The Stock Trading Plan

by: Mark Crisp

that discipline contributed more to their success than their trading philosophy itself. Remember that the key to any plan is how well it holds over time.


2. There is no "sure thing", and there is no trading system that is 100% accurate. Your goal, as a trader, is to usethe tools available and try to develop an edge. Base your trades on sound fundamental and technical reasoning,
rather than on hunches and long shots. If you can develop an edge, however small, over time you will be successful.


3. A trader must be able to admit they have made a mistake. Do not become emotionally or financially committed to a losing trade. Avoid the pitfall of becoming emotionally involved with any trade.


4. An investing edge is only part of the equation. A trader should diversify sufficiently so that the growth in equity can be consistent and the likelihood of a catastrophic loss can be diminished. The lower the percentage of a traders' account dedicated to any one trade the greater the chance of the trader being successful.

Even if the trader has a perceived investing edge, it is unwise to run the risk of ruin, and bet it all on one trade. The goal is not only to make money, but also to be able to continue to make money consistently for an
extended period of time. A trader must learn the basic concepts and the importance of money management.


5. Lack of experience in the market causes many traders to make the mistake of taking small profits and letting losses run.

Fundamental trading wisdom dictates the exact opposite. When in a winning trade, be patient and fully capitalize on the success. The trading axiom is, "cut your losses short and let your profits run".


6. A trading system does not have to be difficult, time consuming, complicated and stressful in order to be profitable.

In trading systems, as in many other things in life, simple can be better


7. As a trader, be cautious, and never let greed take control of a winning position.


8. Be aware that declining volume usually indicates the market is not accepting higher or lower prices, and this could indicate a market turn.


9. Learn from your trading mistakes. Never make a trading mistake without asking yourself why.


10. Do not make trading decision based solely on margin requirements, and always trade within your capabilities.

Remain true to your trading plan and follow the trading style that works best for you.


11. Do not trade markets that you don't understand. Trade with confidence and conviction. Trade only with risk capital and be aware of the risk of losing. Divide your capital into 6 equal parts and never risk more than one-tenth of your capital on any one trade.


12. After a long period of success or a period of profitable trades, try to avoid the natural tendency toward increasing your trading activity. Conversely, use self-discipline when a trade goes against your position. Take your loss and wait for another opportunity. Never increase your trading after a loss.


13. Avoid getting into the market because you are anxious from waiting and/or out of the market because you have lost your patience. Never over trade and adhere to your risk management rules


14. Do not make a trading decision to buy just because the price of the stock is low or sell just because the price is high. Never change your position in the market without a good reason that is based on a fundamental or technical rule indicating a change in trend.


15. Trade the most active stocks and refrain from trading the slow moving markets. Trade "at the market" whenever possible and try to avoid a fixed buying and selling price.


16. When the market is moving with your position and you are using a stop loss order, then raise your stop loss so as to lock in your profit. Protect yourself against the possibility of turning a profit into a loss.


17. The "trend is your friend," and never buy and sell if you are insecure of the trend according to your fundamentals and technical rules. If you are in doubt, then exit the market. Only trade when you feel confident with your trading strategies.


18. Trade in five or six different stocks at a time, so as to avoid tying up all of your capital in any single stock.


19. A trader should establish a "surplus account" after a series of successful or winning trades. The goal is to retain the "surplus account" for times of emergency or panic 20. It is difficult to try and guess where the top and bottom of the market is, instead let the market prove its top and bottom.

About the author:
Mark Crisp
The Momentum Stock Trader
http://www.stressfreetrading.com

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The Very Basics of the Forex Market

The forex, or foreign exchange, market is a specialized type of market in which types of currency are exchanged for other types of currency. On average, the daily trade within the forex market is more than $1.9 trillion. As the world''s largest financial market, forex involves trading among central banks, large banks, governments, multinational corporations, large banks, and other institutions and markets of a financial nature. Individuals may also participate in the forex market through banks or brokers, though individuals represent only a small fraction of those trading within the market.

