I received this email from a prop trader: I’m very disappointed with the way I traded today. I had two more paragraphs written here explaining some potential causes for my under performance. When I started to write the third I realized how simple it all is. To summarize those thoughts, I get worked up and anxious when trading on the … Read More
The myth of the pain threshold
An SMB Trader during his daily review wrote: Today was definitely a day to really pick your spots for initiating trades. I think for the most part I selected the right stocks today but just had trouble managing some of the trades namely in FB and FAST. Something I thought about today after getting stopped out of a FB short … Read More
Is bad really bad? (Part II)
Yesterday I wrote Is bad ready bad? Today we follow up on this idea by looking at the work of legendary traders/investors. Over the past few years I have noticed some good coming out of what I first thought was all bad. When I lost my mom there was at first only loss, but then I recognized some good. When … Read More
Is bad really bad?
Over the past few years I have noticed some good coming out of what I first thought was all bad. When I lost my mom there was at first only loss, but then I recognized some good. When my dad had a stroke it was at first so horrible, but then some good. When we lost a mess of traders … Read More
Why FB was a long
I stress for our traders to trade with the trend. We teach generally that if a stock is in a clear downtrend to follow that trend. There are exceptions. FB today was one such exception. After the close I pinged to our traders: Why would it have been correct to get long FB today even though it has been in … Read More
A sad anecdote of a failed trader
I received this email from a trader this week: Hey Mike, We talked awhile ago, about how your book “One Good Trade” has helped me and my 5 friends on the trading desk at our prop trading firm($$$$ Capital). I have been trading for about 12 months total and about 6 months live. I have found that your website blogs … Read More
Are You in the Right Culture as a Trader?
Do you think you should be doing better as a new or developing trader? The concerns of one SMB Trader and my discussion with him can provide some insight into the best start to your trading career and the importance of culture. Bella, I’ve been thinking about what you said yesterday about being properly prepared. I’ve been getting better … Read More
When do I move on from a stock?
It’s time to move on, time to get going What lies ahead, I have no way of knowing But under my feet, baby, grass is growing It’s time to move on, it’s time to get going Tom Petty Bella, Yesterday I got absolutely chopped up in JPM. I could not believe how much I lost in such a short amount … Read More