Every successful trader has a winning system. There are of course, as many systems out there, as there are traders. Some systems get you to buy on strength and sell on weakness others do the opposite.
Some investors succeed as value investors , a la Warren Buffet ; others make their millions in momentum trading . I have even heard of an astrologist who uses the stars to trade profitably. Although, there are a variety of methods, the point I am trying to illustrate here is this: there are many ways to profit from the markets, but you ultimately must devise a system that is your own, because the personalization will act as a motivational discipline to stick with the plan.
There is however, one common element amongst all successful traders...they have a systematic way they approach the market. This approach is unique. In reality, no two people have exactly the same amount of money, tolerance for risk, personality, time or experience. Therefore, the key to success is to design a system that is suited for you.
Many traders fail because they do not assess how well a trading system matches their temperament. Instead, they chase fads, searching for the "Holy Grail" of trading success; or they waste their money on the latest investing software or buying up the tapes of the latest self-proclaimed stock market guru.
The fact is there is no perfect system. Successful investors succeed because they choose a system that they feel comfortable with, not one that claims to be the current trend. A cool, disciplined trader will make money with an "average" system, while a nervous, arbitrary trader will wreck a "brilliant" system.
The key is to develop a methodology that maximizes your strengths and minimizes your weaknesses. Nevertheless, how do you do that? First, define your objectives.
Ask yourself these questions:
1. Am I designing a trading plan for cash flow or capital growth?
2. Do I want to trade part time or full time?
3. How much money can I work with?
4. What annual rate of return do I want? (Note: the higher the return, usually the higher the risk).
Decisions such as these will have the largest impact on the style of your trading system.
For example, if your goal is cash flow and low risk, buying or selling at extreme levels (overbought/oversold) is an unlikely style. If your goals center on quick capital growth, high returns and high risk, then bottom picking strategies and gap trading may be your style.
I had one client that was a wiz at buying and selling on eBay. This person was a beginner so I suggested buying the trade closer to the 52-week low, then selling the trade when it foresaw a profit.
Entries and exits must be precise and must follow a strict set of rules.
Styles range from aggressive day traders looking to scalp few point gains to investors looking to capitalize on long-term macro economic trends. In between, there are a whole host of possible combinations including swing traders, position traders, aggressive growth investors, value investors and contrarians.
Moreover, your style will depend on your level of commitment and experience. Day traders are likely to pursue an aggressive style with high activity levels. The goals would focus on quick trades, small profits and very tight stop-loss levels. For this, the trader uses intraday charts to provide timely entry and exit points. A high level of commitment, focus and energy would be required.
On the other hand, position traders are likely to use intraday charts and pursue 1-8 week price movements. Focused goals on short to intermediate price movements and the level of commitment, while still substantial, would be less than a day trader.
With this in mind, be sure to define your trading objectives as best as you can. Unless your system matches your own criteria, you will never make big profits. You need to ask yourself the simple question: "I am trading in the market because I want to __________"...
Answer this and you are well on your way to setting your portfolio objectives.
-=-=-==-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
David Jenyns is recognized as the leading expert when it
comes to designing profitable trading systems.
His most recent course Ultimate Trading Systems is a step-
by-step trading roadmap to designing profitable trading
systems. Learn how *you* can become one of his students.
Click Here ==> http://www.ultimate-trading-systems.com
Receive David's free trading tips by sending a blank email to:
==> http://www.ultimate-trading-systems.com
-=-=-==-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Let me start by saying that...Most online brokers do not... Read More
A common problem I often see when working with living... Read More
Let's first define insanity. It is doing the same thing... Read More
As I have said many times before in this column... Read More
When an individual investor wants to roll up his sleeves... Read More
Day trading is all about making buy and sell decisions.... Read More
If you are a baby boomer, time is not on... Read More
If you want one.And I don't recommend any broker with... Read More
Ever turn down a street, get half way and suddenly... Read More
A stock market index is a statistical measure of changes... Read More
Hello Inflation, it has been awhile, I see you on... Read More
A few years back ? it seems like an eternity... Read More
1. Do not spread your money too thin.My friend has... Read More
The big bad bear is stirring again. So far he... Read More
Every day on CNBC-TV they show a 200-day moving average... Read More
Congress recently passed another new law that is supposed to... Read More
If you have been watching the stock market at all... Read More
We have two candidates for president that have really different... Read More
Mutual fund investing is a lot like Thai cooking. Everyone... Read More
Every day in any financial publication you will find the... Read More
How do you make money without picking tops and bottoms?I... Read More
You probably have been told that options are risky. Even... Read More
Index Fund Trading can be one of the most profitable...or... Read More
One Saturday morning, while he was sitting at his computer... Read More
The trading method you employ to approach the stock market... Read More
full-service cleaning Mundelein ..I am taking the time to help others learn the... Read More
I love roller coasters. The steeper the better. High and... Read More
The ABC's of Stock Trading SuccessStock trading success...why is it... Read More
I read a comment by a forum member on another... Read More
I receive emails from Morningstar. This company provides statistics and... Read More
We are already in it, but you can't see it.... Read More
With the internet such a huge part of our daily... Read More
(1) CHK stock price $16.74, NAV $32.5CHK is my favorite... Read More
Mutual funds were created with the idea that one person... Read More
You have heard about a particular mutual fund from a... Read More
It has often been said that there is only two... Read More
That sounds like good advice doesn't it? Don't lose all... Read More
The higher the market goes the more confusing are the... Read More
How do you invest? What do you really pay? At... Read More
AS BUILDERS BEGIN WORK ON THE FREEDOM TOWER in New... Read More
Look back over the years and try to remember how... Read More
Carefully thinking through your goal as a trader is of... Read More
∙ Make every investment in the stock market a long-term... Read More
Everybody is riding the Wall Street Roller coaster. Even if... Read More
If you have been dealing with mutual funds for any... Read More
If you were to find that you had some severe... Read More
I use the P/E ratio as a secondary indicator for... Read More
When purchasing mutual funds we are cautioned to read the... Read More
Sometime around 1980, can't remember exactly, there was a flight... Read More
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are growing. Investors are choosing low... Read More
Stocks & Mutual Fund |