2% Rule: Definition as Investing Strategy, With Examples (2024)

What Is the 2% Rule?

The 2% rule is an investing strategy where an investor risks no more than 2% of their available capital on any single trade. To implement the 2% rule,theinvestor first must calculate what 2% of their available trading capital is: this is referred to as the capital at risk (CaR). Brokerage fees for buying and selling shares should be factored into the calculation in order to determine the maximum permissible amount of capital to risk. The maximum permissible risk is then divided by the stop-loss amount to determine the number of shares that can be purchased.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2% rule is an investing strategy where an investor risks no more than 2% of their available capital on any single trade.
  • To apply the 2% rule, an investor must first determine their available capital, taking into account any future fees or commissions that may arise from trading.
  • Stop-loss orders can be implemented to maintain the 2% rule risk threshold as market conditions change.

How the 2% Rule Works

The 2% rule is a restriction that investors impose on their trading activities in order to stay within specified risk management parameters. For example, an investor who uses the 2% rule and has a $100,000 trading account, risks no more than $2,000–or 2% of the value of the account–on a particular investment. By knowing what percentage of investment capital may be risked, the investor can workbackward to determine the total number of shares topurchase. The investorcan also use stop-loss orders to limit downside risk.

In the event that market conditions change, an investor may implement a stop order to limit their downside exposure to a loss that only represents 2% of their total trading capital. Even if a trader experiences ten consecutive losses, using this investment strategy, theywill only draw their account down by 20%. The 2% rule can be used in combination with other risk management strategies to help preserve a trader’s capital. For instance, an investor may stop trading for the month if the maximum permissible amount of capital they are willing to risk has been met.

Using the 2% Rule with a Stop Loss Order

Suppose that a trader has a $50,000 trading account and wants to trade Apple, Inc. (AAPL). Using the 2% rule, the trader can risk $1,000 of capital ($50,000 x 0.02%). If AAPL is trading at $170 and the trader wants to use a $15 stop loss, they can buy 67 shares ($1,000 / $15).If there is a $25 round-turn commission charge, the trader can buy 65 shares ($975 / $15).

In practice, traders must also consider slippage costs and gap risk. These can result in events that make the potential for loss significantly greater than 2%. For instance, if the trader held the AAPL position overnight and it opened at $140 the following day after an earnings announcement, this would result in a 4% loss ($1,000 / $30).

2% Rule: Definition as Investing Strategy, With Examples (2024)

FAQs

2% Rule: Definition as Investing Strategy, With Examples? ›

The 2% rule is a restriction that investors impose on their trading activities in order to stay within specified risk management parameters. For example, an investor who uses the 2% rule and has a $100,000 trading account, risks no more than $2,000–or 2% of the value of the account–on a particular investment.

What is the 2 percent trading strategy? ›

One popular method is the 2% Rule, which means you never put more than 2% of your account equity at risk (Table 1). For example, if you are trading a $50,000 account, and you choose a risk management stop loss of 2%, you could risk up to $1,000 on any given trade.

How do you calculate 2% risk in trading? ›

Example: 2% Rule

Imagine that your total share trading capital is $20,000 and your brokerage costs are fixed at $50 per trade. Your Capital at Risk is: $20,000 * 2 percent = $400 per trade.

What is the 2% rule in swing trading? ›

Additionally, there are golden rules in the swing trading game. There is a 2% rule that says one should never put more than 2% of account equity at risk. On the other hand, there is a 1% rule that says the loss on a single trade should not exceed more than 1% of your total capital.

What is Warren Buffett's number one rule? ›

Warren Buffett once said, “The first rule of an investment is don't lose [money]. And the second rule of an investment is don't forget the first rule. And that's all the rules there are.”

What is an example of the 2% rule in trading? ›

Using the 2% Rule With a Stop Loss Order

Suppose that a trader has a $50,000 trading account and wants to trade Apple, Inc. (AAPL). Using the 2% rule, the trader can risk $1,000 of capital ($50,000 x 0.02%). If AAPL is trading at $170 and the trader wants to use a $15 stop loss, they can buy 67 shares ($1,000 / $15).

What is the 2% rule in investing? ›

It encourages diversity as a method of risk management. Applied to real estate, the 2% rule advises that for an investment property to have a positive cash flow, the monthly rent should be equal to or greater than two percent of the purchase price. For example, let's say you purchase a rental property for $200,000.

What is the risk per trade 2%? ›

Risk per trade should always be a small percentage of your total capital. A good starting percentage could be 2% of your available trading capital. So, for example, if you have $5000 in your account, the maximum loss allowable should be no more than 2%. With these parameters, your maximum loss would be $100 per trade.

What is the 1% rule in trading? ›

The 1% rule demands that traders never risk more than 1% of their total account value on a single trade. In a $10,000 account, that doesn't mean you can only invest $100. It means you shouldn't lose more than $100 on a single trade.

What is the 2% rule investopedia? ›

The 2% rule is a money management strategy where an investor risks no more than 2% of available capital on a single trade. The risk/reward ratio is used by many investors to compare the expected returns of an investment with the amount of risk undertaken to capture these returns.

How much money do day traders with $10,000 accounts make per day on average? ›

On average, day traders with $10,000 accounts can make $200-$600 per day, with skilled traders aiming for 2%-5% returns daily. So, it is possible to achieve a daily profit of $200 to $600 with a $10,000 account.

Which type of trading is most profitable? ›

The defining feature of day trading is that traders do not hold positions overnight; instead, they seek to profit from short-term price movements occurring during the trading session.It can be considered one of the most profitable trading methods available to investors.

What is the golden rule of investment? ›

Rule No.

1 is never lose money. Rule No. 2 is never forget Rule No. 1.” The Oracle of Omaha's advice stresses the importance of avoiding loss in your portfolio. When you have more money in your portfolio, you can make more money on it.

What is the rule 70/30 Buffett? ›

A 70/30 portfolio is an investment portfolio where 70% of investment capital is allocated to stocks and 30% to fixed-income securities, primarily bonds.

What is Warren Buffett's favorite investment? ›

Coca-Cola

He began buying shares in the beverage giant in 1988, which remains a significant holding today at 8.51% of the Berkshire portfolio. Coca-Cola's strong brand and global reach have made it a consistent performer. This was one of Buffett and Munger's favorite investments of all time.

What is the 3% rule in trading? ›

The 3% rule states that you should never risk more than 3% of your whole trading capital on a single deal. In order to safeguard themselves against big losses, traders attempt to restrict exposures on a single deal.

What is the 2B trading strategy? ›

The 2B reversal pattern, also called the "spring pattern", is a popular chart pattern professional traders use to identify potential trend reversals. It occurs when the price appears to be breaking down or up and then suddenly bounces back up/down, forming a "spring" or "false breakout" pattern.

What is the 1 2 3 trading strategy? ›

The classical approach to pattern 1-2-3 involves opening short positions at the break of the correctional low. The buyers who seriously expect the upward trend to be restored are most likely to have set their stop orders there. Their avalanche triggering allows you to see a sharp downward movement in the chart.

What is the most profitable trading strategy of all time? ›

Three most profitable Forex trading strategies
  1. Scalping strategy “Bali” This strategy is quite popular, at least, you can find its description on many trading websites. ...
  2. Candlestick strategy “Fight the tiger” ...
  3. “Profit Parabolic” trading strategy based on a Moving Average.
Jan 19, 2024

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