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  • How To Profit On A Smartphone?

    How To Profit On A Smartphone?

    How To Profit On A Smartphone?
    You can use your smartphone to trade forex through one of the many Forex apps. You don’t need a PC or laptop anymore.

    By Guy Avtalyon

    Do you know how to profit from a smartphone? No, you don’t need to sell it. It’s about how to use it and profit. Actually, you can start profiting on a smartphone right now. This second. I’ll explain to you how to do that.

    What I am talking about is trading. You can trade stocks, forex… Trading is the easiest way to earn money from your smartphone. For example forex trading.

    Forex trading runs 24/7. Can anyone stay in front of a computer or laptop for 24 hours? You know the answer already. So, you can find a broker with a platform that offers currency trading from a smartphone. Everything you need is good internet access. 

    Here is how to profit on a smartphone even if you’re traveling or you’re far away from your computer. 

    Let’s say you have an open position and you’re waiting for some news to decide what to do. But you have to leave your office or home and will not be able to check the news for the next several hours. Here is your smartphone on the scene. You’ll get the necessary news on your mobile. So, you’ll take out your mobile from the pocket, open your chosen trading platform, close the position you hold and earn your money. Make your profit!

    Trading forex or stocks on a smartphone is one of the best solutions that can make you money. Also, one of the most comfortable.  

    The advantages of trading on a smartphone

    First, you don’t need to invest money to buy a smartphone because you already have it. Second, you don’t need extra money to invest in the internet because you already have it. Well, the truth is you’ll need faster internet and more megabytes. Third, quite good apps you can find for free. Fourth, you don’t need a special room or so to trade, you can do it from any place all over the globe. The rest depends on your trading personality. 

    Sounds good enough, right?

    Basically, it is the most comfortable. Imagine the following situation. You’re stuck in the traffic jam. What are your chances of using a laptop and trading from your car? There are some, to be honest, but you don’t have your laptop in hand. Your smartphone is right there. And you have some apps installed (we’ll talk about apps more later) so you don’t need to waste your time to find good internet access. You already have 4G or even 5G for outstanding internet service.

    You are always up-to-date, you have market data in real-time. In my opinion, the smartphone is much better and more convenient than a laptop. When you use a smartphone for trading forex, you have real-time currency rates. That’s all you need to trade, sell, and buy currency, whatever you like based on your strategy.

    Forex mobile apps simplify your trading 

    The truth is they make it more flexible. When trading on smartphones using apps there is a minimum chance to lose profitable trade opportunity. You can trade anywhere and anytime! What is better than this? So let’s see How to profit on a smartphone.

    Forex trading apps for smartphones or IPhone are incredibly useful. No matter if you use them for your business or for trading currencies. Well, this post is about trading currencies. So let’s see what apps are recommended as best.

    At a glance, without doubts, you can use TD Ameritrade, ThinkTrader, MetaTrader, and FXTM.

    Among the stock trading platforms to practice with you can choose Stock Trainer. 

    Stock Trainer is a training app experienced for android. If you still don’t have enough experience in the stock market you’re qualified to use this app. You’ll get a virtual trading experience, necessary knowledge with real market data, you can practice where to set stop-loss orders, limit-orders, where to take profit. Moreover, you’ll find this app in the Android Google Play store and for free. 

    Thinktrader is a wonderful trading platform that provides analysis. The main advantage is that this forex trading app is really advanced. This app will help you to spot and track currencies worth your money. Also, you’ll have access to indicators and tools for drawing charts. Thanks to split-screen and quad-screen modes you’ll be able to watch several markets at a time. This app will provide you, besides analysis tools, trade data, streaming quotes for the major currencies trading, relevant news in real-time, all markets from Europe, America, and Asia are covered. But most importantly you’ll have trading alerts, the trading simulator, the risk scanners, statistics reports, and many other useful tools. This app is available to free download for iOS and Android.

    FXTM is an automated forex trading platform. Maybe the most popular among forex traders due to its full regulation. Anyone can use it, from beginners to advanced traders. Also, it offers leverage, so you can boost your earning potential. But the same leverage will not be offered to every trader. It will be done according to your experience. The great advantage for beginners is that you’ll have a plethora of educational materials on hand and a lot of free trading tools.

    The other benefit of using Thinktrader are variable and fixed spreads. Also, you can withdraw your money in a few minutes after you close your trade. You can make trades with quick execution rates. This is a very convenient and trustworthy app. The app isn’t free to download, you’ll need a deposit of $1.000.

    MetaTrader is another extremely popular forex trading platform. What can you expect here? First of all, interactive charts, superior tools, and also, you can trade different financial instruments. Meta Trader is suitable for real traders that use Android. This app offers a comprehensive analysis of the markets. It uses real-time interactive charts that include historical data for any financial instrument. So, you can easily monitor quotes and price movements and make money. 

    Trading in Forex on your smartphone

    So, you can see how to profit on a smartphone. 

    You can download so many apps related to trading. Even if you don’t have a full understanding of forex trading these apps will help you a lot. You’ll have, for example, all forex news if you have a forex news app, all accurate data, you can learn to trade or gain more experience. It’s so easy to find a free app that will help you in decision making. By using a smartphone you’ll be able to trade easy, smooth, and fast. You don’t need a robust or high-end computer to make a trade. Moreover, you can trade no matter where you are, you don’t need to sit at home or office and monitor your trades. 

    Like it is with any job: you should work smart, not hard. Apps are here to make our trades easier and more profitable. 

    In short, that is how to profit on a smartphone. It’s so easy today. So, don’t hesitate, download some free app, test it, practice and make your first real trade after that. 

    Happy trading, guys!

  • How To Trade On A Laptop?

    How To Trade On A Laptop?

    How To Trade On A Laptop?
    A trading laptop has to be able to process a large amount of data quickly. You’ll need multiple windows open or you’ll need a few monitors. Here is how to set up your laptop for day trading.

    By Guy Avtalyon

    Can I trade on my laptop, asked me dozens of readers and I said yes, but you must know how to trade on a laptop. Well, I saw here some misunderstandings about what is the best computer configuration you need for a day trading. Technology is continually advancing, so you’ll need a computer with adequate memory. Also, the processor must be really fast. 

    Guys, you wouldn’t like your computer lagging all the time. Or even worse, stalling when you need to act quickly. Markets will not stay the same while your computer is trying to load or crashing every several minutes. The trading software will need a great memory and processor. For charting, you’ll need the same. Especially your processor must be fast and up to date.

    The simple answer to the question How to trade on a laptop would be: by something really good. Yes, I know. It might cost you a lot but think. If you have a fair enough good machine you’ll be able to trade in a proper time and, this is very important, you’ll be able to use all the necessary tools. For example, day trading is something most traders want. The point is that it demands that you have a whole tools kit. Otherwise, you’ll never do this job well. 

    How to trade on a laptop easily?

    These days’ trading is based on electronics. You enter the markets over the internet, right? So, you need a computer or laptop to make a trade and have direct access to your brokerage. The other tools you’ll need are market data in real-time, and great trading platform. But keep in mind, these are basic tools. You’ll also need a charting platform and many other trading tools. The common thing for each of them is that all of them require great computer performances. 

