How Much to Recover After a Trading DrawdownA Drawdown is a drop in a portfolio value after one or more trades. It’s when the portfolio dips from the highest high.
Once you’ve entered into the inevitable drawdown phase, you’ll need to know how much you’ll need to recover.
That’s where the drawdown calculation comes in…
The Drawdown Formula to recover after a portfolio drop
Let’s use three examples of traders with drawdowns.
Example #1: Timon is down 5% of his portfolio in the last three months.
Example #2: Alex is down 50% of her portfolio in the last three months.
Example#3: Artemis is down 76% of their portfolio in the last three months.
Next we’ll need the Drawdown Formula
Required gain = -1
Let’s put in three drawdown percentages to see what we need to recover to get our portfolios back to what they were…
EXAMPLE #1: Timon’s drawdown = 5%
Required Gain = – 1
= – 1
= 5.26%
EXAMPLE #2: Alex’s drawdown = 50%
Required Gain = – 1
= – 1
= 100%
EXAMPLE #3: Artemis’s drawdown = 76%
Required Gain = – 1
= – 1
= 316%
In the above examples, I need to recover 5.26% of my portfolio to get it back to its highest level.
While Alex and Artemis needs over 100% and 316% to return their portfolios to what they were.
Now you know how to calculate what you need to recover after a trading drawdown.
FINAL WORDS
Do you now get that you need to take your drawdowns more seriously?
With any business or venture, you should always be wary when you enter into a tough time.
In fact, you should never be down more than 20% on your trading portfolio, business or in any other financial venture…
Once you start going below 20%, it will take a heck of a lot longer to get back to what it was…
That’s why this article is only part one…
Trade well, live free.
Timon
MATI Trader (Est. 2003)
Feel free to follow our socials below.
AFRICA40 trade ideas
Success is a self-introspection journey!You and I both know that financial trading the markets is an exciting and most definitely a lucrative venture for those who actually take the time and energy to get it right and trade well.
But!
Big But...
If you want to become a successful trader, it's not just about analyzing market trends and making informed decisions – it is also about self-introspection and personal growth.
This journey is one big self-discovery. And you'll find it's not only beneficial to trading but with life, love, work and even your true identity.
Aas traders must know our own motivations, behaviors, and beliefs in order to truly excel.
This means taking an honest look at our strengths and weaknesses, and being willing to make the necessary changes to become a more disciplined and effective trader.
Do this and you WILL develop a strong sense of self-awareness in order to make better decisions under pressure.
Trade well, live free. I'm off to bed.
Timon
MATI Trader (Financial trader since 2003)
6 Thinking Hats for a TraderIf you don’t know the 6 Thinking Hats by now, I have to ask.
How do you solve problems, deal with arguments or make decisions?
I do forgive you though, as these strategies are not ones we learn in school.
In fact, when I first read about this strategy, I got to say every aspect of my life changed (including trading).
I hope this article will change your life too.
Let’s start with the main man himself.
The Author of The Six Thinking Hats
Edward de Bono is a world-renown lateral thinker, writer and philosopher.
In fact, he was the first person to use the term ‘Lateral Thinking’.
Born in 1933, in Malta, Edward has achieved a number of degrees and has published over 85 books (mostly on thinking and the use of language).
But out of all his works of art, there is one of the most popular techniques that changed the world and changed the way we think.
It’s called The Six Thinking Hats or 6TH.
Here’s how it works
There are six different imaginary hats, with each having a different colour.
Each time you put on a hat, you change the way you think about something. It also helps you see with better clarity and with a different perspective.
Whether you’re having an argument, making a decision, solving a problem, building a business or creating a trading strategy – the 6 Thinking Hats will help streamline the process.
If you’re with more people, make sure everyone is wearing the same hat at a time, to avoid conflict.
Let’s now get into the inner workings of the 6 Thinking Hats, and how it can apply to your trading and other aspects in life.
HAT #1: WHITE
NEUTRAL VIEW
This is the hat that contains all of the information, facts, data, figures, metrics and statistics.
When it comes to trading there are certain facts that you need to have considered including:
The broker you choose
The affordability
The costs involved
What equipment you have to trade
Back testing, forward testing and real testing data and statistics with your strategy.
