI demand revived growth at the world’s biggest contract chipmaker. The main chipmaker to Apple Inc. and Nvidia Corp. recorded a 9% rise in net income, beating estimates. 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. Andria Pichidi 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.
    • Date: 17th April 2024. Market News – Appetite for risk-taking remains weak. Economic Indicators & Central Banks:   Stocks, Treasury yields and US Dollar stay firmed. Fed Chair Powell added to the recent sell off. His slightly more hawkish tone further priced out chances for any imminent action and the timing of a cut was pushed out further. He suggested if higher inflation does persist, the Fed will hold rates steady “for as long as needed.” Implied Fed Fund: There remains no real chance for a move on May 1 and at their intraday highs the June implied funds rate future showed only 5 bps, while July reflected only 10 bps. And a full 25 bps was not priced in until November, with 38 bps in cuts seen for 2024. US & EU Economies Diverging: Lagarde says ECB is moving toward rate cuts – if there are no major shocks. UK March CPI inflation falls less than expected. Output price inflation has started to nudge higher, despite another decline in input prices. Together with yesterday’s higher than expected wage numbers, the data will add to the arguments of the hawks at the BoE, which remain very reluctant to contemplate rate cuts. Canada CPI rose 0.6% in March, double the 0.3% February increase BUT core eased. The doors are still open for a possible cut at the next BoC meeting on June 5. IMF revised up its global growth forecast for 2024 with inflation easing, in its new World Economic Outlook. This is consistent with a global soft landing, according to the report. Financial Markets Performance:   USDJPY also inched up to 154.67 on expectations the BoJ will remain accommodative and as the market challenges a perceived 155 red line for MoF intervention. USOIL prices slipped -0.15% to $84.20 per barrel. Gold rose 0.24% to $2389.11 per ounce, a new record closing high as geopolitical risks overshadowed the impacts of rising rates and the stronger dollar. Market Trends:   Wall Street waffled either side of unchanged on the day amid dimming rate cut potential, rising yields, and earnings. The major indexes closed mixed with the Dow up 0.17%, while the S&P500 and NASDAQ lost -0.21% and -0.12%, respectively. Asian stock markets mostly corrected again, with Japanese bourses underperforming and the Nikkei down -1.3%. Mainland China bourses were a notable exception and the CSI 300 rallied 1.4%, but the MSCI Asia Pacific index came close to erasing the gains for this year. 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. Andria Pichidi 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.vvvvvvv
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

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