I miss trading, which is why I probably lurk around here even though I've already moved onto another career. If you can succeed during these times, imagine how well you'll do when (or if) it becomes a better environment to trade. I traded for almost 8 years and did well for myself. I spent the last year and a half treading water and dipping into my savings. I didn't lose money, I just didn't make any, and lost the opportunity cost. I definitely miss the lifestyle, but FOR ME, I couldn't imagine continuing to live in a state of flux, not knowing whether or not I'd make or lose money in any given month, let alone any year.
During my first few years trading, we traded in 1/8th's (NYSE equities). It was like printing money, it was so easy. Then when we switched to 1/16th's, all the old timers thought that it was the end of daytrading. Most people were able to adapt because it was the late 90's and the market was crazy. Then in 2000 we switched to decimal's and margins shrunk even more, but now instead of having the volatility of the 90's, reality was setting into the market and everything began slowing down. Nowaday's as soon as a news story comes out, every daytrader is in a mad rush to be the first one in, and it's basically survival of the quickest, and fittest. It's like a passerby tossing some crumbs to a large group of pigeon's.
Not to say it can't be done anymore, but I think the odds are much more stacked against pursuing a successful career daytrading now, than at any point in history. Like I said earlier, there will always be people that could succeed in this environment, but unfortunately I wasn't one of them because I definitely do miss it.
During my first few years trading, we traded in 1/8th's (NYSE equities). It was like printing money, it was so easy. Then when we switched to 1/16th's, all the old timers thought that it was the end of daytrading. Most people were able to adapt because it was the late 90's and the market was crazy. Then in 2000 we switched to decimal's and margins shrunk even more, but now instead of having the volatility of the 90's, reality was setting into the market and everything began slowing down. Nowaday's as soon as a news story comes out, every daytrader is in a mad rush to be the first one in, and it's basically survival of the quickest, and fittest. It's like a passerby tossing some crumbs to a large group of pigeon's.
Not to say it can't be done anymore, but I think the odds are much more stacked against pursuing a successful career daytrading now, than at any point in history. Like I said earlier, there will always be people that could succeed in this environment, but unfortunately I wasn't one of them because I definitely do miss it.
) "professional firms" -- and thus be surrounded each day with like minded "professionals"?