Charles Carlson highlights key elements in trading:

It is very rare that I find any useful comments on CNBC.com from a “pro” or “strategist” but it does happen from time to time! The problem is CNBC.com publishes what sells and not necessary what is useful for the reader which is of course not only CNBC’s fault but also the readers fault. Many traders look for excitement in trading and are therefore drawn towards, for example, doom and gloom headlines. The thing is, successful traders don’t care where the market is heading in the future, they only care that they read the current market correctly. Dow might be heading for 5000 or 15000 in 2013 but what happens right now is more important as traders cannot afford unlimited drawdown. What would happen to the trader if on the way down to 5000 Dow climbs 20% which then gives the trader a margin call? The trader would lose all his/her money and therefore not be able to profit on the prediction of the Dow hitting 5000. [Read more...]