trading frustration

[EliteThink]

Quote from WDGann:

I am really thinking...

Did you guys make your own system?

Do you guys continue making systems, on the daily basis?

... or did you just stop once you made one system that worked at the time...

It seems like most system traders in here who are whining only revisit system creation when bad times come....

Guys in Chuck Le Beau's Traders Club and OmegaList are constantly making systems...

Are majority of ET system traders, plain old amateur system trader wannabes?

Hrmm... just wondering...

Valid questions. System traders tend to constantly explore ideas but stick with what they know to work in the immediate term. My theory has been 'quick to test but slow to implement'. There is no harm in learning through testing but learning through trading is most likely going to be expensive.

System trading takes fortitude which is why often the trader only lasts through maxdd's when they have a hand in development and can thus trust the research put into the logic. All too often a system is abandoned not when it breaks down statistically but when it has a relatively short losing period. Enjoy your posts.

 

[GreenDog]

w/out question the last 3-4 weeks have not been the ideal trading environment for most traders (myself included).

 

[futurecurrents]

Quote from catman:



It's not so much part of the trading cycle as it is the economic cycle.

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That's exactly right. I think it is great that others here can continue to make profits and or not get annoyed when they don't. They have reached a level of sophistication that I aspire to. But too many here are making it seem that things are normal. They are not. We are in a what, once in thirty years vicious bear market? These are highly atypical market conditions. Some will say the market is always atypical, but I say look at a yearly chart of the DOW going back as far as you can. Look at the extended high levels on the VIX.
Some would want us to believe that it is some deficiency on our part that we don't do well and that we just need to study harder. While it always good advice to try harder at a hard thing, it is also good for one's mental health to know that it is not just oneself that is having difficulties in a difficult time.

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"Strife is better than loneliness."
- Irish saying

 

[Ditch]

Quote from futurecurrents:

Quote from catman:



It's not so much part of the trading cycle as it is the economic cycle.

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But too many here are making it seem that things are normal. They are not. We are in a what, once in thirty years vicious bear market? These are highly atypical market conditions. Some will say the market is always atypical, but I say look at a yearly chart of the DOW going back as far as you can.
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"Strife is better than loneliness."
- Irish saying

Japan has been in a bear market for nearly 2 decades now already and the bear market that started in the 30's also lasted several decades, so what makes you think that a 2-year bear-market is highly atypical?

 

[futurecurrents]

Quote from Ditch:



Japan has been in a bear market for nearly 2 decades now already and the bear market that started in the 30's also lasted several decades, so what makes you think that a 2-year bear-market is highly atypical?

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With all due respect...this is what I mean! You guys refuse to admit this is a rare (hopefully) situation. You mean to tell me that this is a normal market? I'll wager that nobody on these boards have participated in a market like this.

 

[Ditch]

Quote from futurecurrents:



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With all due respect...this is what I mean! You guys refuse to admit this is a rare (hopefully) situation. You mean to tell me that this is a normal market? I'll wager that nobody on these boards have participated in a market like this.

I'm participating every day.

 

[futurecurrents]

Quote from Ditch:



I'm participating every day.

OK bust my hump, I should have said "participated in a market like this... before."

I hope your participating more profitably then most of us. But part of me hates you if you are.

 

[Ditch]

Quote from futurecurrents:



OK bust my hump, I should have said "participated in a market like this... before."

I hope your participating more profitably then most of us. But part of me hates you if you are.

Well, today I couldn't get anything going so i just quit. Nevertheless just managed to cover the commissions. But honestly i really don't see the problem with the bear market. Just go short as easy as you would go long, presumed you trade an instrument that facilitates that. Or am i wrong?

 

[stockerup]

Quote from Ditch:



Well, today I couldn't get anything going so i just quit. Nevertheless just managed to cover the commissions. But honestly i really don't see the problem with the bear market. Just go short as easy as you would go long, presumed you trade an instrument that facilitates that. Or am i wrong?

I agree with you ditch. We have to adapt to the market we're given., and sometimes it is better just to call it a day. I'm basically beating out a buck or two here and there; but, all in all, I think I'm trading better. The market conditions have made me re-think my strategy and choose my trades more wisely. When the market does turn, I think I'll have a better edge.

 

[futurecurrents]

Quote from Ditch:



Well, today I couldn't get anything going so i just quit. Nevertheless just managed to cover the commissions. But honestly i really don't see the problem with the bear market. Just go short as easy as you would go long, presumed you trade an instrument that facilitates that. Or am i wrong?

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That's the thing..I do have a short strategy. Stocks that gap down and then make new lows. But even that is not working. So I've devised a futures strategy, but it only makes 30 or points per month (on paper) with slippage and commissions, but assuming perfect execution. And sense I can't even spell wright....I don't think I should bother...should I?


PS: I hate smiley faces