Australian (ASX) Stock Market Forum

How to trade and/or invest profitably --- without the Bullsh*t

1. Agree. And what that actually means in practice is salvaging losing trades. For example adding an Options leg or a paired trade, etc. to the trade in question to change it from what is was, to something else.

You could but I dont. I dont allow my losses to continue to the point where they need salvaging.
Im never going to eradicate losses no matter what I do. But I can mitigate them.


2. If you are setting some form of stop (at say a resistance/support level) or maximum dollar loss, etc. yes, you'll be provided quite quick feedback. That is not necessarily the same as 'analysis', that is simply a timing or entry issue.

We differ here I dont wait for a stop to be taken out for proof that my analysis is wrong.
For me if a trade doesn't go immediately in my favor then something is not right. Id rather be wrong about being wrong
than wait until the village idiot can see Im definitely wrong.

Importantly an INITIAL stop is a point which allows me to position size from---its NOT fixed it can and does move UP---Mine do all the time.


3. Yes, but, it can still turn to custard. Experience in discretionary trading is the big differentiator from mechanical trading. Novices, simply by definition lack this 'skill'.

Of Course That's why Im doing this thread!

4. Again, experience. Second, it really depends on how you set your SL. A SL set re. risk, may not be the accurate placement in the market re. support/resistance etc.

And again I expect my trade to move immediately in my intended or anticipated direction if it doesn't I move my stop UP

5/6/. Again, experience (often a subjective assessment) will play a significant part.

Yes and I (Less often) get these two situations entirely wrong. Id rather be out early on an anticipated Sharp reversal than late.
If Im early on a suspected reversal and I get it wrong my re entry wont have caused a lot of damage. Procrastination could cost
a great deal. Again Im hoping to give some ways of anticipating moves to help those assessing a trade or two.


7. Moving to SL to BE manages risk, but can often reduce reward. Again, that BE point should have some reference (other than your personal need) to market levels.

Im not in agreement with this. (from MY experience) Yes it CAN in a very limited number of cases in my experience. Id much rather exit at B/E and watch a fall below--then observe a reversal in my direction---which I can re enter---than hold on HOPING my stop doesn't get taken out for a guaranteed loss. Diluting my R/R by the width of my stop loss that is/was set in stone.

8. Agreed.

9. This question is undergoing some analysis on @peter2 thread currently. Ultimately, if we could all pick the number 1 return, we would all put 100% into that. Pretty much impossible on a consistent basis. Therefore the question of narrow or broad is an issue, but it is unlikely to be determinative, as there are other variables at play.

Haven't seen Peters discussion--I should have a look.--But---

Ponder this- I generally trade 3- 4 imminent or active movers if they dont move I either move my stop UP if I think a day may change things or a lower time frame stop makes more sense. If one or two move Ill load them accordingly. If its clear its really fast Ill hit it with a larger position increase calculating Stops and possible exits on the fly. If its moderate in moving in my direction I will either do nothing or increase a more moderate amount.---either way I want to maximize clear opportunity --- OR --- make room for another.

10. I hate being wrong. It is currently fashionable in the literature to 'love being wrong' as this is educational and will improve you in the long run. An analogy: athletes: how often do you hear the champions state that they love to lose? Never. To win, you have to hate or fear losing so much, that you are prepared to do whatever it takes to win. Trading is like that. If you trade and you lose, lose, lose...odds are you will stop trading. Far better you first learn how to trade. Then trade. And win. From the Reefcap days, I know tech/a, WayneL, Country Lad and Joules (there maybe a couple of others lurking) that's it. Out of 100's of members. Trading is a tough game. Discretionary is hard and mentally debilitating if you lose. I almost guarantee you, if you lose often, but limit your losses, at some point you will decline to take that small loss and you will end up with a massive loss. Not only will that hurt you financially, it will likely break you mentally and emotionally. Your trading career will be over.

