SMB would like to thank everyone for their recent interest in our free SMB Training Reading the Tape Seminar. Due to extraordinary demand and limited space we were unable to invite all who expressed interest in our last seminar. But I have some good news! This Saturday 2/20/10 at 11 AM we invite you to attend a free Reading the … Read More
The Open Today
I wasn’t feeling that great on the Open today. How you feel both physically and mentally can have a huge impact on your trading results. If you are tired you will process information less quickly and in today’s highly volatile market this will put you at a severe disadvantage. If you are feeling worn out from being tossed around in … Read More
The Failure Rate of a Proprietary Trader
I remember the discussion like it was yesterday. It was in our former 8×10 makeshift training room/office/conference room/lounge with the first trader who ever failed at SMB Capital. JJ announced he was leaving to take a six-figure job at a financial services company in NYC. But let’s be honest. JJ was leaving because he was not making money as a … Read More
Is the NYSE Manipulating Trades?
Gman, head trader at SMB Capital, wrote an excellent article for Wall Street Cheat Sheet about the way his orders are treated by the specialists at the NYSE. Gman shows how his orders may be front-run by the specialist forcing him to sell lower or buy higher.
Understanding The Environment
The financial stocks are still capable of having sharp down moves intraday circa 2008 and early 2009. We saw this when Meredith Whitney lowered GS estimates intraday on Tuesday and we saw it again today when federal regulators reminded banks to protect against a future rise in interest rates. But on both occasions the “news” was shaken off and the … Read More
SEED money for the New Year
There’s always something to trade. You just have to be where the volume is. It can take one good stock to make your week, and one good week to make your month. 90% of life is showing up, and for those who showed up today, there was money to be made. We had a repeat offender today, our good old … Read More
The Transaction Tax Would Destroy Small Businesses
Mike Bellafiore, partner at SMB Capital, was interviewed today by Damien Hoffman from Wall St Cheat Sheet. In the interview Mike discusses the proposed “transaction tax” in Congress that would increase the cost of trading. Read the full interview here.
There’s Always Something On The Move.
If you needed yet another sign that the volatility is low, just look at today’s action after the Federal Reserve rate announcement. Yes, we knew that the rate was going to be steady. And yes we figured that the language in the announcement would be similar to previous ones (Fed plans to keep rates exceptionally low for extended period etc.) … Read More