HAT #2: RED
EMOTIONAL VIEW
The second hat you’ll put on is the RED HAT.
When you put this hat on, come to terms with what you feel.
I’m talking about your intuition, your fear, your greed and your gut feeling.
Then when it comes to trading ask yourself these questions…
· Can you handle risking money you have?
· Do you feel you have the discipline to pursue trading on a weekly basis?
· Do you enjoy the idea of trading?
· How much money do you think you can easily deposit into your trading account?
· How much money do you think you can psychologically handle losing, if you take 10 losing trades in a row?
· Do you think you can sleep easily at night knowing you have your money tied up in the markets?
Once you go through all the feelings and you answer the questions, then you can move to the third hat.
HAT #3: YELLOW
POSITIVE VIEW
This is the hat you’ll find is the one, you want to leave on when you think.
It’s the hat that contains all the benefits and rewards.
When you put this hat, you’ll think of the following with trading:
What are the benefits to trade?
How much money do you want to make a year trading?
Why will your trading strategy work?
What are your goals as a trader?
Why is trading the best decision for your financial future?
Feeling good? Well you’re supposed to when you put on the yellow hat.
But we still have three more hats to go…
HAT #4: GREEN
CREATIVE VIEW
With every decision comes extra out of the box thinking. And that’s where the green hat comes in.
When you put on the green hat, this is where your imagination should help you with brainstorming, new ideas and add-ons to the think tank process.
With trading, there are just so many different ways to be creative. And you’ll find that with ever evolving markets, you’ll need to adapt and adjust course.
Here are some ideas to think of when you put on the green hat.
How can I let my winners run further systematically?
How can I increase my win/rate i.e. Trailing stop loss
What indicator can I use for peripheral vision to help with my confirmation on each trade?
I should create and print a few psychology sticky notes to help with my trading.
I should name my system to be more personal with it
I should find ways to tweak my system which will help with the performance
I should have a trading consultation with Timon to help build and optimise my trading strategy better J.
HAT #5: BLUE HAT
PROCESS VIEW
When you put on the blue hat you should think of three main things…
Systems, criteria and planning.
This is where you’ll choose the criteria you’ll follow with your trading strategy.
What indicators are you using?
What parameter’s are you using with the indicators?
What time frame works best?
What calculators do you need whenever you trade?
This is where you’ll find the main work takes place once all the planning is done…
And one where you’ll eventually marry a strategy to help grow your portfolio.
HAT #6: BLACK HAT
NEGATIVE VIEW
When you put on the black hat, four things should arise instantly.
Difficulties, problems, weaknesses and risks…
I saved this hat for last, because it’s the only hat that will most likely help you decide whether trading is for you or not.
But you can re-arrange the hats according to your won preference.
The main things to ask when you put on the black hat, with trading is:
What are the dangers of trading, risks, financial risks and time risks?
What if the system stops working?
Why are you sceptical about trading?
What if the current markets go into an unfavourable territory?
What if the market drops to zero when I’m in a long trade?
FINAL WORDS:
How awesome!
You now have The Six Thinking Hats to your every decision making process.
You’ll find that it will force you out of the mono-lateral way of thinking which you’ve habitually had your entire life.
You’ll see things with new perspectives and compartmentalize issues in new ways…
It might even pro-long your marriage or improve your relationships…
If you enjoyed this article, I would love to hear your thoughts
Trade well, live free.
Timon
MATI TRader (Established 2003)
LEAVE ME ALONE! LEAVE ME ALONE!
Once you have entered a trade and set your trade levels (such as stop-loss and take-profit), LEAVE IT ALONE.
It is important to let the market play out and not interfere with the trade.
This way you'll follow your trading plan and not be swayed by emotions or external factors.
Also, if you leave it alone it will also stop you from taking impulsive decisions in the future, which can be super dangerous in the long term.
Once you've done your bit and left the trade to do its thing, once it hits your stop loss or take profit - you'll be able to track, record, evaluate and monitor your trading results.
This cuts out the subjective feelings, emotions and opinions.
It's the play of patience that will help you to learn how to trade well for your financial future.
Do you know what it takes to be an Algo Trader?To be an algo trader, you typically need to have a strong background in computer science and programming, as well as a good understanding of financial markets and trading strategies.
