the max 5% loss rule is for me personally, if you lose 5% then you have to make 10% to get back to get to even and in this market the last number of year, techincal trading is a lot harder now and often times sensible execution is not respected as we have seen over and over again with this market. I am a longtime reader of IBD and they have the 8% rule, same philospohy, I like to let my winners run after I take half off after 10% gains and raise my stop to entry, so I am OK getting stopped out maybe more than I should, it is just what I do, certainly not saying it is right for everyone.