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Better System Trader

If you’re looking for inspiration, motivation and practical advice on improving your trading results, Better System Trader delivers every week. Each episode brings you an expert trader who shares their own story, along with the steps, both good and bad, that they’ve taken on their path to success. With a focus on actionable insights, the tips and tricks used by the experts contain loads of value, providing you with insanely practical tips and tools you can start using TODAY. Improve your trading with Better System Trader.
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Now displaying: 2024
Aug 9, 2024

There are lots of varying opinions about the markets right now. 

And massive uncertainty about where it's heading next.

In this episode, I'm joined by Mish Schneider from MarketGauge, to discuss Market Phases, including: 

  • the 6 types of markets phases to watch for, 

  • simple techniques to detect what phase we're in right now,

  • how traders and investors can adjust their trading for each phase,

  • which phases are best for protection and which can uncover big profits, plus

  • what could be next in the markets (and the clues to watch out for!)

 

Disclaimer:

Trading in the financial markets involves a substantial risk of loss. All content produced by Better System Trader is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute trading or investment advice.

Jul 11, 2024

Price charts are no longer enough…

 

The world of trading is changing and Alpha needs to be found in other ways.

 

So what should traders do?

 

In this chat with Fabio Ruggeri from MenthorQ, we discuss how traders can uncover “hidden market reaction zones” to get an edge over traditional chart trading. We also discuss:

  • The impact alternative data can have on trading decisions (and generating alpha!),

  • The type of data that can reveal hidden market reaction zones,

  • What information traders could be missing by looking only at price charts,

  • How to use these market reaction zones to manage trades and uncover market sentiment,

  • The challenges of using purely technical analysis,

  • Plus much more.

 

Disclaimer:

Trading in the financial markets involves a substantial risk of loss. All content produced by Better System Trader is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute trading or investment advice.

Jun 27, 2024

Explore the world of algorithmic trading with Laurens Bensdorp as he delves into his extensive experience managing a diverse portfolio of trading systems. From foundational concepts to advanced strategies, Laurens provides a comprehensive guide to thriving in the volatile trading landscape.

 

What You'll Learn:

 

  • The journey from trading novice to mastering 55 non-correlated systems,

  • How personal beliefs and risk tolerance shape your trading strategy,

  • The effectiveness of mean reversion strategies within a diverse trading portfolio,

  • Essential tips on managing psychological impacts and drawdowns in trading,

  • Steps for developing and backtesting robust trading systems to ensure long-term success,

  • Plus much more.

 

Disclaimer:

Trading in the financial markets involves a substantial risk of loss. All content produced by Better System Trader is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute trading or investment advice.

Jun 13, 2024

A Bloomberg study discovered MACD is the second most popular indicator after the RSI.

 

But the MACD has BIG problems.

 

And in this episode, Alex Spiroglou shares the solution. Here’s what you’ll discover:

 

  • The issues with MACD and why it’s often not a good indicator to use in momentum trading,

  • The updated MACD-v indicator that overcomes all the traditional issues to give more accurate trading signals,

  • How to use MACD-v as a regime filter, a trend filter, and improve signal accuracy to avoid false divergence signals,

  • How the Momentum Lifecycle Roadmap provides traders with a comprehensive view of market conditions and potential trading opportunities,

  • Why a multi-timeframe and multi-factor approach works and how to integrate it with MACD-v,

  • Tips for integrating MACD-v into your trading process and much more.

 

Disclaimer:

Trading in the financial markets involves a substantial risk of loss. All content produced by Better System Trader is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute trading or investment advice.

 

May 30, 2024

The Volatility Index (VIX) is used by traders to determine when the stock market (S&P) is getting "too risky", so they can protect their trading accounts from losses.

Could traders be using the VIX wrong?

Is there an even better way to time the markets and reduce risk?

In this episode, discover the new secrets of volatility-based trading with Rob Hanna. Rob shares his award-winning insights into using the VIX and SPX to time the market, challenging conventional wisdom and uncovering new strategies for volatility trading. Whether you’re an advanced trader or just looking to refine your approach, this podcast is packed with valuable tips and actionable advice.

Some of the key points you’ll discover:

  1. Why conventional wisdom using VIX for market timing could be all wrong,
  2. Does VIX movement really predict market moves or is there a better way,
  3. How SPX signals can be more effective than VIX signals,
  4. The best indicators for predicting short-term market movements,
  5. Practical strategies for trading VIX instruments,
  6. How quicker VIX recovery can be leveraged to reduce the length of drawdowns,
  7. Plus a simple VIX model that uses SPX movements to time the market (the opposite of what most traders do), and much more!

