Things heard on the prop desk this Monday

BellaGeneral Comments

Monday’s strength was surprising to some prop traders on the Street, after the huge down move Friday.  Let me share some things heard on our prop desk, and then make a trading point. Me: didnt expect today Trader: it’s just so annoying Me: yes yes yes.  but good example of…..its our job to trade the market not expect the market … Read More

Man I stink II!

BellaGeneral Comments

The feedback I received was decidedly positive that Man I stink! was very helpful for traders.  It placed in context the challenge many face to become consistently profitable traders.  The new trader wants so badly to be a successful trader.  Most have succeeded at most things in their life prior.  They expect success quickly.  And it does not work like … Read More

Man I stink!

BellaGeneral Comments

There are four traders in our September trading class, chosen from thousands of applicants. 16 days into his trading career one our new traders wrote this review: At the start of your career you are supposed to stink.  The path of many traders is: 1) lose too much 2) lose less 3) flat 4) slightly positive 5) consistently positive 6) … Read More

Reading the Tape is all you need

BellaGeneral Comments

Reading the Tape is all you need! For some trades and some traders that is. One savvy trader in an email exchange with veteran traders, said it so well: When we teach our new traders to make trade decisions, we ask them to consider 5 variables: The Big Picture Technical Analysis Reading the Tape Intraday Fundamentals Intuition On most trades … Read More

There is another way to a higher PnL

BellaGeneral Comments

In this blog post, I will challenge you to find another way to a higher PnL.  We will use a trade review from a conscientious trader to teach  this principle. This is a common mistake of stunted thinking made by developing traders. It is one where human nature leads us against our self-interest. If you can learn to think differently … Read More

Characteristics of Champions (Traders)

BellaGeneral Comments

In the video below, Michael Phelps’ coach, Bob Bowman, presents the Characteristics of Champions. As traders we can learn from this talk to help achieve our goals. Coach Bowman breaks down success into three steps: 1) Visualize your goal 2) Develop a plan/routine to achieve your goal 3) Execute on your plan What is your goal as trader? Make it … Read More

Is Reading the Tape still important?

BellaGeneral Comments

  Hi Mr. Bellafiore, I can start by saying this is a huge honor being able to write to a legend as yourself in the world of stock market trading. I read your book One Good Trade and am on the way to reading The PlayBook which are hugely influential course materials on the subject matter of trading as I’m … Read More