9 Elements to Master Algo-TradingThere are two types of trading.
Discretionary where you buy and sell based on variable factors.
Mechanical where you buy and sell on fixed factors.
If you want a strong edge with the markets, then you’ll need to consider the latter.
And hence we have algorithmic, or algo trading.
Algo trading, or algorithmic trading, is the use of computer programs to automate the process of trading financial assets.
These programs, or algorithms, execute trades based on predefined rules and criteria.
Now when you dissect algo trading to its core, you’ll realise there are important elements you’ll need to consider to master it.
Element #1. Database Management & Analysis
Algo trading simply begins with a whole bunch of comprehensive and organised data management.
You’ll use the financial markets to generate vast amounts of data, including historical price movements, trading volumes, and momentum indicators.
Basically, you’ll need this database to create a strong back tested analysis.
That way you’ll be able to get the accurate data to tell you how it’s performed, the expectations and the best and worst case scenarios.
Element #2: Statistical Analysis
Once you have the database of tested information.
You’ll be able to work on your statistical analysis to see the inner workings of the system in action.
Win & loss rate
Best & average winners and losers
Drawdown averages
Average trade
Expectancy formula
Biggest and smallest winner & loser
Average week, month, quarter and year
Basically, all the stats you need that forms the bedrock of successful algo trading strategies.
When you have this data you’ll be able to spot trends, correlations, and anomalies within financial data.
Element #3. Pattern Recognition Skills
Pattern recognition is a core competency in algo trading. We aren’t fully there yet with AI, Machine Learning and Deep Learning. But we’re getting there.
With trading expertise combined with algorithmic precision – this will allow computers to find recurring chart patterns, candlestick formations, and technical indicators.
These patterns often help give trends, reversals, potential market movements, and opportunities to enter or exit a trade.
E lement #4. Machine Learning
Machine learning, a subset of artificial intelligence.
By using historical data, machine learning algorithms can adapt and improve trading strategies over time.
So whether you have a moving average, chart patterns, Smart Money Concepts, Fibonacci or any other trading system.
With Machine Learning, it will input more data and will be able to change, add, remove and optimise elements in your strategy to make it MORE successful.
In just no time at all, these algorithms will learn from past successes and failures, fine-tuning trading parameters and strategies to optimise your trading performance.
E lement #5. Trading EA Strategies
Expert Advisors (EAs) are your everyday trading robots.
These are algorithmic programs that are developed for trading platforms like MetaTrader and soon TradingView.
These EAs help you to execute trades based on your pre-defined rules and criteria.
You’ll then be able to design and backtest these strategies to make sure they are viable and profitable in REAL market conditions.
And when it’s time to take trades, EAs do it for you.
They will be able to automate the execution process – with no emotions or hesitance.
This will allow you to capitalise on opportunities 24/7 without any human intervention.
And you no what that means. It’s going to do the job!
Element #6. Problem-Solving Skills
You are going to hit a bunch of obstacles in the way.
There are major challenges when it comes to algo-trading.
And you’ll need to have strong problem-solving skills to overcome them and succeed.
Just like programmers deal with bugs, glitches and problems with code.
You’ll also find problems with paramaters, markets, rules, criteria and risk management calculations.
If you have strong problem-solving skills you’ll be able to quickly identify and sort out the issues, diagnose causes, and find and implement solutions to maintain consistent performance.
Element #7. Attention to Detail
You need to have an eye for algo-trading.
When the smallest discrepancies or inaccuracy can have major consequences for your portfolios performance.
You’ll need to consistently review your strategies, parameters, and data inputs.
That way it’ll help to make sure your system is accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
Element #8. Risk Management
It’s not just about creating a solid trading strategy and system.
You’ll need to have effective risk management too.
With Algo trading, you’ll need to employ a couple of money management techniques like:
Position sizing
Stop-loss orders and criteria
Portfolio diversification
When to close based on over time
When to adjust your positions
When to risk a certain percentage based on different market environments
This will help you to protect, preserve and prosper with your portfolios.
Element #9. Market adaptability
Markets are dynamic.
Markets trend.
Markets move sideways.
Markets jump in irrational circumstances.
As an algo trader, you’ll need to find a way to adapt your system into the programme to identify these market environments.
E.g. When the main market is above the 200MA only look for longs
When the main market is below the 200MA only look for shorts.
When the market is within a box range – Don’t look for any trades.
As you can see, there are many elements to being a successful algo-trader.
It also takes a ton of innovation.
But have this article with you, for when technology and developments improve – You’ll have certain ideas and steps to take to improve your algo trading.
Let’s sum up the important elements to algo-trading…
Element #1. Database Management & Analysis
Element #2: Statistical Analysis
Element #3. Pattern Recognition Skills
Element #4. Machine Learning
Element #5. Trading EA Strategies
Element #6. Problem-Solving Skills
Element #7. Attention to Detail
Element #8. Risk Management
Element #9. Market adaptability
Do you use Algo-Trading with the markets?
SA40 trade ideas
Q&A MARGIN CALL - Everything you need to know Today's Q&A I want to answer the most common questions I get about Margin Calls.
Let's begin.
Q. What is the Margin Call?
A margin call is a situation where a trader does not have enough funds in their account to keep a trading position open.
Your broker will either phone you or you'll receive an automated message with a margin call warning.
Q. What can you do when you hit a Margin Call?
If you are ever in this situation, you will be instructed to do two things.
Deposit more funds into your portfolio to keep your trading positions opened.
Close your current open position/s that are running at a loss, before your trading platform closes them out for you.
Tip: When setting up a trading account with a broker find out what their minimum margin requirements are.
Q&A: Can you show an example with a Margin Call?
Let’s look at an example with a Margin Call
Here are the specifics:
Equity portfolio: R10,000
Initial margin deposit: R5,500
You buy a CFD trade which says you need to have at least 30% of the margin (initial deposit) in your account, to keep the trade opened.