Here are some of the important elements you need to be a top Alog Trader:
Experience with database management and data analysis
Knowledge of statistical analysis and machine learning techniques
Understanding of financial markets and trading strategies
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Attention to detail and ability to work under pressure
Overall, to be algo trader requires a combination of technical expertise, financial knowledge, and strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
It can be as simple as having an easy and proven mechanical strategy that you can demo, back test, forward test, analyse, monitor and evaluate your results.
This way, you'll have a decent idea on what your system and strategy potentially could yield in the near future.
Trade well, live free.
MATI Trader
Feel free to follow our socials below if you enjoy this content :) Thank you.
JSE Top 40 IndexJSE Top 40 Index - Approaching Overbought/Extended To The Upside AROUND These Levels?
Ultra short term - trading 2x std deviation over 20 days (see smaller internal channel)
Also, trading 2x std deviation over 200 days (see larger expanded channel)
Also note the price extension vs the 200-day simple moving average. It cannot get too far without 'snapping back'. In addition, the 200-day SMA is FLAT - thus making a reversal more likely.
FOMC minutes showed the FED won't be in a hurry to cut... and yesterday's data showed the labour market remains in good shape. Now we await the December payrolls report, due in 2hrs.
TRADERS! One step is a step forwardHello traders,
Are you feeling stuck in your trading journey?
Are you constantly asking yourself
"WHICH WAY AM I MOVING?"
Let me tell you something: as long as you are taking one step at a time, you are moving forward.
It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day ups and downs of the financial markets. We can get so focused on the short-term fluctuations that we lose sight of the bigger picture.
But here's the thing: those short-term fluctuations are just noise. They may affect your account balance in the short-term, but they don't define your long-term success as a trader.
So how do you stay focused on the long-term and keep moving forward? Here are a few tips:
Set clear goals for yourself.
hat do you want to achieve as a trader? Do you want to be consistently profitable? Do you want to learn a particular trading strategy? Whatever your goals may be, make sure they are specific, measurable, and achievable.
Keep a trading journal. Writing down your trades, your thought process, and what you learned can help you reflect on your progress and identify areas for improvement.
Seek out education and mentorship.
There is always more to learn in trading, and having a mentor or joining a trading community can help you gain new perspectives and stay motivated.
Remember that trading is a journey, not a destination. It's easy to get caught up in the thrill of making a big trade or hitting a home run.
But the most successful traders are the ones who are in it for the long haul. They are the ones who are consistently learning, adapting, and improving.
So don't get discouraged if you have a few losing trades or if you feel like you're not making as much progress as you'd like. Keep taking one step at a time, and you will get there.
Trade well, live free.
Timon
MATI Trader
Feel free to support me and follow my socials below...
Why Multitasking is Dangerous for Traders – 6 REASONSWe have come to believe that juggling multiple tasks, will somehow reward us eventually.
But with trading, I can’t think of anything worse.
In fact, I think it’s counterproductive to multi-task when making financial decisions for your trading.
And no! Lying on the couch, or on the beach with your phone while talking to friends is ALSO a no go.
Here’s why I think multi-tasking is dangerous…
DANGER #1:
You miss crucial opportunities:
If you’re focused on watching TV, eating chips and watching TikToks at the same time, I guarantee – you will miss out on high probability trades.
You need to have full focus and pay attention to the markets, when you’re trading or it will affect the quality of your trading and setups.
Danger #2:
Delays in trading decision making
Multitasking can slow down your decision-making process and prevent you from acting in a timely manner.
Think about it… It’s one more video to watch, it’s 10 more minutes until the show ends. Let me just finish my beer first.
The market waits for NO ONE!
So act accordingly.
Danger #3:
Stress levels through the roof
You’re going to make impulsive, emotional decisions.
You have your heard earned money in an account ready to take on the local and global markets.
If you have sounds, food and other distractions in the background – it will affect your stress.
This will not only put you off trading but might also scare you out of it completely. These types of decisions can be costly in trading.
I mean, trading can be stressful enough on its own.
Add multitasking to the mix and your levels of stress and increase feelings of anxiety will sky rocket.