The Levels of Forex

Forex is different from the stock market, which provides the same prices to all participants. With forex, the market is actually divided into various levels. The top level is the inter-bank market that consists of the largest banking firms. The spreads of the inter-market usually are not shared with those outside of this exclusive circle. As the spreads work their way down through the levels, the difference between the ask price and the bid actually widens. This is primarily because those within the inter-bank level are capable of guaranteeing larger numbers of transactions and, as such, can demand a better spread.


The level below the inter-bank market is comprised of the smaller investment banks. The next level is made up by multi-national companies that pay employees in various companies as well as some retail forex market makers and large hedge funds.

Forex Trading Characteristics

Within the forex market, there are a number of different rates, or prices, which depend on what is being traded by the market or bank. In addition, there are a number of recognized trading centers within the forex market, with the main centers being in New York, London, Singapore, and Tokyo. In addition, a number of banks throughout the world participate in forex training. With so many markets located throughout the world, the market is literally open 24 hours per day. As such, traders can make trades immediately when events occur that can impact the market.

Interested in investing in the forex market? Read our Investment Guide first!

Source http://www.thefreelibrary.com

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Online Forex Trading - Beginners Guide

When it comes to forex trading, understanding the terminology and the forex trading strategies before you begin is vital. There are many web based companies that provide online forex trading tutorials that revolve around real time forex trading. Using a forex tutorial will give you the beginner knowledge you need to take part in trading forex.

After you have completed your forex tutorial there are some basic forex trading tips that all beginners will find useful. The most important thing to remember when trading forex and the most important forex trading strategy is to remember to always place stop loss orders. Using this strategy in your online forex trading will help to prevent and limit your losses.



The next important step for online forex trading is to take profit orders at the same time as placing your stop loss orders. This is done by using the OCO order function that is available with most online forex trading systems. Take profit orders work on the same basis as the stop loss orders and help to eliminate the risk of locking into a profit too early.

Another beginner''s tip is to use a positive risk/reward ratio. This means that you should choose the amount you are willing to make on your forex trade beforehand and it should be more than or equal to the amount that you are willing to loose. This tip is essential if you want to be successful in your forex trading.

It is important for any forex trading beginner to note that successful online forex trading takes patience and is a long term investment. It takes controlled forex trading along with discipline and patience to make your forex trading profitable. Continued research and forex tutorials and guides will help you to learn more and remember as with all successful ventures; knowledge equals power.

We have made the most comprehensive Forex trading strategies research. Find it only on the Online forex trading strategy planet.

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Beginner Forex Trading Tips

Forex trading, often called "FX," is the practice of trading currencies for profit A forex trader buys one currency and simultaneously sells another, hoping to realize a profit from any variance in valuation between the two currencies

Forex trading, often called "FX," is the practice of trading currencies for profit. A forex trader buys one currency and simultaneously sells another, hoping to realize a profit from any variance in valuation between the two currencies. Because currencies are the largest market in the world, there are many opportunities to profit. So, how do you learn to trade currencies? Fortunately, there are many excellent free resources that can help you learn forex trading online.

Learning To Trade Currencies Online

In the past, if you wanted to trade currencies, you were forced to buy expensive courses, attend high-priced seminars that often required traveling to other states and purchasing cost-prohibitive computer programs that allowed you to tap into the trading activities of more experienced traders.



Today, all of that has changed. You can learn forex trading from the comfort of your home without spending outrageous amounts of money on courses and seminars. There are several resources online that will not only teach you the fundamentals of trading currencies, but will share basic, intermediate and advanced strategies of trading while showing graphical examples of such strategies to ensure clarity. Further, this information is often offered free.

Watching Other Forex Traders

Many websites that offer free tips and even entire courses on forex trading principles and techniques are run by experienced currency traders. These are men and women who often have years of trading experience and can offer their insights regarding the best forex trading techniques to use in various markets. Some of these experienced traders even conduct free online workshops which allow you to virtually look over their shoulder and watch as they trade in particular markets. Watching these advanced traders is one of the best ways to learn real trading techniques that work in today's currency markets.

Preparing To Trade Currencies Live

Learning in a classroom setting is not the same as conducting live trades. Once you learn the basics of forex trading strategy, you should prepare to do a few live trades. After watching over the shoulders of experienced traders, you should have a good feel of what to expect. Part of learning how to trade currencies involves knowing what signals to watch for in your particular market and staying on top of those signals. If you know these things, you are likely ready to trade forex live.

