When to call it quits as a trader

Quote from vikana:



I agree, this is the only sensible thing to do: Go where the money is. 70s and early 80s it was commodities, mid 80s to 90s stocks and real-estate.

The only asset you have that you never can get back is your time, so you should only do things that are worthwhile. Trading, fortunately, can always be a fall back in case other types of businesses are difficult to build. I've gone back and forth several times.

OTOH, if boring and tedious is the problem, it's a lot easier to take a break or get out of trading than it is to take a break from or get out of a business. Unless you're selling Girl Scout cookies or have a paper route.
 
This guy has a deep complex indeed he should consult a psychiatrist it is as if I had assassinated his father : poor guy :)

Let's explain again slowly little by little: if you had clicked on the reference link I had given you would have seen that it is not my theory but two studies from different economists reported in a doctorate thesis untitled "Financial market and modelisation of stock market's return" (translated from french title) who has even been financed by a special fund from the Government in fact). There was no reference to Chaos theory so that you totally invented what you wanted below.

As for Levy's law and persistence of chance used as argument, it is is also classics from academics, researchers and some hedge fund managers for example Jean Philippe Bouchaud in this online conference http://www.canal-u.education.fr/canalu/affiche_programme.php?vHtml=0&programme_id=351. Since you have tendancy to consider everybody as an idiot when you don't agree with him this guy is Doctor in Physics, IBM winner of young researcher in 1990, today senior expert at nuclear center research working since 1992 on statistical research about stock market as put here http://www.canal-u.education.fr/canalu/affiche_auteurs.php?programme_id=351.

And if it is not enough for you I will translate Peter Berstein - the famous hedge fund manager and author of the history of modern wall street - who also illustrates the problem of distinguishing between talent and chance with this persistance of chance law. In his own word it is very difficult and he remarked that this law is counter-intuitive (see below not to be confounded with tail phenomena of a distribution). I will do that this we because it is a bit long.

Quote from hypostomus:

...well said, especially the part about being wary of frequent posters. Trading is the most important intellectual and sporting activity in my life. People post here either because they seek answers or have answers to give. My posts on other subjects are invariably courteous and are meant to be helpful. When Harry intrudes, however, it is difficult to be courteous because he is maddeningly obtuse. He mangles language, logic, math, and science. I will make up a Harry post for you, stipped of the verbiage:

"Experienced trader need newbie influx. Like well known logistic equation describe predator-prey relation. Logistic function however special case of Chaos Theory invent by Lorentz, published before most you even conceived, never taught in home economics class. Chaos theory, however, of no use in trading. I never say experienced trader need newbie."

THAT sucks.
 
I'm not talking about the tail of a random distribution. Since a few centuries this is well known by statisticians. Yes it can just be that you belong to such tail but Levy's law is more vicious than just the tail phenomena and it is widely unknown. As I promised in above thread I will quote Peter Beinstein - so that I am more sure to be understood - who has an illustration of this law and I repeat what he said: it is counter-intuitive - whereas the tail phenomena is very intuitive. Taleb refers rather to the tail phenomena I don't need to since it is already well known.

Quote from man:

harry

it is often claimed that a normal distribution has tails at the far right side and these simply happen. once you are in such tail you think you are the hero. i personally think that the distribution of trading results is quite fat-tailed. you have many quick and total loosers and you have constant big winners. and the existence of the a aboveRandomLeftTail enables the fat right tail. furthermore i think that a stable track record of severral years is very very unlikely to occur. and that the number of operations doing such thing is far to few to claim the chance argument is valid.

i must admit that i haven't read the book by Taleb ... so it might be that these arguments are already proved to be rubbish.


peace
 
Quote from jbtrader23:

the market is doing things I didn't expect it to do. I thought the market would fall at least below 9000 heading into what is usually the worst time of the year (sept, oct). Instead the market rebounds.


This is a pretty good clue as to fact that you need to learn to follow the market and make your $ no matter what the market does, not try to predict. I'm talking like a real expert which I am not but repeating advice from successful traders.

Personally I think you will be back someday, stronger, better, etc. You will just wake up one day and say, "hey, wait a minute, now that I've been away from the trading I understand things a tad better, maybe I should have another go at it"

:)
 
Quote from Mecro:



And I have to disagree with that. Maybe in some trading styles but in scalping, those big numbers of newbies only make it worse. Especially when the number of big bids and offers are not growing. Trading ranges get smaller and smaller, while the downside gets bigger and bigger.

If you are experienced enough, you can start seeing through the noobs and making money from them. Thats basically what the specialists do. Also the smarter institutional traders, especially on the short side.


:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

Not ALL markets are meant to be scalped!
If the shorter term time frame is not working .......AGAIN ....its not the newbies fault its the technique/trading styles fault ....i.e. the fault of the one pulling the trigger!
 
Quote from maxpi:



This is a pretty good clue as to fact that you need to learn to follow the market and make your $ no matter what the market does, not try to predict. I'm talking like a real expert which I am not but repeating advice from successful traders.

______________________________________

I disagree. YOU CAN accurately predict price movement!!!!

The REAL question is on what basis did you base your presupposition that the market should be rolling over?????

If indeed the basis of that analysis was flawed it doesnt mean that you give up on the idea. It just means you have to go back to the drawing board to figure out what you missed and why you missed it???? :)

p.s. BE ENCOURAGED!!!!!!!!:D
 
Hang in there jbtrader;

I know exactly how you are feeling, been there done that. It is very easy to lose faith when things aren't going as planned. I moved from real estate to trading three years ago and honestly speaking real estate was way easier. That being said I like the total flexibility trading ads to my lifestyle. Last winter I spent in Panama trading in off my balcony in 90 degrees of weather in January, I couldn't have done that in real estate. Although my trading lately has been well, it certainly has its rough spots. I find that when you have a losing streak it is very easy to second guess yourself and lose your self esteem. When this happens I cease my trading immediately to preserve capital. If you are just experiencing a losing streak, quit trading for a while and take a break (the markets will always be there). Start the vending machine business for a while, try it out and see if you like it (i am thinking of dabbling in real estate again to have additional income - I think too many traders here concentrate solely on the markets and become 'hypnotized' by them) Then maybe in the future come back into trading with a fresh head and outlook. Try papertrading and maybe alter your strategy or look for a mentor who has a solid track record. Anyways that's my 2 cents. Good Luck in your future endeavors jb :)
 
i think it is unfair to prolong this discussion within this thread. the starter has other interests than to follow our - amusing - confrontation. at least i guess so.


peace
 
Quote from man:

i think it is unfair to prolong this discussion within this thread. the starter has other interests than to follow our - amusing - confrontation. at least i guess so.


peace

Exactly, the first post was honest and excellent, and anyone who has been in this soul destroying game long enough can relate to it. Why the "must post a view to everythread" gang need to steam in and start bitchin eachother eludes me. see "chit chat"
 
Back
Top