    So, how to trade on a laptop?

    Isn’t it easier to have two or more monitors since you’ll maybe need to look at charting software monitors, broker’s website, market data? Well, having a few monitors isn’t a necessity but is an advantage.

    Well, I have to be honest. Trading with a desktop PC is easier and cheaper than with a laptop. Do you remember what I’ve said about requirements toward memory and speed? Well, a PC is more favorable since it can be configured for more speed and processing ability than a laptop. 

    What are the main problems with laptops? First of all, they have limited space, the components are smaller but more expensive. So you’ll need more money to spend if you want to have a high-end laptop. It could be cheaper to buy a PC with similar performances.

    The other problem could be to connect several monitors. Let’s say your laptop’s screen is smaller than the monitors you can connect via DVI port, for example. So, it could be exhausting trading while looking at a small laptop screen and large monitor next to it. 

    Well, not all is better if you use a standalone PC. Let’s say they are robust, in the first place. And you don’t like to sit in front of it the whole day or even longer while monitoring your trade. You really don’t need it if you trade on a laptop. It gives you mobility. Especially if you prefer automated trading that is known as robo or algorithmic trading, also.

    So, how to trade on a laptop? Yes, I see you’re impatient. You have to install your system on a virtual private server (VPS). What is this? It is a remote server that is located near or close enough to the broker’s server. You’ll have a minimum of latency, minimum delay in placing your trade orders. In essence, your trades will come from the remote server connected to your laptop.

    What do I have to do to trade on a laptop?

    If you have a high-end laptop the only thing you’ll need extra is a separate monitor connected to the right port. The other solution, if you want to connect more monitors, is to buy one USB video adapter for each monitor you want to connect. 

    Yes, you might say your laptop doesn’t have several ports. Well, there is a solution also for that issue. Just get a USB hub and voila, your two or more extra monitors are connected.

    Hey guys, one thing more! Don’t try this if your laptop doesn’t have enough RAM, for example, 8 GB at least. 

    What tools will you need for trading on a laptop?

    As I said before, you’ll need a powerful laptop. The other important tool is a trustworthy platform to trade. Numerous brokers will give you access, you have to be smart and choose one with good charting software. Why is this important? Because if you want to be a profitable day trader you’ll need to act quickly and how to do that if you don’t have an option to see the tick charts and timed charts. For day trading it is imperative to have 1-minute, 5-minute, hourly charts.

    As a day trader, you’ll need software that allows you to place trades quickly. Your trading success heavily depends on your strategy but if you don’t have advanced software you won’t be able to execute your strategy properly. 

    The main goal here is to find the best software to meet your needs and to connect it with your trading service. That is how you can trade on a laptop.

    The problem may arise if you don’t have fast internet. With a slow internet connection, it is impossible to trade. In day trading, hundreds and hundreds of data will stream directly to your laptop every second. What do you think, is it possible to follow the price moving in real-time with slow internet? Of course not! So a fast internet is an important tool for your trading success. Otherwise, you’ll receive out of date data and your trading will fail. You’ll lose your money.

    Also, you’ll need to backup your internet access in case of service’s outages. Yes, shit happens! Use your smartphone as a backup. You can create a hotspot and continue to use your laptop or you may have direct access from your smartphone to your trading platform. Never use the same internet provider for your laptop and for your smartphone for this reason.

    Appropriate market data is a necessary tool

    Day trading demands a perpetual stream of market data, info about the price movement. Your broker will give you market data, but it’s up to you to demand the kind of data you need. For example, if you trade forex, you’ll need forex market data. Forex brokers give data for free for all forex pairs which is convenient because all you need to do is to open a chart and you’ll see the price data. 

    For the stock market, you’ll have to subscribe to the data you need. Don’t add too many.

    It is possible to trade on laptop 

    When you ask me how to trade on a laptop I have only one answer. I’m trading on a laptop. I’ve never used a PC. Is it a harder or simpler solution I don’t know since I never made a comparison. And know what, I’m satisfied. This doesn’t mean you’ll be also. But this post is written because you asked me. So, this was how to trade on a laptop.

    Happy trading, guys!

  • Trading Personality – How To Know What Style Suits You best

    Trading Personality – How To Know What Style Suits You best

    Trading Personality - How To Know What Style Suits You Best
    What are the main characteristics of different trading styles, how to choose the right one based on your trading personality? How to pick the trading style that suits you the most?

    By Guy Avtalyon

    I hope you figured out the “best” trading system for you but do you really know your trading personality? Of course, the trading system you chose is one that suits your personality, I hope. No? Where is the problem? How is it possible you made such a mistake? You tried with some quizzes on the internet, right? But is that the right way to figure out your trading personality? It’s for fun, for God’s sake! You must be serious when choosing the trading style, your money is in play. 

    How to choose a trading style based on your trading personality?

    We have four basic styles of trading and each trader will choose the one that suits him or her best. We all have to choose between day trading, scalping,  position trading, and swing trading. Which one will a trader choose depends on trading personality. In other words, our trading style depends on our personality. 

    If you think it is an easy task I have to tell you’re completely wrong. Your trading style must be in harmony with your personal characteristics and knowing them is just half of your way. 

    Are you still with me?

    Okay! Let’s go further!

    I suppose you’re new in this field. So, here is how to match your trading style with your trading personality. If you’re still reading this it is more likely you didn’t find the right trading style yet. I can help you.

    Finding the right trading style that fits your trading personality is extremely important. Otherwise, you’ll have losses. And nothing but the stress, losing money and finally you’ll give up. That decision could be wrong because you’ll miss the chance to earn money.

    How to choose the trading style that best suits your personality?

    If you never harmonize your trading style to your trading personality or even worse, if you never recognize what your personality is in trading, you’ll never become a profitable trader. 

    But here is a tricky part. You have to be honest about your wishes and your possibilities. Moreover, you’ll have to put them in alignment. They have to walk side by side, supporting and taking care of each other.

    So, be honest when answering these questions.

    – What time frame do you prefer when trading? Is it position trading, swing trading, day trading, scalping?
    – How do you recognize yourself, as a fundamental or technical trader?
    – What is your risk tolerance?

    These are three basic questions and based on your answer you’ll figure out what is your preferred trading style. I have to repeat, you MUST be honest. The most important thing is to avoid your emotions. It really doesn’t matter what style you like more. It is all about how to match your trading personality with your trading style and you’ll have to do that without emotions. 

    I know it is the hardest part. 

    To put more pain into your life I have to tell you that you’re not choosing the style only, you’ll need to decide the type of trader you want to be.

    Are you a discretionary trader and system trader? 

    Some of you will be able to recognize at first glance but the others will need to try both types before making any decision. Nothing is wrong with that. Always keep in mind that your hard-earned money is in play and you want to see it growing, not to lose it.

    From my point of view, both types have the potential to be profitable. But it’s up to you to find the one that suits you best. My choice shouldn’t be yours necessary. Choosing the right style and the right type of trading that suits your trading personality is an individual decision. What I can do for you is to give you some hints and clues on how to do that and avoid mistakes that could lead you to great losses.

