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
Die Hard starts winning again
Die Hard is a senior trader who makes a ton of PnL. Unfortunately for him and our firm, he also loses a ton of PnL. This is actually a good problem to have for the trader willing to review and work. Many experienced traders aren’t willing to journal and review and adapt. They want to just keep hitting the buttons … Read More
SMB will be presenting at the Traders Expo New York
Mike Bellafiore will be speaking at the TradersExpo Tuesday, February 23, 2016, 2:30pm-3:30pm at the Marriot Marquis Hotel in New York City. His Topic: A Study of 5 Successful Professional Traders During this discussion you will learn: • How 5 of the best traders at SMB went from zero to High Performing Trader • The 5 best practices that made … Read More
Mr. Padre hitting singles now
Mr. Padre is a senior trader trying to hit home runs with his trading. It was not working for him, both psychologically and with his PnL.The more famous “Mr. Padre” was the late Tony Gwynn of the San Diego Padres, who built a hall-of-fame career slapping singles. He consistently hit above .300 and got on base at a clip of … Read More
How Big Dog sized down to progress
Big Dog started to learn Futures to capitalize on this market with elevated volatility. He is a fast study. Big Dog is also an accomplished trader, in the 500k-1m a-year range. Let me share an anecdote working with him on our desk to improve his sizing. Big Dog noticed something about his stops when he started to size up … Read More