3 Important Trading Tips and Tricks

In today's article I would like to wrap up all the important things I have learned in trading in the last decade. So let's get to it!

1. Risk management and positive RRR

We started to work on our private fund and application with our team three years ago. At the beginning, we asked ourselves one fundamental question: "How can we shift risk management to a really high and sophisticated level?" Please take notice of the fact that our first steps towards working on our own fund weren't about which broker to use, what server to have, or what strategies we should use. All these questions wouldn't be significant unless we understood that the base for successful trading is mainly a high-quality risk and portfolio management.

The edge in the market doesn't last forever. Strategies fail in time (even though some may work for years), markets change faster than they ever did before, and drawdowns were, are, and always will be present. Therefore, the question is - what is the best way to deal with that? These are all aspects that need to be resolved on a risk-management level and not on the level of brokers, servers, and strategies.

From my point of view, the most important thing is to create a concept of how to look at money management as a whole. Our elemental approach is based on the philosophy that each strategy in a portfolio is like a single employee in a large firm. And the point of managing such a firm isn't based on the fact that each employee should receive the same part of the firm's resources (same percentage of capital), but each employee should have dynamically allocated resources based on how they are doing; how effective they are, and how they are contributing to the firm as a whole. Therefore, our risk management is based on a very dynamic real-time evaluation of actual effectivity of all the "employees". That means, not only from a point of view of their singular effectivity, but also from the viewpoint of their functionality as a whole. Based on such evaluation, different resources are allocated dynamically to each "employee" in time.

Simultaneously, it is important to take into account all the firm's resources as a whole (we can look at it as a cash flow) and such resources are also globally increased or decreased based on how the firm is doing as a whole.

In such a model of management, it is important to consider many different aspects, from analysing the quality of each trade, the distribution of the latest ones, as well as of all existing trades through different analysis of equity, volatility, and current quality of markets. The model is therefore very dynamic and literally it can change every minute the distribution of resources to each "employee" and also the whole firm. Naturally, I won't give out any more details about this subject.

The point for which I am writing this is very simple: It is really important to have a clear idea of how to manage the capital. You don't need sophisticated models if you don't plan to manage big money, but if you are a small "ordinary" trader you have to know what percentage of the capital you risk per trade. If such risk makes sense from the point of the Monte Carlo analysis (and maximum possible Monte Carlo drawdown) and also to have a specific plan on when and how to increase or decrease the amount of contracts, and how to deal with strategies and patterns that currently have a bad period (such strategies shouldn't receive the same resources as those that are doing well).

I strongly suggest to trade with positive RRR. From my personal experience - it is easy to find a beautiful, smooth equity with negative or RRR 1:1, but later on commissions and slippage come in and cards radically change in your disadvantage.

Also, I suggest a book called "Definite to Position Sizing", which I used to get inspiration for my fund.

2. Regular maintenance and adaptation

From the experience I have gained over last few years - whatever edge in the market you have, whatever approach and trading path you have, your edge will need occasional changes, updates, and maintenance (even if you trade discretionary).

Some changes are changes in stop-loss and exits (better adaptation to new volatility); sometimes it is regular optimization; sometimes small changes in a fundamental idea of the edge. Occasionally, some of this work will be done by auto-adaptive requirements and algorithms on your behalf. But even so, some different levels of regular maintenance will be needed.

A definite edge that you could trade without any changes constantly doesn't exist. Markets are changing too quickly and therefore it is necessary to make adequate changes in parallel. Occasionally, it is necessary to change the composition of the portfolio; occasionally to change a market or timeframe, or to change the amount of positions thanks to the ever-changing volatility. These are all things that come with experience and are very important.

If you would look at this from a different angle - it is like in any other profession in life. Whatever you do, new trends, new tools, new requirements are constantly coming in and we need to learn to adapt. If we don't, we can't become successful in anything in this dynamic world (not even in trading).

The good thing is that it isn't as bad as it may look. Simply put, it is important to trade and gain experience, to reconcile that we will never be perfect and occasionally we will make mistakes - to learn from them. The more as we trade, the simpler it will be to make a decision about occasional changes to be able to adapt. Not always will our decisions be correct, but that's how it is in life (if we are reasonably diversified, the occasional wrong decisions will be balanced by series of good decisions. In our fund we are dealing with volatility a lot and on many different levels; from regular optimizations of systems to proprietary auto-adaptive algorithms and indicators, up to concepts working with adaptability on the level of the whole portfolio.

The necessity to know how to adapt is an elemental part of survival in life. This is actually great news because it means that in our genes there is everything necessary for us to adapt. We just need to learn how to use it.

3. Learning is a never-ending process

The previous paragraph leads to the last important point which I need to discuss here - learning is a never-ending process. Trading is a lifestyle, it is a life path. If you have chosen trading, and I mean really chosen, then it probably will be with you for the rest of your life. And that means that there will always be something to learn, there will always be something new. And this is something that makes the path of a trader even more exciting.