This means, you need R1,650 (30%) in your account to keep your trade opened.
The next day comes and the market crashes below your stop loss.
Your new account balance is now R1,500…
Unfortunately, you’ll hit a Margin Call as your portfolio only has 27% of the initial margin of your trade.
= Equity ÷ initial margin deposit
= R1,500 / R5,500
= 27%
27% is less than 30% of what you need to maintain an open trade.
The broker now has the right to close the trade and to send you a notification about what happened.
You will receive a margin call to instruct you to deposit more money into your account or to close your trading positions.
Q&A: What if I can't pay back the money when I hit a Margin Call?
Essentially, you will be owing the broker as they will not be carrying the risk.
If you cannot pay it or refuse to clear the negative balance, you will not be allowed to trade with the broker and/or trading platform again until you pay what you owe.
Depending on the size of the debt, if you refuse to pay it then some brokers may have the legal right to pursue the outstanding debt through legal means.
This means they could file a lawsuit.
They could even take the matter to court, where a judgement may be issued where the trader will be required to repay the debt.
What Q&A would you like to see next?
If you enjoyed it or found this useful let me know so I can do more for TradingView...
Trade well...
Stop Multi-Tasking and Start Mono-Tasking! – 8 Trading ReasonsYou’re risking your own money when trading.
You realise that?
And in this fast-paced world, it takes a split second to break a fortune.
It takes a split second to miss an opportunity.
It takes a split second to lose focus.
And it’s all down to one trait that is actually detrimental to your trading.
Multi-tasking.
Here’s why.
Reason #1: Missed Opportunities
When you try to juggle too many charts, markets and tasks at the same time – it’s risky.
And if you distract yourself at the same time with social media, your cute cat, the news and hype…
It makes it a whole lot worse.
You might miss the best and highest probability trades – that you need to grow your account.
If you want to really dig into finding the best opportunities you need laser focus and tunnel vision.
So stop multi-tasking and instead stick to mono tasking.
Reason #2: Delays in Priorities
If you multi-task, it can lead to a delay in focusing on high-priority tasks.
Any delay, can result in:
Catching the trade too late
Skipping the trade completely
Forgetting what you need to execute
Taking an unnecessary loss
You need to stop diverting your attention away from urgent market developments.
Instead, make it a priority to focus on finishing that one task.
And make sure you do it with your undivided attention.
Reason #3: Elevated Stress Levels
As traders, we’re not only working on our method and money management – but also our mindset.
Financial trading and risking money is already stressful alone.
So, multi-tasking can only exacerbate this stress.
And when you get stress you don’t need me to remind you what happens:
You see red
Your judgement becomes cloudy
You make impulsive decisions
You make wrong decisions
Your emotions override your logicality and rationality.
You can get stress all because you’re doing too many things at once.
Keep to one thing and compartmentalise the others. This will do wonders for your stress levels.
Reason #4: Drop in Productivity
You’d think if you do more, it’ll enhance productivity.
Because you’ll get stuff done right?
Um no.
With complex instruments analyses and risk management principles, trading needs deep analysis, strategic planning, and quick execution.
With multi-tasking, you’ll most likely shift between tasks rapidly.
This will not only disrupt the flow of concentration you need for one task at a time.
It could also reduce the efficiency and suboptimal outcomes for every task you take on.
Reason #5: More Mistakes
To err is human.
And if you multi-task and take on too many things, this will increase the likelihood of errors in trading.
You might enter the wrong amount.
Get in at the wrong prices.
Get your volume wrong.
But more likely, you’ll misinterpret good market signals.
Each mistake has the potential to reduce your profits and damage your reputation.
Reason #6: Reduced Learning Opportunities
Successful trading is an ongoing learning process.
When you multi-task, it hinders you from fully engaging with market trends, historical data, and educational resources.
When you’re learning one thing – stick to one thing.
Or it’s going to go in the one ear – out the other.
Be passionate and fully immerse yourself in the one thing you’re learning at a time.
You’ll find you’ll get a better and deeper understanding which is critical for your learning journey.
Reason #7: Loss of Concentration
Multitasking fragments attention.
This makes it super difficult to maintain the level of concentration you need when trading.
When you jump from one thing to another.
This rapid task-switching, diminishes the brain’s capacity to keep focus.
And this could lower your analytical attention.
Reason #8: Overwhelm and Burnout
We’ve spoken about how multi-tasking increases stress and cortisol levels.
But if you fail to work on it, you’re going to eventually go kaput.
This is a forever game.
The last thing you want to do is burnout in the journey.
The last thing you want to do is develop a mental fatigue.
The last thing you want to do is fail because you quit.
Final words.
Stop multi-tasking and start mono-tasking.
Your singular focus will show you amazing, productive, optimal and efficient results.
Not just with trading, but every task you set your heart and mind to.
Let’s sum up the 8 reasons why Multi-Tasking is an absolute NO when trading.
Reason #1: Missed Opportunities
Reason #2: Delays in Priorities
Reason #3: Elevated Stress Levels
Reason #4: Drop in Productivity
Reason #5: More Mistakes
Reason #6: Reduced Learning Opportunities
Reason #7: Loss of Concentration
Reason #8: Overwhelm and Burnout
JSE ALSI Rally on track to 76,185 with Interest Rate out the wayCup and Handle and Triple Bottom has formed on ALSI over the past two months.
Sentiment has been turning bullish with international factors.
On the one hand, America has paused interest rate hikes which is leading to a global rally.
Four main reasons why a drop in Interest rates causes a market rally namely:
1. Cheaper borrowing for companies
2. Higher company profits and less cost for repaying debts
3. Better Investment Returns for investors exiting from their low interest bearing assets
4. More spending by consumers
On the other hand South Africa's Interest Rate:
The South African Reserve Bank kept the repo rate at 8.25% ... this means the prime lending rate of commercial banks also remains unchanged at 11.75%.
So we are enjoying the rally and we are slowly weeding out of the shorts as the market is trying to choose an optimistic direction.
