Interesting thread. As one who has done both, I agree that it is pointless to compare % returns between independent day trading and institutional investing. As far as it being possible to make very high % returns day trading, I can tell you (from watching a few thousand try) that those who say "yes it is possible if you are a good trader" are correct. Unfortunately most traders think they are good. After closing out more accounts than I care to remember, I can safely say that many traders are not as good as they think.