In our Anglo-Saxon, Cartesian driven advanced industrialized world, facts rule. Whether you are a Google engineer, a designer for Apple or just a regular joe schmoe -- your life is governed by the physical reality of the world around you. As Nate Silver proved with his 2012 election call knowledge of facts is what separates winners from losers in modern society. (Are you listening Dick Morris?)
Not so in trading. In trading facts don’t matter at all. There is nothing more amusing than watching an earnest well reasoned analyst provide a thorough factual argument for his position only watch that position lose money day after day after day. This is such a common occurrence across all asset classes that almost every investor makes the same mistake.
The reason is simple. In financial markets we don’t trade facts, we trade feelings. And feelings as every parent of a teenager knows, can change on a dime. That’s why when you approach financial markets you must never allow facts to get in the way of making you money. As the great Richard Pryor once said, “Who you gonna believe? Me or your lying eyes?”
It is incredibly easy to get married to your thesis when you trade. After all in real life we are taught to stick to our guns, to hold our convictions, especially when we have the facts on our side. But trading is not real life. In fact it is often the opposite. In real life we are taught to be industrious, faithful and reflective. In trading it helps to be mercenary, promiscuous and instinctive.
In trading nobody cares if you were right about US NFP figures. Nobody cares if your US growth thesis was correct. The only thing that matters in the end is whether your analysis led to a profitable trade. If it did, good job. If it didn’t change your analysis -- don’t try to change the market. As I have said a million times when price disagrees with the news -trust price.
Remember in the financial market you can be 100% intellectually correct and still lose all of your money. That’s because in trading you only make money when the market -- not the facts -- agree with you. To win in trading never let facts stand in the way of feelings. And remember, this ain’t real life, its just trading.
Not so in trading. In trading facts don’t matter at all. There is nothing more amusing than watching an earnest well reasoned analyst provide a thorough factual argument for his position only watch that position lose money day after day after day. This is such a common occurrence across all asset classes that almost every investor makes the same mistake.
The reason is simple. In financial markets we don’t trade facts, we trade feelings. And feelings as every parent of a teenager knows, can change on a dime. That’s why when you approach financial markets you must never allow facts to get in the way of making you money. As the great Richard Pryor once said, “Who you gonna believe? Me or your lying eyes?”
It is incredibly easy to get married to your thesis when you trade. After all in real life we are taught to stick to our guns, to hold our convictions, especially when we have the facts on our side. But trading is not real life. In fact it is often the opposite. In real life we are taught to be industrious, faithful and reflective. In trading it helps to be mercenary, promiscuous and instinctive.
In trading nobody cares if you were right about US NFP figures. Nobody cares if your US growth thesis was correct. The only thing that matters in the end is whether your analysis led to a profitable trade. If it did, good job. If it didn’t change your analysis -- don’t try to change the market. As I have said a million times when price disagrees with the news -trust price.
Remember in the financial market you can be 100% intellectually correct and still lose all of your money. That’s because in trading you only make money when the market -- not the facts -- agree with you. To win in trading never let facts stand in the way of feelings. And remember, this ain’t real life, its just trading.
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD retreats toward 1.0850 on modest USD recovery
EUR/USD stays under modest bearish pressure and trades in negative territory at around 1.0850 after closing modestly lower on Thursday. In the absence of macroeconomic data releases, investors will continue to pay close attention to comments from Federal Reserve officials.
GBP/USD holds above 1.2650 following earlier decline
GBP/USD edges higher after falling to a daily low below 1.2650 in the European session on Friday. The US Dollar holds its ground following the selloff seen after April inflation data and makes it difficult for the pair to extend its rebound. Fed policymakers are scheduled to speak later in the day.
USD/JPY recovers to 156.00 as US Dollar bounces back
USD/JPY rebounds sharply to 156.00 amid a firm recovery in the US Dollar. Fed officials one good inflation data as incapable for unwinding the restrictive policy stance. Japan’s weak GDP deepens fears of BoJ’s limited scope for policy-tightening.
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD retreats toward 1.0850 on modest USD recovery
EUR/USD stays under modest bearish pressure and trades in negative territory at around 1.0850 after closing modestly lower on Thursday. In the absence of macroeconomic data releases, investors will continue to pay close attention to comments from Federal Reserve officials.
GBP/USD holds above 1.2650 following earlier decline
GBP/USD edges higher after falling to a daily low below 1.2650 in the European session on Friday. The US Dollar holds its ground following the selloff seen after April inflation data and makes it difficult for the pair to extend its rebound. Fed policymakers are scheduled to speak later in the day.
Gold climbs to multi-week highs above $2,400
Gold gathered bullish momentum and touched its highest level in nearly a month above $2,400. Although the benchmark 10-year US yield holds steady at around 4.4%, the cautious market stance supports XAU/USD heading into the weekend.
Chainlink social dominance hits six-month peak as LINK extends gains
-637336005550289133_XtraSmall.jpg)
Chainlink (LINK) social dominance increased sharply on Friday, exceeding levels seen in the past six months, along with the token’s price rally that started on Wednesday.
Week ahead: Flash PMIs, UK and Japan CPIs in focus – RBNZ to hold rates
After cool US CPI, attention shifts to UK and Japanese inflation. Flash PMIs will be watched too amid signs of a rebound in Europe. Fed to stay in the spotlight as plethora of speakers, minutes on tap.
RECOMMENDED LESSONS
Making money in forex is easy if you know how the bankers trade!
Discover how to make money in forex is easy if you know how the bankers trade!
5 Forex News Events You Need To Know
In the fast moving world of currency markets, it is extremely important for new traders to know the list of important forex news...
Top 10 Chart Patterns Every Trader Should Know
Chart patterns are one of the most effective trading tools for a trader. They are pure price-action, and form on the basis of underlying buying and...
7 Ways to Avoid Forex Scams
The forex industry is recently seeing more and more scams. Here are 7 ways to avoid losing your money in such scams: Forex scams are becoming frequent. Michael Greenberg reports on luxurious expenses, including a submarine bought from the money taken from forex traders. Here’s another report of a forex fraud. So, how can we avoid falling in such forex scams?
What Are the 10 Fatal Mistakes Traders Make
Trading is exciting. Trading is hard. Trading is extremely hard. Some say that it takes more than 10,000 hours to master. Others believe that trading is the way to quick riches. They might be both wrong. What is important to know that no matter how experienced you are, mistakes will be part of the trading process.