It's been a very tough environment and those who followed strict money management rules, suffered less. But whent the market does rally or at least choose a solid direction, we will be in it for the medium to long run.
Remember “MARKETS TAKE MONEY FROM THE IMPATIENT RISKY TRADERS AND GIVES IT TO THE
PATIENT RISK AVERSE TRADERS”
Other signs are also showing upside to come:
7>21 - Bullish
Price<200MA - test
My first very positive target and might be over stretched is 76,185.
What do you think?
How to Stop Trading Pocrastination – 8 WaysIf you find it hard to press the trigger, you may be suffering with…
Trading procrastination.
This is definitely a major hurdle with trading well.
The good news is that, this is a temporary problem that you can fix today.
With the right strategies and mindset, you can overcome this challenge.
I have a few ways you can stop procrastinating.
#1: Choose Your Trading Days
One of the first steps is to get your schedule right.
If you’re trading stocks, indices, forex, commodities or crypto – choose the days you want to trade each one.
First you’ll need to analyse the markets and your watchlist.
Write down the trades that are most likely going to line up.
And then, you’ll be able to condition your mind to prepare for trading on designated days.
This will take away the analyses paralyses and overwhelming effect of looking at too many markets at once.
#2: Set Smaller Tasks
When you have gone through your watchlists on your charting platform.
Plot all the potential entries and exits and write down notes on what you will be trading.
This will help you remind you what you’ll need to take action with.
#3: Track Results on a Specific Day
You don’t have to review and track your performance everyday.
Trading is a medium to long term approach.
So, maybe choose a Friday or Saturday to go through your track record and see how you performed or are performing.
It will also tell you which trades are working in your favour or whether you’re in a drawdown or not.
A regular check-up with your performance, can serve as a powerful deterrent to procrastination.
#4: Remove Distractions
You need to create a calm and serene environment when you trade.
Clear your desk, close your tabs, switch off your TV.
Create laser focus and it’ll help you be more inclined to act on what needs to be done.
If you lower the interruptions, your productivity and alertness will also pick up.
#5: Self-Talk
Trading is a mindset game.
Sometimes, you need to have a few conversations with yourself.
And there needs to be positive reinforcement and self-talk to overcome procrastination.
Say things like:
~ This is a high probability trade lined up according to my strategy – I need to just take the trade.
~ I only have 2% of my portfolio to lose – so I am prepared.
~ The trading portfolio is not going to grow by itself – I need to act.
Train your mind to recognize negative thoughts and replace them with affirmations that boost your confidence and belief in your trading abilities.
Build a strong self-belief system with strong action points and it will help you tackle challenging trading situations head-on.
#6: Reward Yourself
If a trade lined up and you get in – reward yourself.
If you took your take profit according to your strategy – reward yourself.
If you stuck with your guns and took the loss according to your system – reward yourself.
If you need to adjust a trade according to your rules – reward yourself.
Go for a walk, grab a drink, make a meal, smoke a cigar or whatever you enjoy.
You need to celebrate the small things to help with your trading accomplishments.
Set up a reward system to recognize your efforts and achievements.
This will motivate you to stay on track and keep going.
#7: Visualize Success
If you have your trading plan and strategy in place, you have the game-plan.
Close your eyes and envision when the days are good and when your portfolio heads up to all time highs.
Visualizing successful trading outcomes can be a powerful motivator.
Embrace the feeling of achievement and success, as this mental rehearsal which can positively impact your actual trading performance.
#8: Learn from Mistakes
When you learn something new from trading.
Jot it down with strong lessons to apply in the future.
Also, analyse your past mistakes and use them as stepping stones toward improvement.
Adopt a growth mindset to help empower you to make proactive decisions and drive your trading progress forward.
FINAL WORDS:
You can conquer procrastination, one step at a time.
Take action.
Stay consistent.
Attain and measure attainable goals.
Never give up.
Let’s sum up the actions you can take to stop procrastinating.
#1: Choose Your Trading Days
#2: Set Smaller Tasks
#3: Track Results on a Specific Day
#4: Remove Distractions
#5: Self-Talk
#6: Reward Yourself
#7: Visualize Success
#8: Learn from Mistakes
If this resonated with you let me know :)
Why you Are a Mass Procrastinator – 7 ReasonsAre you stuck in a trading rut?
Have you thought to yourself.
You have all the knowledge, tools, skills, strategies etc…
And yet you don’t believe you’re getting the trading results you expected?
I think it’s because of the ‘Procrastination Gremlin”.
It’s a common issue. For three years during my trading career I was a mass procrastinator.
I never took trades when they lined up.
I never deposited more money to grow my account.
I never tracked and reviewed my trades on a weekly basis.
It became a disease as well as a comfort zone.
But what you might realise is when you LEAVE that comfort zone of procrastination, you might find it was never comfortable to begin with.
It slowed down your growth and progress as a trader.
So if you can relate to some of the things I’ve mentioned already, this article is for you.
Let’s explore if you’re a mass procrastinator.
You Doubt Trades
One of the most common forms of procrastination is when you doubt taking trades.
You hesitate and find every excuse to not trade for the day.
The problem is this.
Doubt slows down your decision-making process, and causes missed opportunities.
If you have a winning and proven system and you have money you can afford to trade with great money management principles.
Just Take The Trade!
Skip Trades
Ahhh, I’ll skip this trade and take the next.
Skipping trades is another form of procrastination.
What are you waiting for?
The “perfect” trading setup, the right “timing”, the right gut (gat) feel?
Stop skipping.
Remember, in trading, there’s no perfect moment. You are bound to take trades with losses. So if you’ve incorporated them into your trading, why are you skipping the trades?
Worst case scenario, you take a small loss.
Best case scenario, you ban a whopper of a winner.
Listen… Consistency and resilience are what brings success.
Stop skipping trades when they line up. J.T.T.T
Skip Days
I get this.
Monday is a storm of a day after the weekend.
