A veteran trader stood in my office, mind racing, frustrated at his results from the past week. “You know Mike during 08 I made a lot of money getting back into trading after being away from the game. I told myself that they next great trading opportunity I wanted to be on a trading desk making real money. I am … Read More
The market requires a tuition to participate
I have had the pleasure of getting to know Michael Martin over the past few years. Hands down one of my favorite trading educators on the Street. And it is so entertaining when he shares his stories about other great traders who he knows, has been mentored by or has read about. He is a Wikipedia of trading anecdotes. I … Read More
Traders Ask: Do You Wait for a Stock to Open?
Hi Mike, I seem to recall you mentioning that one way to catch opening drives is by watching the first ticks of the stock when it opens. My question is: do you trade the first ticks of a stock when the specialist is not there yet, or do you wait for him/her to show up? Thanks in advance, and happy … Read More
Two Lessons from an Improving New Trader
I received this email from an improving new trader. It’s a terrific anecdote on two lessons learned by a developing trader making progress: Bella, I just wanted to send a quick note to thank you for all you do to help new traders, you have helped me immensely! Your book One Good Trade has been a tremendous influence on my growth as a trader. … Read More
What You Might Learn in Your First Weeks in Trading
Below is a great example of what you might learn in your first weeks of trading. Hi Bella, Friday was my second day trading live. So far I’m up $72 on day one and up $72 on day two. I could have done much better on Friday, but I chipped back bits by bits during the mid day. I wrote … Read More
When you deserve to be screamed at as a trader
A partner looks up at his scoreboard, which tracks the performance of traders, and sees one trader particularly in the Red. And it’s getting worse. He clicks on the trader’s ID and sees an open long position 1 point out of the money. The market is broken bad below SPY 125 on the Open. What’s worse is the firm has … Read More
Traders Ask: How Do I Develop Conviction?
I have a question for you: Is conviction something you have to earn?? I know the question is almost rhetorical. But I listen to the older/experienced traders before, during, and after the market on the Virtual Trading Floor and I hear the word conviction getting thrown around a lot. Especially when I’m listening to Marc Sperling. When Sperling is doing his … Read More
A theory on why you fade when you shouldn’t
I know an excellent trader who underperformed today mainly trading PCS. He faded the weakest stock in the market and now sits frustrated, dejected and angry. Pass him on a desk and you would see his cheeks red and the scowl of a defensive end ready to rip the head off of the opposing QB. I do not mean to … Read More