A Month of Trading History Revealed
From the Trading Desk of Oliver L. Velez
Question: Which former post of mine do you think has won the popularity contest so far? In other words, which one do you believe received the greatest number of comments, questions, and inquires? Answer: The most recent one, entitled, A No Lose Trading System. Of course. I'm not surprised. Are you? Well, you shouldn't be. Anytime someone uses catchy phrases like "No Lose," "Money Back Guarantee," "100% Accurate," etc., they draw a lot of attention. Should it be this way? No. But we are a gullible species. There is no other way to put it.
When I titled the piece below, it was not meant to be taken literally, mind you. Can there ever be a trading system that truly CAN'T lose? Of course not. But can a system, like the one I detailed below, come close to being a No Lose one? Can it make money ALMOST every single day? You bet, and I'm about to prove it.
Because I got so much interest in my trading system and the mention that I have numerous black boxes (automated trading algorithms) that profitably trade the market every day with no human intervention, I've decided to break with precedent and show a month's worth of trading history for just one of my black boxes.
Below is the trading record of one of my boxes for the period starting October 23 to November 23 of this year. Each column should be self-explanatory with the exception of a few, which I will explain in advance:
1) Fees - This column details the ECN fees levied on all traders, but if you look carefully the fees are negative here. This means that instead of being charged, my box was paid by the ECNs to add liquidity. All my professional traders get charged to remove liquidity from ECNs but they get paid to add liquidity. In this case, this box was designed to add liquidity nearly 100% of the time. I teach all my traders how to add extra income this way in my 5-day Live Trading Lab.
2) SEC & TAF Fees - The Securities and Exchange Commission charges professional traders a small fee to trade listed stocks and there is a small tax to trade NASDAQ stocks (TAF).
Note the starting cash in the account ($53, 689.78), just about what I start funding each trader. $8,508.31 in net profits in one single month without a single losing day and without lifting a single finger is not bad, wouldn't you say? I have 14 such boxes like this, and that number will only grow. I regard these black boxes as my traders as well. I train (program) them, just as I train (program) my human traders. It's all about proper "programming." Never forget that. Enjoy your review!
Oliver, can you program me to trade like that? *laughs*
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LOL! I'll give it my best shot!
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Is it possible to trade/invest my money in one of your black box systems?
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Unfortunately not, my friend. In truth, that would defeat one of my main purposes. I'm currently funding my own traders (automated ones and human ones). I'm looking to expand the number of boxes and traders I fund.
I am not interested in taking funds in from traders/investors to fund me, which in a very real sense is the exact opposite model. Sorry.
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Hi John,
Can you tell me what is the difference between "Fills" and "Qty"?
Thanks.
Joe
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Hi Joe,
I'm not quite sure who John is, as my name is Oliver, but I can answer your question nonetheless. "Qty" which stands for "quantity" is the total lot size. How that lot size gets filled is entirely outside the control of the trader and will depend on the level of liquidity in the stock at the time of the trade.
For instance, one may place a trade for 300 shares, but actually get filled 20 shares at time making for 15 fills on the one 300 share trade. Fills are irrelevant for us as our commission is calculated per share, not per fill.
I hope this helps.
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Hi Oliver why not put some software out that uses some of your basic trading ideas with automatic buy and sell or short signals kind of like omni trader software for us beginer traders.
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I'm already ahead of you, my friend. Not only will my trading platform (VCM Trader) incorporate black box capabilities for our traders, it will provide automation on any one side of the transaction that a trader wants. This is called Grey Box technology.
For instance a trader may want the system to automatically enter positions, while the trader exits and visa-versa. It's only the beginning. My plans in this area represent one of the most exciting on the my horizon right now. VCM Scanner Pro will also be designed to have this capability in the future.
Rome was not built in a day, neither will this, but trust me when I tell you that I'm on it like "white on rice."
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I would love to automate the exit. I think this would allow for a lot of trades. When do you think that the black box or grey box will be available on our platform?
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I'm hoping I will have the Grey box capability for my traders by mid next year the latest. These things do take a lot of time. But I agree. Some traders handle one side of the market better than the other, making a Grey Box very valuable.