Friday is a calm day to prepare for the weekend.
That’s what I’ve gathered over the years.
But it doesn’t mean I skip trades. If they line up (Monday or Friday or any other day, just take it).
Successful trading requires regular market analysis and being persistent with your trading.
Stick to a routine, check the markets and try not to skip days.
Forget Tracking
If you also forget to track your trades, this is another sign of procrastination.
Tracking helps you analyse your performance, learn from your mistakes, and make informed decisions.
Every time you take a trade, plot it in your journal.
At the end of the week, go through the journal to see how your trades are looking.
Go through the open trades, to see how they’re performing.
Also maybe see if you need to make any adjustments.
Don’t neglect this crucial task.
Forget Setups
You might have written your trading setups for the week.
And then you don’t take them.
You’re procrastinating your success.
Be more accountable and responsible with the trades that are lining up.
Write it on sticky notes.
Put them on your fridge.
Set alerts on your trading and charting platform.
Set reminders on your phone!
Do whatever you need to to NOT forget the setups that are nearly ripe for the picking.
Neglect Self-Education and adaptation
As I’ve said often.
Trading is an adapting and ever-evolving game.
You need to:
~ Keep learning and revising
~ Be up to date with new markets
~ Adapt your strategies
~ Add or remove from your watchlists
~ Update yourself as a trader
Procrastinating on Diversification
If you’re only trading one type of asset, you might be in trouble.
You’re delaying portfolio diversification.
There are so many new stocks to apply.
There are new algorithms with indices, commodities, Forex and Crypto.
If they work with your system, diversify and hedge.
Don’t be a dinosaur and stick to what was instead of what there is!
Start researching other asset classes today.
Final words:
You’re your own worst enemy with trading.
Not any trader, analyst, company… You.
You need to stop procrastinating and start doing.
Only then you’ll see improvement, development and even mindset growth.
Let’s sum up potential reasons why you might be a mass procrastinator.
You Doubt Trades
Skip Trades
Skip Days
Forget Tracking
Forget Setups
Neglect Self-Education and adaptation
Procrastinating on Diversification
JSE ALSI 40 playing catchup with with AmericasNasdaq and Dow Jones have been leading the pack with the indices.
And now it looks like the JSE ALSI 40 is about to catch up.
It's broken above the downtrend since 1 August 2023 and is showing upside to come.
During the process, it's formed an Inverse Head and Shoulders. The right shoulder is not the most attractive with the neckline, but it's the overall bullish price action that is leading it.
Also we see a short term uptrend with the 7>21MA.
However, the big test will be the price testing the 200MA.
The RSI is also showing upside momentum.
If all goes well we could see the first target at 78,847.
It's important to hedge the positions accordingly and remember anything can happen.
Hence the risk should be smaller than usual.
How AI will revolutionise the trading world – 14 WaysThe era of AI has unleashed in almost every aspect of our lives.
And I believe that there will soon be a seismic shift in financial trading with AI.
I feel it’s my duty to share some of the ways, we will incorporate, adapt and integrate AI into trading.
To explain in simple terms…
AI is a concept to teach machines, robots and computers how to perform human actions. And trading is just another element that AI will apply to.
Let’s start…
#1: AI Trading Bots
We’ve had EA (Expert Advisors), chat bots and machine learning when it comes to trading.
As AI adapts more into the financial world, they will be able to signal, alert and even optimise our trading strategies, risk management and financial profile.
#2: AI will alert more markets into our watch lists
Not all markets work with our trading strategies.
Right now we have to manually search for different markets to back, forward and real test.
Once AI adapts to our trading strategy, it will be able to pinpoint the most efficient and effective markets to include into our trading arsenal.
#3: Real-time risk management
AI’s rapid data processing will be able to identify our risk profile.
In the near future, it will be able to identify not only trading setups, but also the volume we’ll need to buy or sell to enter or exit a trade.
It will alert us when trades are ready to go and will ask us whether we want to go ahead and action the high probability trades (according to our risk management.
#4: Algorithmic automatic trading
Once we lay out the parameters of what we want our AI trading bots to do, they will be your employee.
They’ll be able to take action while you’re away such as:
Layout the chart setups
Plug in the trading levels (entry, stop loss and take profits)
Execute trades on our behalf
They will work for us, which will limit our time staring at screens.
#5: Sentiment Analysis: Read the market’s mood
This tool will help us identify who’s dominant in the markets.
Are the bulls or bears stronger.
It will then give us a gauge meter to tell us whether demand or supply is higher.
And this will help us make calculated decisions, based on our own trading analyses.
#6. Freeing humans from the grind
When AI takes over our trading, it will do all of the mundane tasks for us.
It’ll focus on:
What markets work best with the system
Which markets to remove from the watch list and
whether we are in favourable or unfavourable terrorist according to our system
This will free traders from spending hours behind a screen on the daily.
#7: Automation: Back and forward testing
When AI learns a system with the right parameters and criteria, it will be able to backtest for us.
It’ll be able to go through hundreds of trades in the past and will provide a full review of the stats and measures.
It’ll tell us the:
trades
of winners and losers
Win and loss rate
Average winner and loser per trades
Costs, risks and losses
Accumulation of profit and losses and more…
#8. Pre-emptive fraud detectors
AI doesn’t just detect fraud—it sniffs out all the unregulated and fraudulent type companies, brokers, market makers.
It also analyses the markets micro and macro analyses to see which companies are doing well, cooking the books and / or are red flags to buy or sell.
Its predictive capabilities will be able to save millions of traders from falling into financial trading traps and scams.
#9: Customizable AI trading assistants
Also, I bet we will see companies create their own trading assistants.
Similar to Siri, Alexa and Google.
You will have your own finance-savvy cousin ready to act on your trading needs.
Whether you want to trade, find setups, talk about tested systems, create new strategies, learn real time info about markets and instruments.
You’ll have your own AI trading assistant just call away.
#10: The rise of quantitative trading
Quant trading will soar to new heights.
