Thursday March 10th was a day many traders had circled on their calendars. Often the greatest short term trading opportunities will occur on days where major economic news is announced. The monthly jobs number, quarterly GDP, FED rate decisions and ECB monetary policy fall into this category. Thursday the ECB was set to announce what steps it was planning to … Read More
Try automated stops
Dear Mike, Thank you for your insights in your 2 books. Given me great insight into the mentalities of the top traders and that too, of the failing trader. I’ve started learning to trade in the last year and admit that I am failing. Had gone through my journal, done backtesting on “my edge” and meditating and deep breathing during … Read More
Score one for the profit takers
Trader A stopped me in the hall to OK his large options put buying (bet to the downside). He has more exposure than his risk parameters allow. I ask the length of the trade. He replies, “maybe Monday.” I ask whether that makes sense for him. He thinks about it but responds the longer play is the trade. We agree … Read More
Game over
I was chatting with a veteran trading coach about a trader in drawdown. Is this drawdown part of her strategy or is she making it worse? Are you making things worse for your trading with your worst trades? Veteran Trading Coach: I actually love how she fights so much. She never wants to admit defeat in a trade until she … Read More
A conversation on an insufficient stop loss in Valeant
During a group meeting with our newest traders we discussed a Double Bottom in Valeant (stock symbol VRX), that triggered a buy from a new trader on our desk. Newb: I saw VRX holding near 62, so I got long. Me: Where was your stop? Newb: 61.90 Me: So you got stopped out? Newb: No Ok so now we have … Read More
What troubles me about this trader
I had a conversation with a new trader today and shared my observations of his trading career. Here is what I liked: He has the ability. He possesses the ability to process information quickly. He has the ability to make fast decisions. This was clear during his firm interview and persists after his start. He has an outsized interest in … Read More
Unlocking Trading Success: The Formula for Profitable Trades
Yesterday I presented at the TradersExpo in NYC: A study of 5 successful traders from our desk. (Above is a picture of me, chatting with traders after my talk.) It’s important to study traders who have succeeded and learn from them as a trader and firm. The successful traders provide inspiration for those striving and best practices to copy. We … Read More
A day in the life of a professional trader
Yesterday our education division, SMBU, held a webinar: A day in the life of a trader. The purpose was to share best practices for traders to turn into habit so they trade better. If traders do all the things necessary to improve, then they can improve. As I give this presentation, I have an internal conversation with myself. I really … Read More