 

Disclaimer:

Trading in the financial markets involves a substantial risk of loss. All content produced by Better System Trader is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute trading or investment advice.

 

May 23, 2024

Tom Basso is a Market Wizard with 5 decades of experience.

After taking 4 years to get to break-even, he eventually transformed himself into a $600 million fund manager.

In this discussion with Tom, we uncover some of the key strategies he uses to profit in almost any market, protect his account from market downturns, and all while enjoying the ride!

Here’s some of the key takeaways:

  1. Why traditional diversification isn’t enough and how to deploy extreme diversification to grow your portfolio,

  2. Tom’s simple yet powerful hedging strategies to protege your account in a downturn,

  3. How to generate more consistent results by “filling the potholes”

  4. The advantages of using multiple indicators in trading and which indicators Tom uses (and those he avoids),

  5. How to simplify trading decisions using a common sense approach,

  6. Plus risk management, position sizing, discipline, surviving long-term and much more.

 

Disclaimer:

Trading in the financial markets involves a substantial risk of loss. All content produced by Better System Trader is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute trading or investment advice.

 

May 9, 2024

In this episode, Jason Strimpel from PyQuantNews joins me to discuss how traders can find profitable edges and compete effectively in today's fast-paced markets. Whether you're a seasoned trader or just starting out, Jason's strategies and insights are invaluable for anyone looking to up their trading game.

 

Here’s just some of the points you’ll discover:

 

  • How some traders get into trouble by confusing skill with luck,

  • Why charts and basic trading platforms aren’t enough to compete in the markets,

  • The importance of looking outside the charts for genuine market inefficiencies,

  • The dangers of brute-force data mining for strategy design and what to do instead,

  • Creative approaches to finding robust trading edges,

  • The impact of behavioral patterns and structural market inefficiencies on trading strategies,

  • How data-driven strategies can help you identify and capitalize on market inefficiencies,

  • Identifying areas in the market where inefficiencies may exist,

  • And much more.

 

Disclaimer:

Trading in the financial markets involves a substantial risk of loss. All content produced by Better System Trader is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute trading or investment advice.

 

Apr 25, 2024

Welcome to a new trading series called "The Trading Panel," where I collaborate with Jason Perz from Against All Odds Research and a panel of traders to discuss the markets and all things trading. Participants in this week's panel are:

Andrew Swanscott
Jason Perz
Pavel Kycek
Steven Strazza

[0:02] Welcome and Overview
[0:21] Panel Introduction
[9:59] Discussing Trading Strategies
[11:18] Integrating Various Trading Tools
[13:02] Detailed Strategy Analysis
[14:36] Using Regime Filters in Trading
[23:46] Understanding Trading as a Discipline
[25:17] Realities of Daily Trading
[33:47] Handling Drawdowns in Trading
[36:07] Learning from Trading Drawdowns
[41:34] Analyzing Trading Performance
[44:28] Concluding Remarks and Takeaways

 

Disclaimer:
Trading in the financial markets involves a substantial risk of loss. All content produced by Better System Trader is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute trading or investment advice.

Apr 18, 2024

Welcome to a new trading series called "The Trading Panel," where I collaborate with Jason Perz from Against All Odds Research and a panel of traders to discuss the markets and all things trading. Participants in this week's panel are:

Andrew Swanscott
Jason Perz
Pavel Kycek
Jerry Parker

0:00 Introduction to the Panel
1:18 Introduction of Jerry and the Bird
6:14 Jerry Discusses Trend Following
11:13 Emotional Aspects of Large Trades
15:01 Role of Outlier Trades in Portfolio
23:21 Diversification and Stock Selection
30:15 Ignoring Market Noise
39:39 Trading Volume and Risk Management
50:08 Commodity Stocks and Portfolio Diversification
55:26 Final Thoughts and Takeaways
57:15 Panelists' Closing Statements

Disclaimer:
Trading in the financial markets involves a substantial risk of loss. All content produced by Better System Trader is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute trading or investment advice.