AI will be able to crunch numbers and optimise strategies with high speed and precision.
This will make sense of complex financial models at lightning speed.
#11: Real-Time chart pattern identification
Eventually, AI will adapt machine and deep learning into charts.
We will finally see the day where market patterns, trends are identified on any time frame.
As they learn the bends, turns, vectors and consistency with the charts through predictive analysis from historical market data…
AI will adapt and learn to plot more accurate, recurring chart patterns and use them to predict future price movements on any market.
And AI will be able to scan hundreds of charts simultaneously and highlight significant patterns as they emerge. This will present high, medium and low probability setups for our trading.
#12: Past chart patterns predictive analyses
Not only will it identify real-time chart patterns.
It will also spot historical price patterns and insights that took place in the past.
This will help us to back test the systems and how they worked on particular markets.
AI will be able to identify the chart patterns that have proven to be most successful for that particular trader.
#13: Personalized and customised trading strategies
What if you have a new chart pattern you’d like to adapt into your analysis?
Well I’m sure AI will have the ability to learn, recognise and incorporate your chart patterns into the system.
This way you can personalise what chart patterns, candlestick patterns or strategies you would like customised to your style.
This means that each trader can have a unique set of chart patterns to look for, tailored to their trading style and risk tolerance.
This personalized approach can potentially enhance your trading performance and your profitability.
#14: Integration with other data sources
This will most likely be open-ended.
It’ll work via the network where AI will improve chart pattern recognition in financial trading by integrating with other data sources.
Imagine AI learns from millions of traders, millions of strategies, systems and new inputs.
I can only imagine that traditional manual chart pattern systems will be a thing of the past.
With the new set of systems, formation, price and volume data – we will see integration of brand new forms of analyses and strategies.
And this will bring a new era of financial trading.
Final Words and summary!
It’s all exciting and frightening at the same time.
Because with AI integration, we will see yet another shift in the algorithms and it’ll bring a new future for trading.
Only those who learn to adapt and evolve – will make it…
Let’s sum up all the AI elements that will we mentioned here.
#1: AI Trading Bots
#2: AI will alert more markets into our watch lists
#3: Real-time risk management
#4: Algorithmic automatic trading
#5: Sentiment Analysis: Read the market’s mood
#6. Freeing humans from the grind
#7: Automation: Back and forward testing
#8. Pre-emptive fraud detectors
#9: Customizable AI trading assistants
#10: The rise of quantitative trading
#11: Real-Time chart pattern identification
#12: Past chart patterns predictive analyses
#13: Personalized and customised trading strategies
#14: Integration with other data sources
JSE Technical Summary: Short TermJSE Technical Summary: Short Term
The attached graphic is a summary of the relevant regimes for various shares. This helps a trader understand if share is either, overbought, in a high bullish momentum/approaching overbought phase, strong, neutral, weak, high bearish momentum/approaching oversold or oversold.
The data/table is subject to change (daily).
12 Most Common Trading Myths - BUSTEDAs long as people lose money with trading (and that is like 98%) of the lot.
They will preach the bad word.
And this will lead to rumour which will create false beliefs - I.E Myths...
Well I've been trading for two decades and I'm going to put these myths to bed.
Let's go!
Myth 1: It’s a Get-Rich-Quick Scheme
Trading has long been shrouded in the myth of transforming anyone into an overnight millionaire.
But it’s an illusion. It’s what drives newbies and amateurs into the trading world.
And then a few months later, when they realise what it actually takes to grow an account.
They move to the next “best” thing.
Trading is a forever life-style that requires ongoing discipline and patience through strategic planning, knowledge and presteen execution.
And not to mention, it also involves periods of losses.
There are no shortcuts to wealth in trading, it’s a journey, not a sprint!
Myth 2: It’s Just High-Stakes Gambling
Trading is a form of gambling.
But strategic gambling.
It’s not like pulling the slots machine and having a chance of being right or wrong.
Or flipping a coin.
No, trading has an element of risk and reward control.
And it is based on nothing more than probabilities and comprehensive understanding of market trends, money management and analytical skills.
Unlike gambling, which is based largely on luck.
You have an element of control with the outcome. That’s through trading journals, back and forward testing and making stringent decisions.
Myth 3: More Risk, More Reward
Yes! If you risk more you’ll gain more.
But when you risk more, you can also LOSE way more.
With trading derivatives and leverage, you’re exposed to more than what you put in.
Sometimes 10 times, sometimes 50 and other times 500.
So, this alone should tell you how dangerous trading is.
When your portfolio goes to 0 – due to high risk – That’s it.
And many traders full port their accounts. And majority become the 98% losing stat of trading.
Stick to low risk, low return.
Keep consistent and the return will start adding up and you’ll reap the rewards in time.
Myth 4: Only the Rich Can Trade
The myth that trading is a club exclusive to the wealthy is just that, a myth.
Decades a go, you would have needed thousands to start trading and investing.
But no longer is that the case.
Some brokerages don’t even have a minimum with trading. You can start off with a demo or practice account.
As long as the competition and innovation picks up, trading will be cheaper, faster and more accessible.
Myth 5: Trading is Only About Buy low – sell high
Although this seems like a logical strategy.
It’s not the only way to profit.
Trading techniques like short selling allow traders to profit from falling markets.
Not only can you buy low and sell high.
You can also sell high and buy low.
Myth 6: More Trades Equal More Profit
Trading isn’t a game of ping pong.
You don’t just play as many times as you can in a day, to profit.
First, Overtrading can lead to rushed decisions, increased transaction costs, and significant stress. Patience often plays a crucial role in a trader’s success.
And second, it all depends on the market environments.
If the market is not trending, you can go long or short and still lose every bet.
Rember you still have to let the market move up or down a bit to make up for the trading costs!
And so you’re already at a disadvantage when you take a trade.
Sometimes the best move is to sit on your hands.
Neutral is also a position and a powerful position during certain periods.
