gedward3
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Futures Masters - Interviews with Futex Academy's elite traders
This month we have managed to drag Olly Thomas kicking and screaming away from his screens and the Greek Sovereign debt crisis to talk to us about his trading. Olly joined Futex in 2007 and currently trades the Bund.
How did you get into futures trading?
I have always had an interest in trading and finance as a career but was drawn specifically to futures trading because of the freedom it offered. I wanted the opportunity to sidestep the office politics that dominates banks as I’m definitely not one to conform!
Tell me about your early trading experiences.
Prior to joining Futex I had a mixed experience of trading. I did a small amount of spread betting, like a lot of people who join us, but with limited success. My first experience in the futures market at Futex was during the Credit Crunch so it really was a baptism of fire that enforced very fast learning. I think that period helped me a lot.
What products have you traded in the past, what are you trading now and why?
It is vitally important to be flexible in trading and to follow the best opportunities as they will not always be in the same market. However, every trader at Futex has a base market they fully understand which provides the consistent profits they seek. My base market is the Bund but I have also traded S&P, DAX, Euro Stoxx, FTSE and T-Notes. Trading more than one market at a time takes a lot of skill and experience but can reap massive rewards.
Do you use technical and fundamental information to make your trading decisions?
Both of these are important to understand otherwise you leave yourself exposed to failing to understand what is currently driving the market; a potentially expensive mistake. I lean more on the technical information when the markets are quieter but find it very hard to separate the two. Without the ability to understand price behavior, your chances of making consistent money are limited.
How do you see your trading evolving over the next 12 months?
It is important to keep pushing yourself beyond what feels immediately comfortable. Over the next 12 months I will continue to do this by pushing my trading size to allow me to achieve my goals. As I have developed as a trader I have noted that my discipline has improved. It is a skill that is often talked about but is very difficult to master, requiring repeated practice. I hope to master this over the next 12 months.
What, in your experience, makes a successful trader?
Like most other traders I would say a good work ethic (particularly at the beginning of your career), masses of self-belief, discipline and a passion for the markets are essential. However, for me, the most important trait is an ability to push yourself beyond the natural fear that you experience; something that holds back so many from making it as a futures trader.
This month we have managed to drag Olly Thomas kicking and screaming away from his screens and the Greek Sovereign debt crisis to talk to us about his trading. Olly joined Futex in 2007 and currently trades the Bund.
How did you get into futures trading?
I have always had an interest in trading and finance as a career but was drawn specifically to futures trading because of the freedom it offered. I wanted the opportunity to sidestep the office politics that dominates banks as I’m definitely not one to conform!
Tell me about your early trading experiences.
Prior to joining Futex I had a mixed experience of trading. I did a small amount of spread betting, like a lot of people who join us, but with limited success. My first experience in the futures market at Futex was during the Credit Crunch so it really was a baptism of fire that enforced very fast learning. I think that period helped me a lot.
What products have you traded in the past, what are you trading now and why?
It is vitally important to be flexible in trading and to follow the best opportunities as they will not always be in the same market. However, every trader at Futex has a base market they fully understand which provides the consistent profits they seek. My base market is the Bund but I have also traded S&P, DAX, Euro Stoxx, FTSE and T-Notes. Trading more than one market at a time takes a lot of skill and experience but can reap massive rewards.
Do you use technical and fundamental information to make your trading decisions?
Both of these are important to understand otherwise you leave yourself exposed to failing to understand what is currently driving the market; a potentially expensive mistake. I lean more on the technical information when the markets are quieter but find it very hard to separate the two. Without the ability to understand price behavior, your chances of making consistent money are limited.
How do you see your trading evolving over the next 12 months?
It is important to keep pushing yourself beyond what feels immediately comfortable. Over the next 12 months I will continue to do this by pushing my trading size to allow me to achieve my goals. As I have developed as a trader I have noted that my discipline has improved. It is a skill that is often talked about but is very difficult to master, requiring repeated practice. I hope to master this over the next 12 months.
What, in your experience, makes a successful trader?
Like most other traders I would say a good work ethic (particularly at the beginning of your career), masses of self-belief, discipline and a passion for the markets are essential. However, for me, the most important trait is an ability to push yourself beyond the natural fear that you experience; something that holds back so many from making it as a futures trader.
