New to E-mini Futures

[eminifan 10]

I've been into trading on and off for around six years now, I've read several books, did my share of virtual trading, read everything I could find online about the subject. I had moderate success with stocks, though it's been a while since I've actually traded, and for the most part everything went as everyone said it should for a newer trader. However, I've recently been turned on to e-mini futures. I've been using ninjatrader to replay days for practice, in all I've replayed over 30 days. My problem is that from what everyone says my profits aren't reasonable, I trade TF with only 2 contacts at a time and on average I make between $300 and $600 a day, with my worst day ever I only made $60, and on my best I made $1100. Are those numbers realistic or am I maybe using the software incorrectly or something?

[tradingwizzard 10]

I've been into trading on and off for around six years now, I've read several books, did my share of virtual trading, read everything I could find online about the subject. I had moderate success with stocks, though it's been a while since I've actually traded, and for the most part everything went as everyone said it should for a newer trader. However, I've recently been turned on to e-mini futures. I've been using ninjatrader to replay days for practice, in all I've replayed over 30 days. My problem is that from what everyone says my profits aren't reasonable, I trade TF with only 2 contacts at a time and on average I make between $300 and $600 a day, with my worst day ever I only made $60, and on my best I made $1100. Are those numbers realistic or am I maybe using the software incorrectly or something?

 

Hi there and welcome........check old threads for any useful information...

 

as for your question, I would say that you are doing great.......keep it constantly and that's the secret of a successful trader.......careful about greed and fear......human nature plays tricks on us on and on...

[sergso 10]

My problem is that from what everyone says my profits aren't reasonable, I trade TF with only 2 contacts at a time and on average I make between $300 and $600 a day, with my worst day ever I only made $60, and on my best I made $1100. Are those numbers realistic or am I maybe using the software incorrectly or something?

 

Nothing about virtual trading is realistic. Imo the e-mini contract is a very efficient market with very fast robots and thus hard for humans to make money with intraday trading. I guess some will out of luck alone. Good luck anyway.

[Chartsky 10]

@eminifan . . . Trading on the Ninja Simulator (or any simulator) and trading under live market conditions are two completely different things. I've known and helped many folks who were Simulator Millionaires but who lost-lost-lost once the DOM went "live" with real money on the line. Mostly because emotions enter the equation then and change everything about your trading psychology. Also, TF has slippage you usually don't see in Sim but which is very real.

 

Since you've cleared the first hurdle: consistently profitable on Simulator; the best way is to jump in with a single contract . . . set a realistic daily profit target and a daily loss limit and stop whenever you hit one or the other. Re-evaluate on weekends.

 

Good Luck!

Chartsky

www.chartsky.com

 

I've been into trading on and off for around six years now, I've read several books, did my share of virtual trading, read everything I could find online about the subject. I had moderate success with stocks, though it's been a while since I've actually traded, and for the most part everything went as everyone said it should for a newer trader. However, I've recently been turned on to e-mini futures. I've been using ninjatrader to replay days for practice, in all I've replayed over 30 days. My problem is that from what everyone says my profits aren't reasonable, I trade TF with only 2 contacts at a time and on average I make between $300 and $600 a day, with my worst day ever I only made $60, and on my best I made $1100. Are those numbers realistic or am I maybe using the software incorrectly or something?

[Matt Dye 10]

I have never used ninjatrader, but to get filled in live trading the market usually needs to trade a tick into your entry. If this is happening, then your style is working. I would say that it is unrealistic to not expect a losing trade, but sounds like you are on the correct path.