"Marketsurfer is correct: There is no Trends!" --- There are only Turns!

In a practical sense, i would define a trend by being able to quantify how many down or up price steps plus whatever will increase the chances that the next step or series of steps will be in the same direction.

That is impossible

therefore the concept of trends is meaningless prior to the entry of the trade. Obviously, once you enter a directional trade, the trend becomes "real" to you and the trade must be managed. surf


Ps an example

6 - 5 minute bars move higher-- the volume is increasing. Does this increase or decrease the odds that the next bar or series be in the same direction? Obviously, there is no way to know. This is why thinking about trends is just dumb and trends only exist in hindsight. Peace
Nobody else remotely defines a trend that way. You might ask yourself why that is.
 
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The best answer so far! That's why traders are also called Timers (of Turns)!

When looking backwards after turning, we then know whether the previous move was a down trend, an up trend, a range bound, a flat market, etc. (in hindsight)

imo, the definition of trend is not important at all, whether we call it a trend, a movement, a volatility change, a ....

The opening and ending conditions of a trade are important. For always-in traders, the opening and ending of a trade are (swinging) turns.

As long as a trade is completed according to plan based on predefined opening/ending conditions, whether its result is losing or gaining, it's a successful trade!

Just 2 cents!
 
imo, the definition of trend is not important at all, whether we call it a trend, a movement, a volatility change, a ....

The opening and ending conditions of a trade are important. For always-in traders, the opening and ending of a trade are (swinging) turns.

As long as a trade is completed according to plan based on predefined opening/ending conditions, whether its result is losing or gaining, it's a successful trade!

Just 2 cents!

This is a simplified sample of how I see trend (15 min chart only for visibility):
  1. I get a signal to go long at 2087 at level 1 (02/07/2017 ES march). At that same moment have fixed rules who tell me that we will go long till "indicator A will reach the level 100". So I know now already that the trend is long and when this trend will finish. The trend will be finished when "indicator A will reach the level 100". So this is not hindsight or anything similar. My prediction is based on calculated mathematical probabilities that show that I will be right at least 8 times out of 10, and even when I will be wrong my exit will be probably before my position will lose money.
  2. At level 2 my "indicator A reached the level 100" and I got out at 2097. So my prediction was long, it was correct and it took almost the whole move.
  3. At level 3 (2093.75) I had to go long again until "indicator A will reach the level 100" again. Because it was short before the close I had to take profit at an intermediate high at 2097.

Of course "indicator A will reach the level 100" should be replaced by a far more complex system. I kept it simple to show that trends can be spotted and how you can predict certain things within certain limits. I was in my first trade for almost 4 hours and defined at entry already the rule to exit. I ALWAYS define at entry my exit rule already.

Was I lucky? I have on average 2-3 trades a day based on this principle, but not always with so many points profit because you depend for this from the market. But I always take a big chunk of every move that has enough potential to trade it.

Can I proof this? Yes.

Will I proof it? No.

Why not? Because people who don't believe will, after each partial proof, deny it by telling it was luck and ask more proof. They will ask proof till you give up. That's the strategy they use: ask an deny, ask again and deny again, ask again and deny again, ask again and deny again, ask again and deny again, ask again and deny again, ask again and deny again, ask again and deny again, ask again and deny again, ask again and deny again, ask again and deny again, till you give up....................
And the main reason why you should not proof it? What do you have to win? Nothing. And convincing others (diehards) is impossible and brings you no extra money.

Doe joe haav too haav a Phd to become suksesfool? I don't know, I am not very smart, have no Phd, but with my limited knowledge I (finally) manage to make some money. So I am happy.

PM made typo mistake, date was 02/17/2015 I see now.


MWSnap032.jpg
 
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surf, quick question, how come your research shows commodity and currency markets trend?

imo, a confusion could have been made between trend and momentum.

VN's statistics could be statistically correct that momentum often has greater ongoing power for commodity and currency as well as equity index futures, however (naturally) much lesser for individual stocks.

Another 2 cents!
 
Fridays' high on the NYMEX WTI March contract was 48.35. We've just traded 80 cents above it at 49.15. $1,800/contract.

The reaction in this area would tell me whether it is worth to establish a short. Perhaps Joe would update us on how he is managing his position. Kudos to anyone who is prepared to post a trade and put themselves out there. And show losses as well as winners.

Thanks for your posts "Ghost_of_Blotto" and "experiencedjoe".

Judging by the negative feedback you guys receive I am quite certain you are doing very well. Everyone is aware of the 95% statistic and it is threads like this that reinforce those statistics.
 
This is a simplified sample of how I see trend (15 min chart only for visibility):
  1. I get a signal to go long at 2087 at level 1 (02/07/2017 ES march). At that same moment have fixed rules who tell me that we will go long till "indicator A will reach the level 100". So I know now already that the trend is long and when this trend will finish. The trend will be finished when "indicator A will reach the level 100". So this is not hindsight or anything similar. My prediction is based on calculated mathematical probabilities that show that I will be right at least 8 times out of 10, and even when I will be wrong my exit will be probably before my position will lose money.
  2. At level 2 my "indicator A reached the level 100" and I got out at 2097. So my prediction was long, it was correct and it took almost the whole move.
  3. At level 3 (2093.75) I had to go long again until "indicator A will reach the level 100" again. Because it was short before the close I had to take profit at an intermediate high at 2097.

Of course "indicator A will reach the level 100" should be replaced by a far more complex system. I kept it simple to show that trends can be spotted and how you can predict certain things within certain limits. I was in my first trade for almost 4 hours and defined at entry already the rule to exit. I ALWAYS define at entry my exit rule already.

Was I lucky? I have on average 2-3 trades a day based on this principle, but not always with so many points profit because you depend for this from the market. But I always take a big chunk of every move that has enough potential to trade it.

Can I proof this? Yes.

Will I proof it? No.

Why not? Because people who don't believe will, after each partial proof, deny it by telling it was luck and ask more proof. They will ask proof till you give up. That's the strategy they use: ask an deny, ask again and deny again, ask again and deny again, ask again and deny again, ask again and deny again, ask again and deny again, ask again and deny again, ask again and deny again, ask again and deny again, ask again and deny again, ask again and deny again, till you give up....................
And the main reason why you should not proof it? What do you have to win? Nothing. And convincing others (diehards) is impossible and brings you no extra money.

Doe joe haav too haav a Phd to become suksesfool? I don't know, I am not very smart, have no Phd, but with my limited knowledge I (finally) manage to make some money. So I am happy.

PM made typo mistake, date was 02/17/2015 I see now.


View attachment 149633

Indisputably one of the best posts on ET for those who are looking for answers.
 
imo, a confusion could have been made between trend and momentum.

VN's statistics could be statistically correct that momentum often has greater ongoing power for commodity and currency as well as equity index futures, however (naturally) much lesser for individual stocks.

Another 2 cents!

The stats are based on equity index futures and individual stocks. surf
 
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