Van
Tharp
(Aug.
30, 1999)
"I
am attempting to take my trading to the next level. I've
been trading futures for about 18 months and have been
fairly successful. I am looking for some direction at
this point as far as money management and the psychology
of trading. I've read reviews about Van Tharp and was
curious what you thought of his work. Please be very objective.
Any help would be appreciated."
J.T.
>>>
Van Tharp Answer...
And
from the Current Issue: a Question on OptionVue 5 (Aug.
27, 1999)
"I
am currently using the Option Oracle software by Deltasoft
Financial Technologies for a 30 day trial period. This
software was considered favorable by David Caplan in his
book, The New Options Advantage.
However, I don't find it as user friendly as I anticipated...Also
the documentation (bound book and on line user guide)
leave something to be desired.
I'm wondering if: 1) there have been any reviews on this
software and 2) are there any other option softwares out
there that have good reviews that I should be considering.
Dave Caplan also wrote that Option Vue was excellent software
but that it was less user friendly and was for the SERIOUS
option strategist. (This info may be dated since the book
was published quite a few years ago.)
Do you have any reviews that might evaluate Option Oracle
or have a listing of top notch option softwares available
in the industry? I started my 30 day trial on Aug 2nd.....I
would like to consider other packages before locking in
to Option Oracle.
I searched your web page thoroughly--I did not see any
issues that contained the info I'm looking for.
Do you have any suggestions? Thank you for your help."
J.S.
>>>
Options Software Answer...
Courtney
Smith on Relationships
(Aug.
26, 1999)
"I
am a financial stock trader currently researching the
predictive properties of stock market indicators. At the
moment I'm using simple linear regression in order to
discover whether there is a relationship between an indicators
value and a stocks price. However Simple Linear regression
defines only a basic relationship not a causal relationship
between the variables, therefore could you possibly recommend
other statistical tests that do explain a causal relationship?
>>>
Stock Market Indicators
Answer...
Moving
Averages in Stock Index Futures
(Aug.
25, 1999)
"I
have just discovered your website and I am sure you can
help. I am looking for a trading system based on moving
averages (or a moving average), which has been extensively
backtested, and is as recent as possible. I want to apply
such a system to stock index futures - position trading
not day trading. The only data I have been able to get
hold of is way out of date.
I
see much mention of the 40/20 system. Am I right in thinking
that this refers to moving averages of 40 days and 20
days?
I
am sure you must have a wealth of information of the sort
I am looking for. Is there a way of searching what you
have? And can I have any information sent to me in the
UK -after payment of course. I look forward to hearing
from you."
T.S.
>>>
Moving Averages in Stock
Index Futures Answer...
Grains,
Fibers & Foods Fundamentals - Who's the Best Advisor?
(Aug.
20, 1999)
"Hi
there - I am an old subscriber/member of CTCR from many
years ago, and I recently renewed membership this month.
I would like to get your opinion on trading advisors/newsletters
for agricultural futures, primarily grains, but also meats,
foods, fibers, etc.
Some background: I have been trading futures in 22 markets
since 1987 very actively, and have been quite profitable.
I developed my own system in 1989, custom-written in "C",
historically tested on 35 markets over 20 years, and have
been using it ever since, in all markets I trade (a single
set of parameters for all markets). The system is bascially
a breakout-oriented, long term trend following system.
While this is basically a good system, it of course does
poorly in trendless markets, and can generate pretty big
drawdowns at times. I prefer to trade long term, large
moves, holding positions for many weeks or even many months
at a time, using only end of day data and signals.
I have been watching the last year's action in grains,
fibers, and foods with some interest as prices hit historic
lows, and am tempted to trade these markets with a different
approach, both to take advantage of what I think is a
major opportunity in these marets for next year, as well
as to diversify my trading methodology and thereby hopefully
reduce overall account drawdown. I am thinking that a
fundamentals oriented approach to these markets would
be a good approach and would counter some of the drawdowns
I get in financial futures since the methodology would
not be corellated with what I use in my system.
I would like to get input from, and most likely directly
trade, the recommendations of a seasoned agricultural
futures trading service that has a really good 5 year
or more track record. From recent issues of CTCR, it looks
to me like Bill Gary's CIS service might be the best performing
agricultural market service, at least based on the results
for 1998 and the last trailing 12 months.
1) I would be very interested to know your opinion on
this however - is CIS the best choice for this set of
markets?
2) Also, do you know if there is any information from
independent sources such as CTCR on how he has performed
over a much longer period, say 5 years?
3) Are there any advisory services that you think might
be a better fit (or just as good as) for the trading style
and objectives that I have here? "
J.M.
>>>
Grains, Fibres, Foods
Trading Advisors Answer...
If
a guru's profits fall, does anyone hear?
(Aug.
19, 1999)
"
Enjoyed the interview w/ Bashar Azzouz. Interviews w/
professional traders (esp. those who have had exposure
to the best traders) provide the best read." - R
Editor-in-Chief
Courtney Smith: I'm glad you liked it. I agree with
you about interviewing profitable traders. I would rather
learn the same old lessons from someone who makes money
than hear a brand new idea from someone who doesn't. Still,
it is amazing how many people would rather read something
from someone who can't trade.
The
(non) Existence of Frank Thomas
(Aug.
14, 1999)
"Does
this exist: A commodities trading course by Frank Thomas?
"
- B.F.
Editor-in-Chief
Courtney Smith: I've never heard of it.
Who
is Mikey?
(Aug. 9, 1999)
"Who
is Mikey? Is he a guru? His website is commoditycentral.com.
B.F"
Editor-in-Chief
Courtney Smith: I have no idea who he is but let me
check him out!
