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Fundamental Analysis

Major earnings are times to hedge or BTD As far more eloquent and technical writers have covered (spotgamma, etc) - it's very clear that the markets in general are driven by single name options on the largest market cap companies. And to help visualize just how much volatility can happen around earnings on these single names, I wanted to be able to visualize those earnings dates and impacts against some of the major benchmark ETFs like SPY or QQQ. So far, I hadn't seen a place that gives this a more clear presentation so here is my first attempt at visualizing just how large the ripples are from the "megacaps" (AAPL, MSFT, NVDA, TSLA, etc) in a very "glanceable" way. Introducing this indicator here first! Earnings Date Highlighter - from0_to_1 Easily see the earnings dates from top market movers or the top holdings of your favorite ETF!

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Forex Trader or Forex Gambler: Which One Are You?In Forex trading, it’s crucial to distinguish between a professional approach and a gambling mindset. Often, new traders unintentionally approach the market like gamblers, driven by emotion or the desire for fast profits. However, success in Forex is about being methodical and disciplined, rather than relying on chance. Let’s explore the key differences between a Forex trader and a Forex gambler: 1. Mindset: Strategy vs. Chance The Trader: A Forex trader works with a clear strategy, rooted in research and planning. They know that short-term market fluctuations are unpredictable, but over time, a sound strategy can generate positive results. Their approach is logical and systematic, focusing on probability and risk management. The Gambler: A Forex gambler, by contrast, takes trades impulsively, without a clear plan. They rely on luck or gut feelings, hoping for quick profits. Their actions are often driven by emotion rather than analysis, leading to inconsistent and risky trades. 2. Risk Management: Controlled vs. Reckless The Trader: Proper risk management is a defining trait of a successful trader. They always know how much they are willing to risk on a trade and use tools like stop-loss orders to limit their downside. They never gamble their entire capital on a single trade, aiming for sustainable, long-term growth. The Gambler: A gambler often overexposes themselves to risk, betting large portions of their account on a single trade in hopes of a big win. They may also chase losses by increasing their trade sizes, which can result in large losses and a wiped-out account. 3. Emotion: Discipline vs. Impulsiveness The Trader: Emotional discipline is key to a trader’s success. They stick to their plan and don’t let emotions like fear or greed dictate their actions. They understand that not every trade will be a winner and accept losses as part of the process. The Gambler: A gambler is highly emotional, letting wins and losses affect their judgment. When they lose, they may become desperate and make rash decisions in an attempt to recover. When they win, they might get overconfident, taking riskier trades. This emotional rollercoaster leads to poor decision-making. 4. Time Horizon: Long-Term Growth vs. Quick Wins The Trader: Traders focus on the long-term growth of their capital, understanding that consistent profits come with time. They aim for steady returns and have the patience to wait for the right trade setups. The Gambler: A gambler is in it for quick wins. They’re often driven by the desire to get rich quickly, taking high-risk trades with no regard for long-term consequences. They don’t think about sustainability, and when things go wrong, they often face big losses. 5. Preparation: Research vs. Guesswork The Trader: Traders spend significant time studying the market, using both technical and fundamental analysis. They understand the factors driving price movements and enter trades based on sound research. The Gambler: A gambler doesn’t bother with in-depth research. Instead, they rely on guesswork, tips, or simply hope that the market will move in their favor. They don’t consider economic data or market trends, which leaves them exposed to high risks. 6. Patience: Waiting for Setups vs. Overtrading The Trader: Successful traders know that not every market condition is ideal for trading. They wait for their strategy to signal a high-probability setup and don’t feel the need to be in the market at all times. The Gambler: Gamblers tend to overtrade, feeling the need to always have an open position. They frequently chase market movements without a clear plan, leading to erratic and impulsive trades. Overtrading increases transaction costs and can erode their capital over time. Moving Beyond the Gambler's Mentality Now that you understand the key differences between a trader and a gambler, how can you ensure you’re approaching the Forex market as a trader? 1. Develop a Clear Strategy A trader follows a well-defined plan based on technical or fundamental analysis. If you’re trading without a system, take the time to develop a strategy that suits your trading style. Your plan should include entry and exit points, risk management, and a clear set of rules to follow. 2. Embrace Risk Management Risk management is not optional; it’s the foundation of long-term success. Always know how much you’re willing to risk on a trade and use stop-loss orders to protect your capital. As a rule of thumb, never risk more than 1-2% of your account on a single trade. 3. Keep Your Emotions in Check One of the most challenging aspects of trading is controlling your emotions. Avoid emotional decision-making by sticking to your plan. If you find yourself making impulsive trades out of fear or greed, take a step back and reevaluate. 4. Focus on Long-Term Success It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of short-term wins, but remember, successful trading is a marathon, not a sprint. Focus on consistent, incremental gains over time rather than chasing quick profits. 5. Educate Yourself Continuously The markets are always changing, and as a trader, you should be committed to continuous learning. Read books, follow market news, and study other successful traders. The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to navigate the markets with confidence. Conclusion: Which One Are You? The main difference between a Forex trader and a gambler lies in discipline, preparation, and mindset. While a trader uses strategy, patience, and risk management to grow their capital sustainably, a gambler relies on luck, emotion, and impulsiveness, which leads to inconsistent and often damaging results. If you find yourself trading on gut feelings, overtrading, or taking on too much risk, it might be time to reassess your approach and shift your mindset toward that of a disciplined trader.

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Forex: Money Management Matters Forex: Money Management Matters Forex trading management is of paramount importance. Currency trading is not a game of chance, so a trader can and should control risk, monitor cash flow, and regularly review their strategies. In forex trading, where prices change rapidly, money management becomes the most useful tool. This FXOpen article discusses some popular forex money management strategies you need to know about. What Is Money Management in Forex? Forex money management refers to a set of principles, strategies, and techniques used by traders to effectively manage capital when working on the foreign exchange market. Money management in trading is interconnected with risk management. Money management for traders is not just about preserving your capital; it’s about the possibility to maximise your returns and minimise risks. It’s the framework that separates successful traders from the rest. Money Management in Trading Without money and risk management, a trader is like a sailor navigating dangerous waters without a compass. To help you find a way to preserve capital, below there’s a list of the most widely used strategies. Calculating Position Sizes One of the most popular forex money management strategies is determining position sizes. This involves sizing each trade according to your trading capital and risk tolerance. It helps ensure that a single losing trade does not significantly drain your trading account. Let’s take a look at the most common methods. Fixed lot sizes. With this approach, you trade a set number of lots or units for every position. This provides consistency, as each trade carries the same position size. Fixed lot sizes also allow for precise control over the monetary risk. However, this model may not adapt well to changes in market conditions and your capital. Percentage-based position sizing. This approach allows you to adjust your position size depending on the size of your trading account or the amount you are willing to risk on each trade. The position size can grow with the account and shrink during drawdowns. This helps you maintain a constant level of risk in different trades. However, the calculations require more mathematical effort than with fixed lot sizes. Volatility-based position sizing. Here, the size of positions is adjusted depending on the level of volatility in the market. If volatility is high, a trader might trade smaller positions, and if it is low, a trader might trade larger positions. This model aims to limit risk during times of elevated market uncertainty. However, the approach is complex and requires the monitoring and analysis of market changes. Risk-based position sizing models. Such models are designed to match the position size to your defined risk tolerance. You specify the maximum amount you are willing to risk on a trade, and the model calculates the position size accordingly. This approach prevents trades from having a disproportionate impact on the overall account balance. However, in risk-based models, the position size may not adapt to different levels of market volatility. Setting Stop-Loss Orders A stop-loss order is a predefined price level at which you decide to exit a trade. It helps you maintain discipline and avoid emotionally driven decisions. By setting a stop-loss order, you protect your trading capital — it acts as a safety net, ensuring that you don’t incur losses beyond the predetermined level. Placing stop-loss orders at the right levels is a skill that can significantly impact trading results. Here are some techniques: 1. You can use technical analysis tools , such as support and resistance levels, trend lines, and chart patterns, to identify logical places for stop-loss orders. 2. You can adjust your stop-loss levels based on the volatility of the currency pair you’re trading. In highly volatile markets, wider stops help to account for price fluctuations, while in calmer markets, tighter stops may be appropriate. 3. You can analyse multiple time frames to gain a comprehensive view of the market. This helps identify both short-term and long-term support and resistance levels for placing stop-loss orders. 4. You can consider using trailing stop-loss orders , which automatically adjust as the trade moves in your favour. They allow you to lock in profits while letting a winning trade run, reducing the risk of prematurely exiting a profitable trade. Thanks to technical advancement, there are now many online tools that can help you in trading. For example, using a forex true money management calculator, traders can accurately determine their position sizes and risk levels and enhance their trading strategies. Diversifying Assets In forex, diversification is a key money management strategy that involves spreading your investments across different currency pairs. The goal is to reduce the impact of a poor-performing asset on your overall portfolio and increase the chances of achieving consistent returns. Traders combine major, minor, and exotic currency pairs to spread risk. Majors are known for their liquidity and stability, while minors and exotics often offer unique opportunities. You can also explore other asset classes, for instance, stocks, indices, cryptocurrencies*, or commodities and trade their CFDs at FXOpen. Analysing Correlation Understanding how different assets are correlated with one another is crucial for effective diversification. Asset correlations indicate how two or more assets move against each other. There are positive and negative correlations. - A positive correlation is when two assets move in the same direction. For example, if EUR/USD and GBP/USD have a positive correlation, they tend to move up and down together. - A negative correlation is when two assets move in opposite directions. If USD/JPY and AUD/CAD have a negative correlation, when USD/JPY rises, AUD/CAD tends to fall, and vice versa. Correlation coefficients range from -1 to 1, indicating the strength and direction of correlation. It’s a good idea to use historical data and statistical tools to measure correlations between currency pairs and other assets. On the TickTrader platform, you can find useful charts with historical currency pair quotes. Final Thoughts Your performance in the forex market is not only determined by forecasting price movements. It largely depends on the ability to manage money, reduce risks, and preserve capital. By applying the strategies and principles discussed above, you will be able to confidently and competently navigate the forex market. You can open an FXOpen account to test these strategies and techniques. *At FXOpen UK and FXOpen AU, Cryptocurrency CFDs are only available for trading by those clients categorised as Professional clients under FCA Rules and Professional clients under ASIC Rules, respectively. They are not available for trading by Retail clients. This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

