I trade well when…..

BellaGeneral Comments

In The PlayBook, my thesis was for traders to study their best trades and build from them, trading these setups more often and bigger.  The feedback I have received is that this has helped many traders.  If you are not actively studying your strengths, consider doing so. Yesterday, during our SMB Options Tribe webinar, special guest, trading author, and trading … Read More

Why this special trader failed to hit his stride with us

BellaGeneral Comments

One of our special developing traders failed to hit his stride with us. He worked as hard as anyone at the firm.  Everyday he sent me his in-depth daily trading review to my inbox. His reviews set the standard for Junior traders. He worked on his trading game in college, before he arrived at SMB.  I have strongly advocated for … Read More

Trading bigger is much easier than trading with edge

BellaGeneral Comments

Trading bigger is much easier than trading with edge. I am working with a developing trader, nearing 15 months of live trading.  He is starting to trade with edge. I am seeing 3/5 days of trading profitably. I am noticing in his reviews a specificity of setups that he is trading.  He is not trading for stocks to finish higher … Read More

You cannot do this and be a successful trader

BellaGeneral Comments

Last Friday as I was walking off our trading floor, a beaming SMBU student yelped at me, “Bella I could hug you after today.”  He was very pleased with the progress he had made as a trader. Fast forward to today and that same trader caught me hitting the elevator for my walk home.  I asked him how trading went … Read More

Some questions from a European trader learning US markets

BellaGeneral Comments

One of our SMBU students visited our desk in NYC from Sweden today. Merritt, from SMBU Trading Conversations on Friday 1:30PM EST, joined us for lunch, as did this trader’s dad. This European trader is a graduate of SMB DNA and The Winning Trader and working on his game, after work hours from Europe. There were two issues that arose … Read More

Why I didn’t trade today

BellaGeneral Comments

I didn’t trade this morning.  I had ever intention to do so when I left the office last night.  I like the opportunity in FB TWTR SRPT SPY IWM for today’s trading session.  So this was not a decision of a lack of trading opportunity.  I, personally, was not in an optimal state to trade.  And therefor, I benched myself. … Read More

What this new trader learned on Day 1 (166 lessons)

BellaGeneral Comments

Our new class started part I of their training this week, with the SMB Foundation. Some say, “The only way to learn how to trade is trade.” Here is some evidence contrary to that position. One trainee with past trading experience sent me his notes, without solicitation, as to what he learned on Day 1 of our training program.  He … Read More

40 trading lessons from The PlayBook

BellaGeneral Comments

An experienced and successful trader is starting with our desk, powered by Kershner Trading Group, next month. He is one of the more diligent traders you could meet. I have compared him to Tim Tebow in One Good Trade for work ethic. He just powered through One Good Trade and The PlayBook to improve his trading game and better prepare … Read More