This can lead to burnout and negatively impact our overall performance.
Danger #4:
Drop in prod
You might feel that you can get more done by multi-tasking but it actually will decrease your productivity and efficiency.
When we try to do too many things at once, it takes us longer to complete each task and we may not do them as well as if we had focused on them individually.
Danger #5:
More mistakes
Trading needs to be laser focused!
If you multi-task you need to remember something. You are human and you are susceptible to making mistakes and errors.
You might miss a trade setup.
You might type in the wrong trading levels.
Or worse… Trading volume.
You might miss opportunities to lock in profits through adjustments.
Just take it one trade at a time and focus on the time in the markets…
Danger #6:
Ruin relationships
Ok this one is a bit of a stretch, but I think it relevant.
If you multi-task while trading, what about the rest of your life.
You most likely will multi-task while eating dinner, talking to friends, driving or even spending time with your children.
This can most definitely have a negative effect on not only your trading but your life, relationships and will lead to even more stress…
If you’re still reading this then I want you to do something for me.
I want you right now to take a DEEP breath in….
.
.
.
.
.
And out…..
Just slow down. Take it easy. Focus on one thing at a time and enjoy the process.
Be more present and you will find life will be a lot more easier in your everyday.
I am writing this because I want you to start your year on a calm, focused and powerful note.
You got this.
Trade well, live free and take it EASY!
Timon
MATI Trader
How a Simple Cup of Tea Can Improve Your TradingTraders are always on the lookout for ways to improve their performance.
They are always trying to find ways to make better decisions in the markets.
While most people might not think to turn to tea as a solution, it turns out that…
This simple beverage can actually have a surprising impact on trading.
The amazing benefits of drinking tea with trading.
Benefit #1: Relaxation
What is amazing about tea is its ability to help you relax and calm you better.
In the fast-paced and high-stress world of trading, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and intensity of the markets.
This can lead to impulsive, emotional decision making that can be costly. Once you have a cup of tea, it can help you take a step back, relax and allow you to approach the markets with a clearer and more rational mindset.
Benefit #2: Focus
Tea can also improve focus and concentration.
Many traders rely on caffeine to help them stay alert and focused, but it’s important to remember that too much caffeine can lead to jitters and anxiety.
Tea, on the other hand, contains a lower amount of caffeine and also includes antioxidants and other compounds that can help improve cognitive function.
My favourite tea is good old Rooibos “Red Bush” which is a special tea from South Africa that doesn’t contain any caffeine.
When you sip on a cup of tea, you’ll find it will help improve your focus and attention to detail.
This is crucial when analysing the markets and making financial decisions.
Benefit #3: Health
Great health is great wealth.
Another benefit of tea is that it can improve with your physical health.
You’ll find trading can be a sedentary job, and it’s important to take care of our bodies in order to maintain optimal performance.
Tea is packed with antioxidants and other compounds that can help improve digestion, boost the immune system, and reduce the risk of certain health conditions. When you add tea into your daily routine, you will most definitely improve your overall health and well-being, which can in turn improve your performance in the markets.
Of course, it’s important to remember that tea is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to improving trading performance. It’s important to have a solid trading strategy, stay informed about market developments, and manage risk effectively.
In conclusion!
Not only does this simple beverage promote relaxation and calmness, allowing you to approach the markets with a clear and rational mindset, it can also improve focus and concentration, thanks to its lower levels of caffeine and cognitive-boosting compounds.
And, let’s not forget the physical benefits – by incorporating tea into your daily routine, you can improve your overall health and well-being, leading to better performance in the markets.
So, trade well, live free, and don’t forget to enjoy a cup of tea!
Timon
MATI Trader
(Financial trader since 2003)
24 Hour Trading Stocks Around the Clocks!Doesn’t it feel almost inevitable?
That in the near future we’ll be able to trade shares 24 hours a day, five days a week?
Well, during the last week, I’ve been wondering what the future of trading will look like and what we need to prepare for.
In this article, we’ll go through the practicalities of trading 24hour markets and what you may need to prepare for.
24 Hour markets available today
Right now, there are more markets available to trade 24 hours a day than ever before including:
• Forex
• Commodities
• Crypto-currencies
• Exchange-Traded-Funds
• Indices
I guess the important question to ask is…
Will it make a big difference if the world opened up to trading stocks 24 hours a day?