For instance, take the trader who habitually exits winning trades too soon, only to kick himself each time for being too nervous to ride them out for bigger gains. That trader would find the Grey Box that handled the exit part of the trade priceless.
I truly believe that I will be able to exponentially increase many of my trader's level of profitability via the tools I will be building into our VCM Trader Lite Platform. All in due time.
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This exactly my problem and I think that the grey box solution would be perfect for me. I bet there are many others it will help as well. I am very excited to be part of the team.
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Yes. Automation is the wave of the future in trading, and Grey Box marries the best of technology with the best of what the human has to offer. I too am quite excited, and feel the level of profitability for my traders like you will only exponentially increase via its use.
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Dear Mr. Velez:
I admire your work and would love to become one of your successful traders. However, now that you have disclosed the success of your black boxes, I wonder why you continue to devote so much time and trouble to training us fallible human beings rather than just using all of your energy and resources to create and fund increasingly reliable and profitable black boxes. Please explain how human traders ultimately fit into your long-term plans. I look forward to your encouraging reply.
Sincerely,
Richard Bleiberg
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Dear Richard:
As I'm sure you can imagine, this thought has occurred to me a lot more than once. The point is that I've always come to the conclusion that a mix of both robotic traders and human traders is the best overall approach for me. There are many reasons for this, but I will list a few:
1) Black Boxes are amazing because they never deviate from the plan. Their consistency is unrivaled, because they are not subject to emotion. But their greatest benefit also happens to be their biggest problem, at times. Let's face it, there are times when deviating from a predetermined plan is very necessary. A human trader at the top of his game develops what some refer to as a "gut" or a "sixth sense" about when a plan should change. This ability to "think" and "reason" will always make the human more superior than the machine.
2) Human traders at the top of their game will always outperform black boxes. The stats of my traders (both robotic and human) prove this time and time again.
3) Black Boxes are usually not scalable. Lets say one of my boxes trades a $100,000 account and averages $2,000 per day with 300 share lots. I can't simply increase my daily profits by giving it $200,000 and uping its shares to 600. While that would be grand, life in the world of Black Boxes is not that simple. There is a very delicate balance between share size, cost, lot size and profit per trade that make these things work. Tamper with any one of them in the wrong way, and one could turn a profitable box into a nightmarish, money-losing one. Human traders on the other hand ARE scalable. My top trader was first trading with $500,000 of my money at the start of the year. Today, he's trading with $11,000,000, with much improved results.
The above are only a few reasons why the machines will not take over the world anytime soon.
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That's great Oliver!
Hey, can you reveal a month of one of your top trader's trading log so we can see that a human can do this also?
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You must have been reading my mind, friend. I've decided that it would somewhat helpful, if not just encouraging to show records from some of our traders. Not too much can be gleaned from them other than its possible to do well, but that does have a small benefit. So stay tuned.
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Hi Oliver!
I recent signed on for the VCM 7day class in NY beginning on Dec. 8. What are the chances of someone like me becoming one of your active traders?
Larry
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Larry:
Welcome and congratulations on becoming part of our team. As you already know, you're now one of my traders for life and I will not only back your efforts with trading funds ($50,000 to start), I will continually mentor, shape, mold and develop you, as long as it takes.
So, I'd say that if you put in the dedication and passion required to do what's needed, the chances are quite good that you become one of my very active traders. In my opinion, there is nothing else in existence right now that can offer better chances.
I look forward to seeing you on the 8th.
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I am extremely excited about meeting the legendary "Oliver Velez" and I look forward to re-programming my mind for trading. Can't wait for your class. I began trading about 3 years ago with limited success. I agree that the "buy and hold" strategies are now obsolete.
I am beginning to look at charts in a different way now thanks to you. I have every book and dvd that you've produced (including your time with Pristine). I feel your method of teaching is the most effective I've ever seen.
One more question. What do I need to bring with me to the course?
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Thanks again for your kind words and the tremendous faith you've placed in me. It is not taken lightly. The responsibility I shoulder is a huge one and will do my best not to fail you or anyone else who place their trust in VCM and me.
