Lesson Learned: Not respecting the Lunar New Year lull in Asian markets

Back in my earlier days trading $HSCEI futures, I failed to truly appreciate how significantly liquidity can dry up around Lunar New Year. I kept my usual position sizing, expecting normal market dynamics, and ended up getting whip-sawed on thin volume, giving back a good chunk of gains from the previous month. It was a clear reminder that 'normal' is relative and context is king, especially in markets with strong cultural influences like those in Asia.