"Scaling out" is inferior behavior

Discussion in 'Strategy Building' started by Buy1Sell2, Oct 18, 2006.

Do you scale out of positions?

  1. I always scale out

    113 vote(s)
    14.1%
  2. I scale out most of the time

    228 vote(s)
    28.5%
  3. Most of the time, I do not scale out

    189 vote(s)
    23.6%
  4. I never scale out

    270 vote(s)
    33.8%
  1. ammo

    ammo

    i usually use a 2 point stop in es,any smaller and i would get stopped out too often, that would mean a 16-40 point move,i guess that would be possible in the last 2 weeks,or u r using a smaller stop.,thats why i asked
     
    #941     Mar 22, 2008
  2. I would have liked to vote in this poll, but the correct answer isn't a choice.

    The correct answer is it depends! What does it depend upon? Any number of variables. Well, how does someone find the variables? The market and correct analysis thereof will answer any and all questions.

    Such as, when to;

    1. enter
    2. hold or reverse
    3. add or subtract
    4. exit
     
    #942     Mar 22, 2008
  3. Buy1Sell2

    Buy1Sell2

    BINGO!!
     
    #943     Mar 22, 2008
  4. Buy1Sell2

    Buy1Sell2

    No---Better bet is to ride the full amount to the target.:)
     
    #944     Mar 22, 2008
  5. Well I have to admit I disagreed with buy1sell2 on this. I have changed my trading to reflect this style and have been more profitable.

    The proof is in the dollars for me.
     
    #945     Mar 22, 2008
  6. Buy1Sell2

    Buy1Sell2

    False.

    There may be many different profitable signals , triggers etc., but there is only one proper way to trade. That is: Cut losers short and ride winners to either the target or the trailing stop with full position on. Choking off profits by scaling in or scaling out is a scaredy cat strat designed to stroke the "trader's" emotional outlook/ego. Sorry, if this is any of you, but it is the truth. :)
     
    #946     Mar 22, 2008
  7. Buy1Sell2

    Buy1Sell2

    If you have an opportunity, or feel the need to share, please let us know the porgression of thought processes and actions that brought you to where you are now--. :)

    It may help others--
     
    #947     Mar 22, 2008
  8. Dustin

    Dustin

    To think I have been trading wrong all these years! Thank you so much for the wisdom!
     
    #948     Mar 22, 2008
  9. It was really quite simple. I kept a journal for 2 months of every trade I placed. I continued to trade my scale out style. For each trade I kept statistics as to whether my target would have been reached with my normal trailing stop. I soon discovered my target was reached better than 70% of the time, yet I was scaling out and limiting profits.

    My average winner has increased by better than 40% with no downside seen as yet.
     
    #949     Mar 22, 2008
  10. Using a small stop is totally dependent on entry. I measure entry based on price action and TIME. Getting in at a point in time in which the move is about to begin will decrease the chances of being stopped out due to consolidation prints.

    Another way in which probabilities can apply.
     
    #950     Mar 22, 2008