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Pareidolia in Trading; or seeing what we want to see In trading, as in many areas of life, our perceptions are often shaped by our desires and expectations. This phenomenon, where we see patterns or signals that align with our preconceived notions, can be likened to pareidolia—a psychological tendency to perceive familiar shapes or patterns in random or ambiguous stimuli, like seeing faces in clouds or animals in rock formations. In the context of trading, pareidolia can manifest as the tendency to identify market patterns that confirm our biases, regardless of the objective data. Understanding Pareidolia in Trading: Pareidolia occurs when traders project their biases onto market charts, interpreting random price movements as meaningful patterns that align with their desired outcomes. For example, a trader might: - See Patterns That Aren't There: A trader with a bullish outlook might interpret a random series of higher lows as an emerging uptrend, even if the overall market context doesn't support this view. Similarly, a trader expecting a downturn might see every minor pullback as the start of a major reversal. - Misinterpret Neutral Data: In the desire to confirm a specific outlook, traders may interpret neutral or ambiguous data as supporting their position. This can lead to overconfidence and misguided trading decisions. - Ignore Contradictory Evidence: Just as pareidolia in everyday life causes us to ignore the randomness of what we see, in trading, it can lead to ignoring data or signals that contradict our desired market outlook. This selective perception can be dangerous, as it prevents traders from making balanced, informed decisions. The Importance of Objectivity The key to successful trading is maintaining objectivity. While it's natural to have a market outlook—bullish, bearish, or otherwise—it's essential to base your decisions on the full spectrum of available data, not just the signals that support your bias. Objectivity in trading involves: - Comprehensive Analysis: Always analyze the market from multiple angles. Use a variety of technical and fundamental tools to get a well-rounded view of the market. Avoid relying on a single indicator or pattern. - Risk Management: Incorporate strict risk management practices. This includes setting stop-loss orders, managing position sizes, and not allowing one biased interpretation to dictate your entire strategy. - Journaling and Reflection: Keep a trading journal to document your trades, including your reasoning for entering and exiting positions. Regularly review your journal to identify patterns in your thinking, particularly any tendencies to see what you want to see rather than what is actually there. - Seeking Alternative Perspectives: Engage with other traders or seek out market analysis that challenges your view. This helps in broadening your perspective and reducing the influence of personal bias. Overcoming Pareidolia in Trading To counteract pareidolia and its effects on your trading, consider the following steps: - Awareness: The first step in overcoming pareidolia is recognizing that it exists. Be aware of your own biases and how they might influence your interpretation of market data. - Diversification of Analysis: Use multiple sources of information and different types of analysis (technical, fundamental, sentiment analysis) to form a more balanced view of the market. - Challenge Your Assumptions: Regularly question your assumptions and consider alternative scenarios. This practice can help you remain flexible and adapt to changing market conditions rather than clinging to a biased perspective. - Adopt a Skeptical Mindset: Be skeptical of patterns that seem too good to be true or that perfectly align with your expectations. This skepticism can protect you from falling into the trap of seeing what you want to see. Conclusion: In trading, the tendency to see what we want to see—much like pareidolia—can cloud our judgment and lead to poor decision-making. By acknowledging this bias and actively working to maintain objectivity, traders can improve their ability to make sound, evidence-based decisions. The market is a complex and often unpredictable environment, and the best way to navigate it is with a clear, unbiased perspective that prioritizes facts over wishful thinking. P.S: I didn't randomly choose to post this educational piece under the BTC/USD chart on TradingView. In the case of Bitcoin, pareidolia is something I've encountered quite frequently. I vividly remember in 2021, when everyone was eagerly expecting BTC to surpass $100k, but instead, it began to decline. The majority of analyses were along the lines of: "BTC has dropped to the 50-day moving average, it’s a great buying opportunity," or "BTC has reached the 100-day moving average, an incredible moment to buy." And then, "It's at some horizontal support, that didn’t work out, so let’s count Elliott waves—whatever it takes to justify that it will reach $100k, $500k, or whatever." I don't claim to know whether BTC will hit $1 million in the long or very long term. All I know for sure is what the father of modern economics once said: "In the long run, we are all dead." And no, I have nothing against BTC or the crypto market. To keep things objective, I also have something to say to those who have been predicting BTC at $0 for over ten years, or to those who have been forecasting a market crash for five years straight and then finally shout they were right when the market does drop: "The last person to predict the end of the world will eventually be right." Have a nice day, Mihai Iacob

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Why I Prefer Swing Trading Over Day Trading Introduction: When it comes to trading, the choice between day trading and swing trading can significantly impact your stress levels, decision-making, and overall success. In this article, I’ll explain why I choose swing trading over day trading, focusing on the benefits of a more relaxed approach that aligns better with my trading style and goals. 1. Day Trading Can Be Stressful Constant Monitoring: Day trading requires you to be glued to your screen, monitoring every market movement. This constant vigilance can lead to significant stress and fatigue, affecting both your physical and mental well-being. Emotional Pressure: The need to make rapid decisions can push traders into emotionally charged trades. The pressure to act quickly often results in mistakes, leading to losses that could have been avoided with more time and analysis. 2. Swing Trading Offers a More Relaxed Approach Less Time-Intensive: Swing trading allows you to analyze the market at a more leisurely pace. You don’t need to monitor every tick, giving you the freedom to balance trading with other life activities. Better Decision-Making: With swing trading, you have more time to evaluate market trends, conduct thorough analysis, and make informed decisions. This approach reduces the likelihood of making impulsive trades based on short-term market noise. 3. Swing Trading Aligns with Price Action Strategies Focus on Market Movements: Swing trading aligns well with price action trading, where the focus is on understanding market movements over days or weeks. This method allows you to identify and capitalize on significant trends without getting caught up in the daily fluctuations. Fewer Trades, More Thoughtful Entries: Swing traders make fewer trades, but each one is carefully planned and based on a broader market perspective. This thoughtful approach often leads to better long-term results. Conclusion: In conclusion, while day trading may appeal to those who thrive on the excitement and rapid pace of the markets, it can also lead to significant stress and emotional trading. Swing trading, on the other hand, offers a more balanced and thoughtful approach, allowing traders to focus on long-term success without the constant pressure of day trading. For these reasons, I choose to focus on swing trading, where I can maintain a healthier lifestyle and make more informed, less emotionally driven trading decisions. This approach emphasizes the importance of aligning your trading strategy with your lifestyle and psychological strengths, ultimately leading to better trading outcomes.

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The Most Famous Traders Around the Globe The Most Famous Traders Around the Globe You may have come across news articles and personal stories on social media about traders who have made huge profits and achieved early retirement. Such stories can motivate you to learn and practise to achieve your personal highs. In this FXOpen article, you will find out more about the most famous traders and their success stories. What Makes a Trader Successful? It’s important to realise that success is subjective, and there is no one formula for achieving it. For some people, success is earning as much as possible in a short period, while for others, it’s about gradually saving up and building capital for retirement. Still, people who come to succeed generally share certain character and behavioural traits. Let’s consider what can positively influence trading. Experienced and successful traders: - are well-educated in their fields - have a solid trading plan - are disciplined and patient - can control their emotions - are flexible and adaptable These qualities are essential for navigating the changing markets and finding profitable opportunities, and developing these characteristics could help you on your way. Edward Arthur Seykota: an Algorithm for Success Edward Arthur Seykota is known as a “Father of Trading Systems”. This man is a legend in the world of trading, and for good reason. Ever since beginning his career as a trader in the 1970s, he has been captivated by the concept of a mechanised system for conducting trades and performing technical analysis. Ed Seykota developed algorithms for trading and used computer programs to execute trades. The profit made by his robot used between 1972 and 1988 was over 250,000% — the assets of his client grew from $5,000 to $15 million. He has been consistently profitable in the markets for more than four decades, and his success has inspired countless traders around the world. Andy Krieger: How to Hack Forex Trading One of the best day traders is Andy Krieger, a currency trader who gained notoriety in the late 1980s for his aggressive trading strategies. He worked for Bankers Trust, and he’s best known for trades against the New Zealand dollar. His primary strategy was to bet against the NZD because he believed it would be susceptible to short-selling. Krieger enlarged his risk by combining foreign currency options with his significant trading limit, took a position, and benefited from the 1987 New York Stock Exchange crash. Andy made a profit of over $300 million for his employer in just one day. Ingeborga Mootz: A Great Female Trader Ingeborga Mootz is a woman from Germany who proved that there are no age or gender restrictions on trading. Having no relevant education or experience, she became a successful investor at the age of 75. Now she is almost 100 years old and a millionaire, and she keeps advising others on how to make money in the stock market. Ingeborga Mootz used to have a humble existence, and when she married, her husband forbade her from working. Her stock market activity began after her husband’s death when she found a thousand shares of VEBA while going through his papers. She sold the shares and made a 100% profit, and trading became her point of interest. The main area that Frau Mootz looks at is banking. Richard Dennis: How to Trade a Trend Richard Dennis inspires traders with his ingenious and innovative approach to commodities trading. Dennis was a trend trader who preferred identifying trends and making trades in their direction with increasingly high leverage, maximising profits in good scenarios. Richard was born into a poor Irish family in Chicago, and he made a name for himself trading on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange at the age of 17. Within ten years, he turned a borrowed $1,600 into an astounding $200 million through commodities trading. One of his most famous experiments involved training a group of people known as “Turtles” for just two weeks. The Turtles reportedly made an impressive cumulative profit of $175 million over five years. Bill Lipschutz: How to Learn From Mistakes and Manage Risk Bill Lipschutz began his trading career after graduating from Cornell University in the late 1970s. During this period, he managed to turn a modest investment of $12,000 into a staggering $250,000. However, there was a setback, and one bad trading decision caused him to lose his entire stake. This experience taught him a valuable lesson in risk management that he has carried through his career. In 1981, Lipschutz took a job as a currency trader at Salomon Brothers. At the time, forex trading was only growing in popularity. He quickly established himself as a very successful trader and, by 1985, was making the company more than $300 million a year in profits. He eventually became Salomon’s chief currency trader and held this position until his departure in 1990. Final Thoughts All these experienced traders who have achieved success differ from each other in biography, trading style, and strategy. The amounts they have earned are also different. It is important to remember that these are the exceptions rather than the rules, and most traders face losses while trading. However, what you can learn from them is that they possess some specific qualities such as risk management skills, emotional control, loss acceptance, discipline, and flexibility. You can develop these skills as well, and to do this, open an FXOpen account and start your journey. To boost your performance, consider using the advanced trading tools offered on our TickTrader platform. We are sure that they will be helpful for trading, learning and skill development. This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