Apr 11, 2024

Welcome to a new trading series called "The Trading Panel," where I collaborate with Jason Perz from Against All Odds Research and a panel of traders to discuss the markets and all things trading. Participants in this week's panel are:

Andrew Swanscott
Jason Perz
Pavel Kycek
Mish Schneider
Ian Culley

00:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcoming
01:25 - Discussion on Trading Commodities
03:42 - Analysis of Current Market Trends
06:36 - Historical Comparison of CPI Trends
10:11 - Geopolitical and Market Predictions for 2024
14:23 - Cocoa Market Surge and Trading Strategies
21:08 - Short-Term Trading Techniques in Volatile Markets
26:43 - Intermarket Analysis and Sector Insights
33:09 - Emerging Markets and Investment Opportunities
42:53 - Cryptocurrency Trading Strategies and Market Analysis
52:00 - Audience Q&A and Relative Rotation Graphs Discussion
57:25 - Closing Remarks and Contact Information

 

Disclaimer:
Trading in the financial markets involves a substantial risk of loss. All content produced by Better System Trader is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute trading or investment advice.

Apr 4, 2024

Welcome to a new trading series called "The Trading Panel," where I collaborate with Jason Perz from Against All Odds Research and a panel of traders to discuss the markets and all things trading. Participants in this week's panel are:

Andrew Swanscott
Jason Perz
Pavel Kycek 
Tom Basso

[0:02] Introduction
[1:14] Guest Introduction
[2:24] Discussion on Market Trends and Portfolio Management
[7:13] Importance of Risk Management
[10:12] Psychology and Handling Drawdowns
[15:29] Learning from Market Experiences
[19:34] Matching Personality with Trading Style
[25:06] Becoming a Trend Follower
[29:24] Coping with Market Crises
[35:03] Balancing Life and Trading
[42:20] Brain Processing and Idea Generation
[45:03] Systematic Trading Insights
[53:42] Misconceptions in Chart Patterns
[1:01:43] Wrap-up and Contact Information

 

Disclaimer:
Trading in the financial markets involves a substantial risk of loss. All content produced by Better System Trader is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute trading or investment advice.

Mar 28, 2024

Welcome to a new trading series called "The Trading Panel," where I collaborate with Jason Perz from Against All Odds Research and a panel of traders to discuss the markets and all things trading. Participants in this week's panel are:

Andrew Swanscott
Jason Perz
Larry Tentarelli
Steven Strazza

Here are a few of the topics we discussed on the panel:

1. Importance of Simplifying Trading Strategies – Simplifying strategies helps in identifying trends and making trading decisions more effectively.

2. Using Moving Averages and Relative Strength – Moving averages and relative strength indicators are valuable tools for identifying trends and potential breakouts.

3. Adapting to Market Conditions – The importance of sticking to your strategy and waiting for favorable market conditions rather than constantly changing strategies.

4. Options Trading and Pattern Matching – Different options strategies can be used based on the pattern and structure of the stock, providing leverage and flexibility.

5. Risk Management and Position Sizing – Managing risk is crucial in trading, and position sizing should be based on overall risk tolerance and stop placement.

Plus much more, watch the replay to extract all the goodness!

[0:01] Introduction and Welcome
[1:44] Highlighting Recent Interviews
[3:17] Discussing Trading Strategies and Charts
[6:16] Importance of Consistency in Trading
[8:27] Adapting Trading Strategy to Market Conditions
[10:38] Risk Management and Strategy Adaptation
[13:28] Options Trading Insights
[15:34] Market Trends and Sector Performance
[19:20] Understanding the Value Line Index
[21:50] Deciding Trading Timeframes
[27:10] Importance of Risk Management
[31:12] Risk Management with Options
[33:23] Position Sizing in a Portfolio
[41:49] Favorite Stocks and Sector Analysis
[52:13] Relative Trends in Trading
[52:46] Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Disclaimer:
Trading in the financial markets involves a substantial risk of loss. All content produced by Better System Trader is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute trading or investment advice.

Mar 21, 2024

Welcome to a new trading series called "The Trading Panel", where I collaborate with Jason Perz from Against All Odds Research and a panel of traders to discuss the markets and all things trading. Participants on this week's panel are: 

Andrew Swanscott
Jason Perz
Jeff Hirsch
Jason Shapiro

00:00 Episode Introduction and Host Welcome
01:44 Discussing Historical Market Trends with Jeff
06:49 Jeff Shares Sector Insights and Trading Ideas
10:08 Where to Find Jeff and His Work
11:04 Shifting Focus to Jason Shapiro's Trading Insights
19:26 Jason's Perspective on Market Conditions and Fed Policy
28:02 Discussing Common Trading Mistakes and Learning Processes
36:56 Highlighting the Importance of Risk Management
42:06 Unpacking Trading Industry Myths and Realities
46:11 The Dangers of Following Misleading Trading Gurus
53:43 The Significance of Personal Experience in Trading Success

 

Disclaimer: Trading in the financial markets involves a substantial risk of loss. All content produced by Better System Trader is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute trading or investment advice.

