What's the difference between profitable and unprofitable...
Here's my 2cents
Some trading strategy works, gives profts in a certain market conditions. Opposite strategy MUST be unprofitable in the same market conditions.
I think there are two types of market behaviour:
1. "Trendy" market. Trends are big, they exsist for some time. It's possible to jump in too late and close position to early or to late ( after trend's reverse ) and still have a nice profit. Trends are easy to pick, moves are strong - in these market behaviour one popular trading strategy works great: "cut your losses quickly and let your profits run" !!! But this strategy doesn't work all the time. When it doesn't work? In the...
2. Choppy market. When moves are chaotic, prices go up and down very quickly by a little amount, with no certain direction. Prices are bouncing in a tight range.
"cutting losses and letting profits run" gives poor results in the choppy market. You can't run your profits beacuse there's no big moves. You can't cut your losses, because they happen all the time in the choppy market.
So, opposite strategy must give great results in the choppy market, right?
Don't cut losses, wait for a little profit. Don't wait for a big profit, close positions with a little profit. The moment of opening position also should be opposite to the strategy used in a "trendy" market. Go long when price falls, go short when price rises. I think this will bring your chances of making a succesful trade above 50% in the choppy market.
I know, it's just a theory. But I think we must put our strategies on some theoretical fundamentals. You have to believe in SOMETHING!
DT-waw