Again Duc I --This time-- Strongly disagree.
If Im wrong and can identify it quickly and do something about it I have an opportunity to be better.

As an athlete if I lose and I will---That shows me I can be better. If Im a boxer as an example or an MMA fighter and get KO'd or Submitted you can bet I did something wrong--I wasn't quick enough or I didn't know how to counter a move or I didn't protect myself. If I wish to stay in the game Id better improve!
Id rather get hit a few times than KO'd ---- Ill take any number of punches. Every now and then Ill have my own KO victory.
Trading is no different---Your going to be wrong--better know how to survive and not get knocked out!

It works --- very well.
 
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1. You could but I dont. I dont allow my losses to continue to the point where they need salvaging.
Im never going to eradicate losses no matter what I do. But I can mitigate them.



2. We differ here I dont wait for a stop to be taken out for proof that my analysis is wrong.
3. For me if a trade doesn't go immediately in my favor then something is not right. Id rather be wrong about being wrong
than wait until the village idiot can see Im definitely wrong.

4. Importantly an INITIAL stop is a point which allows me to position size from---its NOT fixed it can and does move UP---Mine do all the time.



5. And again I expect my trade to move immediately in my intended or anticipated direction if it doesn't I move my stop UP



6. Yes and I (Less often) get these two situations entirely wrong. Id rather be out early on an anticipated Sharp reversal than late.
If Im early on a suspected reversal and I get it wrong my re entry wont have caused a lot of damage. Procrastination could cost
a great deal. Again Im hoping to give some ways of anticipating moves to help those assessing a trade or two.



7. Im not in agreement with this. (from MY experience) Yes it CAN in a very limited number of cases in my experience. Id much rather exit at B/E and watch a fall below--then observe a reversal in my direction---which I can re enter---than hold on HOPING my stop doesn't get taken out for a guaranteed loss. Diluting my R/R by the width of my stop loss that is/was set in stone.





8. Ponder this
- I generally trade 3- 4 imminent or active movers if they dont move I either move my stop UP if I think a day may change things or a lower time frame stop makes more sense. If one or two move Ill load them accordingly. If its clear its really fast Ill hit it with a larger position increase calculating Stops and possible exits on the fly. If its moderate in moving in my direction I will either do nothing or increase a more moderate amount.---either way I want to maximize clear opportunity --- OR --- make room for another.



9. Again Duc I --This time-- Strongly disagree.
If Im wrong and can identify it quickly and do something about it I have an opportunity to be better.

As an athlete if I lose and I will---That shows me I can be better. If Im a boxer as an example or an MMA fighter and get KO'd or Submitted you can bet I did something wrong--I wasn't quick enough or I didn't know how to counter a move or I didn't protect myself. If I wish to stay in the game Id better improve!
Id rather get hit a few times than KO'd ---- Ill take any number of punches. Every now and then Ill have my own KO victory.
Trading is no different---Your going to be wrong--better know how to survive and not get knocked out!

It works --- very well.


1. Fine if you are day-trading. What if you are swing trading and it gaps well below your stop? Book the loss or work it back to a profit? I'd rather work it back to a profit. Day-trading is a different kettle-of-fish. How many novices start with day-trading?

2. Again, day-trading, ok. Swing trading? If you know its going...but do you?

3. Fair enough, but that is a hard system for a novice (again, it is only really valid for a day trade strategy).

4. Well this is where we disagree. A SL point is a point in the market where your analysis (entry) can be deemed wrong. You position size accordingly after determining where that point is.

5. Fine, but that has little to zero correlation to market conditions.

6. But your placement of SL correlates to your risk, not to market conditions. Essentially, you're actually employing a scalping strategy. Which is fine, but that is even less of a novice strategy than a day-trade, which is not a novice strategy.

7. Possible with a DT. Not (always) possible with a Swing Trade.

8. So, this being (potentially) a swing trade, once the market closes, you cannot guarantee where it re-opens. You can therefore incur a far larger loss than your initial SL might suggest. Hence, my initial proposition: work the trade back to profit (I accept that this is much harder in the Aus. market). It can be done however.