Myth 7: Successful Trading Means Winning Every Trade
Even the most successful traders get knocked down by losses.
It’s the nature of the trading game.
What matters is the net outcome over a period of time.
Your job is to make sure the losses are small and the gains are bigger.
That way, even with a 50% win rate you’ll win and the profits will outweigh the losses in the long run.
Myth 8: Complicated Strategies Yield Better Results
You’ve heard of analysis paralysis right?
When you literally plant so many indicators on your chart it looks like a Jackson Pollocks Christmas Tree painting.
Complication does not equate to success.
You’ll learn that:
Too many indicators will conflict with each other.
You’ll struggle to back test a system.
You’ll struggle to find high probability trades.
You’re making it more complex than it needs to be.
And most important… You need to learn to KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid).
Often, the best trading strategies are the simplest.
What’s essential is understanding your strategy thoroughly and executing it consistently.
Myth 9: You Need to Monitor the Market 24/7
Thanks to stop-loss orders and other automated tools, you do not need to be glued to your screens all day.
The most important attention you’ll need to apply is trading layout, setup and execution.
Once you’re done and the trading levels are in place.
Go live, do something else.
Don’t be a nerd.
Enjoy life.
Trading requires attention, indeed, but a healthy balance is crucial to maintain clear-headed decisions.
Myth 10: Markets Are Always Rational
Markets, unfortunately, aren’t always rational.
Just like you learn in school. There is ideal and real ways of the world.
Sometimes, the market is one clusterfreak of confusion.
Correlations don’t work according to the book.
Trends don’t match up the micro and macro analyses of companies.
Good news doesn’t mean strong uptrends.
Markets are run by many, many, many other factors.
They can be swayed by demand, supply, algorithms, Smart Money, greed, panic, emotion, rumor, and corruption and manipulation.
This will lead to price distortions.
There is a famous quote attributed to Great Depression-era economist John Maynard Keynes –
“Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent”.
Myth 11: Brokers Want You to Lose Money
Yes there are a ton of brokers who make money when you lose.
But reputable, credible and top regulated brokers – do NOT want you to lose.
They make their money from brokerages, spread and from trading volumes.
They want you to succeed and grow. Because if you blow your account, they lose a client.
Hence, when brokers approach me I always tell them the importance of education, guidance and helping them SUCCEED.
Myth 12: Once a Successful Trader, Always a Successful Trader
Market conditions, strategies, and personal circumstances change.
If you want to be a successful trader and remain one it requires constant learning, adaptation, and diligent risk management.
This includes me!
Despite how long I’ve been in the markets, I treat each day independently. I follow my system, risk management rules. I look for future opportunities and prospects to improve my trading, platform, journals and even testing.
This is forever an alive game that requires action. We are always learning, growing, improving and adapting.
Like they say, past success doesn’t guarantee future profits.
Let’s sum up the 12 common Trading Myths:
Myth 1: It’s a Get-Rich-Quick Scheme
Myth 2: It’s Just High-Stakes Gambling
Myth 3: More Risk, More Reward
Myth 4: Only the Rich Can Trade
Myth 5: Trading is Only About Buy low – sell high
Myth 6: More Trades Equal More Profit
Myth 7: Successful Trading Means Winning Every Trade
Myth 8: Complicated Strategies Yield Better Results
Myth 9: You Need to Monitor the Market 24/7
Myth 10: Markets Are Always Rational
Myth 11: Brokers Want You to Lose Money
Myth 12: Once a Successful Trader, Always a Successful Trader
Can you think of anymore?
5 Ways to Improve your Trading - WORTH THE READYou’re going to need a cup of coffee or two for this one.
It is my longest trading article I’ve ever written.
I’ve written it because I care about you and I want you to succeed.
So, please take the time to read this and save it for the future.
Or if you don't have the time then at least go to the bottom to see the highlights of the article...
Enjoy and trade well!
Part 1 – EXPERTISE
Choose your markets wisely.
There are so many different markets to choose from, that you need to upper your knowledge.
Whether it’s understanding market, assets, securities and instruments – you need to have basic knowledge.
Here are some to consider…
#1: New ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds)
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are a popular way to invest in a diverse range of assets.
If you want to improve your expertise in ETF trading, stay informed about new trends and opportunities in the market.
Keep up to date with the latest developments in the ETF industry, such as new ETFs being introduced, and be aware of market trends and movements that may affect your trades.
#2: New AI Tech Companies and Technology
Artificial intelligence (AI) technology is revolutionizing many industries, including finance.
To stay ahead of the game in financial trading, be sure to keep up to date with new AI tech companies and technologies.
See what Google, Open AI (ChatGPT, Dallee), Apple and Meta are doing.
Even some crypto AI companies.
Familiarize yourself with the latest innovations in the field, and consider investing in companies that are developing or utilizing AI technology.
#3: Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles are an emerging trend in the automotive industry.
Even in Greece and Europe, we are seeing more Teslas on the road and electric garage stations.
And they are expected to have a significant impact on the global economy, environment and with the automotive sectors.
Stay up to date with the latest news and developments in the electric vehicle market, and be aware of how it may affect your trading strategies.
#4: Space Tourism
Space tourism is a new and exciting industry that is attracting significant interest from investors.
Keep an eye on the latest developments in the space tourism market, including new companies (SpaceX, Virgin Galactic and even Amazon technologies.
#5: Metaverse
The metaverse is a virtual world that is becoming increasingly popular, and it is expected to have a significant impact on the way we live and work.
They are here to stay, improve and evolve. From virtual reality, augmented reality and a mixture of both.
Get yourself a Quest headset (or wait for the Quest 3) and see the new opportunities in the space. Don’t get left behind.There are many other areas of expertise of industries that you should be aware of.
Just do a bit more research and incorporate them into your trading and investing lives.
Part 2 – TIME
Time is all we have.
It’s also something you can’t get back but it’s something you can utilise and take advantage of.
With trading, you need to use your time wisely,
In this part we will talk about how you can improve on this aspect.
