Day Trading

If you are new to trading, then you should definitely take a look at trading systems.

Here's why:

Every minute more than 150 Million Dollars change hands in the electronic index futures markets like the e-mini S&P and e-mini NQ. You can win or lose thousands of dollars in a few minutes; the futures markets can make you rich in a few weeks or months or wipe out your account with no mercy.

If you want to compete in the “game of games” and play against the best traders in the world, then you need to get ready. Too many gamblers are entering the arena without any plan or strategy, completely unprepared, and that's why they lose.

Trading a system will dramatically increase your chances to succeed in trading, because it eliminates five of the top six reasons why unprepared traders fail.

Here are the top six reasons why traders fail,
and how a trading system eliminates them

Let's take a look at the reasons why traders lose money:

1. Lack of a Trading Plan
2. Lack of Discipline to Follow the Plan
3. Failure to Control Emotions
4. Failure to Accept and Limit Losses
5. Lack of Commitment
6. Over-Trading

By all means you have to avoid these mistakes if you want to win.

Here's how a trading system eliminates 5 of the 6 top reasons why traders fail:

Solution #1: Having a trading plan

Having a trading system means having a pre-defined set of rules you have developed to guide your trading. Therefore you HAVE a trading plan, eliminating the No.1 cause for failure.

Solution #2: Following the trading plan

The easiest way to follow a trading plan is to automate it. Almost every trading system can be automated, and you could let the computer trade for you. You won't have to worry about your discipline any longer, as the computer mechanically trades every setup for you.

Solution #3: Controlling emotions

Trading with a system removes emotions from trading. If you don't have a strategy and you try to make decisions when the market is moving, you are liable to become emotionally attached to positions. You may experience panic and indecision when the market does not move in your favor, as you do not have a prepared response. That's when most traders lose their money. If you follow a system you will know what to do no matter what the market does.

Solution #4: Controlling your losses

You probably have heard the saying “Let your profits run”. Unfortunately most traders let their losses run. A trading system will get you out of a position when the predefined stop is hit. Unless you override the system to “give the trade a little bit more room” it will stop the loss and therefore limit your losses.

Solution #5: Commitment

You won't believe how many traders show a lack of commitment and therefore lose money. Lack of commitment means that they stop trading after the first loss, and don't give their system a chance to make back the money they lost. Trading is not a one-way street, and losses are part of our business. If you can't accept the fact that there will be losses, you shouldn't trade. Fortunately a trading system can help you to overcome this problem; an automated trading system continues trading according to the rules, and therefore adds much more consistency to your trading.

As you can see, five of the six top reasons why traders lose money in the markets are simply eliminated when you start trading with a system.

Without any guarantee, your chances of making money rise incredibly when starting with a profitable trading system.

Hope that helps.

Some good places online to share info with others and learn are;

investorshub.com (my favorite)
siliconinvestor.com
ragingbull.com

many boards are devoted to trading at the above sites. you can sign up for free memberships at all 3. Ask the traders on the trading boards what software they use.

I have been a trader, investor, broker, etc. and it is rare to see anyone who is not a professional trade for a living. If you got it, then you will know pretty soon. You have to be able to set your stops, take your losses if needed.

Also read "trading for a living" "come into my trading room" both great books from Alexander Elder.

To trade and/or invest you need four major programs in place before you do anything.
1 A written sound trading/investment plan with rules that will not only help you but more importantly protect you, mostly from yourself.
2 – Sufficient trading/investment capital. Use your own money, there’s no need to go into debt so that you trade/invest.
3 – A written money management program in place. Remember never invest 100% of your capital into any one security and never have 100% of your capital invested.
4 – A full and complete understanding of the rules & regulations of the industry.

Judging by the wording of your question you’re no where near being ready to do anything in the market. I’m not saying this as a put down but rather as a warning before you hurt yourself financially.

You may also want to talk to other traders to find out what they think/use. Try:

http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/TradingZoom/

It's a free online stock picking group. We have a few Indian members trading US stocks.

In order to understand how markets work it is always better to have a good knowledge of the markets themselves. Few traders actually know this and this explains why a lot lose money on the derivative markets. One of the key ingredients to success is to understand the fundamental basics of supply and demand. Chartism also plays its role if you take the time to undestand it.

What I don't like about the programs that give people technical analysis information and "buy" and "sell" signals is that despite their claims of instant riches why is it that most people who make money on the market NEVER use them? There is the old saying "if something seems too good to be true isn't it the case it usually is?"

Many years ago I received a maling shot through the post about a program that could predict the exact peaks and troughs of the FTSE and other major indices. It said it had 90% accuracy and went back as far as 1901 predicting the 1930's slump! You just push in numbers and like magic instant wealth is produced. Now that's amazing software!

A few months later the entire company were exposed as a fraud on BBC television – which hardly surprised me!

The truth is that there are so many variables to the movements in stock prices and commodities that having a clear set mathematical formula for success is almost impossible. If you understand the correct method of trading and how to use derivatives correctly you can be on the way to a small fortune but this requires intelligence, vigilance and patience – qualities that most traders don't have.

I have found Tradindex to a a superb company which have given me one of the easiest trading platforms imaginable. However, a lot boils down to personal taste.

Another company I highly recommend is this one:

http://www.finspreads.com

Also try this brilliant authoress:

Toni Turner (http://www.toniturner.com/)

Good luck with your trading!

Genesis provides the Laser platform, which offers direct access through all major US exchanges and ECNs. That is what I have had luck with. I felt it was very user friendly. At my last job I also worked with clients that use the Cybertrader platform, which is also a good Level II platform. The only other platform that I have worked with in addition to those two was HammerTrade, through Assent Clearing. At the time I used it (2004-2005) I found it to be relatively primitive, although I think they have advanced it since then. Other discount brokers like Etrade, etc. offer relatively good Level II platforms and even the major bulge bracket firms have tools available, if you meet capital requirements.

Oftentimes, you will find that it is trial and error-whatever works for you is the best. Different programs have different perks. If you are just looking at charting, I think ESignal is relatively good. You may want to check out Metastock too. Often charting systems will give you a free trial period to check out the software first. Good luck trading.

Dont trust the sim programs because on them, you get your orders right away. In real life when you do limit orders, you sometimes dont get in at the price you want. (or get out) Sometimes you place a limit order and you have several thousand shares ahead of you waiting for the same order then the price moves and you dont get filled.