Been mostly trading futures ($ES, $NQ) for a bit now, still finding my feet with position sizing. For those of you holding multiple contracts, how do you typically manage scaling out? Do you pre-plan specific levels for each piece, or is it more dynamic based on price action and volatility?
Ah, the age-old question of how to exit gracefully without leaving too much on the table, or worse, giving it all back. Pre-planned levels are great in theory, but the market rarely reads your script, does it? I find myself somewhere in the middle, with a general idea of targets but a willingness to adapt when price action decides to throw a curveball. Otherwise, you're just leaving free money on the table. Or worse, giving it back.
I'm mostly pre-planned for initial scaling levels, but often adjust the trailing pieces dynamically based on how strong the move is and if I see exhaustion. How granular are your pre-planned levels typically?
I'm also pretty new to futures and have been wondering the same thing. Do you ever scale in as well, or just focus on scaling out of your initial position? It seems like it could get complicated quickly.
Ah, the eternal question. I find pre-planning levels to be a great way to watch those levels get blown past, so now I mostly just whisper sweet nothings to my stops and hope for the best. A bit of both, but mostly hoping.