To be honest, I have a feeling that I still don't know much even after more than 10 years in trading. Yes, I have noticeably moved forward. In our fund, with our team, we are realizing and discovering some really incredible things. Even though I have a feeling I don't know much about trading. Maybe today I know more about risk management than why markets move the way they do. Maybe today I am capable of developing a larger trading and risk management concept than before, but that doesn't mean that I have found more certainty in the markets. Trading is still a path without certainties. That's why it is trading, that's why it is a speculation. But what is certain these days - it isn't even a civil servant position anymore.

I have a feeling there is always something to learn. Every day we are amazed by new findings that need new, creative thoughts and ideas to be able to implement them in the right way. Even after 10 years I still read trading books; I learn from other traders and I am finding out newer and newer things.

In trading there is always something to improve.

And that's how it's probably always going to be for traders. This is a reason why you need to enjoy trading, why you need to be passionate about it in order to be successful for the long run.

On the other hand, I have to say that you will learn a lot, not only about trading, but also about yourself and life. I am actually surprised myself of what I have learned about myself and life thanks to trading.

Try to approach trading also with an open mind and not only from a logic point of view. That would be a mistake as trading needs logic, heart and creativity.

Happy Trading!

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Stock Market Basics For Beginners - All You Need To Know

Rookie stock market investors are those who only possess a relatively rudimentary knowledge and experience of the investing sphere. Most of these individuals usually commence by sticking to a 'buy and hold' trading strategy. As a beginner, your general experience in investment trading is very limited. This, for the most part, confines you to making no more than a couple of trades perhaps on a monthly basis from a cash account. However, this does not necessary signify that you have not placed high expectations on your stock market trading activities. You most likely are very interested in expanding your knowledge as well as investment experience in order to realize the objectives you may have set. This is all nice and good.

Nevertheless, most beginners are generally totally ignorant on the exact time investment and devotion required in investing and trading. This makes a large number of them to be extremely susceptible of initiating failed investments. The kind of stock market investments which are based purely on instincts and hearsay, rather than investments that are based on actual research.

Most rookies usually comprehend the notion of buying low and then selling high. Still, they are very prone to letting their emotions guide their actions, the moment a trade or investment has been made. As a result, many of them can desperately cling to securities with substantial losses. Mind you, even when the exact reasons that drove them to make the initial investment in a particular security become untenable. As such, most of them find themselves hoping or anticipating that a 'losing' stock will be able to recover for them to be in a good position of getting back even. In the event higher prices emerge, these beginners then opt to pull out way to soon. This normally prompts them to sell their stocks at break even or perhaps after they have only realized insignificant profits.

Generally speaking, it is always tough for rookies to discern a forest from just trees. Also, they find it hard to recognize if the future prospects of any particular security are auspicious, even if the short term trading trends are not volatile. Beginners are normally successful during strong 'bull' markets. But unfortunately find themselves clueless when on tougher occasions, especially when market volatility is higher and 'bears' happen to rule. Well, if you deeply feel you fit this description to the T, here then are some stock market basics for beginners, which could be useful.

Make it a point to set realistic trading objectives
Before you decide to make your very first investment, try to ask yourself the following questions. "At what point will you require the money you have invested?" "Will it be after 6 months, a year, 5 years or perhaps much longer?", "Are you trying to lay a nest egg for your sunset years?", "Are seeking to obtain the necessary funds to finance your college education or perhaps seeking money to buy a home?" "On the other hand, do wish to establish an estate that you want to leave for your beneficiaries upon your demise?"

Whichever the case, prior to making any stock market investment, you ought to fully determine your primary driving motivation. When you have ascertained this critical point, next consider the most likely time in the future you might stand in need of the funds you wish to invest. Should you require your investment back within just a couple of years, then it will be much better to consider another investment channel. It is very important for you to fully understand that the stock market with its volatility can offer no guarantee on just when your investment will be made available.

Accordingly, you should always make it a point to beforehand calculate how much cash you wish to invest and what kind of ROI you may deem suitable to realize your trading objectives. As a rule of thumb, always recall that the eventual growth of your stock market portfolio relies on 3 interdependent factors. These are the exact capital you decide to invest, the amount of yearly earnings on your investment. And lastly, the exact number of years you wish to invest your capital in the stock markets.

Take the necessary time to effectively determine your risk tolerance
Risk tolerance happens to be a psychological attribute, which is genetically oriented. Yet, it can still be significantly influenced by factors such as education, income or even wealth. The moment all these factors increase in value, risk tolerance also tends to rise. Basically, your exact level of risk tolerance can be accurately described as how you feel about any risk you make. As well as the exact level of anxiety you tend to experience whenever you decide to undertake risky ventures. Take your time to ask yourself, "Can I risk $100 to gain $1,000 or perhaps $1000 to gain $1,000?"

It is vital for you to fully understand that all people possess varying levels of risk tolerance. This certainly means that there is no such thing as 'right balance' in this given issue.