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Stock feedback loop Stock market is a adaptive system or a stock, with feedback loops (for inflow, outflow function). Where nobody knows the outcome or future, but feedbacks (corrections or resistance) gives tells (makes inflows or outflows). Without a common leader. Economists think in models (price is the result of supply-demand, or inflow-outflow) that helps to explain system behavior (short term moves), but models are just ideas to explain complex world (models work until they dont). System thinkers study the stock not aggregate behavior . Looking at markets trough perspective of "eco system" helps better understand the drivers or moving forces?

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How to Perform Fundamental Analysis of Stocks How to Perform Fundamental Analysis of Stocks In the dynamic world of financial markets, traders seek every available edge to make informed decisions. Among the numerous tools at their disposal, two approaches stand out: technical analysis and fundamental analysis of stocks. In this article, we will explore what fundamental analysis is, how it applies to stocks, and why it is a crucial tool for traders. Traders have the option to open an FXOpen account to perform fundamental analysis on numerous stocks available at FXOpen. Understanding Fundamental Analysis Before diving into the intricacies of fundamental analysis, it's essential to grasp the basics of technical and fundamental analysis. Technical analysis primarily focuses on historical price and volume data to predict future price movements. Traders using this approach rely on charts, trendlines, and indicators like moving averages and Relative Strength Index (RSI) to make trading decisions. Fundamental analysis, on the other hand, takes a more holistic view. It delves into the financial statements of a firm, examines economic indicators, and assesses industry trends. The goal is to determine the intrinsic value of an asset and whether it is overvalued or undervalued in the market. Key Fundamental Analysis Components Fundamental analysis involves several key components that traders must understand to make informed decisions: Financial Statements Fundamental analysis begins with a deep dive into a company's financial statements. These documents provide a wealth of information that is critical for assessing a company's financial performance. The three primary financial statements to consider are: Balance Sheet: This statement offers an overview of a company's assets, liabilities, and shareholders' equity at a specific point in time. It acts as a quick overview of the company's financial standing. Income Statement: Also known as the profit and loss statement, the income statement details a company's revenue, expenses, and profitability over a specific period. These ratios evaluate a company's capability to fulfil its immediate commitments. Cash Flow Statement: The cash flow statement tracks the inflow and outflow of cash from the company's operating, investing, and financing activities. It offers valuable information about the company's liquidity and cash management. Ratios and Metrics To gain deeper insights into a company's financial health, fundamental analysts use various financial ratios and metrics. Some of the key ratios and metrics include: Liquidity Ratios: These ratios evaluate a company's capability to fulfil its immediate commitments. Notable examples include the Current Ratio and Quick Ratio. Profitability Ratios: These ratios measure a company's ability to generate profit relative to its revenue and assets. Examples include the Gross Margin, Net Profit Margin, Return on Equity (ROE), and Return on Assets (ROA). Solvency Ratios: Solvency ratios evaluate a company's ability to meet its long-term financial obligations. The Debt-to-Equity Ratio and Interest Coverage Ratio are significant in this category. Efficiency Ratios: These ratios assess how efficiently a company manages its resources to generate income. Examples include Inventory Turnover, Receivables Turnover, and Payables Turnover. Growth Metrics Understanding a firm's growth trajectory is essential for projecting its future potential and assessing its investment attractiveness. Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth: This metric indicates the rate at which a firm's earnings per share are increasing or decreasing over time. Revenue Growth: It measures the growth in a firm's revenue compared to a specific period. Book Value per Share Growth Rate: This metric assesses the increase in the firm's Book Value Per Share over the last five years. Steps to Perform Fundamental Analysis Here are the most essential steps to perform fundamental analysis. Company Selection The first step of fundamental analysis in the stock market is selecting the companies you want to analyse. Criteria for selection may include factors like the company's industry, market capitalisation, and growth potential. It's crucial to consider the broader industry landscape and market trends to identify promising candidates. Collecting Financial Data Gathering accurate and relevant financial data is paramount. Sources of financial data include the company's website, authority filings, and financial news outlets. Ensuring the data's accuracy and timeliness is essential for making informed decisions. Analysing Financial Statements In-depth analysis of a company's financial statements is the heart of fundamental analysis. Such metrics as a balance sheet and income and cash flow statements that were mentioned above are widely used by traders and investors to determine companies’ strengths and weaknesses. Calculating and Interpreting Ratios Utilising financial ratios is a critical aspect of fundamental analysis. These ratios provide a quantitative basis for evaluating a company's performance. Comparing the ratios with industry benchmarks helps identify areas of strength or weakness. Evaluating Business Strategy Assessing the quality of a company's management and its strategic decisions is another crucial element of fundamental analysis. This involves evaluating factors such as corporate governance, competitive positioning, and market share. Economic and Industry Analysis Understanding the broader economic landscape and industry dynamics is essential for contextualising a company's performance. Identifying macroeconomic trends and the stage of the industry lifecycle is critical. Valuation Techniques Fundamental analysts employ various valuation techniques to determine whether a stock is overvalued or undervalued. These techniques help traders make informed decisions about whether to buy, sell, or hold a particular asset. Common methods include: Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis: This method calculates the present value of a company's future cash flows to estimate its intrinsic value. Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio Analysis: Comparing a company's stock price to its earnings per share, relative to industry peers, to assess its valuation. Price-to-Book (P/B) Ratio Analysis: Comparing a company's market capitalisation to its book value per share to determine undervalued and overvalued companies. Risk Factors and Limitations Fundamental analysis, while a powerful tool, comes with its own set of challenges and limitations: 1. Incomplete Data: Many firms, especially in less regulated markets, may not disclose full financial information, thus hindering comprehensive analysis. 2. Future Uncertainty: Even though it's grounded in thorough research, fundamental analysis relies heavily on historical economic data. This approach also makes assumptions about future geopolitical and macroeconomic events, which can be unpredictable, thereby carrying a degree of inherent uncertainty. 3. Subjectivity: Different analysts may interpret the same data in various ways, leading to different conclusions about a currency's value. 4. Overemphasis on Long-term: Fundamental analysis typically focuses on long-term economic cycles and trends, potentially missing out on short-term trading opportunities. 5. Political Instabilities: Unexpected political events, like elections, conflicts, or diplomatic tensions, can have sudden and significant impacts on a stock value. 6. Global Events: Natural disasters, pandemics, or major technological breakthroughs can all have unforeseen effects on the stock market, making predictions based on fundamental analysis challenging. 7. Market Perception: Even if all fundamentals point towards a particular trend, market perception and investor sentiment can drive the market in the opposite direction. 8. Lagging Nature: By the time certain economic indicators are published, the market might have already reacted, making it a lagging tool. By understanding these limitations, traders can complement their fundamental analysis with other techniques to make more informed decisions in the forex market. Conclusion Fundamental analysis is pivotal for traders who aim to make judicious decisions in the financial landscape. It extends beyond just scrutinising financial statements, encompassing the assessment of crucial ratios, metrics, and the overarching economic and industry environment to gauge an asset's inherent worth. FXOpen enhances this analytical journey with its suite of resources. You can combine fundamental and technical tools on the TickTrader platform to conduct a comprehensive analysis, allowing you to navigate the intricate realm of financial markets with bolstered confidence and insight. This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

