Recent content by Sam Seiden

I was asked the other day about "volatility" by a popular media outlet. The question was: "What should traders and investors do in a volatile market?" I didn't have to think about the answer, I had it before they were halfway done with the question. Simple, if you don't know how to time the...

Price Charts: Price charts represent the footprints of money, ie. peoples’ buy and sell decisions. Areas on any price chart where you see lots of trading activity suggests relative equilibrium in supply and demand. Areas on the price chart where you see little activity suggests supply and demand...

If moving averages are hurting your trading or investing performance and getting you below average results, it’s because that’s exactly what they are designed to do. They are a very popular tool for novice retail traders and investors yet hardly used or thought about by the professional...

I have always found it very interesting, how many different ways people look at charts and all the different pieces of information people try to attain from a price chart. How could so many people look at the same chart and have so many different opinions? Fascinating. With all the different...

To many traders and investors, the Bond markets are complex and intimidating. However, if you’re looking for a quality set of trading markets and/or if interest rates matter to you at all then understanding the bond markets is key for your financial well-being. In this article, I want to help...

Compare the average investor’s returns around the world to the average Wall Street firm’s returns. I think we would all agree that the average Wall Street firm is making the lion’s share of the money, while the average investor hardly ever comes close to achieving their financial goals. Next...

How many times have you heard someone say, “Trading is an art, not a science.”? I have heard that for years and years and I have to say, it is probably the most ridiculous statement I have heard when it comes to trading and, as we all know, there are some pretty ridiculous statements in the...

One of the main problems new traders have when they begin their journey down the education path to self-empowerment is that they skip the most important first step, how to properly “think” money and markets. Many of my articles deal with thinking about the trading side of the equation...

The answer is, because “simple” works, but that’s not enough information to fill up an article. So, let’s take a look at some unrelated examples to really see if “simple” is the best approach to most of the things we do. Have you been to a gym lately where they offer personal training? I have...

Movement in price is based simply on supply, demand and the human behavior relationship that exists in any market. And, clearly, opportunity always arises when this equation is out of balance. Whether trading the S&P, buying a house, a car or a Michael Jordan rookie card, how we make money...

In my early days, I was always fascinated by the gap in the financial system between those who know what they are doing and profit, and those who don’t and lose money. It was really fascinating, big strong institutions made so much money and were correct most of the time. At the same time...

During our development years, we are taught/conditioned to think certain ways. Our years in grammar school, high school, and university are key belief system building years. One of the major conflicts during these years occurs when we are taught how to buy stocks and then how we are taught to...

During my time on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, I noticed many things that helped shape my thought process and strategy that I still employ today. I started on a very busy trading desk right next to the trading pits and my job was to facilitate institutional order flow. One of...

Not long ago, I was spending time with a friend of mine who I have been close with since we were children. For years, anytime my career comes up in conversation, he insists that trading is nothing more than gambling. I actually get this question from others at trading events as well. It is a...

Most traders are glued to indicators and oscillators and that's ok if you use them correctly. The issue is that many traders take each conventional buy and sell signal an indicator or oscillator produces and that can lead to trouble. For those new to trading, the following information should...