9. You don't improve by getting hit. All you get is cumulative brain damage. Constant losing trades have the same effect. Trading before you know how to win (far more than you lose) is step 1. Step 1 has to be mastered before you actually trade real money.


jog on
duc
 
Seriously Duc

i give up
why do I waste my time
mindless —— bull****

Tech is going Dark
 
Seriously Duc

i give up
why do I waste my time
mindless —— bull****

Tech is going Dark

I for one would like to hear more Tech. I've been following along intently and am looking forward to more on this subject.

Do you somehow scan for opportunities that meets the criteria of volume and gaps or do you just have a set of favourites that you continually watch?
 
I've put Duc on ignore so the two way functionality will mean he cant see my stuff and I cant see his.
That's 2 I have on ignore ----- once on its permanent----for me.

Im taking a break but will be back.

Just to be clear.
What Im putting up many wont agree with or wont suit them or ----whatever ----- that's fine ignore it.
Im doing it because I get a lot of private mails looking for Mentors etc. Many do. Pete Trades here for all to follow and
I want to leave something Similarly Different for those wanting direction. Its not for me---its for others its free and
it works.

I dont have any issues with genuine discussion on the topic I enjoy them.

Bill
BOTH.
I watch and Cull all the time and have 5 scans. (Amibroker).
Which is really clunky in my view but does the job.

The posts so far are background.
Haven't even got to Risk and Trade management.

Im laying out the the foundations and will build from there.
Cant have one without the other.
 
I'm liking your stuff on stop-losses. I've never really believed in them - for every time they save your ass there's probably a dozen instances of them doing nothing other than realising a loss before a rebound.
 
I'm liking your stuff on stop-losses. I've never really believed in them - for every time they save your ass there's probably a dozen instances of them doing nothing other than realising a loss before a rebound.


Stops of any sort to me are trade management tools.
They manage all sorts of risk (Not just initial risk).
There are a number of things we need to manage in ANY trade.
Time horizons do govern the way a number of these are applied.

My use is always skewed in an attempt to have better profit figures
against capital risked.
If I can get losses in the $100s and wins in the $1000s and increase my
opportunities through Trade management Im going to out perform
passive investment and Systematic Mechanical trading because I
have a dynamic component/s.
Investors dont take advantage of them and Systems traders cant implement them .

It is the mechanism to profit and the one which most interests me as a trader.

And while we try to be as perfect as possible its not a pre requisite-- we can be wrong and still be
over a long period ---- spectacularly right--- profitable against capital at risk. (Whatever a long period is to you).
 
MACRO ECONOMICS

Did some get on the 1.2 Trillion Economic package in the US
Instant rocket fuel for DJIA AND NASDAQ
 
Did some get on the 1.2 Trillion Economic package in the US
Does a duck go quack?

Jumped on from the effect caused here. Not willing to trade US yet.
Wanted to prove to myself I still "had it" and am not a "has been".
Some will look at these trades and find them unacceptable risk.
3 out of 3. No more, no less.
Got the urge to prove "sideways is bunkum" out of the system.
Done.

Screenshot_20210313-111227~2.png
 
MACRO ECONOMICS

Did some get on the 1.2 Trillion Economic package in the US
Instant rocket fuel for DJIA AND NASDAQ
That got priced in as soon as the senate flipped. Might be worth doing a post on "pricing in" actually :)
 
Risk Management and Trade Management go hand in hand. You wont get it perfectly--dont beat yourself up--you dont have to.

There are a number of types of Risk.
The first is Initial risk when placing a trade.

The generally accepted risk is 2% of capital which is designed in the event that your really terrible at getting a trade to move profitably in your direction. I vary that from 1% to 5% initially but my aim is that after 10 trades and X number of trades after that---that my Initial Losses total way LESS than 1% of capital at risk. Im currently at .045%
How can I vary it particularly to get it down to such a low figure.

