A Mathematical Approach to Eliminating Emotions

Last updated 8/4/2011 3:03 PM EST (GMT -5) 17 Comments

FX360 Technical Analyst Staff

Technical Analyst, GFT

Most traders spend countless hours looking for that magical combination of indicators that will reveal the “holy grail” of trading strategies. Obviously, the goal is to find a winning strategy, but more oftentimes than not "winning" is misconstrued into trying to find a strategy that wins a high percentage of trades. After all, winning a trade means making money, and losing a trade means losing money, right? Don't be so sure about that.

Like many of the seemingly obvious components that go into creating a great trading plan and becoming a great trader, what we think seems logical in reality is what is holding us back.

For those of you whom have been following us here on FX360 this may not be the first time you've read something similar to this, and it won't be the last. Along with other ways to think in terms of probabilities, the following is an example of something I deeply believe needs to be not just simply understood, but ingrained into the subconscious of our trading psyche (if through nothing more than repetition) in order to ultimately eliminate emotions for every single trade we place. This may perhaps be the most difficult aspect of becoming a true professional trader, but a trait that one simply must have to stand any chance of survival—both financially, and psychologically.

Being a profitable trader is not just about winning percentages. In other words, you can earn positive returns without winning most, or even a majority, of your trades! It’s all about risk vs. reward. If your strategy allows you to identify trading opportunities that offer more reward than risk, then even a 50% winning ratio could yield a significantly positive return over time.

For example, let’s assume a $10,000 trading account where 10 trades are placed, and $100 (1%) is put at risk for each trade…

If risk-to-reward is 1-to-1, then a 50% win ratio will result in a “break-even” return…

[10 trades placed] x [50% losers] = [5 losses] x [$100] = [$500 loss]

[10 trades placed] x [50% winners] = [5 wins] x [$100] = [$500 profit]

[$500 profit] – [$500 loss] = [$0]

If risk-to-reward is 1-to-1.5, then the same 50% win ratio will result in a positive return…

[10 trades placed] x [50% losers] = [5 losses] x [$100] = [$500 loss]

[10 trades placed] x [50% winners] = [5 wins] x [$150] = [$750 profit]

[$750 profit) – [$500 loss] = [$250 profit]

In terms of percentage return, this second (profitable) example would result in a 2.5% return based on the starting account balance (total equity) of $10,000 after just 10 trades. This, of course, is the case when just 1% of total equity is put at risk. If 3% ($300) is put at risk (a rather high amount to most veteran traders), then this same example (same track record) would yield a 7.5% return. . In other words, greater profits are achieved based on the exact same performance…

[10 trades placed] x [50% losers] = [5 losses x $300] = [$1,500 loss]

[10 trades placed] x [50% winners] = [5 wins x $450] = [$2,250 profit]

[$2,250 profit] - [$1,500 loss] = [$750 profit]

Conversely, a high winning percentage (which typically necessitates a bigger margin for error, or greater risk) may actually result in smaller, less profitable returns over time. This occurs when the average risk is higher than the average reward. For example, using the same hypothetical $10,000 account that’s risking 3% ($300) let’s assume an 80% win ratio with an average risk-to-reward ratio of 2-to-1…

[10 trades placed] x [20% losers] = [2 losses x $300] = [$600 loss]

[10 trades placed] x [80% winners] = [8 wins x $150] = [$1,200 profit]

[$1,200 profit) – [$600 loss] = [$600 profit]

So the trader that boasts an 80% win ratio may actually be less profitable than the trader with a seemingly unimpressive 50% win ratio. So the question is…do you want to be right, or do you want to make money? Believe it or not, even negative returns are possible with a higher winning percentage when risk far outweighs reward, so make sure to factor this in when performing due diligence in assessing a strategy and/or track records results.

“10 Dimes Make a Dollar”

Hopefully, this demonstrates the importance of assessing risk/reward in addition to winning percentage when trying to determine the actual success, or profitability, of a trading strategy/track record. Remember, trading success not just about winning and losing individual trades—it’s about sustaining profitability over time (making money and holding onto those profits in the long run). The most common mistake newer traders make is in determining the success of a trading strategy (i.e. track record) based on winning percentage alone, which can be quite misleading when risk/reward is not taken into account. Most newer traders (unknowingly in most cases) are willing to risk far more than they are looking to gain (reward) just to be “right,” or win, each trade.

Another good piece of advice is to always keep in mind that trading is all about making profits over time , not about trading ego (which is usually the result of focusing just on winning percentages). In other words, significant returns can be achieved when you allow yourself to look at the big picture. As the saying goes, “10 dimes make a dollar.” The key is to be able to determine both entries and exits in advance so that risk vs. reward can be determined. This will significantly help to keep the decision making process as consistent and mechanical as possible, which is essential regardless of the technical/fundamental strategy that is used as it helps to eliminate emotions when making trading decisions. Only then can a truly objective decision be made as to whether or not to take the trade since this decision will be based on established/actual results, and not a “gut” feeling or reaction. Understanding the mathematical “law of averages” and “law of large numbers” reinforce this mechanical approach to trading which, again, is crucial to trading success because mixing emotions with money-based decisions is usually a recipe for disaster!

