Latest Posts

rss

Two Mistakes frequently made by Stock Traders

  
  Education
#  #  #  #  #  #  #  #  #

The first big mistake is the flawed logic of extrapolation. Many traders and investors assume that a trend will remain in force until an “event” comes along to change it. But market trends are not like billiard balls on a pool table. This false assumption will put you on the wrong side of the market more times than not, especially at major turning points.

The second big mistake is to suppose that news events drive market trends. In fact, the opposite is true: economic, political and social events lag market trends.

Trading Sins

  
  Education
#  #  #  #  #  #  #  #  #  #  #
  • over-trading
  • too much leverage
  • under capitalization
  • not adhering to stops
  • trading without a plan
  • paying short thrift to proper execution
  • assuming too much risk, not respecting it
  • trading products I don’t fully understand
  • competing where I have no edge
  • becoming too emotional
  • under-valuing the need for ample liquidity
  • misaligning time-frames (the time a trade typically needs to play out, versus my expectation/need for it conclude)

Successful traders fail all the time. In fact, many even fail a majority of the time. The difference is that their failures are not a failure to execute their plan. The failure rests in the fact that the expertly chosen trade turned out to be wrong (nobody can be right 100% of the time – except Congress). And when the trade was wrong, they took their loss which resulted in minimal damage to their portfolio and moved on to the next opportunity.

Trading Rules

  
  Education
#  #
  • The purpose – a good set of trading rules promote growth they do not create limitations.  Not trading during x period of time is not a rule, it is a limitation.  Do not get me wrong there are times when you need to limit yourself but that is not all times.  If you have a plan, you will be able to understand when you are most at risk of trading poorly.  Eventually, you can work through it.  Sometimes all it takes is being aware of it.
  • Simple- They need to be simple.  They need to hang over and direct all of your actions.  The only way you are going to remember and use them to your fullest ability is if you can understand them.  Rules are more simple than limitations.
  • Must apply– Rules or a trading plan are only as good as your ability to apply them.  Once again, you have to believe in them, you have to make them your own.
  • Cohesive- All rules needs to eventually act as one.  Each rule dependent on another.  This will make it easier to follow and understand which one you are breaking.  This also makes the application easier.

40 One Liners For Traders

  
  Education
#  #  #  #  #  #  #  #  #

1. Trading is simple, but it is not easy.40 rules

2.  When you get into a trade watch for the signs that you might be wrong.

3.  Trading should be boring.

4.  Amateur traders turn into professional traders once they stop looking for the “next great indicator.”

5.  You are trading other traders, not stocks or futures contracts.

6.  Be very aware of your own emotions.

7.  Watch yourself for too much excitement.

8.  Don’t overtrade.

9.  If you come into trading with the idea of making big money you are doomed.

10.  Don’t focus on the money.

11.  Do not impose your will on the market.

12.  The best way to minimize risk is to not trade when it is not time to trade. 

13.  There is no need to trade five days a week.  

14.  Refuse to damage your capital.

15.  Stay relaxed. (more…)

The Shortest Economics Textbook Ever

  
  Education
#  #  #  #

LITTLE-BOOK

5-THINGS

1. 95% of economics is common sense 

 

You don’t need a degree to understand it
 
We’ve got this profession wrong; a lot of professional economists think what they do is too difficult for ordinary people. You’d be surprised how often these people are stupid enough to say things, at least in private, like ‘you wouldn’t understand what I do even if I explained it to you’. If you cannot explain it to other people, you have the problem.
 
People express strong opinions on all sorts of things despite not having the appropriate expertise: climate change, gay marriage, the Iraq War, nuclear power stations. But when it comes to economic issues, many people are not even interested, not to speak of not having a strong opinion about them. When was the last time you had a debate on the future of the Euro, inequality in China or the American manufacturing industry, despite the fact that these issues can have a huge impact on your life, wherever you live?

(more…)

Go to top