Friday, September 13, 2024

Do you know how to lose?

We all win sometimes and lose at other times. The dominant trait in the lives of some people is winning, while for others, it is losing. If you're in the world of business, you may earn a lot of money. In sports, you may gain fame. In politics, you may gain influence and popularity, and in corrupt countries, you might even gain wealth. If you're in the arts, you could achieve great stardom. What you gain one day may accumulate if you know how to preserve it, but you might also lose it another day if you don’t. This brings us to a saying in the realm of power and influence: "Weep like a woman over a kingdom you did not defend like a man." In the context of family wealth, there’s an American proverb about its loss: "The first generation creates wealth, the second preserves it, and the third squanders it." Therefore, both gain and loss are to be expected.


Winning is important, and losing is important in its own way, but the question that comes to my mind is: **"How do we win, and how do we lose?"** Some people, when they win, "start walking on air." They become boastful, arrogant, proud, and forget that humans are made from dust and return to it.


The problem isn't just with these people. The problem is with those who lose and don't know how to deal with the loss. In some losses, people may fall into despair and depression. Take the example of losing a loved one. Some may explode with pain and despair. Sometimes others turn to gambling in times of loss, like what happens with gamblers when they lose at the green table. They bet everything and may even reach a point where they risk their own dignity.


But the most painful kind of loss is dealing with it in denial. They act as if nothing has happened. When someone loses a certain wealth or part of it, you sometimes see them behaving as if they haven’t lost anything. They buy a new car with what’s left of the old wealth, throw parties, go on vacations, all to convince themselves and others that nothing has changed. These people are like politicians in my country. Many of them have lost popularity, influence, boldness, and support from people who once loved them dearly. But they still try to make people believe that nothing has changed and that this loss will stop at a certain point, and they can continue. This is the worst way to handle loss: denial. They behave as if nothing has changed. They not only betray the trust of the people, but they also deny the loss itself, as if there’s no need to change anything.


How you lose largely determines the quality of the next phase. If you deny the loss or fall into despair because of it, the future does not promise much brightness. But if you acknowledge it, identify its causes without blaming others left and right, a glimpse of hope may appear on the horizon of your life, signaling the beginning of recovery.

Friday, January 27, 2023

Benefits of trading a funded account from a prop firm

 Trading a funded account from a prop firm can be a great way for aspiring traders to gain valuable experience and potentially earn a significant income. Here are some of the key benefits of this approach:

  1. Capital: One of the biggest advantages of trading a funded account is the access to capital. Prop firms typically provide traders with a significant amount of money to trade with, which can greatly increase their earning potential.

  2. Mentorship: Many prop firms provide traders with access to experienced mentors who can help them improve their trading skills and strategies. This can be a valuable resource for new traders who are still learning the ropes.

  3. Low Risk: With a funded account, traders are not using their own capital, so the risk is reduced. In case of any loss, the trader is not liable for it, which makes it a low-risk option for new traders.

  4. Flexibility: Trading a funded account from a prop firm can also provide traders with greater flexibility in terms of when and where they work. Many prop firms allow traders to work from home or other remote locations, which can be a great option for those who prefer a more independent work schedule.

  5. Potential for High Earnings: With access to capital, mentorship, and low risk, traders can potentially earn high returns on their investments.

  6. Access to Proprietary Trading Tools and Platforms: Many prop firms have their own trading tools and platforms that they provide to their traders which can be extremely helpful in making the right trading decisions.

Overall, trading a funded account from a prop firm can be a great way for aspiring traders to gain valuable experience, earn a significant income, and potentially build a successful career in trading. However, it's important to do your research and choose a reputable firm that aligns with your goals and risk tolerance. Head over to my discord server for the latest discounts on Trading funded accounts.

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Investing 101

 Investing 101: How to Get Started

Investing can seem like a daunting task, especially for beginners. However, with a little bit of knowledge and the right mindset, anyone can start investing and building wealth. Here are some basic concepts and tips to get you started on your investing journey.

  1. Set financial goals: Before you start investing, it's important to have a clear idea of what you're trying to achieve. Are you saving for retirement, a down payment on a house, or a child's education? Knowing your goals will help you choose the right investments and stay on track.

  2. Understand risk and return: Investing always involves some level of risk, but the potential for higher returns is what makes it worthwhile. It's important to understand the different types of risk and how they can affect your investments. For example, stocks are generally considered to be riskier than bonds, but they also have the potential for higher returns.

  3. Diversify your portfolio: Diversification is key to managing risk and maximizing returns. This means spreading your money across different types of investments, such as stocks, bonds, real estate, and cash. This way, if one investment doesn't perform well, your overall portfolio won't be affected as much.

  4. Start small: It's easy to get caught up in the hype of the latest hot stock or trendy investment, but it's important to start small and learn as you go. Starting with a small amount of money will help you get used to the process and build confidence before investing larger sums.

  5. Educate yourself: Investing is a lifelong journey, and there's always more to learn. Keep educating yourself about different types of investments, market trends, and financial strategies. There are plenty of resources available online, such as articles, podcasts, and books, to help you stay informed.