As for the course, simply bring a clear, rested mind. You need do nothing to prepare. The more blank your slate, so to speak, the easier it will be for me to inscribe my teachings on it. I'll see you on the 8th.
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Oliver,
Would a VCM trained trader get to learn how to set up their own black boxes and/or participate in them in some fashion?
I love what you teach Oliver, you inspire a whole bunch. I plan to take your courses soon and am determined to become one of your top traders.
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Yes. In the future, our trading platform will offer black and gray box capabilities for our traders. I hope to be able to offer this sometime next year.
Thanks so much for your kind words, and I look forward to your joining our growing team of traders.
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Oliver,
These questions and answers, mostly your answers, have given me a better view of your vision. Thanks,
Spencer
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Spencer:
Thanks so much for you support and sharing in that vision. Simply buying a stock for $1 and selling it for $2, while thrilling, becomes quite empty if it is the only pursuit in one's life. Using that skill to positively affect the lives of thousand and perhaps millions of others steps things up to an entirely different level.
I've always been driven by the realization that if you help enough others get what they want, you will always have what you want.
Happy trading!
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Hi. I enjoy reading your blog. With almost 400 traders in your company, how many people "washed out"? Meaning the person attended the seminar and did the training, but for whatever reason that person could not become a trader?
How long do you stick with a trader who is just breaking even or losing money?
thanks,
George
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Dear George:
You pose great penetrating questions, the answers to which will likely not be constant. My program of personally funding all my students to trade is a little less than one year old. So keep that in mind when you read my answers below.
Question 1:
With almost 400 traders in your company, how many people "washed out"?
Answer:
First of all, every student becomes a trader for me, George. Whether they reach acceptable levels of profitability is another matter. We now have over 400 traders brought on since March of this year and only three have "washed out," to use your word. Is that number likely to grow over time? Of course. This is not for everyone, as I'm sure you know. But if what I'm currently working on gets accomplished (top secret), I will be able to allow my students/traders to trade my money for LIFE. Yes, you read that correctly. They will be able to trade forever. If and when I put this in place, no matter how long it takes or how long the student/trader is unprofitable, I will support them, nurture them, work with them, until they either get it right or bow out by their own choice. Let's keep our fingers crossed. But in the meantime, 3 washouts out of 419 isn't all that bad. Wouldn't you agree?
Question 2:
How long do you stick with a trader who is just breaking even or losing money?
Answer:
This is a tough question to answer, because there is no set formula. It just depends. But if I were forced to set a guideline, I'd say about 1 full year, unless the trader shows very little aptitude or is out right destructive. But I'm willing to support them for a full year in general. As I mentioned above, I may soon be able to support my students (even the losing ones) for life. If this happens, the answer I just gave becomes moot.
Lastly, let me say this. Many people are concerned with the possibility that they will learn that they can't ever get trading right. They are in fear of discovering that trading is not for them. But isn't this the main point after all? Isn't this what everyone should be after...a definitive answer to the question, "Can I a become a profitable trader?" I have seen far too many people come to the conclusion that trading is not for them after losing $50,000, their life savings and/or in some cases even their homes. It's a sad, sad day when you have no choice but to bow out of the game after the market has taken a chunk of your fortune away. Sad!
What I have done is remove much of this problem by personally absorbing all my traders' loses. I take the hit. They don't. I support their whole learning curve, thereby removing the greatest impediment to market success, the fear of loss. And let's say after one full year of trying everything under the sun, a student realizes that this is simply not for him. Under my program, what would that realization have cost him? Only $7,000 to $10,000. Do you have any idea how many people would give their right arm and one of their legs to exchange the total cost of their realization for that one?
The point is this:
1) I'm providing the education and on-going mentoring for life;
2) I'm providing access to all my services (newsletters, live trading chat room, etc.) for life;
3) I'm personally funding each student with a starting account of $50,000;
4) I'm absorbing all their losses until they become profitable;
5) Through technology and risk management protocols, I will compel the right trading action to limit their losses.
6) I'm providing my traders with my institutional commission rate (the lowest in the US) of 2 cents per every 100 shares.
