This market does not even resemble that of 10-15 years ago

And not for the better.

Glad everyone is banking large with their cant lose algos\

Hey, you know those interviews they always do with traders. Each and every one is always doing well, adapting daily to massive changes , and smiling all the way to the bank.

Never heard one say they can't figure it out and had to go back to gardening.

 

No kidding.

Years ago, a -20% decline in the market was just "noise". Now days, it's called a bear market.

 

haha I am sure there are plenty of stories like that floating around problem is there is no sex appeal to it. Kind of like the way trading is nowadays. For me its been all about adjusting my holding periods. The good old days I could scalp 10 20 cents all day long and be totally engaged. Now most positions are swings of nature few hours to few days or weeks. Very boring but still profitable, now I have plenty of time to basically work another job if I wanted to. But seriously no pizazzzz in my trading life currently.

 

I'm going back to gardening.
I need Don Jr to release some more emails.
Why aren't the financials selling off?

 

Because you're looking at ones that aren't JPM or MS.

 

Yeah, XLF. Thought it would go down more.

 

Now a 5% decline is tantamount to a bear market.

20% is the end of civilization as we know it. Or would be if it ever happened.

 

Everything now is lightning fast.

A few years back, you could read tape and follow the money if you were retail.

Now, it's millisecond 100 share orders.
Iceberg orders are common and so are executions on dark pools. It's very hard to compete as a day trader. Personally, I don't know any retail day traders who make any sort of money. Everyone I know whom brings in over 100k is working prop at a bank or is licensed and clears through a clearing house. Yes, they also can watch Ellen at home. (Insert sarcasm)

 

Baffling ... I don't know; just a suggestion, but do you think that might possibly be because the ones who had to go back to gardening aren't still hanging around in trading circles and conveniently available to be interviewed in that context?

 

Maybe. But confession is good for the soul.

Actually, I have an excellent feel for short term moves. Proved and documented realtime. Hit rate is off the chart . But its all manual , hand traded stuff.