The Harder You Try, The More You Lose In March? Swing Trades or Stay in Cash?

After a brief two-day rebound, the market pulled back again yesterday under the impact of Trump's tariffs. On Tuesday, Trump stated that he "doesn't want too many exceptions" to the tariffs, which could return to the tough stance seen in early March.

Like we have mentioned at the beginning of this month:

March is a typical "March Effect" month. The likelihood of negative returns in March is higher than in any other month. Volatility tends to increase during presidential transition years.

$S&P 500(.SPX)$ has rebounded to a key level, with resistance at 5800. Despite this week’s brief rebound, the S&P 500 is still down 4% in March. When the market rebounded earlier this week, the mainstream view was that the rebound was temporary, but it came much faster than expected. Both the market decline and the rebound have been accelerated.

How has your March performance been?

Some tigers believe that the current market is only suitable for swing trading, where both bottom buying and profit-taking must be decisive.

If you bought $Tesla Motors(TSLA)$ at $220 and Nvidia at $105, you would have made a profit in March. But this really tests human nature—how many people can time the absolute bottom?

Others think that both long and short positions are not worthwhile, and staying in cash may be the best choice, just like Warren Buffett. Perhaps putting money in the Tiger Vault, earning a 4.2% return, is a better option!

Is this the toughest month to trade in the past two years?

Many tigers may have been busy this month, watching the market late into the night, only to make a few dollars in return. Even worse, the harder they try, the more they lose.

Did you make money or lose money this month?

How’s your portfolio going in March and Q1?

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  • Bite Faang
    ·2025-03-27
    TOP
    High volatility will have more opportunity, this is my best month ever.
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    • Tiger_comments
      Impressive gains[Strong][Strong] Feel free to share your trading strategies[Heart][Heart] I believe other tigers will also learn a lot!
      2025-03-27
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  • Shyon
    ·2025-03-27
    TOP
    March has been a tough trading month, with volatility driven by Trump’s tariff stance and broader market uncertainties. Despite a brief rebound, the S&P 500 remains under pressure. I’ve stuck to my DCA strategy with $Direxion Daily Semiconductors Bull 3x Shares(SOXL)$ while managing my $Tesla Motors(TSLA)$ position carefully, staying cautious amid the swings.

    Tesla’s dip to $220 was a solid entry point, and I took advantage of it. While swing trading might work for some, timing perfect entries and exits is difficult. I prefer a disciplined approach—holding quality assets and locking in profits when the time is right.

    Overall, March has been volatile but manageable. While not the most profitable, I remain focused on long-term gains rather than chasing short-term moves. Market dips present good buying opportunities, and I continue to invest with patience and strategy.

    @Tiger_comments @TigerStars @TigerGPT @koolgal @rL @icycrystal @b1uesky @Barcode @nomadic_m @GoodLife99

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    • ShyonReplying toicycrystal
      Thanks hehe
      2025-03-28
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    • icycrystal
      [Like] [ShakeHands]
      2025-03-28
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  • icycrystal
    ·2025-03-28
    TOP
    @Aqa @LMSunshine @SPACE ROCKET @TigerGPT @koolgal @Shyon @rL @GoodLife99 @Universe宇宙 @HelenJanet

    After a brief two-day rebound, the market pulled back again yesterday under the impact of Trump's tariffs. On Tuesday, Trump stated that he "doesn't want too many exceptions" to the tariffs, which could return to the tough stance seen in early March.

    March is a typical "March Effect" month. The likelihood of negative returns in March is higher than in any other month. Volatility tends to increase during presidential transition years.

    Did you make money or lose money this month?

    How’s your portfolio going in March and Q1?

    Leave your comments and also post to win tiger coins~

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    • Shyon
      [Cool] [Cool] [Cool]
      2025-03-28
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  • 1PC
    ·2025-03-27
    TOP
    it's tough for March [Spurting] still holding on & fighting it [Spurting] .... not sure able to survive if it spill one More blood [Gosh]....  I wouldn't say make or lose 🙏 it's within my Risk Management & I will be responsible for the outcome 💪 @Shyon @koolgal @Barcode @Jes86188 @JC888 @Aqa
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    • Shyon
      Thanks for sharing!
      2025-03-27
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  • Cadi Poon
    ·2025-03-27
    如果你買了$特斯拉(TSLA)$以220美元和Nvidia 105美元的價格計算,您在3月份就會盈利。但這確實考驗人性——有多少人能計時絕對底部?

    還有人認爲多頭和空頭都不值得,而且留在現金可能是最好的選擇,就像沃倫·巴菲特一樣。也許把錢放進老虎金庫,賺取4.2%的回報,是一個更好的選擇!

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  • TimothyX
    ·2025-03-27
    市場在短暫反彈兩天後,昨日在特朗普關稅的衝擊下再度回調。週二,特朗普表示,他“不希望關稅有太多例外”,這可能會回到3月初的強硬立場。

    正如我們在本月初提到的:

    3月是典型的“三月效應”月份。3月份出現負回報的可能性高於其他任何一個月。波動性往往會增加總統過渡年。

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  • MHh
    ·2025-03-27
    My US portfolio is definitely down but my HK portfolio and SREITs have generally gone up. I would say I’ve lost money because I’ve not bought much US stocks compared to my HK stocks and I do have time to wait out for the next rally. Moving forward, I won’t buy heavily into US stocks. I will be waiting for a good opportunity to take profit. I think the current US stocks is only safe for swing trading and to trade on news. I will also adopt the same strategy for my HK stocks given the rally so far even though valuation is still cheap. This is because stock can always drop especially with fears of trade wars, HK stocks have shown to be volatile and quick for a sharp drop with news that investors don’t like, and many might be taking profit already. Although I count myself as an investor, the volatility of this year has forced me to swing trade. It is always better to have little profits than to be in the red.
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  • Mrzorro
    ·2025-03-28
    I lost some money this month, and my profolio is still in deep red.  Hopefully, things will be better next month [Spurting] [Facepalm]
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  • highhand
    ·2025-03-27
    I like volatility. options premiums are high. when there's relief rally, I close. when there's temporary dip, i still my puts. perfect trading conditions.
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  • Alubin
    ·2025-03-27
    Earnings are almost wiped out…but still staying invested in those that have good fundamentals
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  • ECLC
    ·2025-03-28
    It is not tough to stay away for a while in March as no clue what to trade and funds are limited.
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  • 4M65
    ·2025-03-31
    painful to see options crash more than 50% in a single trading day.
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  • kimC
    ·2025-03-30
    if the market can't recover by June,I think we will be in deep $h!t [Spurting]
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  • Success88
    ·2025-03-27
    Not really true as long as right approach all can earn money
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  • WanEH
    ·2025-03-27
    ya March is not good for me. even i don't do much also lose till pant drop.
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  • TheStrategist
    ·2025-03-27
    Go learn some technical analysis and stop trying harder lol
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  • Nanang 66
    ·2025-03-27
    set up
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  • Gannessha
    ·2025-03-30

    Great article, would you like to share it?

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  • DaveLewis
    ·2025-03-27
    Kinda annoying
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