How To Get Started Trading Forex Online

You only need a few things to begin conducting live currency trades. First, you obviously need a computer with access to the Internet. Second, you need access to an information source that can provide you with real-time signals so you can keep on top of your market. Third, you need a small amount of cash to begin trading. Lastly, you need calm nerves. Though forex trading is potentially very profitable, some people do lose money.

Once you have decided to learn forex trading online, you need to begin learning the basic strategies of trading currencies. After you have mastered the basics, begin learning some of the advanced techniques of forex trading. You can often access this type of information for free online along with clear examples that will help you understand the currency markets. Remember, although there is a high potential for profit, there are significant risks to trading currencies.

Try to learn from the best traders in the world by attending online forex trading workshops. After doing the above, you will likely be ready to start making your first few trades live.

For more Forex Trading information please visit Forex Trading Tips - The Forex Trading website that provides currency trading advice and tips to Beginner Forex Traders.

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Forex Training: What to Look for in a Forex Training Program

by: Raul Lopez

Should new Forex traders take Forex trading courses or join a Forex training program? Definitely yes; by now you have probably heard that only 5% of traders achieve consistent profitable results when trading the Forex market. The main reason for this is the lack of education. Don’t get me wrong here, taking a Forex training program or a Forex trading course won’t guarantee profitable results, nothing can, but choosing the right Forex training program or Forex trading course will definitely put the odds in your favor.

Before spending any amount of money on any Forex trading course or Forex training program there are some important aspects you need to take in consideration. There are many training programs available, but not every one of them suits the needs of every trader.

The first thing you should be looking in a Forex training program is the content of the material. Unfortunately, most courses or training programs focus or spend most of the time on basic concepts. Though these basic concepts are important, spending most of the course on them won’t help the trader to make consistent results.

The following subjects are what I consider the most important aspects of trading and every training program or trading course should address:

Forex trading basics.
Review basic concepts such as: margin, type of orders, a little background, bid/ask, rollover, etc. You need to make sure you understand every single concept to perfection.

Main drawbacks of Forex traders.
Being aware of the common mistakes made by Forex traders and knowing how to handle them will prevent new traders from making those mistakes.

Technical and fundamental analysis.
These are the two main approaches adopted by Forex traders. Knowing how to properly apply each concept will definitely put the odds in your favor.

The three pillars of Forex trading. I consider that these three subjects have the most impact on every trader trading account.

Forex trading system development.
Having the right system is a must if you want to have consistent profitable results. Having a system that doesn’t fit you will cause a series of problems that will make your trading account vanish away (second guessing the system, not following your system, etc.)

Money management.
This is considered by many successful traders to be the most important single aspect of trading. Money management helps to increase your profits geometrically and at the same time limit your losses (i.e. a good risk reward ratio of about 2:1 will make you money in a Forex trading system that is right only 38% of the time.)

Trading psychology.
Being aware and knowing hot to handle the psychological barriers that affect every trader decision will put the odds in your favor.

Other important aspects every training program should include are:
Developing habits for success (such as discipline patience, taking responsibility of every action, commitment, etc.,) understanding and taking our trading as a business, risk and trade management.

Another important aspect you should take into consideration when choosing a Forex training program is the mechanics of it, getting to know how the training program works.

A good course will have the following:

A live conference room, where you can apply everything learned under live market conditions.

One-on-one feedback, every trader has different needs and requires special attention. For instance a trader wanting to improve the system and requires individual feedback from the instructor about it.

Online trading course, a course that could be accessible through internet. A plus is a course where you are able to access the course at the convenient time for you, so you don’t have to change your lifestyle.

A forum, where members can talk just about everything related to the Forex market and the Forex training program.

Trading the Forex market is no easy task. It requires a lot of hard work. Making the right decision will definitely put the odds in your favor. Take your time when doing your diligence because it is a big and important step in a trader’s trading career.

About the author:
Raul Lopez is a full time Forex trader and founder of http://www.straightforex.coma high quality Forex training company.