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Understanding The Gambling Mindset In Trading Gambling addiction is a pathological and uncontrollable urge to gamble, characterized by an inability to manage emotions and a failure to stop in time, often leading to intense emotional outbursts in response to negative outcomes. Initially, this term was used within the context of gambling to describe a situation where an individual experiences rage and loses control over themselves and their surroundings, often resulting in rapid financial loss. However, with the rise of various tools and strategies in Forex and prop trading, this term has also become relevant for traders. 📍 How to Learn to Conquer Your Impulses Signs of Gambling Addiction: 1. Irresistible Urge to Bet: A compulsive need to place bets or open positions at any cost, often without grasping the potential consequences. This feeling is driven by a deep-seated excitement and the inner voice saying, “I just want to!” 2. Intense Emotional Responses: Dramatic fluctuations in mood, often resembling hysteria, can occur alongside the betting behavior. 3. Despair and Euphoria: A cycle of self-destructive feelings, manifesting as despair or euphoric highs, regardless of financial outcomes. It's important to recognize that gambling addiction yields no positive results, whether a trader wins or loses money. 📍 Causes of Gambling Addiction: 1. Illusion of Easy Profits: Many brokers use aggressive marketing techniques, such as promotions and bonuses, to attract newcomers. Initial successes in trading can create a false sense of euphoria, leading traders to become overconfident. This complacency can result in careless mistakes and a quick depletion of their accounts. Experienced traders understand that a few profits should not lead to complacency. 2. All-In Betting Mentality: Traders who have something to lose and lack self-control may find it difficult to admit defeat. This can lead to placing high-stakes bets in the hope that luck will ultimately favor them. It’s not uncommon for desperate traders to resort to loans, further exacerbating their financial situations. 3. Innate Psychotype: Certain personality traits may predispose individuals to gambling addiction. Those who thrive on risk may be more susceptible to compulsive trading behaviors. In trading, a clear sign of gambling addiction is a reliance on risky strategies, such as the Martingale system, paired with a lack of a coherent trading strategy or effective risk management practices. These tendencies can lead to significant financial harm and emotional distress. 📍 Consequences of Gambling: • Loss of Deposit: This is often the immediate financial consequence, leading to significant monetary losses for traders. • Self-Disappointment: Many traders experience profound disappointment not just with their trading outcomes, but also with themselves. This can lead to feelings of discouragement, stress, and apathy. • Emotional Turmoil: The emotional rollercoaster of trading can be intense, characterized by highs of euphoria and lows of despair. 📍 How to Reduce Emotional Dependence in Forex Trading: 1. Invest Only What You Can Afford to Lose: Limit your investments to funds that won't impact your financial stability if lost. This helps alleviate pressure and allows for a more rational approach to trading. 2. Set and Adhere to Limits: Establish clear profitability targets and consistently stick to them. If your target is met, close the position without awaiting a potential trend reversal. 3. Recognize and Learn from Mistakes: Develop the ability to assess unprofitable positions realistically. Close losing trades rather than clinging to the hope of a reversal. 4. Maintain Emotional Control: If you experience anger or a strong urge to recover losses, take a break from trading. Stepping back can help clear your mind and reduce impulsive decisions. 5. Develop a Risk Management Strategy: Create a clear plan that details your lot sizes, risk per trade, and stop-loss lengths. Ensure you test this strategy using a demo account to refine your approach without financial risk. Accountability. Remember that in 90% of trading failures, the responsibility lies with the trader, not the broker or the trading platform. Recognizing your role in trading outcomes can empower you to make informed and responsible decisions moving forward. 📍 Summary Individuals struggling with gambling addiction, heightened emotionality, and an inability to calculate risks should refrain from participating in trading. Forex operates as a zero-sum game, where the financial resources of some traders are transferred to others. Success in this environment is reserved for those who approach trading with a cold-blooded, pragmatic mindset and the ability to analyze situations several steps in advance. Continuous improvement in knowledge and emotional discipline is essential for achieving success in the Forex market. Emphasizing strategic decision-making and risk management is crucial for long-term prosperity in trading. Traders, If you liked this educational post🎓, give it a boost 🚀 and drop a comment 📣

Education

Geometry: Using Chords to Predict Trend Endpoints Identify Key Points : Start by pinpointing significant highs and lows within the trend. These will be the endpoints of your chords. Draw Chords: Connect these significant highs and lows with straight lines (chords). These chords represent potential paths the market might follow. Analyze Chord Patterns: Uptrend : Draw chords connecting higher lows to higher highs. This helps visualize the upward momentum and potential reversal points. Downtrend : Draw chords connecting lower highs to lower lows. This helps identify the downward momentum and potential support levels. Sideways Trend : In a sideways trend, chords can connect alternating highs and lows, helping to identify consolidation zones. Looking at the EUR currency index, we can see the chord being used to monitor the trend critical points, lower highs and lower lows, validating a weaker EUR. Conclusion Expect a rise in pairs paired with EUR, such as USD, GDP. Keep in mind that it’s also important to validate the strength of the other economies before deciding on a trade.

Education

by DjMaxCapital

The Problem of Fundamental Analysis in the Crypto Market Fundamental analysis in the traditional financial markets involves evaluating a company's intrinsic value through a variety of metrics, such as earnings, revenue, and growth prospects. However, applying this same approach to cryptocurrency networks presents unique challenges. Cryptocurrencies operate on decentralized networks, and their value often stems from factors that don't align with conventional financial metrics. Key Challenges: Traditional Metrics Fall Short: Cryptocurrency networks are not companies with revenues, profits, or physical assets. Therefore, traditional metrics like price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios or revenue growth don’t apply. Misleading Social Media Data: Social media presence and subscriber count might seem like indicators of a project’s popularity or potential, but these figures are easily manipulated. Fake followers, bots, and exaggerated engagement can create a false impression of legitimacy and success. Isolated On-Chain Metrics: While on-chain metrics provide valuable insights, they can be misleading if analyzed in isolation. For instance, a high number of active addresses might suggest widespread usage, but without context, it doesn't reveal whether these addresses represent genuine users or automated bots. Relevant On-Chain Metrics: Number of Transactions: Indicates the level of network activity, but doesn’t differentiate between meaningful transactions and spam. Transaction Cost: Reflects the cost of using the network, which can indicate demand, but also congestion or inefficiency. Active Addresses: Shows how many unique addresses are participating, but could be skewed by the creation of multiple addresses by a single entity. Commissions (Fees): High fees might indicate network demand, but can also point to issues like scalability problems. Hashrate or Coins in Staking: High hashrate or staking levels suggest network security and confidence, but can also centralize control if dominated by a few large players. Design Indicators: Whitepaper: This document outlines the project's goals, technology, and roadmap, but its value depends on the technical understanding of the reader and the honesty of the team. Project Team: The experience and reputation of the team are crucial, but the anonymous or pseudonymous nature of many crypto projects complicates assessment. Competitors: Understanding a project's competitors helps gauge its potential, but the fast-paced nature of the crypto space means that new competitors can emerge quickly. Tokenomics: The economic model of the token, including supply, distribution, and incentives, is vital, but poorly designed tokenomics can lead to inflation or lack of demand. Financial Indicators: Capitalization: Market cap is often used as a quick measure of a project’s size and importance, but can be misleading in low-liquidity markets. Liquidity: High liquidity indicates that an asset can be traded quickly without affecting its price, but low liquidity can lead to price manipulation. Emission Method: The way tokens are issued (e.g., through mining, staking, or ICOs) affects supply dynamics, which can influence price stability and long-term viability. In summary, while fundamental analysis in the crypto market is challenging, a multi-faceted approach combining on-chain metrics, design indicators, and financial indicators can offer valuable insights. However, these should always be interpreted with caution and in context, given the unique dynamics and rapid evolution of the cryptocurrency landscape. Hope you enjoyed the content I created, You can support with your likes and comments this idea so more people can watch! ✅Disclaimer: Please be aware of the risks involved in trading. This idea was made for educational purposes only not for financial Investment Purposes. --- • Look at my ideas about interesting altcoins in the related section down below ↓ • For more ideas please hit "Like" and "Follow"!

Education

by Crypto4light

I’ve spent 8 years in crypto, and here’s what I’ve discovered ↓↓I’ve spent 8 years in crypto , and here’s what I’ve discovered ⏬ ------------------- ▪️ Throughout my journey, I’ve met hundreds of ambitious traders, but today only a few remain —those who were willing to wait and those who didn’t dream of quick profits. ▪️ According to most official studies, only 1-3% of traders make money. ▪️ Only 1% can overperform the market and earn more than a simple buy-and-hold strategy. ▪️ Intuition and prayers don’t work here; without a clear strategy , you will lose everything, I guarantee it. ▪️ The best of the best earn 100-150% annually (check the World Cup Trading Championships to verify this). Yes, there are sometimes bull markets where you can make 500% or more, but this happens only once every four years, and you need to be earning consistently. ▪️ The crypto market is changing, and this cycle is very challenging , even for professional market participants. The only way to succeed is to constantly adapt. ▪️ 99% of bloggers and influencers you follow are complete scams. Most of them won’t be able to show you a yearly trading account performance report upon request in real-time. They make money not from trading, but from you, by selling yet another course. (Always check their profitability statistics; it's the only way to verify if this person is a professional or a fraud). ------------------- Everyone is looking for the holy grail , and I searched for it too, but I found it in algorithmic trading . This trading style allows me to rely solely on numbers, clear profitability indicators, and statistics. Most importantly, it removes the human factor (staying emotionally stable, not succumbing to fear and greed).