Could it be the end of stock traded sessions?
Currently, the trading sessions for shares are restricted to the hours the exchanges are opened.
This is normally from 9:00am until 5:00pm.
There are two historical reasons for having stock traded sessions:
Maintain liquidity and timing for efficiency during operating hours.
But what would happen if stocks never closed their trading times?
Think about it…
We’d have hundreds of thousands of stocks open to the public to trade at your disposal whenever you desire…
We’ll need to address the pros and cons of how this would work…
GOOD & BAD reasons for trading stocks around the clock
Let’s start with the BAD.
BAD #1:
Less trading – Small price moves
We could see thin volume of buying and selling taking place for each stock, as there’ll be little demand when people are off work or asleep.
BAD #2:
Higher price manipulation
With the low trading volume, this can incite shady investors and traders to manipulate the share prices, causing major sudden price fluctuations
So with low demand and movements for stock trading around the clock – right now, it just doesn’t seem to be practical having 24/5 stock trading sessions.
But right now – does not mean it will always be like this in the future.
Here are the GOOD reasons for a 24 hour trading stocks around the clock.
GOOD #1:
Higher employment numbers
Most companies, will need to employ more brokers and dealers – for after hours – until they incorporate robo-advisors…
GOOD #2:
No more open price gaps
The unexpected sudden price gaps on stocks will almost be eliminated.
You won’t have to wake up to a nasty surprise seeing the market jump your stop loss overnight again.
GOOD #3:
Follow international events
We will be able to base stock trading decisions and prices on any news event, earnings and ratings that comes out internationally.
GOOD #4:
New stream of investors
This will attract many new investors and traders to trade stocks from other countries which will help companies share liquidity.
Why we could see trading stocks around the clock in the future
We are seeing a major rise in the number of investors and traders.
Trading has never:
• Been more affordable
• Been easier to learn.
• Been more accessible (with just a smart phone).
• Shown such superior customer services.
And we definitely have the technological structure and networks, to support around the clock trading for all markets.
And when it comes to stocks.
Well, with the increase in adoption of new technologies, and improvements with off-market liquidity – we will very well see stocks trading around the clock.
And now you know what to prepare for…
Trade well, live free.
Timon
MATI Trader (Est. 2003)
Happy New Year 2023 - Only 1 tip for you!If you don't know your trading levels, then you don't have a game plan...
The only time you're ready to trade is where you have the exit plan in mind through risk and reward as well as WORST case scenario...
Are you ready to trade in 2023!
My only tip for this year is go where you are appreciated NOT where you are tolerated.
Trading View is such a special place because we all have one thing in common.
To take control of our own life without any dependency.
I've been trading since 2003 and now have the platform to share some ideas and experiences that I've gone through to eventually trade for a living from 2011.
Welcome to 2023. May it be a year of learning, improving, growing and profiting.
Trade well, Live free...
Timon
MATI Trader
What Billionaires Taught me About TradingDid you ever wonder why influential people wear the same clothes every day?
• Mark Zuckerberg wears his famous round neck grey t-shirt.
• Richard Branson wears his famous pair of jeans.
• Steve Jobs wore his black turtle neck.
• Barack Obama wears either his blue or grey suit.
Well other than promoting their signature look, there is a much more deeper and important reason for it…
You might want to consider this analogy for not only trading, but for every important aspect of your life.
Why Mark Zuckerberg wears the same outfit
Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg held the first ever public Q&A session at FB California headquarters in November 2014.
During the hour session, he was asked why he wears the same grey t-shirt every day.
Here was his answer:
“I really want to clear my life to make it so that I have to make as few decisions as possible about anything except how to best serve this community,”
“I feel like I’m not doing my job if I spend any of my energy on things that are silly or frivolous about my life,”
Less decisions – More success
This concept to make one decision on what outfit to wear, is to help prevent ‘cognitive fatigue’.
One less decision to worry about in life will save your brainpower capacity to help make decisions that matter for the future.
Besides, the more decisions you make – the more complicated life is.
Ok, so you got the gist…
Here’s what this lesson taught me about trading
As a trader, there is plethora of events taking place every day.