If a trader can't make it with all that I'm providing above, I believe they never will. Why? Because I've literally removed every obstacle that exists for developing traders. VCM is the final stop, George. I truly and sincerely believe that.
I hope the above appropriately answered your questions.
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I think that anyone who is afraid of failing has already experienced failure in trading. Failure is part of the path to success. I have been a successful investor (covered calls starting before the CBOE) for close to 40 years but not in day trading. I have investigated mamy programs. This is by far the best overall program covering all aspects of the trading experience I have found and is why I signed up and I expect to succeed. My biggest challenge is to clean out my mind. I think the way to handle this is written plan. Is this covered in the 5 day course? Can we show our plan to you or one of your representatives for review? Also,is there a company rep who can review/critique our trades? Is there a log of our trades with a way to review each trade after the trading day is over?
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Dear Jay:
Welcome to the VCM Trading Team. I totally agree with your comments regarding the necessity to clear one's mind of accumulated concepts and beliefs. in fact, a big part of my training involves replacing one's old beliefs about the market and trading with a new set of beliefs. After all, all our actions (decisions) in the market stem from belief structures that are currently in place, and many of them are subconsciously operating beneath our awareness. If a trader is losing more frequently than winning, his/her belief system is faulty. When s/he believes s/he should buy, s/he should actually sell and visa versa. What a trader needs to constantly do is question the belief systems prompting him/her to make faulty decisions.
And yes, a trading plan is by far one of the most valuable tools at the disposal of traders, and those who don't operate based on a well structured plan is not and never will be successful traders. Your question was, "Do we cover designing and maintaining a trading plan in our Live 5-day Trading Lab?" You bet we do. In fact, you are given a very detailed trading plan to follow and continually tweak and develop from day one. And yes, your plan will be constantly reviewed to ensure that your actions with my money stay on point, as it were.
Each day, you will be responsible for logging into your account, to review your trading activity. That detailed log will also conveniently calculate very useful ratios based on your trading activity that will help reveal where your areas of strength and weakness are.
I hope this helps. Once you complete our 5-day Live Trading Lab, you'll be well on your way to higher levels of market sophistication. Again, welcome to the team, Jay.
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Dear George:
While I respect your question and regard it as a valid one, I encourage that you make a practice of reading the comments and the answers for each of the various articles you like, because you'll find that this question was asked and answered before. In fact if you subscribe to the blog (and respond to the e-mail that is sent once you do subscribe), you will be conveniently noticed after each comment and post is made, making being a member very easy.
With that said, I now (as of this writing) have 489 traders and only 4 traders thus far have "washed out," to use your terminology. In the future I hope to move that number to zero, but in reality, trading is not an activity for everyone, as I'm sure you realize. But even for the four traders who have washed out, they are still students of mine for life. They will be supported in many ways by me for life. They will receive all my education free for life and all my services free for life. I will continue to mentor them and nurture them. They are forever mine and I will do whatever I can to be there for them in other ways.
Is it possible that I will fund them again? Oh you bet. That is the whole idea of continuing to work with them.
I hope this helps.
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Hi, Oliver
I've just follow your on line amazing 2 day seminar Dec 15 - 16 (Luiz_Santos "save the whales"). Thanks a lot for that.
1) About the 4 traders removed, could you tell us the reason for quitting with each one?
2) Could you publish some statistics about trader’s advancement? I mean something like "at each 100 traders, N achieve level 4 after N weeks, N hadn't pass level 1 after N weeks, average traders stay N weeks at each level", and so on?
Thanks
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Luiz:
Welcome to the VCM Team. I hope by now you see how just 2-days of my education have already dramatically changed the way you see the markets, changed your entire belief system and radically altered the way you'll forever play the market. I'm sure you'll never be the same, Luiz. That is a guarantee.
But keep in mind that what you have now is "my" knowledge, "my" method, "my" approach to trading for life. It is now your objective to make it "your" knowledge, "your" method, "your" approach," for one can never use someone else's know-how to reap consistent profits in the market. Eventually, you earn what you ARE. You get what you deserve. And the only way to make it you, to make it yours is to work with it. To experiment with it. To roll up your sleeves and trade with it. To grapple with it. Struggle, fight and falter with it.
