Lessons

1. If VIX is under 26, buy the dip. If VIX is over 26, sell the rip.

2. Always trade in the direction of the larger trend. Find the strongest trend in your time period.

3. Nothing as bearish as a failed breakout. Nothing as bullish as a failed break down.

4. Don't worry about the last dollar. Take your money and go to the beach!

5. No more than four positions at a time. Preferably 2-4. Scope out others. Pick the strongest.

6. Buy the strongest; sell (short) the weakest.

7. Nothing is guaranteed. Nothing.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Best Method For Trading

(For me)

1. Find individual stocks that are the best patterns. Find optimal entry. Set buy order. Find exit. Set sell order. 5-15% moves.

2. At all costs, avoid shorting bull markets, except as a hedge, with a small position.

3. At all costs, avoid going long bear markets; same rules as #2.

4. Avoid shorting or going long indices. Find individual equities in pullbacks from the major trend. Remember, in a bull, individual equities (and even sectors) may double or triple while the overall index moves up by 10%. Don't be afraid of the work. If you can't find individual equities to go long/short, that means you shouldn't go long/short. Maybe the trend is changing or there will be a reversal soon.

5. Maintain 2-4 different positions. Don't put all capital into one position. This enables you to move on from one losing position. Always be looking for other positions; other equities.

6. Always know the exit point -- or where you will exit this trade if things don't work out.

7. Plan to make money in the long-term. No doubling in two weeks.




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