Mar 14, 2024

Welcome to a new trading series called "The Trading Panel", where I collaborate with Jason Perz from Against All Odds Research and a panel of traders to discuss the markets and all things trading. Participants on this weeks panel are: 

Andrew Swanscott
Jason Perz
Moritz Seibert
Pavel Kycek

0:00 Welcome and Show Introduction
1:21 Discussing Trading Panels and Expectations
2:15 Reality of Trading and Drawdowns
3:16 Introduction to Professional Trading
8:20 Focus on Commodity Trading and Systematic Strategies
10:45 Embracing Volatility and Drawdowns in Trading
15:54 Managing Open Trade Profits
21:27 Importance of Aligning with Investor Expectations
26:02 Historical Context and Risk Management
30:38 Advice for New Traders on Strategy and Expectations
43:17 Handling Broker Fees and Optimizing Costs
47:24 Building Confidence and Consistency in Trading
54:36 Audience Questions and Panel Responses
58:05 Personal Journeys and Aha Moments in Trading

 

Disclaimer: Trading in the financial markets involves a substantial risk of loss. All content produced by Better System Trader is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute trading or investment advice.

Mar 7, 2024

Welcome to a new trading series called "The Trading Panel", where I collaborate with Jason Perz from Against All Odds Research and a panel of traders to discuss the markets and all things trading. Participants on this weeks panel are: 

Andrew Swanscott
Jason Perz
Mish Schneider
Pavel Kycek

0:00 - Opening: Welcome and Panel Introduction
1:06 - Mish's Perspective on Market Prediction
5:02 - Insights from a Floor Trader's Journey
10:38 - Discussing Price Action and Trading Psychology
13:12 - Crypto Market Trends and Algorithmic Trading
21:16 - Diverse Trading Strategies: Discussion
30:52 - The Shift from Short-term to Long-term Trading
38:37 - Expert Tips on Identifying Market Tops and Bottoms
45:35 - Advice for New System Traders
49:09 - Episode Wrap-Up and Where to Find the Panelists

Disclaimer: Trading in the financial markets involves a substantial risk of loss. All content produced by Better System Trader is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute trading or investment advice.

Mar 2, 2024

Welcome to a new trading series called "The Trading Panel", where I collaborate with Jason Perz from Against All Odds Research and a panel of traders to discuss the markets and all things trading. Participants on this weeks panel are: 


Andrew Swanscott
Jason Perz
Richard Brennan
Kevin Green
Pavel Kycek

0:00 – Show Introduction and Panelist Greetings
0:49 – Panelists’ Backgrounds and Trading Philosophies
6:17 – Analyzing Economic Indicators and Their Impact on Markets
13:19 – Debunking Market Myths with Price Action Signals
24:21 – Transitioning to Systematic Trading for Longevity
36:34 – The Role of Macro Factors in Shaping Trading Strategies
49:05 – The Future of Trading: AI, Cryptos, and Beyond
1:02:27 – Wrapping Up: Key Takeaways and Contact Information

Disclaimer: Trading in the financial markets involves a substantial risk of loss. All content produced by Better System Trader is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute trading or investment advice.

Feb 28, 2024

Unlock the secrets of algorithmic crypto trading with Pavel Kycek in this entertaining and insightful episode. Whether you're a crypto newbie or a seasoned trader looking to refine your trading strategies, Pavel's insights into the volatile world of cryptocurrency and expertise in algorithmic trading will guide you through the complexities of systematic trading, risk management, and much more. 

 

Here are some of the topics you’ll discover in this discussion:

 

  • How to identify what style of trading works best in crypto,

  • The “Idea first” approach to building trading strategies that work,

  • Indicators in crypto trading and how simple your trading strategies should really be,

  • The type of strategies that work in the crypto market right now,

  • Common robustness tests that work in crypto and which ones you should avoid (and why),

  • Risks with crypto trading and how to reduce them so you can sleep well at night,

  • Selecting the best cryptos to trade & the different behaviour and characteristics of coins,

  • How the crypto markets are changing and what that means to future trading strategies,

  • Regime filtering - when to use them and when to avoid them,

  • Generating portfolios of crypto strategies and the types of strategies to include for performance stability,

  • And much more...

