One of the fundamental reasons for losses in trading can be traced to lack of an “Edge”. But then you would ask me what is an Edge?

To me a trading edge is -

An ability to isolate a condition or a set of conditions among a market variable or a set of market variables - that has a non random way to evolve over a specific period of time.

I remember reading somewhere, but I cannot place it where - it said - “If you can’t explain your trading edge, you don’t have one” - Let me take it to the next level

If you do not know the statistical a) probability of the set of (prerequisite) condition/s that need to occur b) the probability distribution of the outcomes once the conditions (a) occur.

If you cannot articulate both then in my world you do not have an edge.

It’s quite possible that you are a veteran and even though you cannot articulate your edge, you have internalized it over a long period of time. But that according to me is a long winded route and I would personally prefer to be in the know of my edge.

So coming back to losses, the reason we need to be able to articulate our edge is - in the event of a loss, we need to know if its a part of our larger probabilistic framework or is it something which is beyond that. We need some objective reference. For example if you have a loss streak of 5 days, you need to know its statistically “normal” in your trading system or is it an anomaly.

In other words, your understanding of the variables of your edge helps you put your trading outcomes in a measurable context.

In the same breadth, it also helps us understand if the market regime itself is changing, and helps us adapt better.

So the next time you make a loss you know who to catch first?