SMB Futures TOTD – 5/23/18

Merritt BlackFutures, Reading the Tape, Technical Plays

It’s time for the Futures Desk Trade of The Day! If you missed yesterday’s, you can find it here. We love having our traders in Europe and Asia on the Futures Desk. It allows us to capture some trades while the rest of us here in NYC are fast asleep. This trade was just after 4am NYC time. Key variables: … Read More

SMB Futures TOTD – 5/22/18

Merritt BlackFutures, Reading the Tape, Technical Plays

It’s time for the Futures Desk Trade of The Day! The trade was in crude oil futures. Speaking of which, many think that this is a “wild west” market, and it’s truly not. It’s a great market with solid liquidity and often great momentum. Key variables for the trade: Failed attempt at breakout outside the prior day’s range Failed attempt … Read More

Perception and Trading

Merritt BlackFutures, market structure, Trader Development, Trading Psychology

Laurel or Yanny? There are a few viral videos going around in which different people perceive different words despite listening to the same audio clip. This one is particularly impressive to me: You can hear EITHER one, simply by telling yourself that is what you’re about to hear. Kind of bizarre given the cadence and different syllables of the two … Read More

SMB Futures TOTD – 5/17/18

Merritt BlackFutures, Reading the Tape, Technical Plays

It’s time for the Futures Desk Trade of The Day! Here’s a link to yesterday’s trade as well. This trade combines a classic “spring” pattern, with the use of vwap, and time of day factors. Key variables: ES in an uptrend defined by method Pullbacks mid-day during slow trade can be more complex (multiple legs) Watch for pull back into … Read More

SMB Futures TOTD – 5/16/18

Merritt BlackFutures, Reading the Tape, Technical Plays

It’s time for the Futures Desk Trade of The Day! Here’s a link to yesterday’s trade as well. Today we have a trade that achieved 6 to 1 R/R – This is something that is doable on a pretty consistent basis for many traders. (Many retail traders at home think that this type of R/R is near impossible.) The trade … Read More

SMB Futures TOTD – 5/15/18

Merritt BlackFutures, Reading the Tape, Technical Plays

It’s time for the Futures Desk Trade of The Day! Here’s a link to yesterday’s trade as well. Today is an interesting one, and it embodies something we hold dear to our hearts. That is, “Not all wins are wins, and not all losses are losses.” In short, the simple outcome does not determine the success or failure of a trade. … Read More

SMB Futures TOTD – 5/14/18

Merritt BlackFutures, Reading the Tape, Technical Plays

Yes, the Trade Of The Day, the TOTD – (pronounced “toddy”) We’re going to be bringing you fresh TOTD’s each day that highlight a real trade taken by one of the traders from the new SMB Futures desk. So let’s dive into today’s TOTD. 5min chart: 6E Futures The market and key variables: Our trader was watching Euro/USD currency futures, … Read More

Unexpected Best Trade

Merritt BlackGeneral Comments

A few days ago, I was trading crude oil. It wasn’t just any old day; I had high expectations for above average moves. I had conviction in a main idea for the day. Crude had broken down below a really key level. These are the types of days we want to really crush! I found a nice short just before … Read More