It is not a few years ago and no one can now pop into the busisiness and make easy money. That said, there were 4 tick ES scalpers trading in size then and there are 4 tick ES scalpers trading in size today. Algos and hi frequency demanded that they adjust ... and the did. A membership that cuts costs dramatically is of course, at some point, a natural progression but that is simply cutting your cloth to measure. That's not so much a decision as it is putting one foot in front of another as volume increases. Great scalpers have a great deal to overcome ... mostly the spread as commisions are small at some volume point. But those near the top of the food chain do overcome it and get their six tick moves for a net four. And they do it multiple times a day with astonishing win rates. Nowere in my post did I suggest it was easy but those that can and do truly master a skill set can accomplish what most believe to be impossible. I wasn't equating a 400 tick profit in one contract with a 4 tick ES trade on a hundred lot; I was suggesting that the 4 ticks was far superior for those that are in that business. I know that at least 95% of those that read this will shake their heads and think it is just naivete speaking and I surely understand that point of view and you are entitled to your opinon. Also, I wasn't a proponent of mastering the small ES scalp. I talked primarily about trading CL because that is, in my opinion, where the 10 tick scalper has the best opportunity. Again, I know that my thoughts here will not be taken seriously but c'est la vie.
I am down for the year 0.4 R. And swing trading only. First/previous 2 years with this method did pretty well. Strange that my equity oscillated this year within minisculus range minus 0.8 R and + 0.2 R, where R is risk per trade, basically only scratches. I hope this is how bad year looks
A few years ago in ES had abnormal price action of range expansion, what some view as tradeable, I saw it as a time of not tradeable for methods I use. ES if one goes back ten years can easily see it is a market that chops a great deal and HFT only has brief times of happening. HFT has a much bigger times of happening in Crude oil and Gold. I am much more thankful that ES has returned to what it generally does, herky jerky. For me, singles and doubles are done for under 60 minute timeframes to remain consistent in most futures. For homeruns I have to use weekly/daily charts. I applaud those who can get homeruns in smaller timeframes, but for my personality, I rather seek making consistent profits each day which allows confidence to throw size at it.
Not to worry, there are various proficiency levels. Employing the most basic of position strategies can yield a fair return. The doctrine: Let the market 'do the work'. At the retail level, the subconscious mind requires a 'job'. Speculation is not, and never will be, a job. Do not be lured into thinking this, especially by the unscrupulous types that plague this industry (vendors).
It makes sense only if you do mean-reversion. If you are an intraday trend-follower you should make a lot. Just look at the chart Bob111 posted. It refutes your position. The Fed is responsible for price stability and volatility is risk. The Fed is not responsible for trader losses neither decides based on trader objectives. Trading is speculation, zero-sum game. Again only if you look at mean-reversion. Many intraday traders who follow the trend are making tons of money but not because they are intraday but because this market goes straight up. hmmm. I see. But 99.99% of intraday forex traders lose money. The same is true with futures intraday traders. There only the masters win and they are statistical outliers. You should read this and do some statistical work before you trade intraday again. Not even forex swing trading is profitable for most. You cannot profit when you trade against the market makers unless you are a master, in which case they will realize it, assign you to a desk and maybe shut down your account like they did to a friend some time ago... .
That is because for you the mean makes you money in longer time frame, and the variance makes you money for under 60 minutes. So herky jerky makes sense for you: Herky=mean, Jerky=variance. You are an investor who occasionally gets money from jerks under 60 minutes. You need to state what % of you is a trader, but we know you are 100% investor (not counting leverage). There is no contradiction in being 100% investor, and at the same time a % trader. There are also other jerks you could make money from. They are at a higher time frame. You know they exist, because you see it from time to time in your account equity retreats. You need the secret formula to get those jerks as well. You never showed me your equity, so if my vision of it is correct, then I am "seeing" it without you showing it to me.
You are still around, I am still around, and the guy who posted is still around. Maybe you mean to say: those who understood shouldn't be around here.
There is always something new to learn. I wouldn't be surprised if some well-known hedge managers are members here and we don't know that. Learning never stops and markets keep on changing.