#1: Be Punctual
One of the most important aspects of successful financial trading is being punctual.
Be sure to arrive at your trading desk or platform on time.
Be ready to take action when the markets open.
Be prepared for when trading opportunities align and when they are ready to execute.
Don’t miss these opportunities, because it just takes ONE big one to take your portfolio out of your drawdown and in the green.
#2: Don’t Miss a Day
Missing a day of trading could lead to missed opportunities and lost profits.
Be sure to stick to your trading schedule and avoid missing any trading days.
And if you miss a day, make up for it the next day. Spend extra time on analyses, execution and even during your evaluations and tracking of your portfolio.
#3: Set a Reminder
To help you stay on track with your trading schedule, set a reminder on your phone or computer.
Even better. Set an alarm for when you know you need to trade.
Time slips by so quickly and we can get distracted in the day.
How many times have you forgotten to have lunch, drink water and miss your favourite TV show?
Use your timer and set reminders with trading. This will help you to stay focused and ensure that you don’t miss any important trading opportunities.
#4: Sticky Notes
Sticky notes can be a helpful tool for staying organized and focused when trading.
Use sticky notes to remind yourself of important dates, deadlines, trading setups, ideas and trading strategies.
Also use sticky notes to maybe have a plan on what you need to do as a trader that day.
They help and are great to bring to your notice with the actions you got to take.
Part 3 – ACTION
Without action, it stays a dream.
Without action, it stays an idea.
Without action, it stays a what if…
You need to DO instead of SAY.
You need to ACT.
That’s what this is all about with improving another area with your trading.
#1: Place Your Trading Levels
Don’t just look at what is lining up.
Write them down on sticky notes.
Have them all drawn up on your charting platform.
And make sure EVERY detail, trading level and reason is somewhere you can see.
Then you have no other choice but to set your trading levels carefully.
Or if you need to adjust them as necessary to reflect changing market conditions and lock in gains where you can.
#2: Prepare Your Trading Setups
You need to prepare your trading setups carefully.
This will help you to stay organized and focused when trading.
Set up your trading platform, charts, and other tools before you start trading to ensure that you are ready to take action when the markets open and eventually hit your desired levels to action.
#3: JUST TAKE THE TRADE
High probability setup – tick.
Trading levels in place – tick
Risk analyses and volume analyses all according to plan – tick
As I like to say JTTT – Just Take the Trade!
Taking action is the most important part of successful financial trading.
Don’t be afraid to take a trade when the opportunity arises, but be sure to do so with caution and careful consideration of the risks involved.
Part 4 – VISION AND GOALS
We all have our desired goals and vision in place.
Or else why would we do it? Right?
With trading, we have a game plan.
And when we have a solid plan with a proven track record, we can almost see into the future of the outcome.
But you need to write them down.
You need to have realistic targets and goals.
You need to incorporate the downside and drawdowns as well.
And you need to remember, to achieve these – you have to take additional steps such as…
#1: Deposit more money
One way to improve your financial trading results is by depositing more money into your trading account
However, this does not mean that you should invest all your savings.
It is essential to balance your investments and diversify your portfolio to minimize risk.
Maybe you want to deposit 5% per month. Or maybe you want to just deposit one fixed lump sum, to start growing your account.
Be sure to evaluate your financial situation and set realistic investment goals that align with your financial capabilities.
#2:Be responsible
Being responsible is crucial in financial trading.
You need to be disciplined in your trading activities and avoid making impulsive decisions.
Stick to your strategy and stay true to your long-term goals.
You should also ensure that you have a clear understanding of the risks involved in financial trading.
#3: Eye on the sexy prize
Short-term gains can be tempting – I get it.
We are seeing the future before we are dealing with the present.
And this is dangerous in the short term.
It might feel slow, unprogressively and not as amazing as you thought after a year.
But with compounding, eventually you will feel the success, triumph and true potential of trading power.
But it is essential to focus on long-term growth and wealth potential.
Be prepared to hold onto your investments for an extended period, even if there are temporary fluctuations in the market.
#4: Focus on growth and wealth potential
It is crucial to have a clear understanding of your long-term goals and make informed decisions based on them.
If you want to grow your wealth, you need to be patient and take calculated risks.
Diversify your portfolio and invest in assets that have long-term growth potential can help you achieve your financial goals.
Part 5 – ATTITUDE
Now it’s up to you.
You have to face the elements of trading.
The winners.
The losers.
The drawdowns.
The insane winning streaks.
The slowdowns.
The sideways going nowhere.
This all can mess with your emotions. Hence they say don’t ride the emotional rollercoaster.
So let’s fix your attitude shall we?
#1: Biggest mental enemy is – YOU
Your mindset plays a significant role in your trading success.
The biggest mental enemy in financial trading is you.
It is easy to get caught up in emotions such as fear and greed.
This can lead you to taking impulsive and revengeful trades.
This can lead to you giving up during the bad or slow times.
To overcome this, you need to have a clear understanding of your emotions and how they can affect your trading decisions.
#2: Stop celebrating winners
Avoid celebrating them excessively.
Great you won some money! But what about the next trade? What about next month. What about next year.
You are only as good as your last trade. And when you banked a winner, you need to focus on the next trade and let by-gones be by-gones.
Celebrating your wins can lead to overconfidence, which can be detrimental to your trading success.
Keep level headed at all times. Especially during successful trades.
#3: Stop crying over losers
Similarly, you should not dwell on your losses.
Losses are part of the learning process.
They can help you identify areas of improvement in your trading strategy.
Instead of crying over losses, focus on learning from them and making informed decisions based on your trading plan.
Also, go back to your track record. Go look at the biggest drawdowns you had and how you overcame them when the market went into a better environment.
That will stop you crying over losing a bit of money.
Besides, losing money is not a loss. It’s simply a cost of trading.
Think of it like that and you will never feel another loser again.
#4: Be long term oriented
Financial trading is a long-term game.
