Frequently Asked Questions
How does compound growth work in trading? ▼
Compound growth means your profits earn profits. Each month, your trading returns are applied to your growing balance, not just the original balance. For example, if you start with $10,000 and make 5% monthly, month 2 profit is 5% of $10,500 (not $10,000). Over years, this creates exponential growth — $10k at 5% monthly becomes approximately $131k in 5 years.
What is a realistic monthly return for a profitable trader? ▼
Realistic monthly returns vary widely. Conservative traders aim for 2–5% monthly. Intermediate traders target 5–10% monthly. Prop traders often aim for 8–15% monthly to meet challenge requirements. However, these are gross targets before losses. Account for drawdowns and variance — most successful professionals see 4–8% average monthly net returns over time.
Should I reinvest profits or withdraw them? ▼
Reinvesting maximizes compound growth. Withdrawing reduces your base for compounding but provides current income. Most successful traders reinvest until reaching a target account size, then withdraw partial profits. Use this calculator to compare both scenarios and find your balance between growth and income.
How accurate are these projections? ▼
These are mathematical projections assuming consistent monthly returns. Real trading involves variance, losing months, and drawdowns. The projections show best-case compound growth if you achieve your stated return consistently. Connect your live account to CopyOptic to track your actual compound growth vs. these projections.