Before you embark upon a journey of trading stocks or futures, and before you make any trades, you MUST determine and establish your risk level. Traders that fail to do this are usually doomed from the start. The fact is that most trading accounts that go bust are because of the failure to determine at what point the trader will cut their losses and move on to the next trade. Rookie traders are particularly prone to do this. They hang on to losing positions hoping that they will turn around ? only to watch the price drop even further. Too much thought and effort are expended on the buying decision instead of the selling decision. The sad truth is that it's the selling decision that will determine your fate as a successful trader. And successful trading is dependent on how long and how well you can protect your account against loss until the big profit comes your way. Setting a risk level for your account and for your trades will provide such protection.
If you're like everyone else, you've got an online trading account and you're free to move in and out of positions without the input or interruption of a broker. If you're not doing this, we recommend that you do. So when you buy a position, have you determined where you would to sell it if the price would fall? Many traders only think about the price going up ? they never think about what they'll do if it goes down. You MUST determine this limit BEFORE placing a trade.
We recommend that get out of the position if it drops anywhere from 7% to 10% from where you purchased the stock, option or commodity (or any other market derivative). Yes, it could rebound and take off 100 points after you sale, but it could also drop 100 points and your account would be wiped out. Consider this, if your account drops 50%, then you need a 100% gain to get it back where you were! This is why you MUST place a stop-loss after every trade you place with your broker. Do this without fail IMMEDIATELY after placing a trade with your online broker. Once you've placed a stop-loss level with your online broker, the system will automatically sell your position when that level is reached. Remember, stay in the game until you hit that big trade!
Chuck Cox is a Technical Writer and Industrial Scientist by professional with a background in statistics. He has used mathematical and statistical methods to invest and trade in the stock, futures, and options markets. Chuck has owned various businesses and presently operates several websites. To learn more about trading in the markets, visit his website, http://www.earncashathometoday.com/trading-stocks.htm
Batchtown Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareEver jumped out of an airplane? It's OK if you... Read More
With all the bad news that has been dumped upon... Read More
A few years back ? it seems like an eternity... Read More
Let's discuss commodities; with the latest Enron situation, it is... Read More
People are always asking me when should I sell my... Read More
Ever turn down a street, get half way and suddenly... Read More
The trash business in its efforts to cook their books... Read More
If you don't know what a Roth IRA is then... Read More
The trading method you employ to approach the stock market... Read More
Reduce your investing and stock market risks by:Setting your sights... Read More
The date October 13, 2000 will forever be embedded in... Read More
When you become interested in a stock or mutual fund... Read More
Cat or dog? Maybe Zebra. Shucks, I don't know, but... Read More
One of the most believed bits of conventional wisdom from... Read More
1. Do not spread your money too thin.My friend has... Read More
The stock market has been in an up trend for... Read More
As an investor you will want to check out any... Read More
Investing in long-term financial vehicles give you the most gains... Read More
It is wonderful to be alive in the information age.... Read More
For years investors have been taught to look into the... Read More
"Buy and hold" is one of the most heralded investment... Read More
Do you have a financial planner? Does one of your... Read More
What! Me worry?Many of you remember the cover of MAD... Read More
Before you embark upon a journey of trading stocks or... Read More
How do you invest? What do you really pay? At... Read More
shuttle from Midway Munster are ..We are already in it, but you can't see it.... Read More
What does it take to be a stock trader? It... Read More
Cat or dog? Maybe Zebra. Shucks, I don't know, but... Read More
You must take the time once a month to review... Read More
There is no question that the stock market is being... Read More
That sounds like good advice doesn't it? Don't lose all... Read More
There are many good penny stock investments available, which could... Read More
If you have a pension plan at work you will... Read More
Every broker and financial planner will tell you that you... Read More
There are major differences between trading stocks and trading futures.... Read More
I would like to share with the reader an article... Read More
In November of 2000 when the NASDAQ was trading at... Read More
Most people think the stock market is a zero sum... Read More
I feel that an investment strategy in the stock market... Read More
When the stock market is going up and all your... Read More
Let's discuss commodities; with the latest Enron situation, it is... Read More
If you don't know what a Roth IRA is then... Read More
With the stock market stubbornly refusing to settle down and... Read More
Are you attracted to the idea of being in control... Read More
Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a... Read More
According to Investopedia Inc. the penny stock market has seen... Read More
For the year 2000 we have seen hundreds of mutual... Read More
Wouldn't it be nice if you were only in the... Read More
A Guide to Using Stop Loss Orders Stop losses are... Read More
Very few people, even professionals, have heard of the Dalbar... Read More
Stocks & Mutual Fund |