Personal Finance
- Article Tools
- Email this Article
- Print this Article
- Rss Feed
- Related Articles
- What Investors Need to Know About Historical Data
- Beginner's Guide to Brokers
- 10 Questions to Ask Your Broker
- How to Handle Midday Swings
- Investor Types to Avoid
- Take Responsibility for Your Stock Losses
- Expect to Be Wrong in the Stock Market
- 20 Ways to Stop Losing Money in 2008
- 10 Ways to Improve Your Market-Timing
- 10 Ways to Build Trading Discipline
- Del.icio.us
- Digg
- StumbleUpon
Mediocre returns in 2007 are forcing many investors to look at the trading game as an alternative way to play the financial markets. This is a common phenomenon during periods of market weakness because trading offers a methodology to profit from the short
side, as well as the long side. But there are many pitfalls in making the transition. Let's take a look at what to expect and how to best avoid them.
Seasoned individuals with proven results as long-term investors tend to perform very well as short-term traders. It makes sense because these folks have already learned the discipline and patience required make their strategies work and have the deep pockets needed to get through the steep learning curve.
How much capital will you need to open your first trading account ? While many brokers accept new accounts at the $5,000 level, realistically, anything less than $35,000 adds considerable survival risk . The reason: the SEC's pattern day trading rule limits your ability to execute intraday positions when your account drops below $25,000.
markets.
In any case, expect months of frustration before you make consistent money in the trading game. The market landscape is a complex animal filled with thousands of predators ready to take advantage of every mistake you make as your trading skills evolve. With this in mind, trade small until your results demand bigger risk taking.
The markets are filled with undercapitalized newbies hoping to turn their small stake into a vast fortune. Often these folks are straight out of college and trying to avoid the rat race by trading their way to financial freedom. Although they're saddled with considerable debt and entry-level income, they scrape together a few dollars for their new endeavor.
Blindly following historical data can prove a painful practice. Plus, 15 ways to check data.
Before you start trading, read this.
The broker works for you, so arm yourself with as much information as you can before you choose one.
If you understand the technical tendencies, you can profit from a choppy market.
Don't let The Enthusiast, The Tipster and other destructive investor personalities knock you off your game.
RealMoney.com's Barry Ritholtz explains that true investors hold themselves accountable for their win-loss records
To master the art of investing, RealMoney.com's Barry Ritholtz says start with realistic expectations.
The best way to win this year is to staunch the bleeding in your trading accounts.
Tough markets are the most often traded, so being able to time your entries and exits is important.
Discipline is the cornerstone of profitable trading. Here are 10 ways to help bring some more into your life.
These forgotten Internet stocks are being accumulated by hedge funds.
Raspberries for Apple; You'll be sorry, UBS; Fortress or Fort Knox? Wholly unappetizing Foods; give Liberty AOL or give them...
The GOP presidential candidate raised $27 million in July.
Some credit and debit cards give you some cash back on purchases. But you need to manage it well to benefit from it.
Sponsored by:
RSS