At the same time, risk tolerance can generally be influenced with the exact 'perception' of the risk an individual is contemplating to take. This given concept of risk tolerance is then the most accurate when it comes to stock market investing or trading. As you become well conversant with the basics of trading, you will find that the idea of the risks involved in such matters is generally lesser. This includes having an excellent understanding of how to buy and sell stocks, assessing market volatility (price changes). Along with the ease or difficulties of liquidating a stock market investment.

This usually leads to a lessening of the overall anxiety you are bound to experience when you trade or invest in the stock market, due to your 'perception' of the risks involved. So, by taking the necessary time to fully understand your exact risk tolerance, you will be able to avoid trading in investments you dread. Ideally, you should not invest in an asset which has the potential to cause you sleepless nights. Anxiety triggers fear that in its turn prompts an emotional response to the stressor. By always retaining a cool head during stock market uncertainty, you will be able to adhere to an 'unemotional' decision-making process in your stock market activities.

Make it a habit to keep off your emotions from your investments
By far the largest obstacle quite a large number of beginners have to routinely face is their inability to regulate their emotions and proceed to make logical decisions. In the short term, the prices of company stocks correspond with the combined emotions of the whole investment community. When most stock market investors happen to be anxious about a particular firm, its stock prices will be bound to take a plunge. Alternatively, when most traders possess a positive perspective to a firm, its stock prices will naturally rise.

Those individuals who retain a negative perspective about the stock market are known as 'bears'. While those that have positive outlooks to the same are known as 'bulls.' During market hours, the unceasing struggles between bulls and bears is usually reflected on the constantly fluctuating securities' prices. These short term fluctuations generally arise from rumors, speculations and in some cases even hope. All of these factors can be rightly labeled as been emotions. Effective stock market investment necessitates a logical and systematic analysis of a company's assets, management and future prospects.

At this juncture, it is important for you to remember that stock market prices can move in contrast to most expectations. For the inexperienced, this can fuel insecurity and tension. At such moments, you will find yourself faced with a dilemma - "Should you sell your position to prevent a loss?", "Or should you continue maintaining your position in the hope that the prices will ultimately rebound?" Even in the occasions that prices perform as you expected, you will still find yourself facing troubling questions. "Should you take a profit now prior to the prices falling?", "Or should you maintain your position as the prices could rise even higher?"

Dealing with all these perplexing thoughts can trigger a lot of worry, particularly if you constantly monitor the prices of the securities you trade in. This emotion can eventually prompt you take certain actions. As your emotions are the main motivation, it is mostly likely your action will be wrong. When you buy a stock, you should only do so with valid reasons. Also, you should have realistic expectations of exactly how the prices will perform if your guiding reasons prove to be accurate. Finally, before investing in any stock, always take time to determine the exact point you will liquidate your holdings, especially if your reasons are proven wrong. All in all, always have an appropriate 'exit' strategy prior to purchasing any stock, and make it a point to execute it unemotionally.

Make it your business to comprehensively learn about the basics of stock market investment
Prior to making your very first stock market investment or trade, make sure that you fully understand all the basics of stock markets together with the individual securities which make them up. Below are some of the most pertinent areas you will be obliged to be well conversant with before commencing any stock market activities.

To begin with, take time to understand the exact financial metrics as well as definition that are utilized in stock market trading. Some of the most notable of which are P/E ratio, earnings / share, return on equity and compound annual growth rate. Take you time to fully grasp how these metrics are usually calculated. It is important to state that been in a position of effectively contrasting just how companies use these metrics is essential in any successful stock market investment.

Next you should learn all about the most popular techniques of stock selection and timing. To this end, you should make it a point to understand how fundamental and technical analysis can be executed. More importantly, just how they vary and when it is appropriate to use them in a stock market trading strategy. You should also be well conversant with the different types of stock market orders. Take all the time you require to fully comprehend just how market orders, limit orders, stop market orders, stop limit orders and trailing stop loss orders vary from each other.

Finally, you should make it a point to learn all you can on the different kinds of stock market investment accounts which are made available. You perhaps are well conversant with cash accounts that are arguably the most prevalently used by stock market investors. Nevertheless, what are known as margin accounts are by regulations, required when you wish to make some specific types of stock market trades. So, make sure you fully understand how margin accounts can be calculated. You should also find out about the exact differences between initial and maintenance margin accounts prerequisites.

Make it your business to diversify your stock market investments
The moment you have performed all the necessary research that helps you determine and even quantify risk, making the decision to diversify your stock market portfolio can be a very shrewd step. The same is also the case, when you are totally 'comfortable' that you will be able to pinpoint any potential danger which might jeopardize your position in a stress-free manner. In both scenarios, you will be able to liquidate your stock market investments prior to sustaining any dangerous loss.

Therefore, the most prudent means of been able to effectually manage stock market investment risks is to diversify your exposure. You should know that most shrewd stock market investors, make it their business to own stocks from different firms, different sectors and even different nations. The primary driving force which motivates them to do so is the firm guarantee that a single inauspicious event can never influence all their holdings. What all this really boils down to is the undeniable fact that stock diversification can allow to comfortably recover from the loss of a single and even several of your investments.

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