To be successful, you need to have a long-term mindset and a strategy that aligns with your long-term goals.
I’ve told you many times. It’s not about the one trade but the hundreds of trades later.
Just keep to your discipline, follow the plan and strategy and you’ll see it pay off in the long run.
#4: Stop thinking of instant successes
Financial trading is not a get-rich-quick scheme.
You cannot expect instant success or overnight riches.
Instead, you need to be long-term oriented and take a strategic approach to your investments.
It would help if you were patient and persistent, even when faced with setbacks or losses.
5 Areas to Improve!
We’ve come to the end of the 5 part – Areas you need to improve with trading.
What a pleasure it’s been.
I’ll sup up everything below so you can have a quick reminder what you need to work on.
EXPERTISE
#1: New ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds)
#2: New AI Tech Companies and Technology
#3: Electric Vehicles
#4: Space Tourism
#5: Metaverse
TIME
#1: Be Punctual
#2: Don’t Miss a Day
#3: Set a Reminder
#4: Sticky Notes
ACTION
#1: Place Your Trading Levels
#2: Prepare Your Trading Setups
#3: JUST TAKE THE TRADE
VISION AND GOALS
#1: Deposit more money
#2: Be responsible
#3: Eye on the sexy prize
#4: Focus on growth and wealth potential
ATTITUDE
#1: Biggest mental enemy is – YOU
#2: Stop celebrating winners
#3: Stop crying over losers
#4: Be long term oriented
#5: Stop thinking of instant successes
If you found this helpful let me know in the comments.
Remember to stay disciplined, be patient, and keep your eyes on the long-term prize.
J.T.T.T
South Africa Top forty is starting next leg to Bull RunThe South African top 40 index is the latest global index to have been spotted trying to begin a major up move in the next leg of the bull phase.
The Index was in a corrective structure all of 2023 until the very recent Nov low. This entire corrective structure according to the Elliot wave theory was what we simply call a "wave 2 correction".
The first leg of this phase (wave 1 according to Elliot wave model) occurred in Sep. 2022 and went on till Jan. 2023.
The next projected target for wave 3 for this index should be the 80-85K(ZAR) mark(an up move of approx. 25% from current levels.)
Note*- This post is for educational purpose only
Top 10 AI Stocks to Trade and add to Trading View WatchlistAI is definitely one of the key words for the century.
And yes, I believe these are great companies to add to our watchlist to trade. ANd Trading View has all of the companies to analyse their movements. .
We could even see AI companies being some of the safe-haven stocks to invest in 2024…
Here are my top 10 companies that are incorporating AI into their businesses and ones I'm trading lately.
1. Microsoft (MSFT):
Develops, licenses, and supports software, services, devices, and solutions.
2. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD):
Designs and sells computer processors and related technologies.
3. NVIDIA (NVDA):
It designs graphics processing units (GPUs) for gaming and professional markets.
4. Palo Alto Networks (PANW):
Offers cybersecurity solutions and firewall technology.
5. Customer Relationship Management (CRM):
This is a strategy that companies use to manage interactions with customers and potential customers.
6. Meta Platforms - formerly Facebook – (META):
Operates social media and virtual reality platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Oculus)
Note: Oculus 3 Headset is coming out next year and it’s going to include and introduce Augmented Reality to the world.
7. Palantir Technologies (PLTR):
Develops data analysis software and provides data integration and analytics platforms.
8. Adobe Inc. (ADBE):
Creates software products for content creation, multimedia, and marketing.
9. Apple Inc. (AAPL):
Designs and markets consumer electronics, computer software, Virtual Reality and online services.
10. Micron Technology (MU):
Micron Tech. inc. designs, develops, manufactures, and sells memory and storage products worldwide
I have an entire watchlist just saying AI STOCKS...
There isn't an Index yet, so I'm watching them and trading accordingly.
3 Risk Actions to take in a Sideways Market
“Do you have any risk or money management rules you take, during a Sideways Market or Twilight phase? I want to be more cautious with my trading.”
These actions, no doubt, will help us protect and preserve our trading accounts.
Action #1: Drop your risk even more
If you’re feeling uneasy with the markets, as many have – drop your risk.
You can even drop your risk to a range of 0.5% to 1% per trade, as opposed to the usual 2%.
This will keep you in the game, so you don’t miss out on any moves.
Action #2: Hegde your portfolios
I consistently employ hedging strategies, both Longs and Shorts.
For example, you can go long stocks and short gold as a hedge.
Or you can go long Bitcoin and short Ethereum as a hedge.
As long as your losses are smaller than your winners, then your winners will outweigh.
And this will help keep your portfolio in check.
Action #3: Diversify
The JSE ALSI 40 isn’t the be all and end all of trading.
You need to learn to diversify into other markets.
I’m talking about Forex like EUR/USD, Indices, and even intraday trades.
History repeating with the Bear Market Rally or not?Top 40 is once again testing our patience...
THe price broke below the M Formation, just to go back up to test an important downtrend level.
We've seen this before with the strong buying price action, before the crash.
So will history repeat itself?
We will only know after the next two or three days.
The price needs to either break up and trick everyone.
Or touch the downtrend and come back down.
The strongest sign we have of downside is lagging indicators
200>21>7... That's the only thing that brings clarity to the markets...
The Dead Cat Bounce on the JSE ALSI 40 & why trading is so hardYou know why bear markets are so hard to trade?
Because when the market bounces up (just a little), some stocks fly up.
ANd this results in stop losses getting hit, before the market comes back down.
That's why we need to determine the volatility movement within the indices and stocks and WIDEN stop losses and take profits - to not be victim of these short term bear market rallies.
It's probably one of the most difficult aspects to getting right...
We clearly see the JSE ALSI is in the bear market with the diagonal resistance along with price below the 200MA...
The best we can do is short markets BUT also go long and hedge a few markets just in case we have a relief rally to make up for the stop losses hit with the shorts...
That's the way of trading well.