53
Figure 3.9 A trade that follows the basic rule: $100 profit per trade.
the argument for me.
It is sitting tight, not trading in and out that will make for profits.
I hold to the close, at least, for an exit point. Until
someone can do the impossible, call all short-term
fluctuations, there will be no better strategy for a short-term trader, as you will capture
the large-range days
where serious money is to be made. The only difference in the preceding results was how long the trade was
held: the shorter the holding period, the less opportunity for profits. Never forget that rule.
There is even more
money to be made holding over, past the close, but that should be true if what I
said
earlier is valid, that it takes time for profits to accrue. As we discuss individual markets, I will give you
more specific rules of how to further capitalize on this phenomenon of profitable trading.
As
final proof for my thesis,
Figure 3. 10 shows the same system we just looked at, buying on
Mondays when the market opens below Friday's close. But
this time, we are going to hold the position in the
first example until the next close; that is, the first close after our entry day
or until we are stopped out,
whichever comes first. The product of this strategy nets $68,312, making an additional $30,000 and
increasing our net profit per trade by $7 1.
Finally, look at
Figure 3.11, which depicts holding for the close 6 days after entry or being stopped
out. Following this strategy proves my point and should cure you of the notion
that big easy money can be
made catching small swings. We now make $71,600, almost doubling the exit on close results boosting our
average trade up to a now respectable $251. Remember, the only difference in these
results is how long we
stayed in the trade, all the other rules are the same.