2 simple questions...1..What are the names of your 2 hypothethical based "top ranked futures systems" at C2. ...2 do you actually trade with a real money account using either the above systems or some other strategy. As for Levine...walk away. NiN
Real Money, Not C2. Ask the traders who trade live markets. I have a client who went live on March 01, 2011 with a $25K account. He has returned 45% net on that as of June 24. In four months, on a net basis, he has over $36K in his account. Advantage Futures clearing, CTS front end, eSignal running my models, those expenses deducted from the account. Non-Member rates. Swing trading futures spreads. Max drawdown ridiculously modest. Overnight SPAN performance bond margin credits of 65 % to 90 %. I have another client who went live on April 01, 2011. Same scenario returned 10% net all expenses as of Friday June 24. And that includes an impulsive scalping debacle which earned my wrath because he deviated from his trading plan. Swing trading futures spreads. Of course, I have 60 clients who keep trading their 'bread and butter' core trades and swing trades my spread model for an additional revenue stream. And they were really good before they hired me. Any serious prospect that I screen in advance regarding trading skill sets is welcome to contact both of these, as well as other clients privately and independently. Ask them whatever you want.
Clients have to make money. Everything else is bullshit. It simply does not matter what the educator says or produces. Bernie Madoff had audited statements. The SEC audited him as well. If you are going to be a client... Make damn sure that other clients are making money IN LIVE MARKETS. The bottom line is in fact the bottom line. Speak with the clients - independently.
People who are "among the best" at what they do, do that for a living, not something else, unless you're trying to claim you're "among the best" at two things, what you do actually do for a living and trading. You don't see Roger Federer making cuckoo clocks in Switzerland while claiming to be "among the best" tennis players, do you? Please, the whole "I'm the best at trading" thing just looks delusional if you aren't trading for a living. At best, you have the potential to be a pretty good trader, but let's not oversell it. Scalping is a terrible way to earn a living. I'd suggest you apply more leverage to the timeframe you typically trade, if you are looking to goose your returns.
@Now_is_now My futures systems are named predictor day and predictor discretionary. I have taken all trades in one or either of the accounts with some real money on the line. I keep a journal here. I start with a 3k model account. Actually, with only 1k in the account then I return net $1500 at peak. Currently up a bit over $500. I take proxy trades @ NADEX but only using small size. My standard point size is $30 per 1 ES point. If I continue to do well, I plan to ramp up to a 5k account soon. @logic_man Good points! I'm among the best at calling the market. I do take my trades with real money but only using a tiny account. The results are strong. I say I'm "among the best", honestly I feel like I am the best best in the world at what I do which is calling the market in advance. I'm not convinced there is anyone as good at me at what I do. But this doesn't imply I know it all or that my methods are the most profitable. The other way this can be quantified is just to look at my systems and compare to all the rest of the systems at C2, they rank in the very top. Another way to do this comparison is to look at my net return and risk/adjusted return which is strong when compared against verifiable records, i.e CTA's. I can probably beat any trader at GS at calling the market. Yet, I'm sure their arbitrage strategies are far more profitable then my directional calls. I'm not the best trader. I'm always learning. But I am very good at calling the market. @Bone You are on ignore, sir. Hopefully we get some scalpers here. If you scalp any futures market for a living then I'd be interested for you comment about what type of capital you have, what you feel it takes, etc.
Here is a good article on Paul Rotter, a bit dated: http://www.trading-naked.com/paul_rotter.htm I read another interview and he has sense started a hedge fund. They use 100% systematic strategies for their longer trades and discretionary for shorter plays. They can only adjust position size for the longer trades -- they can't choose the entry or exit condition. He trades by getting market feel he gained by placing tons of trades. I have did this on Ninjatrader some years ago. Nothing like he did, of course. But, I got the same type of impression. This type of trading requires a huge bankroll and great cost structure because one is always running orders. If one uses this style and isn't careful they can run into the ground in no time. I think this is how Don Miller trades too. There aren't many out there that can do this. Some articles claimed that he Rotter would also show large size in related markets to get the pit traders on the wrong side and then he'd reverse on them. What I read has indicated this type of trading is no longer possible or at least more difficult with HFT and robots. Unfortunately, I do not think Rotter is an example of the small trader making it. He traded at a bank where he didn't have to worry about his losses and had great cost structure and capital.
Hey, that is not clever. Not to pick on you specifically, but this point has to be made. I've seen a lot of posters abusing bone in the last few weeks. Getting on in this business requires an open mind and a willingness to acknowledge our own weaknesses and inexperience, no matter what level we are at. To dismiss information which is correct and comes from proper industry experience simply because you find the person a little abrasive isn't an effective way to learn and grow. If anyone here thinks they know it all and have nothing further to learn from anyone then they might as well call it a day. Again, this differentiates those with the passion and drive to try and become the best at whatever they do from those who are content to find a little edge and grind out a living. I know nothing about trading futures spreads. What I do know is how to recognise those who do know, and how to work out who is worth listening to - and to always keep an open mind and do my own research. Spreading isn't my niche, but I can recognise an experienced trader with value to offer. When I've exhausted what I can do with my own niche, I'll look into spreading when I have a year or two to devote to focusing on that specialism and that only. Bottom line - be honest with yourself (and others) about where you stand in the hierarchy, don't dismiss where others are at, or what others strive to achieve.