There are countless factors to consider:
• Markets
(Forex, shares, indices, commodities and cryptos)
• News events
(Employment, GDP, macro & micro announcements)
• Indicators
(Moving averages, RSI, MACD, Price action etc…)
• Time frames
(Tick, 5 minutes, 30 minutes, daily, weekly)
• Strategies
(Moving average crossovers, breakout patterns, volume analysis)
It’s enough to test everything until the end of time!
That’s why, I have personally worn the same metaphorical outfit for the last 14 years.
NOTE: It took me 7 years to find this outfit!
1 Strategy – MATI Trader System
1 Time frame – Daily
1 Indicator – Price action
1 Risk level – 2%
1 Financial instrument – CFDs
It’s all about finding what you find comfortable, consistent and sustainable…
How to find your one outfit when you trade
This is most definitely a self-introspection journey to find the ‘outfit’ you will be wearing as a trader.
To start, write down your trading strategy and markets you want to trade…
My biggest tip – Keep it simple, minimalistic and comfortable…
JSE showing downside before the boost up Inverse Cup and Handle has formed. We are just waiting for the break.
The pattern is showing a slight correction before further upside.
On the left is a larger W Formation which is showing medium term upside but for now, we'll take advantage of the short.
21>7 - Bearish
Target to 200MA
62,705
Trade well, live free.
Timon Rossolimos
MATI Trader
5 Habits of Successful TradingGet a pen and paper and write these five habits down.
Each habit you have, write down a 1 and each habit you don’t have write a 0.
Sum up the points at the end and you’ll know where you are, what you have to do to improve and whether you have the trading edge to be successful.
HABIT #1:
Courage
You need the courage to follow these basic steps.
#1: Open a trading account
#2: Deposit money in your trading account
#3: Adopt a trading strategy
#4: Take the trades that line up
#5: Follow your strategy (with the winners and losers)
Have the courage to do that today or have done it?
Mark 1 for YES
Mark 0 if you’re not ready…
HABIT #2:
Persistence
I’ve said this before…
Trading is a forever business…
It’s easy once you get it right. The hard part after a while is keeping persistent.
Do you have the PERSISTENCE to:
#1: Trade for a few minutes every week?
#2: Look for trading setups?
#3: Follow a proven trading strategy without changing the rules?
#4: Not give up on a trading strategy after a losing streak?
#5: Not go against a strategy after during a winning streak?
Mark 1 for YES
Mark 0 if you’re not ready…
HABIT #3:
Save Money
Look.
The more money you have in your trading account, the faster it will grow.
If you think R5,000 or R10,000 is all you need to retire in a few years – it’s time to wake up!
Every month, I deposit around 5% -10% of my savings into trading…
Now I know not everyone can deposit such a large portion of their savings in trading as they have other capital allocations to their portfolio…
Well, what ever you can deposit per month comfortably is better than nothing.
This will help you to grow your trading account at a faster rate.
Mark 1 for YES – I have the habit to save money per month.
Mark 0 if you’re not ready…
HABIT #4:
Evolve
The markets are constantly going through change.
In just a span of 20 years there have been a multitude of trading instruments.
For example:
Shares – warrants – Futures – Binary Options – ETFs and CFDs.
We’ve also seen a plethora of different markets including
Equities – Indices – commodities – currencies and Crypto-currencies
And as a trader, it’s our job to keep learning and evolving with the markets…
Do you have the habit to adapt to change and learn throughout your trading career? Mark 1
Not ready for change? Mark 0
Habit #5:
INDEPENDENCE
Once you have everything you need to succeed as a trader, it’s all on you.
You should not have anyone to hold your hand, influence your decisions or tell you what to do.
When you are sitting by your laptop or device – No one should be able to change your mind including from:
• Friends
• Family
• Mentors
• Your conscience
• Bloomberg
• Spouse and kids
If you think you have a good level of independence, mark 1.
If you’re not ready for being independent mark 0.
Final Thoughts
The points where you marked 1 – Great keep at it and remember your strengths…
The points where you marked 0 – It’s ok… Every successful trader started with doubts and weaknesses.
Trade well, live free.