    I want to share one secret with you – when choosing your trading style keep in mind that less is more. What does it mean? It is better to choose one strategy that works for you and when you master it and advance it, you can easily shift to another if it is necessary or you want changes.

    So, let’s go more deeply into each trading style and see how they match your trading personality.

    Position Trading

    Position trading is suitable for long-term traders since it is comparable with holding an investment for a long time. In position trading, your trades may last between several weeks to several years. The length of your trade will depend on trends because the main focus is on the price movements. Position traders seek stocks with the ability to grow in the long run. They believe when the trend appears, it is going to continue. 

    Trading personality characteristics for a position trader

    First of all, you don’t like or don’t have time to monitor the markets all the time. Further, you’re not an aggressive type of trader. You don’t prefer instant treatment and, more importantly, you have a large portfolio.

    In what circumstances position trading isn’t suitable for you?

    If you are an aggressive trader this isn’t for you. Also, if you’re not patient and have a small portfolio, so you would like to enlarge it. Or maybe, you want to profit instantly. 

    Day Trading

    For day trading style you’ll need a good education and large funds. For being a day trader you’ll need a great knowledge of short-term strategies and to recognize even the smallest market’s moves. Day trading is when you enter and exit the position during one trading day. Your profit will come from small changes in the market. 

    Trading personality characteristics for a day trader

    You’ll need a great knowledge of the market you want to trade. Also, you’ll need a large capital ready to invest. In case you’re a quick thinker and quicj=k decision-maker this strategy is suitable for you. If you think you can maintain severe discipline, this could be the right trading style for you.

    In what circumstances day trading isn’t suitable for you?

    This isn’t a good choice for beginners or for the traders with a lack of capital. If you’re not experienced and tend to sell your winners too early or you’re keeping your losers too long, this style isn’t for you.

    Let’s go further! I hope you’re interested.

    Swing Trading

    In this trading style, you don’t need to continually monitor your trades. You’ll hold the position for a few days because you’ll follow the trend and it may last a few days. When it is an uptrend you’ll go long, while when it is a downside, you’ll go short. This is a perfect style for traders who have regular jobs and can’t monitor trades all the time.

    Trading personality characteristics for a swing trader

    If you’re patient and can wait for the best trading opportunity this is for you. This means you’re not going to panic when the trade changes direction and moves against you. In this style, you don’t need full-time devotion to the trade and you don’t need to make your trading decisions quickly. 

    In what circumstances day trading isn’t suitable for you?

    If you feel nervous and get panicked when the markets change direction against your favor, it is better to avoid this style. Also, if you’re not able to recognize the trend. Trend following is very important in swing trading. If you can’t, just don’t swing.

    Scalping

    This is the quickest strategy among trading styles. You’ll take profits from tiny price changes, but they will frequently occur. If you want to become a scalper you’ll need to make several trades within a few seconds. For this style you;ll need a great and accurate exit strategy. You’ll have small gains but frequently. These small gains compounded, have the potential to generate a large profit. But be careful, this style could be a double-edged sword. Just one big loss could delete all your small gains.

    Trading personality characteristics for scalpers

    If you’re a quick decision-maker, and able to act without hesitation, this is your best pick. Also, you’ll have to be fully focused on your trades while performing them. This style requires a lot of time to devote to trades since you’ll need to act quickly. Moreover, you’ll have to know how to handle stress while trading. 

    In what circumstances day trading isn’t suitable for you?

    If you’re not focused enough, feel stress while have to make quick decisions, or hesitate to trade

    How to pick the right style based on your trading personality

    I have to be honest, there is no magic or easy answer. It depends on your individual characteristics and conditions. Also, you have to take into account some other variables.

    The most important part is to be realistic and honest when evaluating your trading personality. You MUST know what trading style is easiest for you to handle, which style will best fit your abilities. When you choose one it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to stick with it. You can change it. Choosing a suitable trading style is a process. It’s not set in stone. Hence, it’s changeable. But don’t change it fast and try numerous styles in a short time. Evaluate and estimate before choosing any. And stick to it even if you have losses at first. Try to find where you make mistakes and fix them, make some improvements. The trading journal will be a great help to do that. If you made the right decision you’ll take profit. Your loyalty will be rewarded.

  • Best Trading Strategy Without Indicators In Forex

    Best Trading Strategy Without Indicators In Forex

    Best Trading Strategy Without Indicators In Forex
    This trading strategy means you’re trading without indicators. It is also called a naked forex trading or price action trading.

    By Guy Avtalyon

    Let’s say you’re a beginner in Forex trading and still don’t understand indicators quite well so you would like to know what is the best trading strategy without indicators. One of the best ways is to trade using a price action trading strategy. Actually, I’m gonna suggest you some.

    Forex trading is complicated for some people because so many technical indicators are involved in trading. One of the simplest forex trading strategies is the forex portfolio price action. If you use this really the best trading strategy without indicators. And you’ll see, you’ll find some of the trades by using this strategy. 

    What is price action trading?

    Price action trading is the best trading strategy without indicators and I’ll show you how simple and favorable it is. The point is to find out how the price will behave when you test it in support and resistance zones. This strategy will help you to identify where the price movements form a swing high or swing low. The simplicity lies in the fact that you don’t need moving averages or some lagging indicator to identify it. These indicators can be confusing but with a price action trading strategy, you’ll have a clear chart. Why am I so sure this is the best trading strategy without indicators? Because thanks to it many forex traders are very profitable. No indicators are involved, you don’t need to know them, no need to understand them or recognize. 

    So, let’s be more concrete. Here is how to use price action strategy.

    The best trading strategy without indicators

    As I said no indicators involved but we’ll discuss how they can be dangerous if you use them in the price action strategy.

    Now, you have to pay attention to price action setups. If you notice that there is no price action, it is a so-called dead zone. Who would like to trade there? Literally no one. The dead zone is as the name indicates, exactly that – dead. Nothing happens there. The price doesn’t make any move. The sellers and buyers are like on the teeter. The dead zone is a standby zone, nothing happens and everyone is expecting what is going to happen. No one wants to trade because it is impossible to enter or exit the trade in the dead zone and win. The reason is simple, no one wants to do anything. So, never enter the trade in a dead zone.

    Forex trading is a game of nerves

    So when there is no price action you’ll have to wait until something starts to happen. 

    The other price action setup is the red zone. That is where all price actions are happening. That is exactly the point where you’ll have to make almost all your trading decisions. This is a zone with a lot of price movements. You have to be focused on such an occasion. Even with a move of 20 pips only, you’ll have a winning trade. With 100 pips you can potentially make a lot of money.

    Your next goal is to reach the end zone. As I said, the red zone is where the price actions happen, but you’ll have to move closer to the end zone if you want to maximize your profits. Only then the price action strategy will give you its best. So how to find this zone? Simple! When the market is 10 to 20 pips wide that means there is enough space for changes and adjustments. This spread of 10 pips is exactly what you need for the best trading strategy without indicators. The price action strategy needs changes to provide you a successful result and exit in profit.

    Price action strategy without indicators in Forex

    All you have are support and resistance and volume. Volume isn’t an indicator because it is a statistic. 

