I have been trading for several decades and was an exchange member and floor trader for 17 years. You learn fast there or you go broke in a hurry. As you can see I managed to hold my own for a few years until I found the secret and started to become a successful trader. Every professional trader I know knows the one great secret and that is to keep your losses small.
We all learned that when we took a position ? either long or short ? that we better be able to jump out if the trade was not going our way. Many of my friends were scalpers. That means they were trading for just a few ticks and every night went home flat. Flat is no positions at all.
Others, myself included, took a longer look and planned to hold a position for a period of time. That could be several days or weeks. If you were right the longer you held on the more money you would make.
The general public seems think that exchange members know everything and always made money.Tain't so. Many traders were wrong more than 50% of the time. Huh? Yes, fifty percent. My account had losses 40% of the time and 20% were scratch trades (neither winners nor losers).
You ask, "If you are out of the money 60% of your trades how can you make money?" This is what every professional knows: Keep your losses small and let your profits run. How many times have you heard that one? BUT how many times have you ignored that rule?
At the end of the year when you analyze your trades you find that you made $3.00 for each $1.00 you lost you will show a nice big profit.
I don't care what business you are in you don't put your whole wad on a single outcome and stick with it until it either works or go broke. That is what brokers and mutual fund managers want you to do. They want you to buy, but never sell.
It is a tragedy for the small investor today that mutual fund families are putting in selling restrictions to discourage investors from dumping funds that are headed down. Many require long holding periods and if you sell prior to that time they charge an extra fee of 2%. They give lame excuses that I know are not true for doing this. Never buy any fund or trade with any brokerage company that has that kind of rule.
It is cheaper to pay the 2% or whatever fee there is and get out than hang around and lose 20% to 40% of your equity. Look back at 2000 to 2003. This can happen again despite what your broker tells you.
Be wrong and run home with most of your money. You still have enough to invest in a better opportunity. If you are disciplined to get out of any bad situation early you will end up a rich person.
Al Thomas' book, "If It Doesn't Go Up, Don't Buy It!" has helped thousands of people make money and keep their profits with his simple 2-step method. Read the first chapter at http://www.mutualfundmagic.com and discover why he's the man that Wall Street does not want you to know.
Airbnb cleaning service Arlington Heights ..Picture one of those clubs where only the real heavyweights... Read More
Day trading is all about making buy and sell decisions.... Read More
If you don't know where you are going any road... Read More
We learnt the following the hard way! If any of... Read More
Are hedge funds a suitable investment for you? Hedge funds... Read More
A few years back ? it seems like an eternity... Read More
I continually hear from economists, talking heads, other market letter... Read More
Everyone who follows the financial news has heard of mutual... Read More
An investor can find and research the best stock on... Read More
Never lose money in the stock market again. Yeah, I... Read More
In November of 2000 when the NASDAQ was trading at... Read More
Most people think the stock market is a zero sum... Read More
You read and hear a lot about hedge funds. Unfortunately,... Read More
Have you seen all those big full page ads for... Read More
It is difficult to make money in a bull market,... Read More
There are many important things you need to know to... Read More
I often play a little game with myself when I... Read More
Among the largest forces that affect stock prices are inflation,... Read More
With over 6,000 mutual funds available, it may be tempting... Read More
Every Wall Street analyst, financial planner and broker will tell... Read More
Ever done any whitewater rafting or canoeing? Long periods of... Read More
It depends on your level of understanding of the market... Read More
I love roller coasters. The steeper the better. High and... Read More
The stock market often closes a week in the middle... Read More
When an individual investor wants to roll up his sleeves... Read More
reliable maid service Winnetka ..Mutual funds and brokers are always preaching not to buy... Read More
Do you have a nest egg? You know, a place... Read More
One of the basic laws of physics states that a... Read More
The Surgeon General of the United States says that smoking... Read More
In 1960 an engineer working for a watch company in... Read More
Unfortunately, most of you who are reading my column are... Read More
How many people went to a cash position this week?... Read More
Outlined below are some of the advantages and disadvantages of... Read More
Every Wall Street analyst, financial planner and broker will tell... Read More
Success in small cap & micro cap stock trading like... Read More
Are you paying any attention to your retirement savings? Do... Read More
You remember (they show it on TV every year) the... Read More
One of the great truisms of Wall Street is "Don't... Read More
If there is one term over-used when talking about making... Read More
This is the continuing story of our two imaginary traders,... Read More
People are always asking me when should I sell my... Read More
First let's see what protectionism is. According to Mr. Webster... Read More
I am taking the time to help others learn the... Read More
We all know the expression, "My country, right or wrong",... Read More
When you stand on the ocean shore and watch the... Read More
Ever have one of those sample boxes of candy? Each... Read More
When it comes to buying a stock or mutual fund... Read More
Investing in long-term financial vehicles give you the most gains... Read More
With an insecure job market, overworked employees, insufficient retirement savings... Read More
I go to the Money Show every year to visit... Read More
Stocks & Mutual Fund |