Education

by Yaroslav_Krasko

Smart Money and the why behind it I have used @TradingView for near enough 10 years now. What I like about the platform is the simplicity and the tools. I often get asked about things like strategy or other people's techniques - "What do you think of SMC or this guy or that guy" Look, when it comes to trading - Liquidity is something very little people understand. Gurus talk about it and draw pretty lines but still fail to break it down as to why it's there in the first place. "Ah it's where the big boys buy or sell" so to help visualise this lets use some of these tools here on Tradingview. Look at my first chart here; What I have done is jumped up a timeframe and placed a volume profile tool on my chart, then simply used the drawing tool to draw a squiggle around the relevant nodes. I then dropped back to the smaller timeframe and switched on a couple of indicators to help visualise where the liquidity is. if you look at the lines 15minutes and 30minutes both in green and cast your eyes to the right, can you see they sit just below (as price is coming from above) to those higher volume nodes from that higher timeframe? Let's use another tool here on TradingView; This one is called a fixed range volume profile. the two blue lines extended out are known as the value area high and low. Often this is set to around 70-75% but I like to reduce that a little. The red line is called a PoC or point of control. This basically means the highest transactional point of the range you fixed. However, if you look over to the left this time you will see two higher volume nodes (mountains) and therefore look at the 15m and 30m lines again with fresh eyes. In this next image I have increased the range and dragged it over to include more data. I could write full strategies on this tool alone. The first thing you should notice is the PoC has now jumped up higher. Think logically about this for a second. We are seeking lower timeframe liquidity down low and the area of interest and value is showing price was accepted up high. So, after grabbing liquidity, would we anticipate the price to continue down lower or come back to play in the accepted zone? This is where a lot of newer traders fail, especially when trading smart money concepts "SMC" for short. They fail to understand the bigger picture. Another little tool in the same box-set is the Timeprice indicator. Much like session volume this gives a pretty clean view and of course settings can be adjusted. I like the look on this one, it's very modern. But the real value isn't until you zoom in and zoom in and you see why it's called Time - Price. I'll leave that for another post. But continuing the theme of this post; look at the clusters of the time price indicator and note where the PoC sits on the 15m liquidity level. Then below the 30m liquidity is the lower side of the value area. Are you starting to see a theme? In this last image; I have simply highlighted liquidity to keep my chart clean. You will see candles showing the last buys before the selloff. Then a consolidation under the liquidity - this is basically a Wyckoff structure prior to a mark down move. We then drop into the liquidity pocket and here is where most SMC traders would be jumping long. We see a very nice little rally, then a large fast drop through the liquidity, this hitting many stops and triggering new short positions. which is why as these shorts get triggered, you anticipate the pullback - to what level? Well look left and the charts will tell you. I hope this has opened a few eyes - go away and have a play with these indicators on @TradingView and feel free to aks if you have any questions. Disclaimer This idea does not constitute as financial advice. It is for educational purposes only, our principle trader has over 20 years' experience in stocks, ETF's, and Forex. Hence each trade setup might have different hold times, entry or exit conditions, and will vary from the post/idea shared here. You can use the information from this post to make your own trading plan for the instrument discussed. Trading carries a risk; a high percentage of retail traders lose money. Please keep this in mind when entering any trade. Stay safe.

Education

by Mayfair_Ventures

Risk-off & The Yen Carry Trade Explained Hi guys, I'm trying something new here. In this video I explain what risk-off is and what causes it. I break down the recent yen carry trade and what went on there. It's good to study these events so that next time you have the knowledge in the bank. That way you can plan and make better decisions. Let me know if you like this sort of thing and I can do more. Cheers, Sam

Education

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How to Overcome Trading Psychology Challenges How to Overcome Trading Psychology Challenges Dealing with common trading psychology challenges involves identifying and addressing the emotional and psychological factors that impact performance. This means you need to know how to manage fear, greed, hope, and regret carefully. In this post, we’ll talk about forex trading psychology and proper emotional control. What Is the Psychology of Trading? Trading psychology focuses on the mental state of a trader and the emotions that could predetermine trading decisions. It represents the various aspects of an individual’s character and behaviours that influence their trading actions. The psychology of trading is just as crucial as knowledge about assets (currencies, stocks, and commodities), your previous experience, and your skill in determining price movements. Understanding Trading Emotions and Psychology Trading is all about psychology and actions that are based on what you feel. That’s why it’s paramount to learn as much as you can about this topic. This list may help you better understand common traders' problems and your personal feelings. You should know that you are not alone, and many people face similar cases. Identify your emotions. Recognise the emotions that you experience while trading, such as greed, hope, and regret. Let’s break down these concepts: - Greed is the desire to make more money than is reasonable or realistic. - Fear is the feeling of anxiety or panic when faced with market volatility/uncertainty. - Hope is the belief that a trade will turn around and become profitable. - Regret is the feeling of disappointment or remorse after making a losing trade. By clearly differentiating between these emotions, you will understand exactly what you are experiencing right now and how it could potentially affect your trading decisions. Create a plan. It’s a great idea to develop a trading plan that matches your trading style and includes a strategy you want to follow, with entry and exit points and risk management techniques. A good plan could help you stay focused on your goals. Practise risk management. Consider managing risk by using stop-loss orders and position sizing. This way, you may avoid large losses. Losses often trigger emotional reactions and lead to more irrational decisions, so keep this in mind and don't fall for the tricks your brain is playing on you. You can practise various strategies on our free TickTrader platform. For example, we have a strategy back tester, a detailed charting system, and advanced technical analysis tools. And to make it even more convenient for you, we have created a highly customisable, user-friendly interface where you can personalise each element of the settings panel. Test these instruments in various markets with FXOpen. Keep a trading journal. Experts believe that when you record your trades and the emotions you experienced during each of them, you will identify patterns in your behaviour and make adjustments to your initial plan. How to Have Emotional Control There are a lot of techniques on how to remain calm during trading, and we’ve chosen the most popular ones. Here’s what you could consider doing: 1. Practise mindfulness — mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing, can help you stay calm and focused. 2. Take breaks — regular breaks during trading are wonderful tools to clear your mind and reduce stress. They help you avoid making impulsive decisions. 3. Stay disciplined — stick to your plan and avoid any decisions based on emotions. 4. Seek support — talk to other traders or a mental health professional if you are struggling with emotional control. Another important thing to talk about is confidence and awareness. If you make trades “blindly”, anxiety increases. And conversely, the more you know, the calmer you feel. Explore our blog to learn more about trading. Once you feel confident, you can open an FXOpen account to put your knowledge into practice. This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