Remember, investing is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It takes time, patience, and a long-term perspective to see real results. With a solid plan, a diversified portfolio, and a commitment to learning, you can start building wealth and achieving your financial goals.

Friday, July 29, 2022

US Market Wrap 07/29/2022

- The stock market is coming to a close after a tumultuous week, with solid earnings from tech megacaps providing solace to traders concerned about the many crosscurrents rattling economies around the world.


- Following a disastrous first half, the S&P 500 had its best month since November 2020, while the Nasdaq 100 had its best month since April of that year. On Friday, big tech led gains, with Amazon and Apple soaring as higher revenues from the pair of iconic powerhouses offset concerns about profit slowdowns at a time when the industry is rethinking its staffing needs.


- Despite worrying signals from economic proxies such as Walmart and United Parcel Service, the earnings season as a whole has turned out to be brighter than expected, with roughly 75% of S&P 500 firms reporting results beating analyst estimates. This is fueling speculation that corporate America will be able to weather the perfect storm of high inflation, large rate hikes, and slowing growth.


- Two key US price gauges rose faster than expected, with the personal consumption expenditures index, which serves as the basis for the Federal Reserve's inflation target, rising at the fastest rate since 2005. Long-term inflation expectations among consumers remained high as well. Swaps revealed that traders increased their bets on a 75-basis-point hike in September, despite continuing to believe that a 50-basis-point hike was the most likely outcome.


- Fed Bank of Atlanta President Raphael Bostic stated that the US economy is "a ways" from entering a recession and that officials must raise rates further to keep prices under control.


- Despite this month's strong rebound in stocks, several market observers are sceptical of a sustained rally due to the numerous economic challenges and the fact that the market hasn't gotten cheap enough to call it a bottom.




Thursday, July 28, 2022

US Market Wrap 07/28/2022

 - The stock rally gained traction, defying sceptics in the aftermath of the Fed decision, with traders reducing bets on rate hikes as the drumbeat of recession grew louder amid poor economic data.


- Equities reached a seven-week high, led by defensive groups, which are frequently sought after during difficult times. Prior to the results of Apple and Amazon,  technology underperformed. Bond yields fell, and swaps referencing policy meeting dates showed bets that the fed funds rate will peak around 3.25% before the end of 2022, less than 100 basis points higher than it is now.


- Investors remained bullish on the Fed slowing its rate of tightening as data indicated the economy was losing steam heading into the second half of the year. That came a day after Jerome Powell said hikes would slow at some point, sparking a strong market reaction that was slammed by Fed watchers who said traders got it all wrong because tighter financial conditions are needed to combat inflation.





Wednesday, July 27, 2022

US Market Wrap 07/27/2022

- Stocks rose and bond yields fell after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell stated that the Fed will slow the pace of rate increases at some point, but that officials will refrain from providing "clear guidance" on the size of their next move.


- About 85% of the S&P 500 companies rose, while the Nasdaq 100 rose more than 4%, boosted by solid earnings from tech titans. Two-year US yields, which are more sensitive to upcoming Fed moves, fell as much as ten basis points. Expectations for the Fed's rate of hikes have slowed, with swap markets pricing in around 58 basis points of tightening for September. The dollar dropped.


- The Fed's chairman denied that the US economy is in recession and stated that the central bank is acting "expeditiously" in dealing with price pressures. Powell also stated that another unusually large increase in rates would be dependent on data after officials raised rates by 75 basis points on Wednesday, bringing the total increase from June to July to 150 basis points, the steepest since the early 1980s. 




Tuesday, July 26, 2022

US Market Wrap 07/26/2022

- Stocks fell as bad economic data and a weaker outlook from the world's largest retailer highlighted the effects of rising pressures on consumer spending, with recession fears rife as the Federal Reserve prepares to deliver another jumbo-sized boost.

- Walmart's rout engulfed industry peers, with Morgan Stanley stating that its prediction is a "possible danger signal" for Amazon's retail margins. In late trading, a $166 billion exchange-traded fund tracking the NASDAQ 100 soared as Google's parent company, Alphabet surged after earnings. Microsoft slumped after reporting its worst sales growth since 2020.

- Traders were also bracing for another 75-basis-point boost by fed officials on Wednesday, with a combined increase of 150 basis points in June and July being the highest rate rise since the early 1980s, when then-chairman Volcker was battling sky-high inflation. Consumer confidence in the United States has dropped to its lowest level since February 2021, while a measure of new home sales has dropped for the fifth time this year.

- According to Goldman Sachs strategists, US policymakers are expected to remain hawkish for longer due to persistently rising inflation, the latest to enter the debate over a potential central bank pivot as the economy slows. They agreed with Morgan Stanley's Michael Wilson, who said on Monday that it's too early to anticipate the Fed to stop raising.

- Meanwhile, strategists at JPMorgan believe that bets that prices have peaked will result in a Fed turnaround and strengthen the picture for equities in the second half.