Automatic Position Size Calculation with TradersPost

Fact checked by
Mike Christensen, CFOA
December 8, 2023
TradersPost users appreciate the feature that allows for relative position sizing, which dynamically modifies your order volume to match your portfolio's performance. This method enhances your potential for greater returns by scaling your risk in proportion to your portfolio's growth or contraction, safeguarding against overexposure. Essentially, as your trading outcomes improve, your position size increases, and conversely, it decreases when the market is not in your favor.

Maximizing your trading potential requires not just a keen market sense but also a sharp tool for managing your investments. Enter TradersPost's 'Percent of Portfolio Value' setting, an option designed for traders seeking a dynamic and proportional approach to position sizing.

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The Benefits

Adaptive Scaling:

Your trade sizes scale with your portfolio. As your portfolio grows, so does the value of each new position, compounding your success.

Risk Management:

It naturally balances risk across your portfolio, preventing overexposure as market values fluctuate.

Simplicity:

No need to recalibrate your investment after each gain or loss; the calculation is automatic, keeping your strategy consistent and focused.

Profit Differences

Let’s look at an example to illustrate the point. Consider two strategies—Strategy A uses fixed position sizing of $1,000 per trade, while Strategy B uses 2% of the portfolio value per trade. With an initial portfolio of $50,000, both strategies invest the same amount initially. However, after a series of successful trades, the portfolio grows to $70,000.

Strategy A still invests $1,000 per trade, not capturing the potential of the increased portfolio value.

Strategy B adjusts to the new portfolio value, investing $1,400 per trade (2% of $70,000), harnessing the increased capital for greater profit potential.

The Outcome

After 10 more successful trades with an average profit of 10% per trade:

Strategy A yields $1,000 profit per trade, totaling $10,000.

Strategy B, with its adaptive sizing, earns $1,400 per trade, totaling $14,000—a 40% increase in profits due to proportional investment scaling.

Conclusion

TradersPost's Percent of Portfolio Value option is a powerful tool for traders who value growth, adaptability, and risk management. By aligning your position sizes with the ebb and flow of your portfolio's value, you're not just trading—you're strategically amplifying your success with each market movement. Implement this feature in your TradersPost strategy for a more dynamic and potentially profitable trading experience.

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