(1) My aim is to Find Momentum IMMEDIATELY---If EVERY trade went immediately and permanently in my traded direction what ever I risk at the beginning of each trade would be of no concern --- Id never take an initial loss.

(2) If I dont find Momentum immediately I will move my stop UP--CLOSER to my initial buy. I dont want to wait and see if my chosen REASON for placing my stop at point X is as good as my initial buy--Which right now sucks--good chance my Stop level will also be less than accurate.

(3) I have the control on how much I lose 1-5% or less. If I let it go to my stop level Im absolutely going to lose X%. Sure I may well get my initial timing wrong it could be next day or next week or never. 10 stops of .045% a loss of 4.5% of capital I can pick that up in 1 average trade.

(4) If stock moves towards my Initial stop I'll move it up. The only time I get taken out is if it reverses so fast and hard I get hit on the first day --that happens. If stock moves UP in my direction Ill also move the stop UP.

(5) My aim is to bring my stop to break-even as soon as practical. Once here I can now start to manage the position while letting it go I look for patterns to then confirm that the move is going to (A) Continue, (B) Stall, (C) Reverse.

Below is a chart of a trade

With notations.
Ill post what happened in a few days.
Happy for questions.

Initial stop .gif
 
So The very next day this happens.

Looks Ugly and Im pretty sure My analysis isn't supported by Price action
Raising my stop I feel I've done my best to mitigate losses. I fully expect
to be closed out very early next session.

Initial Risk 2.gif
 
Stimulus money is hitting bank accounts now duck, don't go off half-cocked.

Might be worth a post about mathematics, systems trading, modelling etc not being valid in atypical market conditions ;)
 
Following up again
The Next day's action gives me an opportunity
This looks like it could consolidate between the
high (To be tested ) and the Low of Yesterday.
Either way Im not seeing CONTINUED momentum.

So Stop to B/E

Initial Stop 1.gif
 
So on the next day I see trading testing the high of the volume control bar.
For now the stop is left at B/E and the trade can be left a little more to develop.

Volume Control bars are the Bars with very very high volume In the area we are trading
sometimes two bars of very similar volume (Like the ones here) can be joined to create
a wide area of influence. I've only shown one but NOTE the gap to the open is included
in the area.
Price is often contained with in these areas of influence.
You'll notice (If you start marking them on charts in your watch lists ) that often price will
(1) Range within the zone
(2) Blast out of it.
(3) Drop slightly out of it before resuming back in it
(4) The area acts as support and resistance going forward.

They are important to me in trade management. Small retracements within the zones are
what we look for. Compact patterns which act as coils or springs.

This is a wide zone (V/C Bar) with
trading in the complete range. For me the price action in this chart is less than Ideal.
But have been kept in the trade by some surprisingly lucky price action.
my aim is to stick with momentum and patterns that anticipate further momentum.

Trade management.gif
 
So from the last post we are looking for a test of the current high.
The Volume Control Bar and its Volume control Zone are likely to
influence price. Unless momentum continues I expect consolidation.

Lets see what happened

Trade management 1.gif

So instantly we are deep in profit.
With a new bigger V/C bar and zone Again what I want to see is a short
inside day and either a continuation of momentum or a compact continuation
pattern

Next Day

Trade management 2.gif


So from here I expect the High to be tested as
The bar finishes nice and strong on average volume so
------Encouraging.

Trade Management 3.gif

Today we see the first real bullish bar in the consolidation but
the low of .063 has held.
Looking Good.

Trade management 4.gif


The break out bar and the next bar haven't displayed Strength I've kept moving my stop up
(Yellow) But Now i get a chance to really tighten it up under this short squat bar.
At .077. I dont want to give away much of my very nice profit.


Trade management 5.gif

To be continued.

Are these mark ups helping understanding of what I look for and why I move trailing Stops.??
Helpful or confusing?
 
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