Remember this! It is only through the power of use that one becomes stronger, more adept. "Use it or lose it" is a universal law.
This is so important, I feel compelled to expand on it.
Stage 1:
First there is Educational Mastery. That is the theory part of the journey...the part that teaches you what to do and what not to do.
Then there is Technological Mastery. That is the part that requires mastery of all the tools that are required to execute the knowledge you now have. The graduate of a carpentry course may have the knowledge, but may not have yet mastered the tools of his craft. Both are necessary before success can be had.
And then there is Experiential Mastery. That is the part that makes all that you know, a part of you, a part of your psyche, a part of your soul, a part of your DNA, as it were.
Stage 2
Once all three of the above have been achieved, the trader is then truly prepared to journey through Stage 2, the toughest part of the developmental path, which I call Psychological Mastery. This is the stage that requires the trader to conquer all Seven Deadly Demons of Trading and the major emotional pitfalls that befall and even undo the most talented market players. It is the longest and hardest part of the journey.
Stage 3 (the Arrival)
Once one goes through that fourth stage, then and only then can the fifth and final stage be achieved, the stage that gives the trader the right to be called a SAT (a Self-Actualized Trader). SATs create their own destiny as traders. They eek out and create their own fate. They no longer REact, but instead ACT. They are the closest thing to being gods in and of the markets. And it is this fifth dimension that should be everyone's goal.
Our entire trading/training program is designed to methodically walk the trader through each of these levels/stages.
As for the rest of your question, I'm afraid it would not be right to reveal the particulars of the four traders who have so far not made the cut. For they are still family members and have every chance to be re-instated as VCM Traders. I've dedicated my services and support to them and you for life, and because of that there is always a chance of traders no longer trading with us to to begin again.
Just keep in mind that we now have 489 active traders. Only four (4) have be eliminated to date (over the past year). This is phenomenal in and of itself. But elimination is never annihilation. We still support and work with them all for LIFE. That means for ever.
As for statistics, it is far too early to have any worthwhile to report. Just focus on doing what you know you should do, and all should be well, Luiz. Stay the course. Be strong, and never give up. We'll be with you, side by side the whole way with you.
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Hi, Oliver
It’s me again. Yours words about the 2 day course are very true. Dramatically changed the way I see the markets and changed my entire belief system, as you’ve said. Question about black boxes: after more market players start to use black boxes instead discretionary trading, the psychological side will bleed out. This will cut off the human behavior technical analysis is based on, reducing or eliminating price swings and, consequently, trader’s profits. Do you think this statement make any sense?
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Luiz:
Your real question is, "Do I think that the dramatic and steady increase in automated trading will ever affect the emotional and psychological dynamics that create the playable events we rely on today?" The quick and dirty answer is a resounding "no." Nothing will ever "snuff out" or even minimize the vagaries created by the human frailties inherent in the emotions, psychological traits and tendencies of human beings.
Let's not forget that the creators of these black boxes and sophisticated algorithms you speak of are who? Humans, right? It's the creator that is truly the market player, and if he/she is not devoid of the human frailties such as emotion instability, nothing he ever produces or creates will either.
In a very real sense, the black boxes and mathematical algorithms the humans create are nothing more than mechanical versions of other traders. They too are market participants, clones, if you will. And while they do operate less emotionally, they still act based on the creator's ideas, feelings, beliefs, and expectations. So in the end, it's the same thing.
Don't worry, Luiz. Fear, greed, hope and ignorance, the four items that create opportunity for the educated will never weaken or go away. We will be in business forever. And forever is a very long time, my friend.
I hope this helps.
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Hi Oliver,
How are you? I hope that you and your family had a wonderful Christmas Holiday!
I am enjoying reading your blog posts very much. Thank you for sharing all of your trading wisdom and insights with us.
I'm very impressed that you would continue to support your traders for life, even those who have "washed out."
I was just wondering....but, what happens to traders when they decide to leave your firm voluntarily and trade for their own private accounts?
- Would you still support those traders for life, even though they have left your firm to trade on their own?
