The business of trading on an open stock market can be a very frightening thing. Mostly because it seems like a big giant casino from the outside. I mean, putting your money on something in the hopes that it will pay off? It suspiciously sounds like what you do at a roulette table. Any beginner may be excused for making that mistake. Another factor that contributes to the trepidation in entering the stock market is the recent meltdown in the global economy. Jumping into it now doesn’t seem to be a good idea, does it? But the truth is the risks of trading can easily be ameliorated by using a trading plan.

What is a trading plan? The name itself is pretty self-explanatory. It’s a stock trader’s personal plan of how he trades. Sounds easy, but it isn’t. Solid trading plans are backed by research and discipline. The best (more…)

Let me tell you what′s essentialy an open secret for stock traders: a trading plan is pretty much the only way to succeed in the stock market. Actually, it should be pretty obvious: well-made plans have always guaranteed success for anyone who’s set out to do something, from a lowly carpenter to a well-respected general. What I’m going to be telling you about now is how to set-up your own trading plan so you can walk that path to profit and success.

Let′s start with what a trading plan is not: a trading plan is not some vague instructions on a piece of paper, gathered advice from well-worn trading books, no. That′s what you call a roadmap to disaster. The stock market is a treacherous place and going into it with only vague instructions will have you end up bankrupt faster than a blink of an eye. Trading plans (more…)