Updated 2026-03-08
City Traders Imperium Profit Target (Phase 1) Rule Explained
City Traders Imperium
Quick Answer
City Traders Imperium's Phase 1 Profit Target requires traders to achieve 8% profit on their initial account balance.
The profit target is calculated based on your initial account balance when you start Phase 1. You must reach this 8% profit level in realized gains to pass to Phase 2. Failing to achieve this target means you cannot progress in the evaluation process.
Key Rule Details
Target
8%
Dollar Target ($100,000)
$8,000
Phase
Phase 1 only
Time Limit
None
Min Days
3 days
Calculation Example
Common Mistakes
Counting Unrealized Profits
Traders assume floating profits count toward the 8% target and close their platform before positions settle. City Traders Imperium requires actual realized profits to count. On a $10,000 account, having $800 in floating profit doesn't mean you've hit the target until those positions are closed.
Ignoring Spread Costs
Traders calculate exactly 8% profit without accounting for spread costs on their final trades. If you have $790 profit on a $10,000 account and open a position with $15 spread cost, you're actually at $775 realized profit when the trade closes, falling short of the $800 requirement.
Rushing the Target
Traders try to hit 8% profit in 1-2 days, ignoring the 3-day minimum trading requirement. Even if you achieve $800 profit on a $10,000 account in one day, you cannot pass Phase 1 until you've traded for at least 3 days total.
Equity vs Balance Confusion
Traders calculate the 8% target based on their current account equity instead of the initial balance. On a $25,000 account, the target is always $2,000 profit from the starting balance, not 8% of whatever your current equity shows after losses or gains.
Protection Strategies
Set Personal Target Above 8%
Aim for 8.5-9% profit instead of exactly 8% to create a buffer for spread costs and account for any calculation errors. On a $50,000 account, target $4,250-$4,500 instead of exactly $4,000 to ensure you comfortably exceed the requirement.
Use Conservative Position Sizing
Risk no more than 1-1.5% per trade to steadily build toward the 8% target without large drawdowns. This approach typically requires 6-8 successful trades to reach the profit target while maintaining the 5% maximum loss limit.
Set Profit Target Alerts
Configure your trading platform to alert you when you reach 7.5% profit so you can plan your final trades carefully. This gives you time to account for spreads and ensures you don't accidentally overshoot while managing risk properly.
Avoid Trading Near Target Achievement
Stop taking new positions once you're within 0.5% of the 8% target unless you have a high-probability setup. If you have 7.5% profit on a $100,000 account ($7,500), avoid risking this progress unless you can risk less than 0.5% on the trade.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Prop firm rules change regularly — always verify current terms on City Traders Imperium's official website before purchasing a challenge. Updated 2026-03-08.