How many traders are actually making a living?

Discussion in 'Trading' started by orbit23, Aug 11, 2019.

  1. orbit23

    orbit23

    According to broker reports, around 80% of retail trading CFD are STRAIGHT UP LOSING. And even this seems like an optimistic number.

    I would say:
    if 80% are losing
    ----another 10% are just getting by and not losing(breakeven)
    --------5% are making some money
    ------------4% are making a living
    -----------------1% are ballers


    What do you think? Or is there any sophisticated data on the topic with more details?
     
    tomorton likes this.
  2. MKTrader

    MKTrader

    Less than 4% are actually making a living...
     
    daxplayer likes this.
  3. orbit23

    orbit23

    As i was checking through the other thread, someone said 1% is the number of people making a living. Seems kinda realistic to be honest.

     
  4. ElCubano

    ElCubano

    There is no way no how anyone can come up with a stat of successful traders.
     
    VPhantom and MKTrader like this.
  5. MKTrader

    MKTrader

    And how many of them do that consistently year after year? Some are just playing a temporary bull market (cryptos in 2017, dot-com stocks in late 90s, dip buyers and option sellers in stock bull markets...until there's a 20%+ crash that wipes them out, etc.)
     
  6. newwurldmn

    newwurldmn

    It doesn’t matter if the number is 1percent or 5percent. It’s very small.

    It’s obvious why the number should be small.

    Trading to earn is already difficult. But trading as a retail trader trying to make it their primary source of income is fraught with lots of headwinds.
     
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  7. krugman25

    krugman25 Guest

    According to the SBA, 95% of small businesses fail within 5 years. Probably only 1% are really thriving and providing enough for a good living.

    Seems like a general principal across the spectrum.
     
    zghorner, VPhantom, S-Trader and 2 others like this.
  8. comagnum

    comagnum

    1%? I like those odds - sign me up!

    If you are well capitalized, with a few years of living expenses, and about 5-10 years of experience than the success rate rises. The stat's count every noob that put $100-$500 into a Fx or penny stock acct and made a 1-3 month run at it with no experience & unrealistic expectations.

    The typical background of an independent trader making a living is they first put together some decent operating capital from investing & trading over the long term while working full time. Their trading business is funded from profits they already made - a positive feedback loop.

    The bull market is attracting many trying to make a living upside down - they hope to make a lot of profits with a little bit of capital & experiencing, they think they will be the exception in not having a long & expensive learning curve. This is your 99% crowd, no wonder.
     
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2019
  9. easymon1

    easymon1

    focus.jpg

    https://www.investopedia.com/articles/active-trading/053115/average-rate-return-day-traders.asp
    Since most day traders do not disclose their trading results to anyone but the IRS, an exact answer to how much money an average day trader makes is impossible to answer. The results vary widely given the trading strategies, risk management practices and the amount of capital individual traders are working with.

    STARTUP FAILURE RATE STATISTICS

    Of all small businesses started in 2014:
    80 percent made it to the second year (2015);
    70 percent made it to the third year (2016);
    62 percent made it to the fourth year (2017);
    56 percent made it to the fifth year (2018).
    https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/03/startup-statistics-small-business.html

    3 requirements for success

    You must believe the reward (the ‘WHY’) of a particular goal is important, meaningful, and compelling.
    You must believe that you know how (clear strategies/plans/people) to achieve your goal.
    You must believe that you can execute the plans, strategies, and pivoting involved in achieving the goal.
    https://www.theladders.com/career-a...success-according-to-science-and-billionaires

    What Are Success Factors?
    By: Bplans Glossary

    Primary success factors include considerations regarding:

    The choice of business based on the status of the market
    Education and experience
    People and collaboration
    Creativity and innovation versus business skills and networks
    Incubation potential
    Leveraging available resources
    Management practices
    https://articles.bplans.com/what-are-success-requirements/

    trading is less risky than music business, or family farming imho.


    .
     
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2019
    Craig Trader and fan27 like this.
  10. ElCubano

    ElCubano

    You can increase the probability by knowing which, where and when to get into any entrepreneurial endeavor.
     
    #10     Aug 11, 2019
    birdman likes this.