Education

How To Pick Top Pharma Stocks like a Pro Analyzing the pharmaceutical industry, whose products play a key role in improving the quality of life of people around the world, is quite challenging sometimes also it requires deep knowledge and a careful approach, as I believe that investors should consider many factors, starting with evaluating the efficacy of the analyzed company's medications, including in relation to its competitors and the "gold standards," and ending with an analysis of its financial indicators In this article you will learn how to pick Top Pharma stocks like a pro trader and which factors you should consider, so buckle up 1/ Recognizing the risks At the very beginning, an investor you must recognize that the pharmaceutical industry is highly competitive, where a company's investment attractiveness depends not only on the rate of expansion of its portfolio of product candidates, revenue growth, margins, the amount of total debt and cash on the balance sheet but is also heavily influenced by the expiration of patents on medications and vaccines. Moreover, in recent months, the healthcare sector has increasingly felt the impact of the upcoming 2024 US presidential elections, as some politicians are aiming to further tighten regulation of drug prices despite the existing Inflation Reduction Act. 2/ Leveraging data to your advantage The second step use data wisely, you should check all kinda data including stock screener, transcripts of earnings calls, financial results for the last quarters, analyst expectations, options data... The goal is to filter companies in poor financial condition, as well as those that trade at a significant premium to the sector and/or competitors I would also like to point out that in the current market environment, with Fed interest rates remaining at multi year highs, I do not recommend investing in companies with market caps below $500 million, as they typically have limited cash reserves and weaker institutional backing Also, I'd recommend investors read 10-Ks and 10-Qs, especially the section related to debt and sources of financing of the company's operations, to reduce the likelihood of an "unexpected" drop in the share price. A striking example is Invitae Corporation aka NVTAQ which declared bankruptcy in mid February 2024! Was there a prerequisite for this? The answer is yes since the company continued to generate negative cash flow and also had convertible senior notes maturing in 2028. Convertible notes can involve significant financial risks if the company cannot effectively use the cash to grow the business and break even. In this case, management will not be able to pay off the bonds with cash reserves and will have to resort to significant dilution of investors. In my opinion, Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. NASDAQ:PACB may face this problem because it has convertible senior notes maturing in 2028 and 2030. Factors that concern me include the company's declining revenue and total cash and short-term investments in recent quarters, while its operating expenses remain extremely high at around $80 million per quarter. Let's return to the second step in my approach to selecting the most promising assets in the healthcare sector. When selecting companies with market caps between $4 billion and $40 billion, I use more parameters since most of them already have FDA approved drugs and/or vaccines. As a result, it is also necessary to consider the rate of growth of operating income, net debt/EBITDA ratio, and how management copes with increased marketing and production costs. Finally, let's move on to the last basket, which contains pharmaceutical companies with market capitalizations exceeding $40 billion. I think, this group is best suited for more conservative investors looking for assets offering attractive dividend yields and growing net income, supported by a rich portfolio of FDA approved and experimental drugs. So, from Big Pharma, I like Pfizer Inc NYSE:PFE , AbbVie Inc NYSE:ABBV , Merck & Co NYSE:MRK and AstraZeneca PLC NASDAQ:AZN . I also want to include Novartis AG NYSE:NVS and Roche Holding AG OTC:RHHBY in this group sometimes investors need to make exceptions, namely if one larger company buys out a smaller player and/or when a major partnership agreement is concluded, as was the case between Merck and Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited OTC:DSKYF in 2023. Also, in the event of a major acquisition or merger, the company's debt may temporarily increase sharply. If its management has previously implemented effective R&D and financial policies, the "net debt/EBITDA ratio" A remarkable example of a company falling into the "value trap" is Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited NYSE:TAK , which overpaid for Shire. This deal did not significantly strengthen or rejuvenate the Japanese company's portfolio of drugs. As a result, it had to sell off billions of dollars in assets to pay off its debt partially. However, despite all the efforts of Takeda's management, its net debt/EBITDA ratio, although it fell below 5x, remains high, namely about 4.7x at the end of March 2024. 3/ Identifying promising therapeutic areas In general, the more prevalent a disease is, the larger the total addressable market for a drug and, as a result, the higher the chances that it will become a commercially successful product. Global spending on cancer medications will reach $377 billion by 2027, followed by immunology, and diabetes will come in third with an estimated spending of about $169 billion What challenges arise when choosing pharmaceutical companies? you should also keep in mind that the larger the market, the higher the competition between medicines, as companies strive to grab as big a piece of the pie as possible. As a result, for drug sales to take off, they need to have significant competitive advantages over the "gold standard." These competitive advantages may include greater efficacy in treating a particular disease, less frequent administration, a more favorable safety profile, and a more convenient route of administration. So, in recent years, competition in the global spinal muscular atrophy treatment market has intensified. Spinal muscular atrophy is a genetic condition. Currently, three drugs have been approved to combat the disorder, including Biogen Inc.'s (BIIB) Spinraza, Roche/PTC Therapeutics, Inc.'s (PTCT) Evrysdi, and Novartis AG's (NVS) gene therapy Zolgensma. All three products have similar efficacy, but Evrysdi has a more favorable safety profile and is the more convenient route of administration, namely the oral route, which is reflected in its sales growth rate from year to year. The second pitfall is the company's pipeline of experimental drugs. I believe that financial market participants opening an investor presentation that presents a company's pipeline, especially if its market cap is below $5 billion, should also pay close attention to what stage of clinical trial activity its experimental drugs are in. if a pharmaceutical company has most of its product candidates in the early stages of development, this represents a significant risk because, in this case, institutional and retail investors are often overly optimistic about the prospects for the drugs' mechanisms of action and/or clinical data obtained in a small group of patients. Simultaneously, as is often the case, the higher the optimism, the less favorable the risk/reward profile. In most cases, the larger and more diverse the patient population, the weaker the efficacy of a drug relative to what was seen in Phase 1/2 clinical trials. This ultimately leads to a downward valuation of its likelihood of approval and casts doubt on its ability to take significant market share from approved medications. This may subsequently reduce the company's investment attractiveness, making it more difficult to attract financing for its operating activities. As a result, I recommend excluding any company that, instead of focusing its financial resources on the most promising product candidates, conducts multiple early-stage clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of its experimental drugs. In my experience, the most successful pharmaceutical companies focus their efforts on bringing up to three product candidates to market and then reinvesting the revenue from their commercialization into developing the rest of the pipeline. The table below highlights the following parameters that I use to screen out the least promising companies. A third factor that investors, especially those new to the investment world, should consider is that large pharmaceutical companies are leaders in certain therapeutic areas, with a rich portfolio of patents covering various mechanisms of action and delivery methods of drugs, making it more difficult and more prolonged for smaller players to find product candidates that could potentially have the competitive advantages. So, Novo Nordisk A/S NYSE:NVO and Eli Lilly and Company NYSE:LLY have long been leaders in the global diabetes and weight loss drugs markets, and only very recently, they may be joined by Amgen Inc. NASDAQ:AMGN , Roche Holding, and several other companies 4/ Assessing a company's drug portfolio in comparison to competitors Evaluating the effectiveness, safety profile, and mechanism of action of a medication, as well as comparing clinical data with its competitors, takes a lot of time and effort. I provided examples of drugs and the most promising mechanisms of action in the obesity treatment market. Their manufacturers are Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Roche Holding, Viking Therapeutics, Inc, Amgen, Pfizer, Altimmune, Inc, OPKO Health, Inc, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Zealand Pharma A/S 5/ When market exclusivity for a company's key medications ends Every financial market participant who is considering investing in pharmaceutical companies should consider the expiration time of key patents of medicines. Marketing exclusivity represents protection against the entry of a generic version and/or biosimilar of a branded drug into the market, thereby allowing the company to recoup the resources spent on its development and, in the event of its commercial success, also reinvest the money received to accelerate the development of the remaining product candidates. Where can you find information about patent expiration dates? All the necessary information is either in 20-Fs/10-Ks or on the FDA website, namely in the "Orange Book" section. let's take Eli Lilly as an example. Open the latest 10-K. Then, the CTRL + F combination opens the ability to find specific words in the document. I usually enter "Expiry Date" or "compound patent" to find the patent section.nvestors can also find information about patents on the FDA website. As an example, I enter "Mounjaro" in the top line, and a list of patents opens that protect Eli Lilly's blockbuster from the introduction of its generic versions onto the market.hen, clicking on "Appl. No." will open information about the submission date of the patent and when it will expire. 6/ Evaluating the impact of insider share transactions The next step in selecting the most interesting assets in the healthcare sector is to analyze Form-4s. The CEO, CFO, and other key members of the company's management buy or sell shares from time to time.I am only interested in analyzing purchases since, most often, sales by management are option exercises carried out to pay taxes. When management starts making large outright purchases of a company's shares, it can signal that it believes in its long-term growth potential.if more than two top managers buy a large block of shares within two weeks of each other, it significantly increases the likelihood of the company's stock price rising in the next two months from the moment of their transactions But as with everything, there are exceptions, such as in the case of OPKO Health, which is developing a long-acting oxyntomodulin analog for the treatment of obesity together with LeaderMed Group.Over the past 12 months, OPKO's management, especially CEO Phillip Frost, has purchased over 12 million shares. However, despite this, its stock price has fallen by 27% over the same period. I believe that the key reasons for the divergence between these two facts are investors' lack of confidence in Phillip Frost's ability to make the company profitable again, as well as its low cash reserves. Therefore, companies like OPKO Health have already been eliminated at the second step of selection using Seeking Alpha's screener. 7/ CEO Performance in Business Development The CEO plays a crucial role in the success of a pharmaceutical company since the pharmaceutical industry is highly dynamic, and the competition between Big Pharma is especially high, I advise readers to pay attention to the track record of the CEO, especially how he copes with force majeure situations, as well as how effective the R&D policy is carried out under his leadership. 8/ Identifying Entry and Exit Points for Long-Term Investments The eighth step is in addition to the information that was obtained in the previous steps, as well as the analysis of financial risks and various financial metrics of the company, including its net debt, maturity dates of bonds, historical revenue growth rates, EBIT, gross margin, I build a DCF model with the ultimate goal of determining the price target. it is necessary to conduct a technical analysis of them, as well as the main ETFs that include them. In my opinion, the key ETFs are the SPDR® S&P Biotech ETF AMEX:XBI , Fidelity Blue Chip Growth ETF AMEX:FBCG , iShares Biotechnology ETF NASDAQ:IBB , and VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF $PPH. The purpose of technical analysis is to determine the stop-loss level and entry points at which the risk/reward profile is most favorable. taking profit is not that easy cuz you must master your emotions and greed which damn hard 9/ Creating a Watchlist Based on Risk/Reward Ratio The purpose of which is to create a watchlist of the companies I have selected based on the previous steps. I make several lists of companies based on their market caps and also rank them according to risk/reward profile, that is, in the first place is the stock that I think has minimal risks and at the same time can bring the greatest potential profit. I also advise creating small notes on each company, which can include information about risks, support/resistance zones, dates of publication of clinical data, and any thoughts you have that will make your decision more conscious when opening a position “What’s your secret sauce for choosing pharma stocks?”

Education

Updated

Enhancing Trading Proficiency: Top Educational Resources Enhancing Trading Proficiency: Top Educational Resources Staying abreast of the ever-evolving market trends and honing trading techniques are critical aspects of becoming a successful trader. Luckily, a plethora of educational resources are readily available to aid traders in enhancing their skills and decision-making abilities. In this FXOpen article, we will discuss the best websites, books, online trading classes, and other information sources that can help traders succeed. The Best Educational Resources for Traders We recognise the importance of having a readily accessible knowledge base to find prompt answers to your trading queries. Below, we have curated a list of the most sought-after educational resources for traders, covering a diverse range of topics, from technical analysis to risk management. 1. Investopedia: A highly popular website that offers comprehensive learning materials suitable for traders at any experience level. Alongside trading, Investopedia delves into investing and personal finance, presenting a vast array of articles, tutorials, and videos. 2. TradingView: This social platform is a haven for traders, providing access to various trading tools, including charts of a wide range of financial instruments from different trading platforms, as well as technical analysis tools. Additionally, it hosts a vibrant community where traders can engage in discussions and share educational ideas. 3. ChartSchool: Specialising in technical analysis and charting, ChartSchool presents articles covering essential topics such as chart patterns, indicators, and other technical tools. If you harbour an interest in technical analysis, this resource furnishes all the necessary information to deepen your understanding of various instruments. At FXOpen, we regularly update our blog with market analysis and educational articles for traders with any level of experience. Top Trading Courses to Be Aware Of Corporate Finance Institute: an online education platform that offers courses on finance, accounting, and investment banking. It provides in-depth knowledge and practical skills for traders. CFI’s courses cover topics like financial modelling, valuation, risk management, and portfolio management. Babypips: a platform that provides one of the best stock trading courses for traders. Any online trading course from this platform for forex trading education will be of great help. Babypips offers a structured curriculum and interactive quizzes. Coursera: an education platform that offers great trading courses. The courses taught by industry experts focus on financial markets, trading strategies, and risk management. Coursera trading courses are flexible, and there’s the possibility of self-study. Udemy: an e-learning platform that allows instructors to create and publish online courses. With Udemy’s course development tools, instructors can upload various materials — videos, audio files, source code, and PDF files — to enhance their students’ learning experience. Websites That Publish Economic News In this section, we’ll explore the top websites that publish economic news and highlight their key features. Here is a list of them: - Financial Times: a renowned news outlet. With a team of journalists, the Financial Times provides analysis and commentary on the latest economic events and trends. In addition to informative articles, the site offers market data. - Fortune Magazine: a platform that publishes articles on business news and technology. The website features interviews with top executives and entrepreneurs and lists of top companies such as the Fortune 500. It’s a must-read for anyone looking to stay ahead in the world of business. - Forbes Economy Market News: a well-known business and finance publication. The website has a special economic news section with articles about global financial markets. The site also provides tools like market data, stock quotes, and investment information. - SEC Website: a website of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC is dedicated to protecting investors, ensuring fair and efficient markets, and promoting capital formation. The SEC seeks to create a marketplace environment that is credible to the public. - Yahoo Finance: a resource that helps traders effectively manage their investments and stay abreast of the latest market trends and news. The site provides current news, portfolio management tools, international market data, and social interaction — all designed to help readers manage their financial lives with ease. Books by Famous Traders In addition to articles and courses, we decided to gather a list of books that will be interesting to traders: - The Market Wizards – Conversations with America’s Top Traders by Jack D. Schwager - The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham - Technical Analysis of the Financial Markets by John J. Murphy - The Psychology of Trading by Brett N. Steenbarger - How to Trade In Stocks by Jesse Livermore If you are ready to try your hand at the real market, you can open an FXOpen account and check out our TickTrader trading platform. Our blog will also help you make rational decisions when trading. This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