    So, this strategy is only about two things. First, you have to identify what is the price action in support or resistance zones. If you notice the market comes into high resistance, the traders now can do several things. The first is that they could do nothing because the price enters the resistance level. Second, traders could start to sell. If they didn’t have an open position, they could start to sell short. Also, traders could buy. 

    But what we need here is to see a large volume on a breakout. We need a lot of buyers to move the price to break the resistance. So, what we really need is a lot of buyers, a lot of orders, a lot of trades. 

    But pay attention! This can be a tricky part. What if a new resistance occurs? It is possible to happen and here is what you’ll need to do if you want to profit. If you notice a new resistance it is likely an exhaustion pattern. As I mentioned it is not the right time to buy. You’ll need more space between the point you entered the trade and the point where you exit. Some traders would trade the new breakout. But it is the wrong decision. You should wait until the price breaks the new resistance, just be patient. But what if the price does not break out above it?

    You’ll have to wait until resistance becomes a support to buy low and sell high.

    Drawbacks with forex trading without indicators

    The price action strategy is also called a naked forex trading. The main problem here is that you’ll need a lot of developed skills to use this strategy. This means you’ll have to understand market psychology,  why the market moves, and you’ll need to recognize how the market moves, and how it will move. Also, sometimes you’ll need to rely on intuition and it isn’t the best way. At least, it isn’t a safe way. But it can be a very profitable strategy once you develop your skills. Maybe you should start with a demo account, that is something I always recommend to beginners.

    Anyway, you should look at price action first and then at indicators. If you need, use the indicators to confirm the decision to make the trade. This strategy will save you time, you have only two factors to estimate. Your trades will be less stressful and simpler. The final consequence is that you’ll be able to trade more precisely. In any case, never just jump into the trade, you’ll need to know when to enter and when to exit your trades. Don’t do anything before you determine these points.

  • How to Get Rich Trading Stocks?

    How to Get Rich Trading Stocks?

    How to Get Rich Trading Stocks?
    Many people get rich through the stock market. You too can get rich trading stocks if you do what is necessary.

    By Guy Avtalyon

    How to get rich trading stocks? Trading is very hard and stressful for some traders. But, on the other hand, if it isn’t it couldn’t be so possibly beneficial. Let’s see how to get rich trading stocks.

    Can trading stocks make you rich?

    In the long run, it is possible if you start to invest while you’re young, have long-term goals. But for that to achieve you’ll need a decent capital and have to add more money continuously. The good news is, you don’t need to be an expert before you start investing. But investing is much more, not just simply buying a stock. You want to know how to become rich by trading stocks. And the short answer is – yes. Here are several tricks about how to get rich trading stocks.

    Why it’s possible to get rich trading stocks

    First of all, it isn’t easy so you’ll need to recognize the difficulties. When you accept this fact you are ready to develop the skills necessary to overcome them. Keep in mind, trading isn’t a lottery game. Yes, you can find a lot of stories telling how some traders become rich overnight. They did it, that’s true but very rare. The real successes come from trading day after day. The possibility of losing is big but if you’re disciplined the reward will come. So, persistence is extremely important. That will be the first hint on how to get rich trading stocks.

    Forget luck. Trading should be constant and systematic with strong risk management. Your utmost goal is to protect your trading capital and reduce the risk of trading in each trade.

    What to do to get rich trading stocks?

    You must have a focus on hot stocks. Pay attention to those that are hitting new highs. You must be ready for that. Follow and examine their patterns. Don’t waste your time to find some exotic one, just focus on those that are already raising. I suppose you have a trading plan, it is necessary. Stick with it and stay in the stock until it reaches a new high. Don’t pay attention to stocks that are dropping at this moment. When he stock hit the new high, sell it.

    Short selling to get rich in trading stocks 

    You don’t need a bull market to get rich. This is a misconception. Try to recognize the opportunity for short selling. Trading isn’t investing, so you don’t need to hold a stock for years no matter how much you love it. You’re trading because you want to profit in a short time. Follow the example of day traders. Their earnings come from short selling.

    What to do if you have a losing trade?

    Cut your losses promptly and put your ego aside. Yes, you will have losing trades. But never try to sit at the corner and let your feelings overflow you. Losing trades are just the steps to success. Instead, when you face a setback, cut your losses quickly, and go back to the track. Do it immediately. Never sit on your failures. Look to the future straight. You have to put into the calculation losing trades. Just plan them. But plan to move on when it happens. Exit the losing trades on time and quickly enter the position on the new one. Keep your trading journal.

    Take partial profits 

    Listen, there is no possibility to earn if you don’t take the profit. Take even partial profit. Also, take your profit quickly at the moment you’re sure there is a profit. This is very important. You have to know that the stock market is changing very fast. If you miss a chance to take the profit you’ll end up in losses. Take the profit any time you can. No matter how small it is. The point is to avoid losses. You’ll feel better even with small gains, much better than with losses. Your confidence will grow. That’s how to get rich trading stocks. 

    Use trading stocks app

    This world is changing so fast and we all have to know how to benefit from that change. So, we all have to change our habits and old fashioned approaches. Individual traders have zero chances in the stock market if they never adopt some of the new technologies. Don’t let you be afraid of them. Trading apps are your friends. They can provide you to trade easier and smoothly. You can enter and exit the position on your phone. But before you use any of the present apps examine them, read reviews, go to forums, ask people, talk. Start to use the new app with a small amount to test it first.

    Avoid illiquid stocks 

    Yes, I know, illiquid stocks make big promises but how much they can grow. Is there any uptrend? How to earn if the changes are modest? You need high traded stocks, not some lazy sleeper. If you want to earn a serious amount you’ll need to trade high liquid stocks. So, the point is not to believe in the stock’s fairy tales. Sometimes there will be a lot of hype and big promises around some stock. Try not to listen to them. Avoid that noise. Stay focused on the stock’s action. Examine the stock historical performance, how it actually was acting in a particular situation, what causes it to rise or drop. By examining this you’ll know what to expect in the future.

    Well, not exactly, because the past performances will never guarantee future actions, but you’ll have an insight into stock nature. So, you’ll be able to make decisions with more accuracy.

    Diversification and trading with leverage 

    Let me explain something. If you’re an investor, reasonable diversification is good. But if you want to get rich trading stocks and earn a lot, you should avoid diversification. Trade only one or two stocks and use not more than 30% of your investment at a time. That’s the way to earn millions by trading stocks. This is confirmed for so many times. You may think it is easy to stay away and not invest more money when the stock price is following an uptrend. No, it isn’t. But you must be disciplined. You have to stick to your trading plan and never go across it.

    As I said, diversification is good for investors but for traders can be dangerous because you’ll have to be focused on price action. How can you do that if you have many stocks? You’ll simply fail.

    Buy bottom, sell top isn’t always a right fit 

    This old mantra among beginner traders is canceled. I know you might believe I’m crazy but think. It is hard to take the maximum profits. Instead, choose to match the movement of the stock price. That doesn’t have to be the top and bottom. You can enter the trade in the middle and exit a bit below the top and take the main profits. In this approach, you’ll have reduced risk because you enter the trade in an uptrend and also exit while an uptrend is present. No, you’ll not miss the big profit. You’ll miss losses if you do so.

