Post: #1

Anybody have any success with this?

I'm too lazy to daytrade (and have a full time job) and I'm too much of a gambler to just buy and hold.

I've been doing some reading on swing trading and I feel like the type who would only long or short trending stocks, ignoring that stochastics bullshit, which is supposed to be much less exciting.

Right now I'd like to learn as much as possible on the subject and practice in a virtual trading account. Does anybody know of good software to practice? Preferably software that has lots of technical indicators and a good interface?

I've read a random walk down wall street, and I have most of my retirement savings all in various index funds, so I'm not gambling my life here. This is currently 10K of more immediate funds I could afford to lose (though that'd be terrible). I will maybe add 20K a year to this fund if I can manage to save a fucking penny in South Beach per year

Post: #2

It depends on what you are trading. I personally wouldnt swing trade the indicies because of the choppiness but thats just me.


I have had good success with my recent swing trades (I was short the yen against a basket of currencies and I recently was spreading /CL and /NG [short /cl and short /ng put spreads]).

I am currently using TDA/thinkorswim (the software is free, easy to use, and has a ton of indicators (you can even code your own)) and interactive brokers (you have to pay the exchanges for a data feed). I trade 60% fundamentals/40% technicals & dont rely on indicators at all.

HTH

Post: #3

I thought this thread was going to be about pounding other dudes girlfriends.

Post: #4

Too many red flag keywords here...stop now & save your money.

lazy
gambler
less exciting
lots of technical indicators

(07-17-2012 10:10 PM)_DC_ Wrote:  Anybody have any success with this?

I'm too lazy to daytrade (and have a full time job) and I'm too much of a gambler to just buy and hold.

I've been doing some reading on swing trading and I feel like the type who would only long or short trending stocks, ignoring that stochastics bullshit, which is supposed to be much less exciting.

Right now I'd like to learn as much as possible on the subject and practice in a virtual trading account. Does anybody know of good software to practice? Preferably software that has lots of technical indicators and a good interface?

I've read a random walk down wall street, and I have most of my retirement savings all in various index funds, so I'm not gambling my life here. This is currently 10K of more immediate funds I could afford to lose (though that'd be terrible). I will maybe add 20K a year to this fund if I can manage to save a fucking penny in South Beach per year

Post: #5

use a thinkorswim/td ameritrade account- open one up, then trade w/paper money - its a great way to practice but its also like playing blackjack or poker w/o real money - you will do things you wouldnt ordinarily do.

Post: #6

Fidelity's ActiveTrader software is good. Comes with all the technical tools you'll need at your level. If you want to swing trade, recommend you read William J. O'Neil's "How to Make Money in Stocks." I turned profitable almost immediately once I read his book and started employing his method. It's common sense and widely used/accepted.

I will caution you that the market is extremely irrational right now and incredibly difficult to trade. You can paper trade all you want, but when your money is on the line, it's a different ball game and you make decisions fueled by emotions. Be careful, especially as we enter the upcoming fiscal fight in Washington and political season.

Post: #7

Thanks for the advice.

As I mentioned above, this is my account that I can afford to lose. Its pretty clear that the market is crazy right now and even my index funds aren't preforming for shit (I think I have a 0.14% return the last 12 months).

There is a reason I want to get lots of practice in on fake money.

I used to play a lot of poker so I'm good at systematic loses and following rules. Not very emotional and can handle losing money.