Education

Identifying Market Correction Endpoints Correction or trend? How deep is the correction if it exists? When can we expect a reversal? These are common questions among traders who utilize trend strategies. The foundation of trend trading systems rests on the understanding that a trend can become 'exhausted.' Prices cannot rise indefinitely nor plummet to zero. Unlike stocks, currency pairs operate within ranges established by central banks, leading to frequent reversals and corrections. Corrections differ from trends in both depth and duration. If the price retraces more than one-third of the previous trend's length after a reversal, it is often considered the beginning of a new trend rather than a mere correction, which is the basis for counter-trend strategies. However, local corrections can occur, enabling the trend to continue. Entering the market at the end of a correction allows traders to secure positions at optimal prices, which is the essence of swing trading. 📍 METHODS FOR DETERMINING THE END OF A CORRECTION 1. BY PATTERNS. This straightforward and logical approach relies on market psychology. As a trend ascends, more buyers enter the market. When news prompts some to sell, a correction occurs, causing temporary price declines. However, buyers often see this as a chance to purchase at lower prices. A key indicator of the end of this correction is a candle with a small body and a long downward wick, suggesting that selling pressure has subsided and buyers are stepping back in. 2. BY CANDLE BODY SIZE. The size of candle bodies reflects price movement. When candle bodies decrease in size during a correction, it indicates waning interest in the asset. In an upward trend that turns bearish, if the correction shows small candle bodies, it likely signals a recovery of the trend. Conversely, during a downtrend, large downward candlesticks signify strong selling, while small bodies during corrections suggest minimal price movement. 3. CHANGE IN TRADING VOLUMES. Similar to the analysis of candle bodies, observing changes in trading volumes can signal the end of a correction. A decline in volume may indicate that the correction is over. However, a limitation of this method in Forex trading is the absence of aggregated volume data, necessitating reliance on indicators that may show tick volumes or specific broker volumes. 4. FIBONACCI LEVELS. Based on mathematical concepts, Fibonacci levels help identify potential retracement points. The end of a correction is most likely to occur at the first or second Fibonacci level after a reversal. If the price retraces to the 50% level, it often indicates the potential continuation of the initial trend. 5. TECHNICAL INDICATORS. Technical indicators, particularly oscillators like the Stochastic and Relative Strength Index (RSI), can be valuable tools for identifying the end of a correction. When these oscillators reach overbought or oversold territories and subsequently reverse their direction, it often signals that the correction has concluded, indicating a potential resumption of the original trend. 6. FUNDAMENTAL FACTORS. Local reversals frequently occur in response to news events. For instance, a cryptocurrency might be on the rise, but negative news—such as a significant fund dumping its holdings or regulatory actions by the SEC—can lead to a temporary price pullback. However, if positive news later arises, it can trigger renewed buying interest, signaling the end of the correction and a potential return to upward momentum. 📍 CONCLUSION In trading, there are no infallible tools for pinpointing trends, corrections, or their respective beginnings and endings. A correction can seamlessly shift into a new trend, while a reversal following a correction may lead to a false breakout. Given these uncertainties, it is prudent to combine multiple analytical tools into a cohesive signal system. By doing so, we can enhance our decision-making process and improve ability to interpret market movements. Additionally, it is essential to test this system against historical price data to ensure its effectiveness and reliability in various market conditions. This comprehensive approach allows us to better navigate the complexities of the market and make more informed trading decisions. Traders, If you liked this educational post🎓, give it a boost 🚀 and drop a comment 📣

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Why we always widen our stop loss when DAY TRADING Very important and basic rule with Day Trading. Always increase the stop loss when going short (sell) above the original stop loss. Always decrease the stop loss when going long (buying) below the original set stop loss. Reason: When the index touches the ASK or BID price (regardless of it actually trading there), it will get you out of your trade and hit your stop loss. So, don’t be afraid to increase the distance between the entry and stop loss. As long as the Risk to Reward stays above 1:1.5 – It’s fine. How much do I increase the distance between the entry and the stop loss? Notice what the spread is on the contract when you place your stop loss. So wherever you wanted to put your stop loss originally, add the spread on top of that and that is where you would place your NEW stop loss. Maybe 20 – 30 points is safe. But other times it could be up to 50 points

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8 Key qualities of a good trader A good trader often possesses a combination of skills, discipline, and mindset that sets them apart. Here are eight key qualities: 1. **Discipline**: A good trader sticks to a well-defined trading plan and doesn't let emotions drive their decisions. They consistently follow their strategies, whether in profit or loss, avoiding impulsive actions. 2. **Patience**: Successful traders understand that good trades don't happen every day. They patiently wait for the right opportunities that align with their trading strategy, avoiding the temptation to chase the market. 3. **Courage**: Trading often involves making difficult decisions under uncertainty. A good trader has the courage to take calculated risks, enter trades that align with their analysis, and stay in positions even when the market is volatile, as long as their strategy supports it. 4. **Confidence**: Confidence in their trading strategy and decisions is crucial for a trader. A good trader believes in their analysis and is not easily swayed by market noise or the opinions of others. This confidence helps them stick to their plan even in challenging situations. 5. **Consistency**: Consistency in execution is key to long-term trading success. A good trader applies their strategy consistently across different market conditions, refining it over time but maintaining a steady approach to achieve reliable results. 6. **Analytical Skills**: A strong ability to analyse market data, charts, and trends is essential. Good traders can interpret technical indicators, fundamental data, and market sentiment to make informed decisions. 7. **Risk Management**: Managing risk is crucial in trading. Good traders set stop-loss orders, position sizes, and risk-reward ratios to protect their capital. They understand that no trade is guaranteed, so they always prepare for potential losses. 8. **Adaptability**: Markets are constantly changing, and good traders can adapt to new conditions. They update their strategies as needed, learn from mistakes, and stay informed about market developments to remain competitive. These qualities, combined with experience and continuous learning, help traders succeed in the long run. Many happy trading years ahead.........NicheFX.

Education

Maximise Your Trading Success 3 Essential Tips for Setting Alert Setting alerts in trading is crucial for effective risk management and maximising opportunities. Here are three key reasons why you should set alerts: 1. Timely Response to Market Movements: Proactive Trading: Alerts enable traders to respond promptly to significant market movements, ensuring they don't miss critical entry or exit points. This is particularly important in the highly volatile markets, where prices can change rapidly. Automation: Automated alerts reduce the need for constant monitoring, allowing traders to focus on analysis and strategy while being notified of important market events. 2. Risk Management: Stop-Loss and Take-Profit Alerts: Alerts can help enforce disciplined trading by reminding traders to execute their stop-loss or take-profit orders, thus limiting potential losses and securing profits. Risk Mitigation: By setting alerts for specific price levels or economic events, traders can better manage risk and avoid significant losses due to unforeseen market changes. 3. Enhanced Trading Efficiency: Focus on Strategy: Alerts allow traders to concentrate on their trading strategy without being glued to their screens all day. This can lead to more thoughtful decision-making and reduced emotional trading. Opportunities Identification: Alerts can be set for various technical indicators or chart patterns, helping traders to identify and act on potential trading opportunities more efficiently. Setting alerts in forex trading enhances your ability to respond to market changes quickly, manage risk effectively, and improve overall trading efficiency.

