Note in this chart of soybeans today that prices are struggling to main the settlement price from yesterday, denoted here by the dotted red line.
Each day, there are usually 2-3 very good trades that make most of the money. They most frequently occur near the beginning of the trading session during the day. 95% of all trading volume occurs during the day session between 10:30 am and 2:15 pm EST. However, these small trades add up also. I often will make more money on short, small trades like those depicted here than on the 2-3 large trades.
How do I know which trades will be the big ones, and which ones will be worth only a few ticks? I don't! I have to be in it, to win it! Thus, I keep reminding myself that I must keep my head in the game at all times! Being resolute in taking trades is a necessity in this business. Today and yesterday are good examples of staying with the trading to come out ahead and achieve my objectives. Grit, guts, constancy, and dauntless tenacity are a necessary character trait that are required and developed in this business.
