How to Set Up a Self-Managed Super Fund for Stock TradingSetting up a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) to actively trade stocks can be very appealing and financially rewarding when done right. More control, more flexibility and potentially much better performance. But this is not something to be taken lightly, you're taking the wheel, and that comes with serious responsibility. Whether you’re...
Is Taking Partial Profits in Trend Following a Rational Idea?TLDRTaking partial profits in trend trades feels sensible. When a position grows large and starts swinging your portfolio around, locking in gains can seem prudent. But when we objectively test profit targets and scaling out of positions inside a systematic trend following strategy, the data tells a different story. As you’ll see...
Managing Liquidity and Drawdowns in SMSFsLiquidity isn’t exciting, until you need it. In an SMSF, liquidity is your safety net, the ability to access cash when the market turns, the ATO knocks, or pension withdrawals are due. Yet, many traders ignore it in favour of chasing growth or high-yield positions that can’t be exited without a fight. If you’re trading within an SMSF, it’s not enough to...
Pros and Cons of Stock Trading in an SMSFIf you're a logical, independent thinker exploring how to make your retirement savings work harder, you've probably considered setting up a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) to trade stocks. On the surface, it sounds like a smart move - tax advantages, full control, and investment flexibility. But is it really the right vehicle for your trading style and...
Tax Benefits of Trading in a Self-Managed Super FundTrading stocks inside a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) isn’t just about more control, it’s about keeping more of what you earn. If you’re serious about building wealth through active investing, understanding the tax advantages of an SMSF is essential. From reduced capital gains tax to franking credit refunds, the tax structure can give traders...
SMSF Trading Strategies: Systematic vs DiscretionaryIf you're managing your retirement wealth through an SMSF and actively trading stocks, one question matters more than most: Should you trade using a rules-based system or rely on instinct? The answer can make or break your consistency, compliance, and long-term performance. Discretionary trading gives you flexibility, but it also exposes your...
If you're a serious systematic trader, MetaTrader 4 (MT4) lacks the depth and structure needed for robust backtesting and strategy design. Optuma offers stronger capabilities for technical charting and scripting, but it’s still not purpose-built for fully systematic, portfolio-level testing. While both platforms serve different purposes, neither is ideal for systematic traders who want fast,...
Here’s the bottom line upfront: TradeStation is a powerful all-in-one trading platform with excellent brokerage integration, broad market access, and high-speed backtesting for single instruments. Beyond Charts, on the other hand, is a more focused tool tailored to charting, scanning, and visual strategy development, ideal for traders who want to explore technical ideas visually before coding...
MetaTrader 5 is better suited for systematic traders than MetaTrader 4, thanks to its faster backtesting engine, multi-threaded performance, and improved strategy development environment. However, both fall short of serious backtesting platforms like RealTest if your goal is deep portfolio-level simulation and robust system design. If you’re trading based on rules, not hunches, the right trading...
For traders serious about building consistency and eliminating emotion, neither TradingView nor MetaTrader 5 (MT5) is ideal as a core backtesting software. TradingView shines in charting and ease of access, while MT5 is better suited for automated execution and broker integration. However, both fall short in portfolio-level systematic trading and advanced backtesting realism. If you want speed,...
If your goal is to become a consistent, confident, and systematic trader, MultiCharts is a better fit than TradeStation for most traders, especially those who want multi-broker access, deep backtesting features, and flexibility without being locked into a single broker. However, TradeStation may suit traders who prefer an all-in-one trading platform tightly integrated with a brokerage account....
If your primary goal is to build, test, and trade rule-based systems with confidence and speed, neither TradingView nor MetaTrader 4 is ideal as your main backtesting software. That title belongs to RealTest. However, both TradingView and MT4 offer specific features that can still serve certain traders well, especially for charting and execution. Here’s how they compare side-by-side.Short on...