Maybe “perfect” isn’t the right word. We can strive for it, but we’ll all fall short of it given enough time. Greatness? That’s attainable. But what does it take to become a great trader? Well, I’m still working toward it myself, and maybe you are too, but we can agree it’s a combination of things. It’s having the ability to … Read More
Questioning the 50-day & 200-day MA’s
My recent post on Indicatoritis discussed how some traders rely on indicators incorrectly. I believe that still holds true, but I was questioned about some common moving averages on the heels of that post. So in this video, I want to discuss moving averages, and more specifically, two moving averages which are commonly accepted by traders as important: the 50-day … Read More
So You Want To Fade This Market?
Over the years I have seen a very strong tendency with traders wanting to be short the market at the first signs of any strength after they have just observed major weakness. It feels like yesterday a former trader I worked with was shorting SPY at 76 one or two days after we had put in the March 09 bottom. … Read More
What is working now?
I ask myself this question constantly. It isn’t enough to come in each trading day armed with a series of ideas. You must evaluate the price action in the market and for each stock that you are watching. And you MUST be prepared to move your attention to the stocks or ideas that are offering the most opportunity. This is … Read More
Mental Rehearsal
At the beginning of each AM Meeting I spend some time discussing the bigger picture in the market. Today the focus was on signs that the market may have put in a short term bottom and that I wanted to be mentally prepared for a significant up move. I discussed the downtrend that began in early August up through the … Read More
Good Teamwork. Now Time To Focus.
Bella and I had a short conversation after the Open. He mentioned that a bunch of traders got into ECL on the short side and had made some nice chops. My mentee Sammy mentioned the trade to me as well. He said one of the traders in his row called it out and he took the trade blindly with a … Read More
Spencer Asks: Are You Overvaluing Past Trading Successes?
As traders we want to believe for the most part we are making rationale trades from a risk to reward perspective. At SMB we ask ourselves “if I make this trade 1,000 times will there be a positive expectancy?” If the answer is yes then we make the trade. If the answer is no then we don’t make the trade. … Read More
This Concept Could Get You Through the Learning Curve
Understanding how to identify support and resistance areas and execute trades at these prices is a prerequisite to become a successful day trader. When I reflect back on the dozens of people we have trained over the years I can’t recall a single trader who made it to consistent profitability who didn’t have a few plays in their playbook that … Read More