Tricks of the Active Trader

Book excerpt: (Neal T. Weintraub/Tricks of the Active Trader/0-07-146863-3) (Backcover Copy) The best-selling author of Tricks of the Floor Trader reveals how to hone your online trading skills and assure your future success Trick #1: This isn't yet another day trading book. Tricks of the Active Trader reveals the new rules of online trading. Veteran active trader Neal Weintraub puts his experience, smarts, and savvy to work for you, demystifying the complex world of computer-driven markets and providing you with more than 150 ways to improve your trading success. You'll find expert insights on trading techniques, software, and hardware you won't find in any other single source. In straightforward, easy-to-understand language, Weintraub presents proven trading tips and tricks used by active traders that you can put to use immediately, as well as highlights the traps that can trip you up. Each tip, trick, and trap covers a basic trading rule of thumb, from “Pretend You're a Customer” and “Electronic Trading Has Trap Doors” to “If You Don't Know, Don't Fix It” and “People First, Computer Second.” Aggressive, successful active trading requires careful planning and knowledge. Tricks of the Active Trader is your hands-on guidebook to joining the ranks of the top online traders. [Flap copy] Online trading has changed many of the standard trading rules of thumb. Now, veteran active trader and market educator Neal Weintraub returns with the perfect follow-up to his bestselling Tricks of the Floor Trader to address the new realities of today's fast-paced trading environment. In Tricks of the Active Trader, Weintraub gives you more than 150 new tips and tricks used by successful active traders, as well as the traps to avoid. In concise yet comprehensive chapters, Weintraub gives you a practical road map for navigating the extremely competitive world of today's computer-driven markets, offering unique insights into how the best online traders make money and guidance in incorporating this information into your own trading. Readers will find priceless information not found in any other resource, including where people with limited funds can look for a job as a trader and where you can get the best financial education at no cost. Covering a wide range of trading areas, from psychology to trading techniques to computer hardware and software, Weintraub reveals what has-and hasn't-changed since the advent of online trading. He shows you how to make intelligent, successful trades by viewing the markets with the eye of a veteran trader and using a disciplined money management approach just like the pros. From “Always Read the Fine Print” to “Upgrade Behind the Curve,” Weintraub gives you a graph for each trick, tip, and trap, indicating the type of trade it is best for. Your trading decisions will be easier and smarter as you learn: Tricks: precious metals are a must; save $5,000 on investment advice; backup (or find your back up against the wall); let the information find you Tips: The government will not protect you; to PC or Mac, that is the question; it's not your father's e-mail anymore; the need for connection speed Traps: insecurity is the enemy; skipping the fundamentals will cost you; don't be fooled by randomness Neal Weintraub is a former floor trader who now trades Securities and Futures through Fidelity and World-Wide Chicago. He currently teaches Fundamental Analysis, Fed Policy, and Spread Trading at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Mr. Weintraub's corporate experience includes MTV, The Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, and The Chicago Board of Trade. He is the author of Tricks of the Floor Trader and The Weintraub Day Trader. .