- Would those traders be able to apply all of the knowledge, training, and experience gained while trading at your firm to successfully trade on their own?
- Also, what would you say is your ultimate "philosophy" or goal in training and supporting your students?
Would it be to ultimately prepare each student to become independent, self-sufficient traders, who are able to earn their livelihood through trading, even after they leave your firm to trade on their own?
Thank you very much, Oliver. I look forward to learning more from your future blog posts.
Have a Happy and Prosperous New Year!
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Dear Kelvin:
I'm pleased that you are finding the portion of my work displayed in this blog educational. I truly believe that over time, the growing tidbits of knowledge and wisdom dispensed here will change your trading life for the better, forever.
As for your questions, let me address them one by one.
Question 1) "What happens to traders when they decide to leave your firm voluntarily and trade for their own private accounts? Would you still support those traders for life, even though they have left your firm to trade on their own?
Answer 1) Well of course. The lifetime support, guidance, development and nurturing my team and I provide are not contingent on a trader trading for us. In fact there are numerous traders under my guidance who trade their own accounts but take full advantage of my education and services for life. All this lifetime support requires is that you be a student of mine, not necessarily a trader of mine.
Question 2) "Would those traders be able to apply all of the knowledge, training, and experience gained while trading at your firm to successfully trade on their own?"
Answer 2) Well of course. The trading knowledge and wisdom gained from my continuing education will forever beneficially affect the way one see and plays the market in every walk of a trader's life. That is because the methods I teach are universal in terms of time frames. So the same techniques that work for a 1 minute micro trading time frame can be applied to a monthly time frame for a long-term investment. Furthermore, many of my traders not only trade my account, they simultaneously trade their own accounts. Trading with and for me is not (and should not be) an all or nothing decision. We encourage that traders become adept at trading multiple accounts, ours and their own and we support that effort by helping them with extra leverage if they need it and negotiating better commission rates for their own accounts. As corny as it may sound, we really are a community (dare I say family?) supported and elevated by the combined strength of its members.
Question 3) "What would you say is your ultimate "philosophy" or goal in training and supporting your students? Would it be to ultimately prepare each student to become independent, self-sufficient traders, who are able to earn their livelihood through trading, even after they leave your firm to trade on their own?"
Answer 3) My ultimate goal or dream, to use a more flowery word, has been one I've harbored for the past 10 years, and I am truly ecstatic that it has begun to become true for me. That dream was to train, grow and develop an international team of superstar traders who collectively become a force to reckoned with by way of their domination of markets worldwide. This army of traders would all trade one account (mine) in different times based on their geographic location and that trading would be diversified across different markets (equities, bonds, options, currencies, commodities, futures, even real estate. Ultimately, no market or opportunity would escape our force and expertise. Collectively we would be (and are) stronger and more profitable than we are individually. And this, believe it or not has already begun to materialize for us in a big way. Let me elaborate.
1) In less than one year, the VCM Trading Team has grown from 60 traders to 522 worldwide. All trading my account.
2) Collectively the VCM Trading Team trades or has access to over 100 million dollars in buying power.
3) Our biggest trading month saw our traders executing more than 700,000,000 share. That's almost 1 billion shares, which is a major force. Volume is power in today's market and my active traders have it. As a result of this huge collective volume, we enjoy the lowest commission rate in the entire USA, which is 2 cents per 100 shares or 20 cents per ever 1000 shares. No one, and I mean no one, has such a low rate, which helps heighten the level of profitability for our traders.
And Kelvin, its just the beginning. People doubted me when I first conceived and finally went for this model. They felt I was crazy for trying this, risking my own money on my students. They told me I'd fail and that it would never work. Some old friends have even become enemies of mine over my launch of VCM and others have even tried to stop me. But those negative and vitriolic efforts will never work against me. I truly feel destined to do this. It's an idea whose time has come, and not even "I" can stop it now.
The collective power of a unified, focused group with a common goal is invincible, Kelvin. Will we be invincible? Maybe, maybe not. The jury is still out. Only time will tell, but so far, life at VCM is rather grand, if I have to say so myself.
