is there ever a good time to average down?

Discussion in 'Trading' started by mute9003, Jul 2, 2024.

  1. tomkat22

    tomkat22

    That's not a cellphone pic. I'm sure your trade blotter would make for some "interesting" viewing,especially for the options guys.
     
    #41     Jul 4, 2024
  2. Handle123

    Handle123

    I use to average down 8 levels since most of time I was early. Stats would show based on original entry having of 1 or 2 losing days a year. Averaging down I would lose twice a year losing 6 weeks of profits each but overall make 180% more than trading one price. That was great to do when younger, now it not about wild equity curves but consistency and adding size and markets.

    I never recommend to ave down.
     
    #42     Jul 4, 2024
    SimpleMeLike likes this.
  3. comagnum

    comagnum

    Adding onto winners you can increase profits by multiples without increasing risk. This is edge to the max when your exploiting profits. It is not easy & this is a more advanced skill that takes a lot of experience.

    Adding on to losers is a bad habit that puts most on the road to ruin. The root cause is typically from using way to much size with no loss exit planned or honored. As a loss spirals down they pile in with hopes of breaking even. Only a matter of time to eat catastrophic losses you can't come back from.

    Some, but not many do avg down and still keep their losses small - this is also an advanced skill. Novices trying this are likely to go down in flames.
     
    Last edited: Jul 4, 2024
    #43     Jul 4, 2024
    SimpleMeLike likes this.
  4. Zwaen

    Zwaen

    I think this approach only can be viable if the distribution of (future) expected trade outcomes is skewed to having a low probablity very high payoff, and high probability small losses. Mathematically - and perhaps logically - this would make sense
     
    #44     Jul 4, 2024
  5. It's a screenshot. ??
     
    #45     Jul 4, 2024

  6. How are you multiplying profits when you are raising your avg price? lol
    Obviously the skill is not to buy at the top and start averaging down from there, but even then averaging down is better than closing the position or just holding.

    I already proved this with data using SPY...it's not even up for debate lol.

    Here is the proof. :)

    (I shouldn't have to mention that averaging down on a stock is not recommended without limiting risk via size.)
     
    Last edited: Jul 4, 2024
    #46     Jul 4, 2024
  7. tomas262

    tomas262

    retrospectively averaging down was almost always an ego play in my trading
    now I focus more on squeezing all the juice the market offers. Seems a lot better way to survive in the game
     
    #47     Jul 4, 2024
  8. Shocking as it may be, I agree with WXY trader on averaging down. If you do it on something that can't go to zero, in small size, in such a way that it gets you psychologically invested in the price action - you then become your own contrary indicator. You go in with size after your first buy(s) make you want to scream in pain!
     
    #48     Jul 4, 2024
  9. tomkat22

    tomkat22

    No.Use your cellphone to take a pic(s) of your trade blotter. I'll hold my breath waiting.
     
    #49     Jul 4, 2024
  10. comagnum

    comagnum

    Last edited: Jul 4, 2024
    #50     Jul 4, 2024