agreed... i started this thread because i was really bored, but ended up having a good day by catching that rally in the last ten minutes of the day. at least for me, it is impossible to stay intensely focused during all market hours. i like to take breaks and was just wondering how other traders entertain themselves when they're not entirely focused on trading.
Geez, I am looking through my executions and, let's see... [all times CST] 4 between 8:40 and 9:00 (No OO fills today ) 21 between 9:00 and 10:00 7 between 10:00 and 11:00 6 between 11:00 and 12:00 21 between 12:00 and 1:00 9 between 1:00 and 2:00 4 between 2:00 and 3:00 I "entertain" myself by trading...hey, it's my job! nitro
nitro, as traders, we pick up on trends. one trend that i've noticed in my trading for the past 8 years is that my trades from 10-1pm are net unprofitable. i probably average about 50 trades per day, with about 30 in the first 2 hours, and 20 in the last 2 hours. i have a very disciplined approach to trading that works well for me. i have managed to stay consistently profitable in a business with an enormous attrition rate. if you are able to trade with success during the slow time, congratulations, you must have have a great approach to trading that i would love to learn about.
What probably gets most traders duing the 'slow' times, is they are using the same techniques then, as during prime time. Iv'e come to watch the clock as closely as I watch L2. In fact, I loaded a programmable talking clock program that calls out key times of day for me. Very nice. Here's the link if anyone's interested. http://www.provenio.ws/?from=saytime/
Amen 777. Although it seems that midday period has produced some nice intraday trends lately. Anything to keep us off-balance!
In our office we have a putting green, if you count 5 golf balls and 2 putters and a ball returner a putting green.... We bet on who makes the best puts when it gets slow, another way to make money in the office, unless you are me, because I keep losing my dollars to Mike. We also have a playstation2 in the breakroom, it has not seen much play this summer but we have it regardless. Also on hand are the various copies of Maxim, Stuff, IBD, and the various stock magazines....
Here is a slow day.... click on the picture and you will see the famed RTHARP of elitetrader fame hitting golf balls using notebooks as ramps in our office. (This actually was after the close one day but use your imagination.) We have actually tried to make obstacles to make it harder at times!