Market Volatility and the VIX, Explained – Webinar Recap On Monday, I wrote a blog about how to manage low volatility as a trader so you don’t end up losing your shirt. In this options trading webinar, I’m expanding on that discussion to break down the myths and mystery behind market volatility and the VIX. Watch…
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Last week I wrote about how low volatility signals complacency in markets – and possible trouble ahead. The Volatility Index, or VIX, can stay low for quite some time while buyers continue to plow money into stocks. Eventually, the fun ends and some traders pay a price for their over-confidence. Today, we’re talking about how…
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While we love to see the markets hitting new highs, don’t forget that what goes up does come down. The stock market has rallied sharply so far this year, and we have yet to see the type of pullback that scares the living daylights out of us. This is the perfect time to slow down…
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For years, I have talked about the importance of paying attention to the market action rather than outside influences. The financial media, pundits, experts and noisy Twitter feeds are a distraction, especially now. If you listen to the market message, you’ll know that markets look strong. Data points to a strong economic recovery I don’t…
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If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know that I’ve shared many of my own lessons learned over the years. At this point, I’ve been trading full time for 16 years and counting. I’ve made every mistake imaginable – some more than once. As much as I value my college education, nothing…
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How Jesse Livermore’s Trading Advice Continues to Guide Us – Webinar Recap Jesse Livermore was a stock operator who thrived at trading in bucket shops and brokerages at the turn of the 20th century. He was ahead of his time, making millions trading on others’ emotions. In fact, he once earned $3 million in a…
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A new year is always a great time to reflect on what happened in the past and look ahead to the future. Each year, I analyze my trading history and pinpoint where I can improve. I also look to others for new ideas, and one of my favorite sources is the book, “Reminiscences of a…
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The latest round of stimulus spending from Congress could be a big boost for various high-end retailers, CNBC’s Jim Cramer said. Chart action suggests Capri Holdings, Tapestry, LVMH and Nordstrom may all have more upside, he said, citing research from technician Bob Lang. Retail stocks have been trading higher as optimism grows about the U.S.…
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I’ve written about the power of the Federal Reserve in numerous articles over the years (here’s my most recent article), but I don’t think society as a whole truly comprehends the central bank’s influence. In short, it’s massive and far-reaching. The Federal Reserve saved us from a depression Current Fed policy was put in place…
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Navigating markets as a trader is very challenging, because none of us can know for certain what will happen in the future. However, if we pay attention to the signals, we’ll have a good understanding of where things are headed. Right now, it looks like they’re headed in a bearish direction. The stock market is…
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