    But you have to plan this. For long-term success in trading stocks, the trading plan is alpha and omega. Never enter the trade without a specific trading plan. Before you enter the position you must know what is a  risk/reward ratio you expect from each trade. Stick to that no matter what others think or do. Never change your trading plan in the middle of the game. That’s how to get rich trading stocks.

    Have a plan, plan your failures

    Getting rich in the stock market can look like a discouraging task for some of you. But it hasn’t to be. Honestly, it is so easy to achieve if you follow these rules. If you have some doubts, if you don’t believe you can make money In the stock market, well, it’s more likely you’ll never do. But if you create a plan, plan and understand the setbacks, and have proper risk management you have great chances to get rich trading stocks. Moreover, you can become a millionaire.

    To get rich trading stocks you must understand and adopt the idea that you will lose money on a regular basis. When you adopt that thought, you’ll be in positions to become successful at it. Never take the stock market for granted, always be on guard. Keep in mind that the stock market will steal your capital if you give it a chance. The odds of getting rich can be against you only if you fail to recognize the possibilities.

  • How to Increase the Number of Trades Per Day?

    How to Increase the Number of Trades Per Day?

    How to Increase the Number of Trades Per Day?
    Your strategy limits how often you day trade, overtrading can happen when you take more trades than your strategy allows.

    By Guy Avtalyon

    I heard so many times this question: How to increase the number of trades per day. I’ll tell you something that may surprise you. You don’t have to trade every day, not even every week. So how to make consistent gains? Actually, you can generate even better profits if you don’t trade frequently. For that to achieve you don’t need to manage numerous open positions and spend days in front of your computer. 

    Surely, you’re waiting for me to tell you about the special secret.

    If you stay long enough, you’ll see!

    Firstly, you can trade stocks on how often you want but in a non-margin account. Of course, you don’t have a non-margin account otherwise you wouldn’t ask this question. 

    So, you’ll have to trade under the rule known as  “pattern day trading rule”. What does it mean? The number of your trades is limited if you don’t use your cash account. On the other hand, if you use cash or a non-margin account you can trade as many times as you want. However, if you use a margin account it is allowed to trade three times every day for a five day period. If you are smart you can extend this number to four. For example, to avoid this rule you can buy the stock at the end of the trading day and sell it the day after. In this way, you’ll hold stock for less than one day but you’ll have more trades. 

    How often to trade stocks?

    This Day Trading Rule will limit you. Keep in mind that the number of trades means the number of transactions, not the number of different companies you trade. 

    The day trading rule operates by identifying some traders as “pattern day trader”. Such traders must have deposited $25,000 in their accounts. The good news is that you don’t need to cover this amount in cash only, you can use other securities also. But if you don’t use a margin account this rule cannot be applied to you. If you’re in cash, 

    you don’t need to comply with this rule, of course. 

    But, what is smart to do? What is the reasonable number of trades per day? How to increase the number of trades per day? First of all, if you have less than $25 000 the reasonable decision is not to use a margin account. In this way, you’ll reduce the risk. If you’re a beginner it is smart not to use leverage. Just take care that some mistakes can wipe you out completely and trading with leverage is one of them.

    However, it is a completely different situation if you have experience but not enough capital. If you want to avoid the day trading pattern rule you should do the following.

    Tricks on how to increase the number of trades per day and more often trade stocks

    Open added accounts. This is the easiest way. For example, you can open three different accounts to execute day trading. This strategy is one of the tricks actually. I already mentioned that the rule can limit the number of transactions per account. But if you have several accounts you can trade more often and you’ll not be flagged as a pattern day trader. You can make 15-days transactions from 15 different accounts.

    Well, the problem could be how to open multiple accounts in your name. Well, don’t do it. Open different accounts in the name of your family members, for example. It is completely legal for you and your family members to have trading accounts with the same broker. 

    Well, if you don’t trust your family, there is still a chance to open multiple accounts with different brokers. That’s how you can overcome the problem of “pattern day trading rule”.

    But be careful, this can’t last forever. It’s a matter of time when the brokers will start to control you. The consequences aren’t pleasant. They could increase the minimum collateral limit even if you use your cash account or other non-margin accounts. Their limitations can be tied to social security numbers or they can request to connect the biometric information for using these accounts.

    Therefore, if you want to be a daytrader and break the limited number of trades per day you’ll need to have some other tricks in the pocket.

    Trade in the markets outside your country

    The day trading pattern rule is required by American regulators like FINRA and the SEC. Hence, this obligation does not surely hold true in stock exchanges out of the US. You can look at some foreign markets and exchanges. Many of them don’t have such rigorous demands. Well, you can’t just jump into another market, you’ll need to examine it first. For example, things like taxes and legal issues, liquidity and risk matters, etc.

    So, you may find another way often to trade stocks when you want a day trade but your capital is below $25.000 which is required in the US. These that I presented you are just a few strategies on how to avoid pattern day trading rule.

    But frankly, this rule is helpful to both traders and brokers. It decreases the risk for both sides. 

    The pattern day trading rule appeals to traders that use a margin account and only on the territory of the US. If you trade out the US market you don’t need to respect this rule. Also, you don’t need to follow this rule if you’re a cash-based trader.

    How to increase the number of trades per day? I hope you got some clues now. Just, keep in mind any combination of selling, buying, or shorting a stock within one day can be recognized as day trading.

    Keep the balance in the number of trades

    Day trading is the most fascinating and queried trading style. In day trading you have to close all positions before the end of the trading day. The benefit is that you’ll avoid the overnight gaps. But is it a real benefit? No matter how day trading may look lucrative it has drawbacks too. Let’s ask the stats for help. The stats say that almost all returns in the stock market over the 20 years and more, come from overnight gaps. If you remove the risk and you don’t want to have a market gap against you, you’ll reduce the profit chances. Some traders wrongly believe that under-trading is better than overtrading. This is a mistaken opinion. If you have a winning strategy, then by bounding trades, you decrease your chances of success. Think about that.

    Article source

  • How to Find a Stock Worth Trading?

    How to Find a Stock Worth Trading?

    How to Find a Stock Worth Trading?
    To find a stock worth buying several parameters should be estimated and examined. Here is what really matters.

    By Guy Avtalyon

    If you want to know how to find a stock worth trading, think about the stock’s valuation, strategy, plans for diversification, and your appetite for risk.

    The first consideration on how to find a stock worth trading should be the company’s earnings. Profitability is important because when you buy a stock, you’re buying a part of the company. Calculate its P/E ratio, just divide the share price by a company’s annual net income. 

    For example, if a stock trades at $30 and has an annual net income of $3 the P/E ratio is 10. The general rule of thumb: if the stock’s P/E ratio is higher than the broader market P/E, it is considered expensive and vice versa.

    But the P/E ratio isn’t a perfect measure. For example, a small, fast-growing company may have an extremely high P/E ratio but earnings are poor while the stock price can be high. You have to gauge if there is any potential for strong growth and if there is, such stock may not seem expensive.

