TIPS TO HELP AVOID A TRADING TRAGEDY
TO HELP AVOID A TIPS TRADING TRAGEDY ACCIDENTS HAPPEN
1 LEARN THE RULES OF THE ROAD We simply can t overstate the importance of educating yourself about the markets. Take the time to study the markets and learn the intricacies of trading before risking real capital. GFT offers a number of free seminars to help you learn how to get started. Visit our website for more information.
You would never buy a car without test - driving it, so you shouldn t place your first real trade without learning the ins and outs of the financial market s. Kathy Lien, Director of Currency Research, GFT
Short on EUR/USD @ 1.8670 Stop @ 1.8750 (80 pips) Limit @ 1.8565 (105 pips) Bear Left into POTENTIAL PROFITABILITY
2PICK A ROUTE AND STICK TO IT How can you get to your destination if you veer away from your path? Create a plan to guide your trading. It should include your profit goals, risk-tolerance level, methodology and evaluation criteria. Once you have a plan in place, make sure each trade you consider falls within your plan s parameters because you re most rational before you place your trade and most irrational once your trade is live. Contact us to learn how you can create a trading plan that works for you.
3 PRACTICE We can t give you a permit to trade, but we can help you get plenty of practice. Put your trading plan to work in real market conditions with a risk-free practice account. You ll get a chance to see what it s like to trade in real market conditions, while also taking your trading plan for a test drive without risking your capital. GFT offers free, no-risk practice accounts so you can get a feel for the markets and our trading platforms. Visit our website to get your free practice account.
Whether you re a fundamental or technical trader, never trade without checking the economic calendar. Data like employment reports or central bank rate decisions can mean the difference between a winner and a loser. Boris Schlossberg, Director of Currency Research, GFT
4 CHECK THE CONDITIONS BEFORE PLACING A TRADE Fundamental traders prefer to trade based on news and other financial and political data. Technical traders prefer technical analysis tools like Fibonacci retracements and other indicators to forecast market movements. Some traders even use a combination of the two. No matter what your style, it s important to know how to use technical and fundamental tools to help you find higher probability trades.
5KNOW HOW FAR YOU CAN AFFORD TO GO You wouldn t take a week-long vacation on a day-trip budget. Develop a riskto-reward ratio that fits your financial situation. Know your limits, and how much you are willing to risk on each trade. Never risk more than you can afford to lose. Always make sure you have enough capital to trade another day. Which brings us to the next point
6 KNOW WHERE TO STOP ALONG THE WAY Stop and limit orders can help manage risk and protect potential profits by helping you get in or out of the market at specified prices. With GFT you can even place automatic trailing stops, which trail your position at a specific distance as it moves, helping to protect any profits should the market reverse. Parent & contingent orders can help you set up an entire trade, including entry and exit points and risk management, in one quick step.
7 AVOID ROAD RAGE *stick to the plan! Check your emotions at the door because revenge trading is never sweet. When you have a losing trade, don t go all-in to try to make it all back in one shot. Stick with your strategy. It s smarter to make it back a little at a time rather than being stuck with two crippling losses.
As a trader, you really need to be prepared. The key is to not only expect the unexpected - sudden news announcements, changes in market sentiment or geopolitical developments - but also to employ a sound risk management system that provides you an extra peace of mind. Martin Slaney, Director of Global Dealing Operations, GFT
8KNOW WHAT TYPE OF DRIVER YOU ARE Understand your tendencies and personality traits so you can combat your weaknesses and maximize your strengths more effectively. For example, if you know you tend to be a more emotional person, you ll want to be extra careful to trade based on analysis and your trading plan rather than fear of losses or the excitement of potential profits.
9REMEMBER, SLOW AND STEADY... One key to trading is being consistent. All great traders have lost money, but as long as they maintain a positive edge, they may still come out a winner. Educate yourself, stick to your trading plan, manage your risk and practice discipline and patience. However
10 NEVER BE AFRAID TO EXPLORE A NEW PATH Although consistency is important, don t be afraid to re-evaluate your trading plan if it s not working for you. As your experience grows, your needs may change. Your plan should be a reflection of your goals. If your goals or financial situation changes, so should your plan.
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