ric
is not about realistic return%, its about money managment, risk/ratio!
if you have a 40k account, and make 300 dollar daily ave
that's 75k a year more or less.. got it??
The first factor you should build is patience...
its about how much you risk....
you should focus more (take a look) at the forex markets or commodities..
but equities??? no man, that's the wrong way my friend.. low margin, Extremly regulate,burocracy etc etc etc..
take care