    So, look for trends in a company’s earnings growth. Find do the earnings regularly increase. If you have a confirmation for that, get it as a good indication that the company is operating well. There is no need for an incredible increase, even a small increase can be an indicator of a positive outlook, but only if it is consistent over a long time.

    Volatility matters

    The volatility in the stock market is natural. The companies are losing value in the markets from time to time but also could increase the value. Every trade you make in the stock market is actually kind of betting on the market direction, on the volatility, or both.

    For stocks trading, volatility is good for the long term because you have to make a profit. And you can do that only if the stock price fluctuates. If you really want to find a stock worth trading, seek the high volatile stocks.

    If the stock has a high volatility the value could be spread over a large span of values. This means the price of the stock could fluctuate drastically in a short time, which is ideal for fast-moving trading. Contrary, if the volatility is low, the stock’s price will stay almost steady which offers fewer chances for a quick profit.

    Beta as a measure of volatility

    Use beta as a measure to unveil how volatile the particular stock is.

    The beta can predict the total volatility of a stock’s returns against the returns of a related benchmark, for example, the S&P 500. If you find that beta value is, let’s say 1,3 that means the stock price moved about 130% for each 100% in the related benchmark index. Hence, if the beta value is 0.6 that would mean that stock has moved just 60% for each 100%  in the related benchmark.

    Trade volume matters

    Volume is the total number of shares traded in a market during a particular period. Each transaction adds to the total volume. For example, if during one trading day there are 100 transactions, the trade volume for that day would be 100. How to find a stock worth trading when using trade volume? Volume works as a great indicator that adds weight to the market move. For example, if some sudden spike appears, the strength of that movement depends on the volume during the time observed. 

    When picking a stock worth trading, pay attention to how great is volume. The greater volume, the more important the move is.

    How to find a stock worth trading?

    So finding a stock worth trading is a matter of combing for stock with large volume, a current spike in volume, and a beta higher than 1.0. The stock that lacks these elements will be very difficult to trade successfully.

    The way you use these factors will affect your possible profit. The trading style depends on your trading strategies. You have to find a stock whose price changes to profit from that fluctuation. It is impossible to profit from trading stocks if there are no changes in price. Also, the same comes if the volume is low. The low volume shows a lack of buyers and sellers. How to profit from that?

    Stock Price

    You may consider the stock price. Some companies could distribute additional shares and increase the number of available shares but lower the price per share in the market. Some will never do that. It is considered better for investors because such stock could rise more in price and worth more after some time. Anyway, the stock price will show you how many shares of a particular stock you can buy for the capital you have. Pay attention to stock price historical performances. That will give you a clue how the stock is possible to play in the future and is your chosen stock worth buying.

    But active traders will prefer, for example, stocks in play but they’ll need to carefully watch the news because such stocks are not the same every day. 

    How to find a stock in play worth trading?

    These stocks are suitable for day traders because they are changing dramatically sometimes during the trading day. Also, they carry enough volatility to generate favorable risk and reward trading ratios.
    Day traders will normally look for stocks that have big price changes during the one trading day. These stocks are not a good choice for investors with a long time investment horizon.
    Active traders expect more action. They exit the trade much before the end of the trading day, sometimes a few minutes after they enter the trade. These trending stocks can be found on many broker’s trading platforms. There you’ll find stock worth trading.

    Bottom line

    Trading, even if it is considered as a risky strategy, can be highly profitable. Of course, if you know how to find stock worth trading. As we mentioned above, pay attention to trading volume, volatility, liquidity, and price. All of these criteria together will help you to find the stock worth trading.  

  • Is Trading Stocks A Zero-Sum game?

    Is Trading Stocks A Zero-Sum game?

    Is Trading Stocks A Zero-Sum game
    Trading stocks is not a zero-sum game and both sides can be winners.

    By Guy Avtalyon

    Is trading stocks a zero-sum game is sometimes more rhetorical question than it is related to trading. But shouldn’t be. In stock trading, we have two different sides. One is represented by winners, the other includes losers. On any transaction in the stock market, the chances of winning and losing are near even. So, who are the winners and losers of this zero-sum game?

    Winners have better portfolios, they are usually long-term traders, they can sustain seldom losses because their investment horizon is larger. On the other hand, traders that frequently place trades, have losses more often. So, the profits and losses of all traders should sum to zero if trading stocks is a zero-sum game, right? 

    Trading stocks is mathematically a zero-sum game is a logical conclusion. However, it is more complicated.

    Who wins and who loses when trading stocks?

    Trading is a zero-sum game only when you measure gains and losses relative to the market average. In the zero-sum game, there is always one winner and one loser. The amount that one trader profit has to be equal to the amount the other loses. That would mean the winners can profit only the amount that losers are ready to lose.  

    This is true, but we come to something known as market capitalization. That’s the number of company’s shares outstanding and times by its market price per share. The volume of transactions is comparably small related to shares outstanding. The stock price could appreciate or depreciate only if traded below or above the market price. When traders hold their positions no one could lose or win. But when traders choose to exit their positions, some will be winners while the other will be losers. Yes, to this point everything is clear but trading isn’t a poker game where the winner takes it all. It is the opposite a bit. 

    Is trading stocks a zero-sum game?

    The stock market is an open system. The presumption that trading stocks is a zero-sum game comes from another presumption that the stock market is established by a constant and non-changeable number of securities traded. That would mean no stocks or other assets enter, no exit. As we know the reality is different. Publicly traded companies can issue more stocks and also they can buy back their shares to increase the price while diminishing the number. Also, some companies declare bankruptcy and become not publicly traded or bought by other companies. So, the stock market is a kinda living being. It isn’t constant or fixed.

    Trading stocks is a zero-sum game if one trader gains only what the other loses, both expressed in money. When both buyer and seller strive for the same thing, we can say it is a zero-sum game. But trading stocks is connected with liquidity, risk management, etc. It isn’t just about money. There is something in the character and outlook of the participants. If they are similar the aims will be similar too, and the trading could become a zero-sum game.

    Trading stocks is zero-sum only when the competition is excellent, only when it is perfect. That would mean the traders on both sides, buyers and sellers, have the same information and make decisions that lead in the same direction to the same conclusion. For example, the ABC company’s stock price is going to drop. Buyers and sellers both have that information and buyers would like to buy that stock at a lower price while the sellers would like to sell it at a higher price. When their particular interests match each other the trade occurs. Only then, we can talk about trading stocks as a zero-sum game.

    Is day trading a zero-sum game?

    Day trading could be a zero-sum game. Here we can find an equal number of winners and losers. The most popular markets among day traders are options and futures markets which are zero-sum markets. How does this work?

    Let’s say you\re the one who holds the option that makes a profit. On the other side is the trader who wrote the option. The second trader, the seller of that option will lose the same amount. 

    Who are the winners and who are the losers in a zero-sum market? 

    You may think that all depends on luck. But you’re wrong. The real winners are traders with discipline. The winners have a trading plan, they know where and when to set limits, and never trade based on emotions. Instead, they use accurate data. So, the futures and options markets are zero-sum game markets. 

