Of course it's possible, but if you think that even most of your trades do not depend on someone else's loss, then I'm afraid you're just rationalizing. --Db
Many of them may indeed depend on someone elses loss, but that is not inherent built into the system, and therein lies the difference. MO, IMO, sells addictive poisons. They do so willingly. Therefore the pain of others in BUILT IN to their profit margins. I choose not to trade companies like that. If I become aware of such things as sweatshops, environmental issues, or the willful distributions of substances that can only harm the body, them I remove them from my universe.
Of course it is. Otherwise it would be possible for everyone to win, and that is clearly not the case. --Db
It is possible for everyone to win. If everyones timing was correct, then everyone would win. I am a swing trader, you are a daytrader, others trade options, some hedge. The difference between a winner and loser in any field, including this one, is education and timing. It is not a zero sum game.
Unfortunately, that's not the case. But it looks like we're going to get into yes it is no it isn't, and none of this is all that important to me anyway, so I suggest we just leave it at this. --Db
The thread was started because someone was feeling sick over ther market rally while a city was "being obliterated". First of all Bagdad is far from "obliterated". Every missile and every bomb is going to a very specific target. THE ELECTRICITY IS STILL ON for christ sake! Watch the news, even CNN will tell you that this is precision bombing aimed at government buildings and military targets. We have journalists standing on roof tops and balconies watching the attack as if it were a fireworks display, in full confidence that their building is safe! If you want to see "obliteration" watch the history channel and see what europe looked like during WWII. Second, over 70% of the U.S. population is strongly in favor of this war. The latest poll I saw was 76% strongly approve. If you insist on calling this a war rally then there is your explanation right there. Personally, I don't think its a war rally, I think its a bounce after the pre-war pessimism held it down for weeks. Third, Iraqi government forces are well aware of the value of the media and psychological operations. The video of dead and captured americans was created by the Iraqi's and sent to Al Jazeera for that very purpose because they think all americans are so weak they will fold if they watch it. Are you that weak ? If it churns your stomach, then you are human, if it makes you give up on the war then you are a weak soft american just like Sadam thinks you are. If it makes you want those republican guard soldiers to die then you are firmly in the majority. I was watching the news with a friend who votes democrat, and he was very ambivalent before, but while watching the news he said "damn, now its time to FUCK THEM UP".
When you make money trading somebody is loosing money trading. Are you under the impression that this money just pops up from nowhere?
Not neccessarily true....the other side doesnt have to be in a losing trade for you to win. Example. X goes long @ 25.00 stock trades to 28.00 where x decides to sell and you decide to buy ( by hitting x's offer (28.00) for a longer term position 3 weeks later you sell at 38.00...x and you have both made money eventually it will have to come from a lose but not from the other side of your trade......