Depends on what you mean by DT . If you mean the sort of thrash that goes on in the DT firms which sprang up in the dot.com bubble then yes , they are crap cause they are just gamblers w/o any idea or risk control and with low Returns to risk to boot. If you mean short term trading then I say that's a whole different ball game as usually these types can have good risk management and can be very profitable indeed. The point about DT trade accounts is true , anyone who is profitable should show their trade accounts over a meaningful period , anyone who does not is very suspicious esp. if they are looking to trade someone else $ .