    But when we come to the stock market it could be real nonsense to claim it is a zero-sum game.

    Where is the difference?

    Let’s say, for example, if the economy is growing, companies’ profits rise, what is going to happen? How could this condition influence the stock price? Of course, the stock price will increase. In such circumstances, we will have more winners than losers among traders. Especially among long-term participants. Of course, some days it is possible to see more losers. That is the reason why some people understand the stock market as a zero-sum game.

    Trading stocks isn’t a zero-sum game

    All trades in the stock market are based on future expectations. Every single trader has different risk tolerances. The market always counts on it. If part of traders are selling their stocks that does not necessarily mean they are losers. Every trader has a particular and different goal when trading. For example, one can decide to hold the position until making a particular profit. So, what does a trader have to do when reaching it? Such a trader will exit the position to book profit, it’s so natural. The trader who is buying that stock may end in losses since there is no guarantee he/she will profit also. But what if the second trader proceeds profiting? Can you see, both sides, seller and buyer are winners.

    Bottom line

    So, trading a stock market is a more win-win situation than a zero-sum game. When trading stocks always keep in mind that some stocks pay dividends. That is an important factor when discussing stock trading as a zero-sum game. It isn’t rare for investors to get more money from dividends, even more than their initial investment was. The stock trading isn’t just a relation among sellers and buyers, it is more. That’s why we can’t say stock trading is a zero-sum game.

  • Trading Stocks As A Business – Why And How?

    Trading Stocks As A Business – Why And How?

    Trading Stocks As A Business - Why And How?
    Trading stocks and trading stocks as a business are completely different approaches. Even, it isn’t the same money.

    By Guy Avtalyom

    Trading stocks as a business depends on your ability to trade different securities. In other words, how much are you ready to trade stocks, bonds, stock options, futures, or precious metals. Trading stocks as a business means you must consistently be profitable. You’ll have to have an income from your profits. In case you have any drops in your investments, that will have a negative influence on your income. There are some things you’ll have to take into consideration before you make any choice on trading stocks as a business.

    Increase the capital for trading stocks as a business

    First of all, you’ll need to have the amount you must require to start trading stocks as a business. If you don’t have an adequate amount you’re not comfortable in your business. You will not know whether you are right or not. Build a trading fund and open an unconnected, separated bank account for it. You’ll need to secure a fund that is separate from savings. It is a smart decision to protect your and your family’s financial security.

    Before start trading stocks as a business

    Trading offers a high level of flexibility, also it offers incomparable financial returns. The downside is that it also comes with real financial risks. If you are considering trading stocks as a business, you’ll need to well prepare yourself with the resources and mindset. It is just like any other business. You’ll need a lot of planning and preparation if you want day trading stocks. Trading stocks every day is the way to build trading stocks as a business. 

    Stock trading essentially relies on your abilities and skills to trade. In essence, you’re fighting for your personal interest. This type of business requires you to perfectly analyze things. If you do not pay attention to your matter when trade, you’re not doing business, it’s more recreation. Also, you’ll have to be patient in this business. Yes, this is a very profitable business and can lead you towards great wealth. To achieve this, patience is needed. You’ll have to analyze the daily stock changes and sometimes it will take more time to make a profit.

    Pay off debt before start trading stocks as a business

    Pay off debt as much as possible. If debt lies in your head, you’ll be stressed. Stress in trading stocks for a living isn’t your friend. This kind of pressure can influence your trading decisions. For example, you may seek to get a bit more out of each transaction. Debts can push you to make choices that aren’t in line with your trading criteria. So, the best start in trading stocks as a business is without debts. The wrong decision is to start this business thinking that you’ll profit enough from trading to pay it back. Some people did it but it is very rare. Always keep in mind that business should never be based on assumptions but on the plan.

    Trading stocks as a  business from your home can help you gain financial independence.

    Choose your trading strategy

    Write it down. You can find many trading strategies on the market. The other solution is to create your own trading strategies. Just be conscious to add the criteria and parameters on how you pick stocks. If you know when to buy and when to sell, you’ll know how to create your strategy for trading stocks as a business. That will be your business operating system, nothing else you’ll need.

    Buy and sell following your strategies, and be disciplined with your budget limits. You” experience many ups and downs, but never leave or change your original parameters. In other words, you’ll need discipline. Otherwise, you’ll suffer great losses.

    Discount trading account

    It is recommended to open an online discount trading account. It isn’t hard to find an online brokerage that offers trades with low-cost fees. Connect your trading account to the bank account you already opened for trading. Your discount broker will carry out buy and sell orders at a lower commission rate. Don’t expect investment advice on your behalf. These brokers aren’t full-service types. Most discount brokers work through online platforms and are very accessible.

    Of course, you may choose a full-service broker. Your choice will depend on your goals, experience, financial status. Pay attention to how much much you’ll have to pay for commissions. Full-service brokers will take a healthy part out of your investment and trading returns. So, discount brokers could be a better choice.

    Do everything like it is a business

    For trading stocks as a  business, you’ll need to establish trading budgets, and stick to it. Further, limit your investment in any individual stock. Your budgets should have trading limits per day and week and you’ll have to track it. The best way is to create a spreadsheet. Add to it the date when you bought and sold the stocks, what was the price, how much any of these transactions cost you. Also, use some good and trusty software that will manage all of this information for filing taxes.

    How to make money by trading stocks as a business?

    More and more people seek a home-based business to boost their income. These jobs offer flexibility and financial freedom. Men and women who have children at home or full-time jobs can trade – it is just a matter of obtaining the right opportunity. Trading from home is a good option for many people who have examined trading stocks as a business. Hence, if you want to start this business from home, it’s important to take time to plan and examine it in more detail.

    Keep in mind, it doesn’t matter how experienced you are. You’ll need advice from some experts. Some will do short consultation for free, some will charge you. In any case, that might save you money and your investments. Your full-time job as a trader will demand a proper set up for your trading entity. So, you’ll need experts to help with that to do. Some brokers have packages that contain offers that the average investors don’t have access to. For example, they could offer you operating documents, consultation, bookkeeping, etc.

    Trading business from home

    To determine if you are in the stocks trading as a business, for the US residents the IRS will consider three factors. First, they will check if you attempt to profit from the daily market changes in the stock prices. Second, the IRS will examine how considerable is your trading activity, and the third criterion is your trading must be continuous and regular. There is no one sure-fire strategy to avoid trading tax law. You must manage your trading as a business. You’ll have to learn how to document your trading time, expenses, and some other things.

    Special rules

    To be in business as a trader in stocks you must meet some conditions as we mentioned above. If you don’t meet them, your stock trading will not be qualified as a business, you’ll be an investor. The point is that a trader must keep detailed records and make a difference between the stocks owned for investment and the stocks in the trading business.

    Can trading stocks be a business?

    Trading stocks as a business can certainly be a business. In many cases, you can profit from it. The main thing is to consistently profit from trading. That isn’t easy. Even if you think you’ll do it well, there is a chance to fail if you don’t have a realistic plan, both for your trade and your business. The plan isn’t just to make money, it’s more a consequence. It has to be your goal. But how to make money, the ways you’ll do it, the strategy you’ll use, a trading plan that shows how much money you plan to earn per day, week or month, could be a plan. 

