Sweden tried to tax before. Read what happened: http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/b9b40fee-9236-11e2-851f-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3ZlWZhZYV Initially, the tax rate was 0.5 per cent in connection with the purchase and sale of shares. In mid-1986, the rate was doubled and the tax base was broadened to cover share options and convertibles. The trading volume on the Stockholm stock exchange changed dramatically when the tax was increased. Average turnover fell 30 per cent during the second half of 1986 and throughout 1987. The turnover in the 11 most traded shares fell 60 per cent. It seems unlikely that this sharp decrease reflected a decline only in speculative trading. Later, in 1989, the tax base was broadened to include bonds. This, in turn, led to an 85 per cent reduction in bond-trading volume and a 98 per cent reduction of trading volume in bond derivatives. The increase in tax revenues resulting from the broadening was less than 5 per cent of what had been expected. By 1990, shortly after the last vestiges of the currency controls were abolished in Sweden, more than 50 per cent of the trading in Swedish shares had moved to London. Conversely, once the tax was abolished in December 1991, trading on the Stockholm stock exchange recovered. In 1991, 40 per cent of trading in Swedish shares took place on the Stockholm stock exchange; in 1992, this number had increased to more than 50 per cent.
The concept of FTT is not based on logic or on economic fundamentals and since it is idiotic idea that violates core principle of free economy (free flow of capital) it has good chance of being implemented.
Hey, not sure if you had seen my reply. What's your opinion on the possibility of an FTT ever coming to the USA or UK/London? Also could you elaborate on how a daytrader with a 2.5:1 Profit loss ratio and positive win rate would lose money with a 0.02 ftt?
Alright how about in the next 8-10 years? Also could you explain how a daytrader with a 2.5:1 Profit loss ratio and positive win rate would lose money with a 0.02 ftt?
Since you need to deduct 0.2% from each and every trade, also with a theoretical 2.5:1 RRR, you will be negative. a daytrader usually makes more than 5 round turns a day in the same instrument. with 5 trades you'd need to pay 1% (5x 0.2%) of the instrument's price (!) in FTT. You would need to constantly make 3.5% of the instrument's price in a trading day to maintan the 2.5:1 RRR (neglecting commissions). that is impossible.
So I take it then that an FTT has little to no chance of showing up in the next decade in the US of A according to this forum? Also by 2.5 to 1 I mean an average gain of 2.5% per trade, and a average loss of 1% per trade, with a 55% chance of a winning trade.
1. yes, IMO no chance 2. I just edited my previous post to make it clearer but basically, you can not calculate in RRR (SL 10pt, TP 25pt = 2.5 RRR) any more, but you must to calculate in instrument's price, because you pay a percentage of the instrument's price in tax.