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Comments (17)

fmoreleo

July 22, 2009 at 05:50 PM ET

100% Agreed with you Roger; Tks for the article.
Regards

Ram

July 22, 2009 at 07:23 PM ET

Totallly agree with you too Roger - it's really about the having favourable averages which will let one be highly profitable in the long-run.

Rgds

kaori

July 22, 2009 at 09:35 PM ET

Thank for your article, totally agree. You guys at 360 really put some sense for this weird business called trading.

koolraul

July 23, 2009 at 12:28 AM ET

No doubt about it. Managing your risk keeps you in the game (and hopefully profitably) in a long time. Nice article. Thanks.

ChrisEccles

July 23, 2009 at 02:48 AM ET

Once again, Roger, this advice hits close to home.
All my frustrating drawdown was the result of letting 'hunches' into
the trading scenario.
After abandoning any trace of that and sticking with sensible r:r and
modest %age trades, I have pulled it all back over a 4 week period
and now show profit once again.

Wise words, sir !

Best wishes
Chris

dedalus

July 23, 2009 at 10:43 PM ET

Thanks for the post Roger. As a newbie, that kinda explains why I've been so down in my trades. What would you recommend as a reasonable risk:reward ratio?

Jam007

November 16, 2009 at 12:43 PM ET

You really got a point Roger..... so, , , what new for this week????

bchi

November 16, 2009 at 01:50 PM ET

Thanks Roger. Appreciate the write up.

MuddBuddha

February 18, 2010 at 04:35 PM ET

Nice.

Silenus

February 18, 2010 at 09:32 PM ET

Hate to spoil the fun guys but...emotions DO matter! As someone who manages clients' money (my mom and brother in law actually but 'clients' sounds better) I have often sacrificed mathematically positive risk/reward expectation in order to have: 1. biggest win exceed biggest loss. 2. average win exceed average loss. 3. percent of winners exceed percent of losers.
Just read an article by Mr B about the importance of psychology in trading. If it's important for us it is even more important to the people who trust us with their money.

NEW Trader

February 19, 2010 at 02:50 AM ET

I do undestand that one!

Robin Hood

April 19, 2010 at 01:31 PM ET

You Guys at fx360 really come up with interesting points, and read worthy articles, sure appreciating that.
For what I can see, if the ability to identify good entry and exit's lacks, then I believe no mathematics in the world can save you.
I, myself had quite a few trades where I was so sure at pattern, support and resistance, that I entered trades that went all wrong. And also had some good ones, that turned around before my target was reached and by then turned a potential profit into a loss. Witch off course forced to take look at the way the strategy is built. As I started out on this market, I was sure I could approach it in a couple of weeks. But I got wiser. Now I understand why most traders say it takes a couple of years to learn it properly. Well I got stubborn, now I WILL make it.

Sakai

April 20, 2010 at 10:18 AM ET

Actually there has to be a distinction between professional and self employed status. I was a dealer at several banks for over 25 years, then quiteto deal on my own. I used to teach the same thing to new comers at bank, although much to my horror realized those principles are not true if you trade for your own account. I believe it is the relativity :)

First big difference is the psychology. It is much more important then money management or knowledge if you are to trade on your behalf. A lot can be said, although just consider this. Would you rather go to your bed with sound mind, or would you rather wake up several times at night to see where the markets gone. Now please don't talk of stops and such. You will be taking stops much easier if you are a professional, then you are trading on your behalf. This is a very long debate; all I want to say there are more then one way to eat the same meal. The best way is the one you are most comfortable with, and my experience shows there are no irrevocable rules in trading. Stick to a method which will work for you and enable profit in the long run without omitting the short run :)

fxpro888

January 29, 2011 at 05:41 AM ET

this is a very well resourced group of people at fx360. we need some more (and dynamic) content. back to your desks everyone , the time to write more valuable content is here! don't lose readership by recycling too much old stuff. just my 2 cents. :)

rstojsic

February 03, 2011 at 10:09 AM ET

thank you, but I last published this article 9 months ago!

Gogolando

July 02, 2011 at 05:33 PM ET

So what, this needs to be up always. Great article. What you say is great, as long as you always make your fist target. I was failing to hit some of my first targets by trailing my stop before it hit. When you mention that the key was to be able to determine both entries and exits in advance so that risk vs. reward could be determined, it made me think that maybe it was better to not trail my stops, and to pick a strong first target with nothing in the way and adjust my money accordingly. I read somwhere to trail your stops after the currency moves by the amount you risked to break even. Is there some stat out there that says, "After going what you had risked, if the currency pair reverses and comes back to you open price, it is most likely going to keep going and stop you out." What do you think? Should I or shouldn't I trail my stop, after it has gone what i have risked?

AshieE

January 31, 2011 at 12:43 AM ET

excellent article thank you

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