Today trading BIDU I made two trades that are very different. One was a trade with which I had supreme confidence. The other was a good trade that probably would work but I wasn’t sure. One was an A trade. The other wasn’t. One can make my month. The other can cause heartache, like that girl who just isn’t available. … Read More
The Future of Intraday Trading
A few years ago two of our best traders knocked on my office to chat. They had an idea. They were interested in trading a swing account with the firm. I suggested that they come up with a list of patterns they wanted to trade and come find me. They never reapproached me with specific enough set ups and worse … Read More
SMB Trade of the Week: A Resistance Trade (JPM)
Each week we share with you a trading pattern that we use consistently on our desk. Like most successful traders we have measured the win rate for this trade. In short we are giving you an intraday trading pattern that works. In this SMB Trade of the Week we will share with you a Resistance Trade in JP Morgan, stock … Read More
Measuring Your Levels
Imagination is more important than knowledge… Albert Einstein We just got out of a Tradecast where one of our traders confused himself because he valued every level equally. All levels are not created equal. Before entering a trade you should ask: where can this stock go? During our Tradecast New Trader Mike showed tape of APC where he had two … Read More
Traders Ask- Where Do I Buy? (Support Play- TSLA)
I received this email from a reader: Hi Mike, I caught your stocktwits segment on Sunday (I believe) covering the TSLA IPO. Now… as I’m watching it drip lower I’m wondering at what level if at all would GS or the underwriter support it? Where would you look to get interested in buying? 18 looks like the line of defense … Read More
In Pursuit of Happiness as a Trader
Why do we trade? A majority start mostly to make money. In its best form to provide financial stability for their family. In its worst to mask some personal insecurities. Or maybe neither and trading is just something you are doing because life offered this path and you started walking. “Trading is a zero some game,” say many. And if … Read More
Be Like Travis
I talked with a recent college graduate the other day. Nice kid. Well dressed. Polite. From one of those upper middle class lacrosse playing Long Island towns. On paper an excellent fit for most trading desks. This young man has no business being on a trading floor, considering being on a trading floor, or hoping to be on a trading … Read More
How to Find a Hot IPO: TSLA
One of our new traders poked his head into my office yesterday and asked,”What do you think of TSLA?” I had read a few things about the IPO but nothing that led me to think it would be especially hot. The whole electric car thing is cool but I didn’t feel the hype (think huge margins and a ginormous upside … Read More