Of course they look at how much money they made or lost in a day. They should also look at how much that is percentage-wise. But when looking at whether a market moves up or down, points are secondary. Again a 5 points move in the eMini is pfft, a 5% move is WTF. Too many "traders" learned from watching CNBC to focus on points, sheesh.
I don't know how much I win or lose on a 0.5% move. But I know on a 5 pts move. And I really don't care if the market is up or down. Maybe it's just me. I also don't watch CNBC, so I can't comment about that part.
Ignore SunTrader, he doesn't know what he is talking about. Most traders think in terms of points and take into account market volatility. Wider profit target and wider stop loss when the market is more volatile. Thats the way i trade. Some traders use a stop based on a chart pattern or price level, but thats not something i do.
The markets sold off on Friday, so they were pricing something in. IG is quoting the market to open down another 170 points when todays overnight session opens. If this was a surprise event and not already priced into the market it would quoted to gap open down well over 500 points.
Futures opened green. You guys will never learn with the doom and gloom. Wasted energy worrying. Market will do what the market wants. No such thing as a black swan in today's market.