Recent content by MaxGain

I wouldn't want to trade at any firm that would take you...no offense.

Nobody is arguing that commissions don't matter. But if you stop your firm search when you find the lowest rate, you're either: a) a short-sighted fool (99% probability), or b) a professional with a time-tested strategy and simple execution/support requirements (if this means you then...

Use NOW orders instead to interact with electronic marketplaces. NEVER route to a non-electronic marketplace with ARCA unless you absolutely need to take out a regional exchange. ITS participants have 30 seconds to do whatever they want with your order--which is an eternity.....but your...

You're 100% right. Margins have to be sufficient to offset the risk of this business. If you think there's no risk you're a fool. Four major pro-trading firms that have gone bankrupt in recent years, in addition to scores of smaller operations. Firms that charge reasonable rates (1/2-3/4...

Esc: You're completely missing the point. Low rates don't make you money. They SAVE you money. Rates can drop to zero but it won't help you. Because once that happens competition and holding periods will adjust to offset the cost savings. The entire reason I started this thread was to...

You're blinder than a cave fish. Look up the definition of an "edge." Does it read "Something that everyone else has?" Of course not. An edge is something that gives you a distinct advantage over the majority. Low rates are as much of an edge as is a T1 line. Everyone's got them for...

I hear ya my friend. Most prop firms are a dime a dozen, and I expect most, even some of the biggest ones, will shutter their windows for good in a year or so. All the over-publicized strategies (opening only orders, pairs trading, blah, blah, blah) that prop owners preach are doomed to fail...

Master of Comprehension, Did I say commissions don't make a difference?? NO. I said that commissions can't be the deciding factor. It's sickening seeing all the traders on ET (most of whom are good people) get sucked into the "cost is more important than strategy and execution" crap...

Dick is done--unless he has the guts to piss off his constituency and do things like 20 millisecond Direct+ orders, instant cancels, etc... 90% of traders couldn't give a damn about the "benefits" the NYSE purports to offer. All the majority wants is a system that minimizes the specialist's...

SLK has a vested interest in keeping your flow on the NYSE.

...won't make you a goddam dime when what's working for you now stops working later. Are you scrambling to save that extra 1/10-2/10th cent? Why? Are you worried your current trading methods are so marginal that low costs are the only hope you have? That's not how to make money. There's...