Timon Rossolimos
MATI Trader
FX: A Liquidity & Lifestyle OptionYesterday was an interesting day. Being that it's a slightly more quieter time of the year, it makes one reflect on various things, including how to improve my research process to become even more efficient. The weather is nice, so we decided to take a drive to the beach. We left at 6am (destination out of Cape Town) and just before that at 5:55am I decided to add USDJPY as a trade idea (short/sell) before leaving home. I loaded my idea to the client platform and off I was...
Arriving back home the trade was well in the money and was just about at the target. I then added EUR/AUD as a buy at around lunch time and by late afternoon I added GBP/JPY as a sell.
All 3 trades were ultra short term (1-5 days) and all 3 hit the target on the same day (what a rarity!).
It made me think about the FX market and how one is able to trade at literally any time of the day. No waiting for 9am for the equities market to open and close at 5pm. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to be working a24hr a day but this asset class does provide a degree of flexibility, offering an attractive lifestyle option.
For 2023, I think FX/Currencies are going to be a significant part of my research output for clients who trade actively. The liquidity is second to none and if you have a short term time frame, there'll always be opportunities.
Best wishes for the year ahead.
For more insights, including trade ideas, get in touch today.
WARNING! This will reflect on your tradingThe world thrives on drama, gossip and most people just want it to end by the way they think...
I can't blame them because most people are struggling to live their lives where they are working from pay check to pay check. Where they are hoping their boss will give them a half day off.
Where they are constantly feeding the fat cats of the world and paying taxes from their salaries.
But then trading comes along, where you can have some degree of control of your finances and investments.
Where you can risk what you wish and play the rules with growing a portfolio,...
BUT if you bring in your emotional aggression and tendencies, it will reflect on your trading...
Instead, you should work on yourself more.
Don't be angry over unnecessary things
Don't make a mountain out of a mole hill
Don't risk anything you can't afford to lose
Don't get angry over a small loss - you are in the trading den to make money NOT to be right
Take 10 DEEP breaths in and out before you make any impulsive decisions or take any abrasive action.
Focus on change and the whole world, your mind and your trading results will change with you...
Let me know if this helps by commenting below or at least liking this post.
Trade well, live free,
Timon
MATI Trader
MOST DANGEROUS TRADING TRAIT!Most people talk about Fear and Greed being the barometers to failure...
I think there is an underlying trait that is far superior which leads to ultimate account catastrophe.
EGO.
They just want to be right or they will have a hissy fit.
They refuse to take a loss...
They refuse to accept that the market is moving against you.
They find ways to disagree with the market which gets them committing moe.
They move their stop loss away further away - which means they risk more.
Rinse and repeat - GONE.
Cut out your ego or the markets will cut you out. Simple.
Trade well, live free.
Timon
MATI Trader
END Procrastination Today with 7 TipsOne of the biggest issue a trader has is none other than procrastination.
• They doubt their trades – so they don’t take them.
• They skip a trading day – so they miss opportunities.
• They don’t monitor their results on a weekly or bi-monthly basis- so they can’ track their performance.
Initially, I thought it was because of a lack of confidence. But to be honest, I think it’s something a lot more transparent.
LIFE!
You have a life to live, income to earn, food to put on the table, things to do with your family and loved ones and the general duties of life.
So it’s all down to priorities at the end of the day.
Because my life has been dedicated to trading since 2003, it’s why I don’t procrastinate – take a day off or anything of the sorts.
So I’m going to give you some pointers on how to stop procrastination or at least reduce it…
TIP #1: CHOOSE YOUR TRADING DAYS
If you really don’t have the energy (not the time, everyone has time), then just choose two or three days to trade. And find the best time to locate to your trading.
Maybe it’s first thing in the morning when you’re having coffee or breakfast.
Maybe it’s when you come home after work and before you get onto the social media world.
Maybe it’s an hour before bed or Netflix. Adopt it into your life in a way that it is comfortable and manageable for the future.
TIP #2: SET SMALLER TASKS
Break larger tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks.
This will make it easier to start working on a task and to make progress. Instead of looking at EVERY market in one day, to drive you crazy. Choose a sector market and only focus on that watchlist…
E.g. Local stocks one day, Forex another day and international markets another day.
