For intraday trading, I'm starting out with a single instrument, in fact (with my eye on 2 others for later). I stumbled upon the NQ by way of @dbphoenix and the action's "coherent" enough that I shelved my currency ideas for now. Glanced at the CL, a bit too jumpy for me. Now I just need to get to the point of passing a few combines on my own and I'll give TST a shot. Looked at ways to use just my own account, but that initial risk TST offers is just too enticing to pass up.
The majority of traders seem to get funded by trading CL, given that it's "jumpy" and thus more volatile than other instruments. I tried NQ on a prior combine however I felt it was jumpy as well, although the action is probably more "coherent enough" now that AAPL is not as volatile after the 7 for 1 split. If you're going for the jugular, then crude is the beast you want to conquer, knowing full well that it can rip you apart just the same.
In the Italian version at least they gave up the different combines and they only have one: http://www.saviusllc.com/savius-trader-beginner-step-3/ Also, they only promise a 15K real account for starters....
This one is the deal killer... "If the account at the end of a calendar month is profitable you will receive 50% of the net profit."
On the other hand, people with proven track record can completely BYPASS the Combine: "2 – UPLOAD YOUR TRADING HISTORY The second step requires you to upload your last 3-month real money track record for us to evaluate. 3 – TRADE OUR MONEY Once we have evaluated your trading history and reviewed your questionnaire submission to our satisfaction, you will be invited to become a Savius Trader." If TST is into real profit sharing (as compared to fee making) they should have this option as well.....
What is the logic of attempting to "BYPASS the combine" for "people with a proven track record" and then give up FIFTY PERCENT OF YOUR PROFITS! Unless the profit payout is different than the 50% mentioned, or the leverage is much greater, why would a currently profitable futures trader enroll in such a deal?
Call me stupid, but for extra profits??? With no extra exposure/risk no less? You are assuming that each and every current Live trader is NOT trading his own account beside TST.
If every current Live trader was trading his own account with a proven track record, then why give up 50%? You have to compare opportunity cost. With TST, the haircut is 20% vs. Savius where it is 50%. Ok, so you want "extra profits with no extra exposure/risk." One is a live profitable trader with his own retail account, and keeps the TST account active to make the "extra profits" and gives up 20%. The other opens the Savius account with his "3 month proven live track record" and then gives up 50%. Why is Savius the better deal? Would you really give up the extra 30% haircut to get the Savius live account, or pass the combine to get the TST live account? Perhaps I'm not following your logic. Again, why open the Savius account and give up 50%?
Fascinating discussion. I can only add that an advantage for some traders is that the topstep rules might be very useful for enforcing "self" discipline.
Oh, OK, I guess I misunderstood you. I thought you were asking why would any profitable trader trade with any of these firms. Instead you are just asking why go with Savius when so much profit sharing... Well, because it looks like they are actually trying to hire traders and share profits with them as compared to making fees out of a bunch of hopefuls. Ask yourself, if you were the equity partner, would you be happy to keep only 20% of the profits, when you are taking all the risks? The 50% is more rational from the backer's POV. Not to mention Savius doesn't have bullshit rules like "you have to be profitable in every instrument you trade" and such. And of course, the bypass the Combine rule, where already profitable traders only have to SHOW their records and not waste time with such simtrading as the Combine is. They also don't make money on your commission. They don't offer multiple Combines with no real differences, except misleading candidates that they are going to trade a 150K real account soon. TL;DR: Savius looks more real, less BS... And sounds better. Edit: Here is its founder's intro: http://www.trade2win.com/boards/tra...-prop-firm-looking-traders-your-comments.html