An end-of-day trailing floor moves from qualifying closing balances. An intraday trailing floor can move with open profit. Either may still be enforced against your equity during the session. The trigger that moves the floor and the trigger that breaches it are different questions.
One label, two separate mechanisms
A drawdown rule describes how far the account may fall from a reference point. To understand it, ask: what balance sets that reference, when does the floor update, what equity is tested against it, and when does it stop trailing? “EOD” answers only part of that list. It does not automatically mean losses are checked only once a day.
The same trade, different outcomes
This simplified example uses a $50,000 starting balance and a $2,000 trailing distance. Both floors start at $48,000. The example ignores commissions, daily limits and any plan-specific locking rule.
| Moment | Equity | Intraday floor | EOD floor before close |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start | $50,000 | $48,000 | $48,000 |
| Open profit reaches $1,500 | $51,500 | $49,500 | $48,000 |
| Trade reverses | $49,400 | Breached at $49,500 | Above $48,000 floor |
The intraday floor follows the open-profit high and does not come back down when the profit disappears. Under this example's EOD model, that open high does not move the floor. This is an illustration of mechanics, not an assertion that an actual account would survive every other rule.
A daily limit is a separate test
An account can remain above its trailing floor and still breach a daily loss limit. Some plans pause trading after a daily limit; others fail the account. You must read the plan's specific treatment. Comparing only the maximum drawdown dollar amount can hide this difference.
Funded can differ from evaluation
Our My Funded Futures profile illustrates why stage separation matters: Rapid 50K evaluates with an EOD rule and uses intraday trailing in Sim Funded. Do not assume the risk model you passed is the model you will receive afterward.
Before choosing
- Identify the exact program, size and stage.
- Check whether the high-water mark uses realized balance or open equity.
- Check intraday breach monitoring and the daily limit.
- Read the lock point and the effect of a payout.
- Recalculate with commissions and the limits shown in your account agreement.
No drawdown type is universally best. The useful question is how the rule interacts with your actual trade management, including the profit you tend to give back before closing.
Primary sources
- Tradeify: EOD movement and real-time enforcement ↗
- Topstep: trailing floor and XFA lock ↗
- MFFU: evaluation versus Sim Funded ↗
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