The Opening Drive Trade: Is it for you?

BellaGeneral Comments

Some trading “gurus” preach that you should learn how to trade the open. Because, as they say, you can trade 15 minutes a day, make 500% a year, buy a Lamborghini like me, and be the envy of all your friends. Other trading “gurus” say things like: avoid the open, I don’t trade until 10am, trading in the first 30 … Read More

When To Get Short Facebook

sspencerGeneral Comments, Trading Ideas, Trading Lesson

Here is a short video clip from our AM Meeting the morning after Facebook reported earnings. I discuss potential trading scenarios including the most common pattern we have seen in the past offering a good risk/reward on the short side. Steven Spencer is the co-founder of SMB Capital and SMB University which provides trading education in stocks, options, forex and futures. … Read More

How to shut up the risk manager

BellaGeneral Comments

  We had a meeting with a Year2 trader after the close and he did something you ought to be able to do.  Let’s call this prop trader Frequent Flyer. Frequent Flyer has fallen in love with a strategy, that between us, I don’t love.  As a directional discretionary trader this strategy doesn’t feel like real trading to me.  It’s … Read More

An idea that is helping traders

BellaGeneral Comments

During our monthly trader reviews this week one best practice repeated 3xs as helpful to traders.  Get up and take a walk when you are angry. I remember when I first started trading, watching and hearing traders bang and cuss as if at a NY Rangers game.  I remember thinking that is so unprofessional.  And then I started trading (insert … Read More

Put the trade on……NOW

BellaGeneral Comments

It is that time of the month.  Time for monthly reviews from our traders and time for me to read them. One developing trader wrote something that will trigger an important conversation about spotting your best trades.  If you do this better this month you will see improvement with your trading.  This developing trader wrote: Decrease the amount I lose … Read More

An antidote to trading on tilt

BellaGeneral Comments

I received this email today from a veteran and *very* successful independent trader.  He sends me his thoughts on his trading each day, which I really enjoy reading.  And I share some feedback, where I can help. Remember, these are the thoughts of a very successful and veteran trader.  If he has them, then certainly many of us have the … Read More

What will they say about you?

BellaGeneral Comments

What will they say about you after your trading career? I was interviewing a female retail trader for a spot on our desk and asked her one of my standard questions.  She was self-taught, a single mom, former teacher, living in the Dallas/Forth Worth region and posting consistent six-figure returns, with a small trading account. I asked: who is your … Read More