Cycle Trading Identifying Cycle Tops and Bottoms Editor’s Note: For years Walter Bressert has been an innovative leader in the development of trading systems based on cycles. Walter’s work is difficult, but offers an excellent example of creative system-building. Even for discretionary traders–those who do not employ mechanical systems–Walter’s insights and indicators add much to […]

The Professional Day Trader Many people have asked me over the years what it takes to be a successful day trader. The answer is not clear but here are a few observations. First, you must have a complete commitment to trading and do it full-time. If it is a hobby or a secondary occupation, I […]

Money Management – Trading Thirds For many traders, the markets are a game of balancing fear, greed and hope. When a trader is out of balance, he likely will lose money, and if he is out of control, he will lose balance. Well-designed money management concepts can help to keep the trader in control at […]

The Daily Trading Plan Why bother with a daily trading plan? Because trading well is a rational process, and planning is the act of developing a rationale. Without a rationale for one’s trading, several things could happen, all bad. First, without the conviction that comes with having thought things through, you may have trouble pulling […]

The Business of Trading The Business Plan Trading is a business. As in any other business, a well thought-out plan can make the difference between success and failure. Most businesses need a plan to motivate and coordinate employees, drive a marketing strategy or rationalize costs. Traders work alone, and so do not need to deal […]

Peak Performance Many traders quickly come to acknowledge that despite being familiar with winning strategies, systems, and money management techniques, trading success is dependent on one’s psychological state of mind. If you’re a trader just starting out, where do you find the initial confidence to pull the trigger? How do you deal with down times […]

The Winning Mentality Editor’s Note: This is an excerpt from Toni’s very readable book, A Beginner’s Guide to Day Trading Online. Experts say good sex is 10 percent in your body and 90 percent in your head. Believe it or not, good trading evolves from the same ratios — about 10 percent methodology and 90 […]

The Mind of The Hunter Editor’s Note: Hank Pruden developed these ideas in collaboration with market psychologist Van K. Tharp. Have you ever watched a cat hunt a bird? First the cat picks a likely candidate. Then it stalks the bird, watching the bird carefully as it gradually approaches its prey. Stalking the bird in […]

Trading With The Edge Every successful trader with longevity in this business has developed his or her own unique methodology that offers, at its core, an edge. Make no mistake, trading is a competitive business. An edge provides you with an advantage over other traders. Your edge is much more than an ability to recognize […]

Unnatural Acts Every trader brings along the habits, ideas, biases conceptual framework and value structure–in short, all the baggage–accumulated over the years prior to becoming a trader. It is said that we already are what we will become by the age of three. If that is so, then it is no wonder that so many […]