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Best Currency Pairs to Trade at Night Best Currency Pairs to Trade at Night In forex trading, time is of great importance. The forex market operates 24/5, and it is divided into different trading sessions, including Asian, European, and North American. Each session has its own unique characteristics, and their overlap can impact activity and volatility. Night trading presents both opportunities and challenges. To make the most of night hours, it is important to identify the best forex currency pairs to trade during this period. This FXOpen article will delve into the world of night trading, exploring the key elements affecting it and offering valuable insights. Factors Impacting Nighttime Forex Trading Time is a critical factor in forex trading because it influences market conditions, liquidity, and volatility. Traders consider the timing of their trades and adapt their strategies accordingly to maximise opportunities while managing risk. Market Hours Around the World Nighttime forex trading coincides with different market sessions. The primary session during the night for European traders is the Asian session (Sydney and Tokyo sessions). In addition, although the New York session is not technically a night session, the latter part of it often moves into the night. The North American trading session, which includes markets in New York, Chicago, and Toronto, aligns with the evening and night hours for Australian traders. The European session overlaps with the late evening and early morning hours for Australian traders. This overlap is where traders can find significant trading opportunities. Liquidity During Different Sessions Nighttime trading sees lower liquidity compared to the major sessions, but this doesn’t mean it’s devoid of opportunities. Major forex pairs, for example, tend to remain relatively liquid, ensuring traders can enter and exit positions with ease. Also, liquidity differs depending on the currency pair. For Europe, pairs with Asia-Pacific currencies (e.g. Japanese yen, Australian dollar, and New Zealand dollar) will have more liquidity at night. Meanwhile, for Asian and Australian traders, pairs with the USD and European currencies will be more liquid in the overnight hours. Volatility Patterns Night trading often sees more stable price movements than day sessions. Traders seeking smoother trends and reduced risk often find night trading attractive. Night traders analyse and react to the information accumulated during the day sessions. This allows for more methodical and less impulsive trading decisions, which also contributes to price stability. Economic Events and News Releases Despite the quiet hours, economic events and news releases can still impact nighttime trading. Keep an eye on economic calendars to avoid unexpected surprises and capitalise on market reactions. Best Currency Pairs to Trade at Night The choice of the best forex pairs to trade at night depends on your trading strategy, risk tolerance, and preferences. However, some currency pairs are generally considered more suitable for this. Here are some popular forex pairs to consider. Major Currency Pairs Major forex pairs, such as EUR/USD (Euro/US dollar), USD/JPY (US dollar/Japanese yen), and GBP/USD (British pound/US dollar), remain attractive options for night trading due to their liquidity and stable price movements. As these are the most traded pairs in forex, many market participants favour them. Cross Currency Pairs Cross currency pairs, like EUR/GBP (Euro/British pound), EUR/JPY (Euro/Japanese yen), and AUD/JPY (Australian dollar/Japanese yen), can provide diversification and trading opportunities during the night. They might exhibit different volatility patterns from major currency pairs. Exotic Currency Pairs While exotic currency pairs can be riskier, some traders find them intriguing during the night. You can consider, for example, USD/SGD (US dollar/Singapore dollar), USD/TRY (US dollar/Turkish lira), or EUR/TRY (Euro/Turkish lira). These are among the most volatile pairs in forex, and they often experience substantial price swings, offering the potential for higher profits. Trading Strategies for Nighttime Trading Trading strategies for night trading require careful consideration of market conditions and trader preferences. Below are a few trading strategies suitable for night trading. Scalping Scalping is a short-term strategy that allows traders to capitalise on small price movements. This strategy can be effective, as news that comes out at night can create more volatility in the market, which is the main benefit for scalpers. Swing Trading This approach involves capturing medium-term price movements. This strategy provides opportunities to identify and enter positions that can be held overnight or for several days. By using swing trading, traders reduce risks of price fluctuations that can affect day traders and scalpers. Swing traders typically need to conduct technical analysis to know when it’s best to enter and exit a trade. Carry Trading Carry trading utilises the difference in interest rates between currency pairs. Traders earn interest on the currency they buy (the currency of the country with a higher interest rate) and pay interest on the currency they sell (the currency of the country with a lower interest rate). For night trading, traders may look for pairs with favourable interest rate differentials and hold positions to accumulate interest income. Range Trading Range trading involves identifying price ranges or support and resistance levels and trading within those boundaries. During the night, many currency pairs consolidate within narrower ranges, making range trading an appealing strategy. Risk Management Techniques Regardless of the trading strategy, setting stop-loss and take-profit orders is crucial. They help limit potential losses and lock in profits. You can also consider managing your risk through proper position sizing. The theory states that you shouldn’t risk more than you can afford to lose in a single trade. Another smart idea is to diversify your portfolio and trade different currency pairs to spread risk. Before entering a trade, a good way to go is to evaluate the risk-reward ratio. A favourable ratio ensures that potential gains outweigh potential losses. Final Thoughts To identify the best currency pairs to trade today, it’s crucial to conduct technical and fundamental analysis. The TickTrader platform can help you with the former, as there you will find the most advanced analysis tools, graphs, and more. To assess external factors, use news resources and analyses by experts, which you can find on our blog. You can open an FXOpen account and start trading tonight. This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

Education

The Dark Side of Prop Trading: Factors Leading to Financial Loss A few years ago, few people were familiar with prop trading, but it has gained popularity in recent years as an alternative to traditional PAMM accounts. With PAMM accounts, traders manage investors' funds but must first attract and convince these investors. In contrast, prop trading offers a more straightforward approach to fund management that initially appears more convenient. A trader pays a fee (up to $1,000) to enter a challenge, and if successful, can be granted up to $1 million in management funds. However, the reality is more complex. A study conducted in the United States revealed that many prop traders are dissatisfied with their experiences working with prop trading firms. 📍 The Performance Of Prop Traders: Results Of A 2023 Study A study conducted in 2023 examined the performance of prop traders by surveying 10 randomly selected prop trading firms in the United States. Additionally, the study included responses from 3,000 traders who had experienced varying degrees of success in their trading endeavors. The data was sourced from the website of the CFTC regulator, statistics from an investigation into a complaint against the prop firm MyForexFunds, and publicly available information about another prop firm FTMO. 📍 General Analysis Results The study revealed some striking insights regarding the performance of prop traders: ◾ Approximately 94% of traders fail to complete the challenges during the first or second phase, with only 6% successfully meeting the profitability and drawdown requirements. ◾ A significant 73% of traders who fail believe their outcomes are unjust, attributing their failures primarily to the prop firms rather than their own mistakes. Many contend that the firms manipulate results, undermining their chances of success. ◾ Of the small percentage 6% who do succeed in completing the challenge, an overwhelming 98% choose to sever their ties with the prop firms within the following six months. The failure rates at both the first and second phases of the challenges are approximately equal. This suggests that the stricter conditions imposed during the second phase do not significantly influence the overall outcome. Instead, it indicates that the mistakes and challenges encountered are consistent across both phases. Importantly, the survey revealed that inexperience is not a primary factor in the failure of the challenges. Over 80% of traders reported having prior trading experience, with many having actively traded on demo accounts for several months. These traders stated they understood the risks involved, were aware of their trading strategies, and had previously achieved positive results during their demo trading sessions. 📍 1. Reasons Cited By Prop Traders For Failing The Challenges ◾ Lack of Time (79%). Many traders feel pressured by high revenue targets set by prop firms, which often need to be achieved within a limited time period of just 1-2 months. Although, since 2023, almost all prop firms do not set such strict time limits. ◾ Technical Problems (61%). A significant number of traders reported encountering technical issues during the challenge process. Problems such as unreliable quotes, slow platform performance, and unexpected widening of spreads were commonly mentioned as major obstacles to their success. ◾ Violation of Risk Management (27%). A smaller but still notable proportion of traders admitted to breaching risk management rules. Common mistakes included engaging in high-risk gambling behavior, mismanaging leverage, and neglecting to set stop-loss orders. Some traders reported that their lack of understanding of the prop company's terms and conditions led to unintentional rule violations. Specifically, many were unclear about the guidelines surrounding practices such as copying trades, trading during news releases, and the use of trading advisors. This confusion contributed to their unsuccessful attempts in the challenges, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and thorough understanding of the rules set by the prop firms. 📍 2. Most Frequent Complaints From Traders About Prop Firms ◾ Non-Market Prices (92%). A staggering majority of traders reported issues with prices that do not reflect real market conditions. ◾ Order Execution Failures and Canceled Profitable Orders (73%). Many traders experienced problems with their orders not being executed as expected, particularly when they were set to generate profits. ◾ Slippage (67%). A significant number of traders reported encountering slippage, where their orders were filled at prices different from those expected. ◾ Technical Problems with the Trading Platform (52%). Technical glitches and issues with the trading platform were cited as major frustrations by more than half of the traders surveyed. ◾ Ambiguous Contract Conditions (45%). Many traders found the terms outlined in their contracts to be unclear, leading to confusion and misunderstandings. ◾ Insufficient Support Service (19%). A smaller proportion of traders expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of adequate assistance from customer support. ◾ Kicking Out from the Market Due to Non-Market Gaps (11%). Some traders noted instances where they felt they were unfairly removed from trading positions due to non-market gaps. ◾ Other Complaints (7%). A few traders reported additional issues not covered by the aforementioned categories. Traders often encounter hidden rules when working with prop firms, such as minimum holding periods for positions, strict limitations on the minimum length of stop-loss orders, and restrictions on the use of certain trading strategies. Additionally, many traders express concerns about the lack of transparency in the operations of prop firms. On average, over 50,000 traders attempt to pass these firms' challenges each year, but only about 6%, or around 3,000 traders, succeed. Once qualified, these traders are offered between $100,000 and $1 million of the firm's capital, which is sometimes claimed to be sourced from investors. However, there is little clarity regarding how these prop firms can amass such significant investor capital to support 3,000 traders annually. 📍 3. Main Difficulties Encountered By Prop Traders During The Challenge Phases ◾ Sharp Spread Widening and Violation of Maximum/Daily Drawdown Level Requirements (44%) ◾ Automatic Position Closures and Stopping of Challenges by the Company Due to Drawdown Violations (34%) ◾ Other Reasons (51%) It's important to note that traders could cite multiple reasons for their difficulties. The survey results indicate that many successful traders perceive prop firms as having a vested interest in creating obstacles to intentionally disadvantage traders. ◾ Difficulty of Challenge Conditions. 89% of traders described the challenge conditions as difficult, stating they were able to pass only due to their prior experience. ◾ Funding Amounts. 96% reported receiving an amount equivalent to their initial challenge deposit, typically ranging from $20,000 to $200,000. The anticipated funding of $1 to $2 million, as promised by the prop firm, is not accessible until at least one year of successful trading. ◾ Retention Rate. 98% of traders exited the program within six months. In theory, prop firms claim to offer the same trading conditions on a live account as they do during the challenge phases. Additionally, these firms are transparent about their model; traders often operate on demo accounts, while analysts copy their trades. A significant number of traders cited emotional burnout as a primary reason for leaving the prop firms. The tough conditions, restrictions on instrument use, and the risk of having their agreements terminated due to breaches create considerable emotional pressure. Once traders recover the costs associated with the challenge fees and their time, many choose to transition to independent trading, where they can set their own restrictions. 📍 CONCLUSION Prop trading presents several problems that diminish its appeal for novice traders. Many beginners struggle to pass the challenges, while seasoned professionals prefer the freedom of individual trading, free from the constraints typically found in prop trading. Traders, If you liked this educational post🎓, give it a boost 🚀 and drop a comment 📣

Education

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Select market data provided by ICE Data services. Select reference data provided by FactSet. Copyright © 2025 FactSet Research Systems Inc.© 2025 TradingView, Inc.

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