Profit target is an important and difficult issue for traders. I know this topic has been discussed a lot at ET. The reason I bring this topic again is that I want to limit the discussion specifically for scalpers/active day traders. This is no strict definition for scalpers/active day traders. I'm considering at least 10-20 round trip/day as a minimum in most days (with the exception of strong trending days).
I know quite a few scalpers use fixed profit target. Personally I'm using flexible profit target. Here is my general guideline for profit target:
1) I define my trade set-up as 4 categories: continuation, range-bound counter trend and breakout.
2) Generally breakout and continuation set-up have higher profit target than range-bound and counter trend set-up. However I rarely trade breakout. I trade continuation very often.
3) The continuation trade set-up at the beginning and middle of the trend has higher profit target. The continuation trade set-up at the end of the trend has lower profit target.
4) The trade set-up at lower time frame is supported at higher time frame has higher profit target. The trade set-up at lower time frame is not supported at higher time frame has lower profit target.
5) Many times we can use pivot points, previous swing high/low, Bollinger band bound as profit target points.
Remember these are general guidelines. I know there are more questions raised, e.g., how to determine the stage of a trend, how to define continuation and counter trade set-up. For discretionary traders, we have to use our experience and the specific market conditions to make the decisions. Every trader has his/her own way to measure the price action and make the judgment.
Any additional thoughts on this topic are welcomed.
Enlightedtrader.
I know quite a few scalpers use fixed profit target. Personally I'm using flexible profit target. Here is my general guideline for profit target:
1) I define my trade set-up as 4 categories: continuation, range-bound counter trend and breakout.
2) Generally breakout and continuation set-up have higher profit target than range-bound and counter trend set-up. However I rarely trade breakout. I trade continuation very often.
3) The continuation trade set-up at the beginning and middle of the trend has higher profit target. The continuation trade set-up at the end of the trend has lower profit target.
4) The trade set-up at lower time frame is supported at higher time frame has higher profit target. The trade set-up at lower time frame is not supported at higher time frame has lower profit target.
5) Many times we can use pivot points, previous swing high/low, Bollinger band bound as profit target points.
Remember these are general guidelines. I know there are more questions raised, e.g., how to determine the stage of a trend, how to define continuation and counter trade set-up. For discretionary traders, we have to use our experience and the specific market conditions to make the decisions. Every trader has his/her own way to measure the price action and make the judgment.
Any additional thoughts on this topic are welcomed.
Enlightedtrader.