The calculation should be based on margin I guess for people on ET. I don't like it because it doesn't allow one to compare across assets like options futures and equities. But people on ET love it because they can then claim they make 1% a day trading futures, which is of course inane.
If you open an acct with $2500, trade 1 NQ and make $250 after comissions, you made 10% on account size. It is possible, but to do that consistantly is unheard of.
The calculation imo, should be based on the size of asset being controlled, or real money in play. So if I buy 1 ES with $2500 margin, my return is not $250/$2500, but $250/Size Of ES Contract, or $250/$50000, or 1/2 of 1%. That allows for comparing returns across assets.
nitro