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Forex Trading: The Perfect Forex Trading System

by: Raul Lopez

Trading the Forex market has became very popular in the last few years. But how difficult is it to achieve success in the Forex trading arena? Or let me rephrase this question, how many traders achieve consistent profitable results trading the Forex market? Unfortunately very few, only 5% of traders achieve this goal. One of the main reasons of this is because Forex traders focus in the wrong information to make their trading decisions and totally forget about the most important factor: Price behavior.

Most Forex trading systems are made off technical indicators (a moving average (MA) crossover, overbought/oversold conditions in an oscillator, etc.) But what are technical indicators? They are just a series of data points plotted in a chart; these points are derived from a mathematical formula applied to the price of any given currency pair. In other words, it is a chart of price plotted in a different way that helps us see other aspects of price.

There is an important implication on this definition of technical indicators. The fact that the readings obtained from them are based on price action. Take for instance a long MA crossover signal, the price has gone up enough to make the short period MA crossover the long period MA generating a long signal. Most traders see it as “the MA crossover made the price go up,” but it happened the other way around, the MA crossover signal occurred because the price went up. Where I’m trying to get here is that at the end, price behavior dictates how an indicator will act, and this should be taken into consideration on any trading decision made.

Trading decisions based on technical indicators without taking price action into consideration will give us less accurate results. For example, again a long signal generated by a MA crossover as the market approaches an important resistance level. If the price suddenly starts to bounce back off that important level there is no point on taking this signal, price action is telling us the market doesn’t want to go up. Most of the time, under this circumstances, the market will continue to fall down, disregarding the MA crossover.

Don’t get me wrong here, technical indicators are a very important aspect of trading. They help us see certain conditions that are otherwise difficult to see by watching pure price action. But when it comes to pull the trigger, price action incorporation into our Forex trading system will definitely put the odds in our favor, it will generate higher probability trades.

So, how to create a perfect Forex trading system?
First of all, you need to make sure your trading system fits your trading personality; otherwise you will find it hard to follow it. Every trader has different needs and goals, thus there is no system that perfectly fits all traders. You need to make your own research on various trading styles and technical indicators until you find a concept that perfectly works for you. Make sure you know the nature of whatever technical indicator used.

Secondly, incorporate price action into your system. So you only take long signals if the price behavior tells you the market wants to go up, and short signals if the market gives you indication that it will go down.

Third, and most importantly, you need to have the discipline to follow your Forex trading system rigorously. Try it first on a demo account, then move on to a small account and finally when feeling comfortably and being consistent profitable apply your system in a regular account.

About the author:
Raul Lopez is a full time Forex trader and founder of www.straightforex.coma high quality Forex training company.

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Forex Trading System: Mechanical vs. Discretionary Systems

by: Raul Lopez

There are basically two types of Forex trading systems, mechanical and discretionary systems. The trading signals that come out of mechanical systems are mainly based off technical analysis applied in a systematic way. On the other hand, discretionary systems use experience, intuition or judgment on entries and exits. But which one produces better results? Or more importantly, which one fits better your trading style? These are the answers we will try to answer on this article.

We will first analyze the pros and cons about each system approach.

Mechanical systems

Advantages
This kind of system can be automated and backtested efficiently.
It has very rigid rules. Either, there is a trade or there isn’t.
Mechanical traders are less susceptible to emotions than discretionary traders.

Disadvantages
Most traders backtest Forex trading systems incorrectly. In order to produce accurate results you need tick data.
The Forex market is always changing. The Forex market (and all markets) has a random component. The market conditions may look similar, but they are never the same.
A system that worked successfully the past year doesn’t necessary mean it will work this year.

Discretionary systems

Advantages
Discretionary systems are easily adaptable to new market conditions.
Trading decisions are based on experience. Traders learn to see which trading signals have higher probability of success.

Disadvantages
They cannot be backtested or automated, since there is always a thought decision to be made.
It takes time to develop the experience required to trade successfully and track trades in a discretionary way. At early stages this can be dangerous.

Now, which approach is better for Forex traders? The one that fits better your personality. For instance, if you are a trader that finds it hard to follow your trading signals, then you are better off using a mechanical system, where your judgment won’t play an important role in your system. You only take the trades that your system signals.