TIP #3: TRACK RESULTS ON A SPECIFIC DAY
Choose a day in the week, where you’ll jot in your trades that you added, adjusted or closed.
Create a schedule and stick to it. Having a structured plan can help you stay on track and avoid getting side-tracked by less important tasks.
TIP #4: SET A TIMER
If you have only 1 hour to trade, set the timer. You’ll find with a timer, you’ll be more focused determined and less distracted with anything else.
TIP #5: REMOVE DISTRACTIONS
Stop the distractions from your workspace.
This may include turning off notifications on your phone or computer, finding a quiet place to work, or using noise-cancelling headphones.
TIP #6: SELF-TALK YOURSELF
Use positive self-talk to motivate yourself to do it. Psychology is an important element to your trading.
Instead of telling yourself that you can't do something or that it will be too hard, try telling yourself that you are capable and that you can do it.
TIP #7: REWARD YOURSELF
Reward yourself for making progress of following with your trading actions. This could be as simple as taking a short break or treat yourself to something you enjoy.
These are just a few ideas on how you can end your procrastination from your trading endeavours…
There will be no change in your life without action, so always keep the prize in mind and you should have all the determination in the world to GO FOR IT.
If you enjoyed this feel free to LIKE and follow for more daily tips.
Trade well, live free.
Timon
MATI Trader
EXPLAINED: Short Selling in 3 ways and with an exampleWhat is Short Selling?
This is where you sell (go short) an underlying market at a high price, anticipate a drop in price where you’ll buy it back at a lower price for a profit.
How short selling works…
To understand this concept, I’m going to break it down into three explanations.
• One line
• Step by Step
• Visual
Explanation #1:
One line
Short selling is the practice of selling a financial market (such as a share, crypto currency, index etc…) that you don’t own with the intention of buying the same market back later on at a lower price for a profit.
Explanation #2:
Step-by-Step
1. You sell a number of shares, which you don’t own, at a higher price.
NOTE: You borrow the shares from a broker or lender.
2. After time passes, the market then comes down in price.
3. You then decide to buy back the shares and close your position for a profit.
NOTE: When you buy the position back, you automatically return the borrowed shares to the broker/lender and pay them a fee.
4. You will pocket the difference between the price from where you sold the shares and the price where you bought them back.
The Broker gets the shares back you get the profit – bada bing bada boom – DONE.
Let me know what other term you would like explained.
Trade well, live free.
Timon
MATI Trader
BEFORE YOU TRADE - Look - Calculate - RememberI don’t care if you’re new or old to the trading business.
This will apply to you, regardless.
In this short but vital article, we’ll go through 3 of “Before you do this – You need to do that”.
#1: BEFORE YOU TRADE – LOOK
Trading is a strategy game.
You don’t just thumb suck a trade and guess where the market will head.
No, you have your criteria on:
• The markets you’ll analyse
• The time frames you’ll use
• The criteria you’ll follow
• The entry, exit and risk levels you’ll apply
Before you take a trade, you need to first look and find synergy between your strategy and the market you’re looking at.
#2: BEFORE YOU SPEND – CALCULATE
Trading is a risk game.
You don’t just put in all your money in a trade because it feels good or looks too good to not risk.
You are not in the game to be right… You are in the game to play calculated risks with your winners as well as your losers.
I have a 2% risk rule per trade, in order to bank a 4% gain.
This is the best strategy that works for my 19 year old, 4 step strategy, 62.5% win rate MATI Trader System.
Whether the trade looks incredibly attractive and is almost a given, it doesn’t matter.
Calculate your risks, follow your rules and calculate before your spend.
#3: BEFORE YOU GET EMOTIONAL – REMEMBER
Trading is a mind game.
It can play with your emotions at times.
• A loss can ruin your week.
• A win can make you feel like a megalomaniac for a day.
• Your birthday can make you think you’ll profit that day.
• Your previous loss can cause you to doubt your trading strategy.
• Your previous winner can scare you.
“You need to remember that the financial markets don’t know you, care for you and remember that trading is a forever business.”
Next time when you feel those emotions taking over, just remember that sentence…
Did you find this useful, follow for more daily trading tips...
Trade well, live free.
Timon
MATI Trader