Hmm.. simple searches on this site and on the web will throw up polls, threads etc etc. Hell it even works if you misspell average like I just did.
As for zero sum game - well, there are features of zero sum games all over the markets, but on the whole it's not a zero sum game. That shouldn't be confused with - many decent day traders who have reached a level of competence will think they're doing alright only have a few losses take them back to break even.
If you want some examples of non-zero sum game - commission makers, people who have an edge in predicting what hedgers will do in the futures market, market wizards, traders on this site who have been making a consistent profit for years.
The answer has always been pretty much the same - yes you can make a profit, it could be, say, 1-15% of your fund per month, but the chances are greater that you will make a loss.
I'd also say there's a danger in telling people what to aim for. If someone says that over their trading career they've made 5% on average per month, that ignores the fact that their first 6 months may have been -25 -1 +2 -7 +1 +2
What's the point in aiming for 5% per month as a newbie when the only thing you should be learning is how to not lose big. Aiming for the decent income is going to increase the chances of losing big.
As for zero sum game - well, there are features of zero sum games all over the markets, but on the whole it's not a zero sum game. That shouldn't be confused with - many decent day traders who have reached a level of competence will think they're doing alright only have a few losses take them back to break even.
If you want some examples of non-zero sum game - commission makers, people who have an edge in predicting what hedgers will do in the futures market, market wizards, traders on this site who have been making a consistent profit for years.
The answer has always been pretty much the same - yes you can make a profit, it could be, say, 1-15% of your fund per month, but the chances are greater that you will make a loss.
I'd also say there's a danger in telling people what to aim for. If someone says that over their trading career they've made 5% on average per month, that ignores the fact that their first 6 months may have been -25 -1 +2 -7 +1 +2
What's the point in aiming for 5% per month as a newbie when the only thing you should be learning is how to not lose big. Aiming for the decent income is going to increase the chances of losing big.
