“Bella I cut too early.” “Damn I cannot believe I sold that FSLR a point ago.” “I am such a wuss FSLR ran 3 points after I sold it.” I heard all of these statements on my prop desk today. Selling early is a constant struggle for all of us. One position that I let run is an IPO holding … Read More
Choosing a Book Title
I am now at the end of the process for my trading book with Wiley. My book discusses why traders fail and succeed as prop traders. It offers an inside looking into the highly competitive world of proprietary trading. I share what the market has taught me over the past twelve years. I introduce characters, traders some who have … Read More
What Do You Learn From Your Trading Journal?
GMan and I revamped our trading journals and the SMB trading journal on a 9 1/2 hour car ride home from the Outerbanks. And this has helped. For me my trading journal helps me to focus on my monthly and daily trading goals. I start each morning writing down my goal for the day. So my day is just a … Read More
STJ- Second Day Play
Yesterday I traded STJ for most of the day. I learned that 33.60, 34.25, and 34 were important levels. Essentially STJ traded in a range for most of the afternoon yesterday 33.75-34.25. Then into the Close STJ broke down and traded down to 33. So what can we learn from yesterday to help us today? I have a play for … Read More
Ten Observations From StockTwits Camp
On Friday I sat on a panel at StockTwits Camp at the NASDAQ MarketSite to discuss Reading the Tape. I was joined on the panel by @tickerville, @stevenplace and @howardlindzon. Here are my ten observations from Friday: 1 ) @stevenplace is GINORMOUS. 2 ) @tickerville is so smooth he could replace Brian Williams on NBC at any moment. 3 ) @howardlindzon has … Read More
From the Mailbag – Part 4
I received this email from Reader Josh. This is a very interesting dilemma he finds himself in as a new trader. For SMB Readers do you have any advice to offer Reader Josh? Hello Bella, I believe my question is geared towards adjustments. I am 25 years old. I have been playing poker and making money in it since 2004 … Read More
The Cost of Fading Strong Stocks
Into the Close I sit, trade, and also must watch what our traders are doing on my Admin screen. It is my job to make sure they are not violating market fundamentals. And I saw this on a few trader’s screens: -1000 AIG -1600 AIG This is an example of breaking a market fundamental. We do not short strong stocks. … Read More
Trading AND…
IEL sits at his trading station staring at his screens ready to pounce. GMan sits at his much larger trading station (he is the Head Trader) watching every tick in the market, with his hands on his keyboard. Scuba sits patiently processing every bid and offer in ARNA (even though he is a Partner). And then some others trade AND … Read More