I hope this helps clarify things for you.
Happy Trading!
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Hi Oliver,
Thank you very much for responding to my questions and for clarifying all of that. I really appreciate that!
I am very impressed that you are willing to support your student for life, as that is very rare in the industry.
BTW.....is there any age requirement to join your firm? Do you have any traders who are in their 20s ( I'll be 25 next month )?
Thanks again, Oliver. Best of luck to you as you continue to realize your dream and grow your trading firm!
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Dear Josh:
There is no age requirement whatsoever to trade for VCM. Our team of 522 traders (as of this writing) is comprised of various age groups that span anywhere from early 20s to late 50s. So, yes, there are some traders on our team even younger than you are. And they are doing quite well, I might add.
While age is truly only a number in this regard, we do find that because of the heavy computer reliance that high-level trading requires, coupled with the fact that stock market play bears a great resemblance to video game play, younger traders pick up the skills a bit faster, most of the time. With that said, the older traders tend to make up for their slower grasp by putting their more extensive experiences to work. They also tend to have a slightly greater control of their emotions.
In essence, there are pluses and minuses that are generally inherent in all age groups, making any form of age-based bias unintelligent.
I hope this helps.
Happy Trading!
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Oliver
All I can say is WOW. I am so impressed with you and your company.
I could not believe you when I first saw your commercial on CNBC as I was starting my day for trading. Visiting your website I kept saying to myself there got to be a catch what is this guy's angle?
There is no catch, no angle only truth and honesty. For me I have taught myself to trade with little capital and high commissions so it been a slow road to travel now that you have found me it like the saying when the student is ready the teacher will appear.
I look forward to meeting you soon.
Steve
WOW
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Steve:
Thank you so much for your kind words. And yes, you are quite correct. There are no catches to our program. We are simply fully dedicated to training an army of traders to trade our capital and are willing to pull out all stops to do so.
After more than 14 years of training traders to trade their own capital, I found that 4 major obstacles stood in the way of most traders' success:
1) Lack of professional training - There is plenty of retail based education out there, but almost none when it comes to trading as a professional, like a market maker or specialist on the NYSE. This we provide for all traders who will be trading our capital.
2) Lack of the proper capital - This undoes most businesses. It takes money to make money and that could not be more true in trading. When I decided to fund each of my students/traders (starting with $50,000), the success rate jump considerably. Many were trying to apply our trading principles with inadequate amounts of capital. It does not work. Our beginning traders start off with $50,000 and earn access to higher amounts. Our top trader now has $36,000,000 to trade with.
3) Lack of forced discipline - this is what does in even the traders with the right training and the right capital. Let's face it. Trading requires a degree of self-mastery. How many people in any endeavor truly master themselves? Not many. This is the number one reason traders fail. They cannot bring themselves to do the right thing in the face of hardship. So, we accomplish this though a combination of technology and a well-trained team of risk managers who force or compel the traders to do the right thing, until that coercion is not needed anymore. Many fail to realize that discipline is a learned concept. It must be taught. One does not wake up one day and miraculously have discipline. One is not born with discipline. It's learned; it's taught. And through a unique combination of technology and a well-trained risk-management team, we teach and force and coerce the proper discipline our traders need until it is completely learned and until they no longer need that coercion. This is one of the keys to our success.
And lastly, there is...
4) The fear of loss - if the above does not do the vast major of traders in, this one is almost sure to. Nothing can cure this disease but success, which builds the confidence that eradicates fear. But how does one get the success to eradicate the fear if the fear exists first and prevents the very success needed? It's a crazy catch-22 which I solved entirely by doing the unthinkable. I ABSORB 100% of the LOSSES for all my traders until they become consistently profitable. Many naysayers in the industry called me a lunatic for doing such a thing. They told me it would not work. VCM would be a flop. And I would fail. I begged to differ and last year's enormous success was true vindication for VCM. we went from 60 traders last February to over 600 today. And we are well on our way to the 1,000 trader mark I set out to accomplish in 2 years.
Steve, I dared to do the unthinkable. And so far, the results have been unthinkable. And I'm so grateful. Again, thanks for your kind words.
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