    Your trading stocks as a business depends on the business plan and trading plan both. All you have to do is to develop and execute both.

    The goal of full-time stock trading 

    First of all, take it very seriously. Trading stocks as a business isn’t a hobby. If you want to enter the stock trading as a business that means you’re going to trade for a living. So, you have to treat it as you own the company. In every business education is important, so you’ll need to understand the whole industry. You have to know how it works, you can’t judge based on several trades you made. Like it is important for any business, you’ll need tools and you’ll need to know how to use them. Otherwise, tools will be useless. Also, you’ll need a bit more advanced computer. Nothing fancy, but something that can handle the demands of a trading stocks business. You’ll also need charts, scanners, and lots of data that you cannot wait or get delayed. It’s all up to you, you can set your business up for bankruptcy. But it isn’t a goal. The goal is to consistently make a profit and to live comfortably.

    Bottom line

    Be reasonable. What do you really think about stock trading? Is it a business for you? If it is just a hobby, it’s okay, but don’t call it a business. Further, think about your strategy. Do you set your trades randomly? What causes you to make a particular trade? What tools do you hold in your trading toolbox?
    If you struggle with emotions, the right solution is to learn how to read charts. Of course, you’ll need to know technical analysis. Trading stocks as a business is possible if you’re honest with yourself and have the answers to all these questions.

  • Gain of 15 percent Yearly When Trading – Is it Possible?

    Gain of 15 percent Yearly When Trading – Is it Possible?

    Gain of 15 percent Yearly When Trading - Is it Possible?
    One of the journalistic truths is that if an article is titled with a question, most often the answer is “no”. But in this case, it is “it depends”.

    By Gorica Gligorijevic

    Making money is the aim of markets, and the gain of 15 percent yearly is often a goal of individual investors. In the colloquial speech “beating the market” means having the return on investment higher than the S&P 500. Since this index was established in 1926, it has posted on average just a bit over 12% gain annually. Which makes striving for 15 percent yearly gains an appealing target to aim for. But the gain of 15 percent yearly is possible. Especially in this world of relatively frequent market corrections and downturns?

    One of the primary characteristics many famous traders are looking for in potential stocks for investment is having an average yearly growth over a number of years of 15 percent or more. The fact that big and successful traders do make investments in stocks says more than anything that such gains are out there waiting to be earned. But there are two schools of thought on this subject matter. One is saying that it is impossible and other, that it is possible to achieve a gain of 15 percent yearly or even more profits per year on the market.

    Why is the gain of 15 percent yearly not possible?

     

    One of the most common arguments among the members of this school of thought is the historic data, particularly for the past 20 years. One of the most cited sources is the J.P.Morgan Asset Management’s data which paints a bleak picture of annualized returns. The absolute bottom of all investment classes in their study is taken by the average investors with just 1.9% returns. The top of the pack is the real estate investment trusts with just 9.9% annualized gains in this period.

    And when you look at those numbers it does look impossible to reach a gain of 15 percent yearly. 

    But among them are also those that point out that this number is by itself a misleading measure. And the math does back them. Because simply put, an average is calculated by adding up all numbers and dividing the sum with how many numbers you have. And it doesn’t reflect how much money you end up with after a certain number of years. 

    For example, if you invest $1,000 and in the first year you have 100% gains but in the second 50% losses, your average return is

    (100-50)/2=25%. 

    But in reality, you have no gains at all. After the first year and 100% increase, you have $2,000. But after losing half of that in the second year, you are back where you have started. With $1,000.

    The influence of CAGR

    Often, they would point out that the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is a more precise metric, especially for a long term investment. The point is that it captures the compound effect of gains. In other words, average gains show only the average of percentile changes over some period of time. The CAGR shows at which rate your investment actually grew.

    Another argument is that the long term averages, either the arithmetic mean or CAGR, are a misleading measure due to fundamental changes in the markets in recent times. Market corrections happen more often and are caused for different reasons than back in the old days of the 20th century. Thus, over the long-term decreasing the annualized gains even more.

    The third and most common argument is that only the best of investors have ever beaten the market. People like Warren Buffett, Seth Klarman, Benjamin Graham, and so on. Long term value investors, who have gained fame and fortune by extraordinary means. That the average Joe at best can hope to equalize the track record of indices in the long run.

    Why is the gain of 15 percent yearly possible?

    To understand why it might be possible to have a gain of 15 percent yearly when trading you first need to understand that most of the arguments against such possibility are concerning the long-term investments. The buy and hold strategy. And that they are painting the generalities, while precise and correct, fail to present a more granular image of markets.

    Many will point out that the paradigm of the markets has changed. That the real profits are in the “buy and protect” strategy. While it can be costly, smart protection of your profits can yield considerable annual gains.

    Another group of proponents points out the fact that in the 21st-century markets are marked by considerable short-term swings. So that profits are in the swing trading, buying low and selling high while holding stocks just several days or few weeks. This type of trading can bring high and fast profits, but also high and fast losses. Thus, they warn that you should arm yourself with knowledge if you want to achieve a gain of 15 percent yearly.

    Educate yourself 

    Looking for patterns with increase and fall, and thus guessing accurately when to buy and when to sell. Also, collect data about the stocks you wish to invest in. patterns emerge and disappear, and the inherent volatility of the markets is an opportunity for making profits. 

    Studying the historical data of a limited number of stocks can give you insight into a very probable future movement of the prices. You should aim to get in the market at the right time and also exit at the opportune moment. And many will suggest you to not throw your net very wide, not to study too many stocks or look for too many different patterns. To concentrate on quality and not quantity. And always, make sure to have set a stop-loss.

    Try day trading

    The most convincing argument comes from day traders. It can be done very easily, but it comes with a risk. Day trading amounts to entering a trade at a certain predetermined point and exiting at a similarly predetermined point. All after just a few minutes or maybe a couple of hours. 

    Achieving the gain of 15 percent yearly when trading is very easy if you look at it in a certain way. That it is a large number of trades with relatively modest gains on average, in a relatively large period of time. Day trading can involve almost any financial vehicle, but the most popular are stocks, futures, and forex. 

    Quick, relatively small trades compared to multi-million investments you can hear about in the news can bring you a tidy sum in profits on a daily level. And if you are not greedy and use a system which can net you a 50% or more success rate, little by little it adds up.

    A portfolio that can yield a 15% gain per year

    One of the journalistic truths is that if an article is titled with a question, most often the answer is “no”. But in this case, it is “it depends”. If you are looking for a long term investment conventional wisdom is that it will be almost impossible to create a portfolio on your own. And such that could have a gain of 15 percent yearly from trading. Your best option is an investment into ETFs of well-known super-traders and established fund managers with a solid track record. That could, in the long run, net you around 10% per year. 

    But, if you decide for short-term trading there is money to be made in the markets. Markets are by nature volatile, and that presents the risk. But even the steepest market downturns are not straight lines but have a lot of small upticks along the way. And these are the opportunities, which if seized can give you a gain of 15 percent yearly when trading.Â