If the psychological barriers that affect every trader (fear, greed, anger, etc.) puts you in unwanted scenarios, you are also better off trading mechanical systems, because you only need to follow what your system is telling you, go short, go long, close a trade. No other decision has to be made.

On the other hand, if you are a disciplined trader, then you are better off using a discretionary system, because discretionary systems adapt to the market conditions and you are able to change your trading conditions as the market changes. For instance, you have a target of 60 pips on a long trade. But the market suddenly starts trending up pretty strongly, then you could move your target to say 100 pips.

Does it mean that trading a discretionary system has no rules? This is absolutely incorrect. Trading discretionary systems means that once a trader finds his/her setup, the trader then decides what to do. But every trader still needs certain rules that need to be followed, such as the size of the position, conditions that have to be met before thinking to get in the market, and so on.

I am a discretionary trader. The main reason I chose a discretionary system is that my trades are based on price behavior, and as you already know, the price behaves similar to the past, but it is never identical, therefore the outcome of every trade is unknown. However, I do have rigid rules on my system, certain conditions have to be met before I even think in getting in a trade. This keeps me out of trouble, once my setup is present and in accordance with the rules I have set, I closely watch the price behavior and finally decide whether it is a good opportunity or not.

Whether you choose to be a discretionary or a mechanical trader there are some important points you should take in consideration:

1. You need to make sure the Forex trading system you are using totally fits your personality. Otherwise you will find yourself outguessing your system.
2. You also need to have some rules and most importantly have the discipline to follow them.
3. Take your time to build the perfect system for you. It’s not easy and requires time and hard work, but at the end, if done correctly, it will give you consistent profitable results.
4. Before going live, try it on a demo account or even on a small account (I will go for the second option, since psychological barriers will be present.)

About the author:
Raul Lopez is a full time Forex trader and founder of http://www.straightforex.coma high quality Forex training company.

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Forex Trading Online - 7 Reasons You Should

by: Keith Thompson

Copyright 2008 Keith Thompson

Forex trading online is a fast way to use your investment capital to it's fullest. The Forex markets offer distinct advantages to the small and large traders alike, making Forex currency trading in many ways preferable to other markets such as stocks, options or traditional futures. Here are seven reasons why you'll want to look into Forex Trading online.

1 - Forex is the largest market.
Forex trading volume of more than 1.9 billion, more than 3 times larger than the equities market and more than 5 times bigger than futures, give Forex traders nearly unlimited liquidity and flexibility.

2 - Forex never sleeps!
You can execute forex trading online 24/7, from 7AM New Zealand time on Monday morning, to 5PM New York time on Friday evening. No waiting for markets to open: they're open all night! This makes Forex trading online a very attractive component that fits easily into your day (or night!)

3 - No Bulls or Bears!
Because Forex trading online involves the buying of one currency while simultaneously selling another, you have an equal opportunity for profit no matter which direction the currency is headed. Another advantage is that there are only around 14 pairs of currencies to trade, as opposed to many thousands of stocks, options and futures.

4 - Forex Trading online offers great leverage!
You can make the most of your investment resources with Forex trading online. Some brokers offer 200:1 margin ratios in your trading accounts. Mini-FX accounts, which can typically be opened with only $200-300, offer 0.5% margin, meaning that $50 in trading capital can control a 10,000 unit currency position. This is why people are flocking to Forex trading online as a way to highly leverage their investments.

5 - Forex prices are predictable.
Currency prices, though volatile, tend to create and follow trends, allowing the technically trained Forex trader to spot and take advantage of many entry and exit points.

6 - Forex trading online is commission free!
That's right! No commissions, no exchange fees or any other hidden fees. This is a very transparent market, and you'll find it very easy to research the currencies and the countries involved. Forex brokers make a small percentage of the bid/ask spread, and that's it. No longer any need to compute commissions and fees when executing a trade.

7 - Forex trading online is instant!
The FX market is astoundingly fast! Your orders are executed, filled and confirmed usually within 1-2 seconds. Since this is all done electronically with no humans involved, there is little to slow it down!

Forex trading online can get you where you want to go quicker and more profitably than any other form of trading. Check it out and see what Forex trading online can do for you!

About the author:
Keith Thompson is the webmaster of http://www.forex-trading-today.com,a site focusing on the latest Forex news and resources.

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