Thanks for the tip FBGL07. I am going to read through that whole thread, it looks very interesting. veggen
I'm no longer sure about "Mike": it might have been "Mark" aka velocity_trader. Redduke should remember this guy.
Yep, Mark is one of those traders whose contributions to this forum were great. Unfortunately, he no longer posts.
I like volatility like any other day trader, but what was happening towards the end of last year was insane. Except for 1 week of January 08 during SocGen debacle I have never seen DAX before so thin and with a such high spread. I could not trade it at all and was considering making shift to FESX since its range became big enough for me to trade. So, my experience is a bit different, I started trading during non volatile times several years back, and slowly got exposed to volatility. I did trade Hang Seng for some time in 07, and that helped me to learn how to handle volatile instruments. No experience with Bund except for watching it a bit during exploratory phase. Love the depth and size, but once again range is too tight. I actually also looked into Shatz and Boble as well with the same end results. The only trades that last seconds for me are usually losers when I get taken out quickly after entering the trade. My trades usually last between 30 secs to few minutes. I would only keep large winners longer. Sometimes you get in one of those great trades, where the price move in your direction, then does a little retrace then goes into your direction again, and the cycle repeats many times. Trades like these can last for 30 min. I only get in with market orders, being in a trade when I get the signal is of most importance to me and therefore limit orders are out of the question. I do look on tape. My stops are fixed for the day. I might increase or decrease it by few ticks if I see continuous volatility expansions or construction. They are between 8 and 12 ticks (4-6 points). I also have a fixed number of ticks I am allowed to loose for a day. If I hit this number, I am done no matter what. I did spend some time in past looking at NQ and really like this instrument. Depth is decent, very tight spread and it looks like trading up to 10 cars should not be a problem. Regards. redduke
Hi, just started trading the ESTX, has more vol' than the DAX that's why I chose it. I trade through IB so just over a couple of bucks per RT. I had been trading the YM and will do when I'm able to, but have commitments for the next few months so will try to get up early to trade. I scalp, use a stoch/div' for an entry and then just go with the flow. I draw trend lines early from hour, 30, 15, and 5 min charts, but like to trade off I guess the 2min, though always jumping back and forth watching the 3 and 5. My edge "if" I have one,lol, is just being willing to switch and reverse when wrong, yes can get some whips, but try to give it room before I reverse. If any of you also trade ESTX or something you think is a better instrument, would love to hear about it. Thanks.
Where do you guys look for news or economic data being released for Europe times. I use Marketwatch now for reg' US markets. So far the early 3.30am start has been working out, nothing special but keeps me trading while I'm busy during the day for the next few months.
i began trading forex and switched to futures. but http://www.forexfactory.com/calendar.php is helpful in any way
Hi, great, was worried about the one in German But the Forexfactory looks like it'll work for me, thank you both.