≈ The equalizer ≈

We don’t live in the same country.
We don’t trade at the same hour of the day.
We don’t have the same age.
We differ in social stratification.
We might even trade in different exchanges.
We don’t trade the same assets.
Non-alcoholic beer to celebrate an IPO.
Or a dark Irish dry stout Guinness to celebrate a green day.

However, us or them.
Humans or machines.
Inside the markets, we are all the same.
Old or bold.
The penny stock guy.
The stock forum lady.
Or the soulless algorithms.
One equalizer.
Risk.
To the markets, risk is volatility.
Volatility, then.
Vol, for the intimate.

It’s all about Vol.
When we take the money out of our pockets.
And throw it into the market.
That’s Vol we are signing up for.
Risk-averse people buy low Vol.
Limited amplitude. Symmetrical distribution.
Experienced risk-takers buy high Vol.
Wide amplitude. Asymmetrical distribution.
Vol can be precisely measured. Present tense.
Vol can be historically evaluated. Past tense.
Vol can be forecasted. Future tense.
The future tense is far from trivial, though.

Vol in the future can behave as usual or helter-skelter like nothing else.
Risk-averse people buy trivial Vol. Homoscedastic but opaque. They buy a dog and end up petting a cheetah.
Experienced risk-takers buy helter-skelter Vol. Heteroscedastic and transparent.
They get what they paid for.
When panic sets in.
Trivial Vol ends up on the hanging tree.
Fiery Vol sails on the steel breeze.

The sun shines on everyone. Hedging too.
For the homoscedastic: Trivial Vol + Long anti-fragility.
For the heteroscedastic: High Vol + Pray for a stroke of good or bad luck.

Chart of the Day

Homoscedasticity & Heteroscedasticity

Video of the day

9 Steps Every Trader Must Take

The development process is different for every new trader. But, in some form or fashion, you must go through these 9 steps to build your skillsets to become proficient at Trading.

Rookie Corner

The barn door is open…now what?

Since the market has decided to remain pretty chaotic this week I thought we would continue talking about issues that arise from market action like we have seen this week and last and talk about proposed solutions. For those who have not been watching the markets in the last two weeks or for those that may read this many moons from now, the market plummetted over 11% last week and has had its worst drawdown since the 2008 crash.

Traders Lounge 11 PM EST

Join the coaches in this live lounge, ask questions, discuss ideas or just sit back and listen to veteran traders discuss market conditions.

Cashflow Club 8:30 PM EST

Held every Thursday before Friday’s option contract expirations, this show helps you perfect your favorite cashflow strategies.

Halftime Report 12:30 PM EST

The Halftime Report starts at 12:30 EST and covers what news is driving the market, chart analysis from the movers and shakers of the day and fun in a way that only Matt and Tim can deliver.

Financial freedom is a journey

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