 

Disclaimer:

Trading in the financial markets involves a substantial risk of loss. All content produced by Better System Trader is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute trading or investment advice.

 

Feb 24, 2024

Welcome to a new trading series called "The Trading Panel", where I collaborate with Jason Perz from Against All Odds Research and a panel of traders to discuss the markets and all things trading. Participants on this weeks panel are: 

  • Andrew Swanscott
  • Jason Perz
  • Kashyap Sriram
  • Pavel Kycek
  • Kevin Green

Timestamps

[00:00] Introduction and Overview of Trading Topics
[06:37] Discussion on Personal Trading Experiences and Learning Curves
[12:21] Insights into Systematic vs. Discretionary Trading
[15:43] The Role of Market Cycles in Trading Profitability
[17:33] Exploring the Impact of Rate Decisions on Trading Strategies
[23:54] Debunking Common Trading Myths and Strategies
[25:07] Discussion on Options and Volatility Trading
[28:27] Carry Trades and Their Potential Risks
[30:42] Unforeseen Market Events and Their Impact on Trading
[33:17] The Swiss Franc Event: A Case Study
[36:30] Exploring Premium Scalping and Its Risks
[39:25] The Yen-U.S. Dollar Carry Trade Discussion
[42:12] Institutional Strategies and Risk Management Techniques
[43:28] Policy Changes in Trading Instruments: USO ETF Case
[46:27] Futures Contracts: Managing Expiry and Liquidity Risks
[49:24] Liquidity and Risk Management in Trading
[53:42] The Negative Oil Price Event: An Anecdote
[54:54] Closing Remarks and Contact Information of Panelists
[56:05] Final Thoughts and Upcoming Episode Teaser

Disclaimer:

Trading in the financial markets involves a substantial risk of loss. All content produced by Better System Trader is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute trading or investment advice.

Feb 17, 2024

Welcome to a new trading series called "The Trading Panel", where I collaborate with Jason Perz from Against All Odds Research and a panel of traders to discuss the markets and all things trading. Participants on this weeks panel are: 

  • Andrew Swanscott
  • Jason Perz
  • Kashyap Sriram
  • Markets & Mayhem
  • Mike Melissinos
  • Pavel Kycek

Timestamps
[00:00] Introduction to The Trading Panel
[00:53] Speaker Introductions
[08:23] Discussion on Trading Strategies and Market Positions
[15:18] The Importance of Backtesting in Trading
[20:06] Diversifying Trading Strategies and Portfolios
[25:07] Handling Market Expectations and Predictions
[28:36] Strategies to Avoid Curve Fitting in Trading
[33:32] Price Agreement and Trading Decisions
[38:31] Combating Curve Fitting with Simple Strategies
[41:07] Fundamental Analysis in Trading Decisions
[43:33] Systematic Trading and the Role of Historical Data
[47:44] Closing Thoughts on Curve Fitting and Trading Strategies
[52:16] Wrapping Up and How to Follow the Speakers

Disclaimer:

Trading in the financial markets involves a substantial risk of loss. All content produced by Better System Trader is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute trading or investment advice.

Feb 15, 2024

Get ready to unlock the secrets of trading in uncertain markets with Richard Brennan and your host Andrew in this power-packed episode! Whether you're a novice or a seasoned trader, this episode is filled with invaluable insights that will help you navigate the volatile waters of the market with confidence.

 

Key Points You'll Learn:

 

  • Core principles for long-term trading success,

  • Understanding market dynamics,

  • The barbell approach to trend following,

  • The benefits of using simple models in trading,

  • How to identify and mitigate fragility in trading strategies,

  • Managing risk with tail properties,

  • The power of diversification and strategies to achieve maximum diversification,

  • Navigating market regimes and fat tail events,

  • And much more.

 

Disclaimer:

Trading in the financial markets involves a substantial risk of loss. All content produced by Better System Trader is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute trading or investment advice.

 

Jan 31, 2024

Discover the good, the bad and the ugly of systematic trading as our guest Cesar Alvarez from Alvarez Quant Trading shares some key moments in his trading career all traders can learn from! 

 

Key Points You'll Learn:

 

  1. The impact of bad trades and what to do when you’re in a trade you shouldn’t be in (the answer may not be what you think!),

  2. Why the market can actually be a distraction to your trading and how watching the market LESS could be the key to improving your results,

  3. Shorting disasters and how to avoid that one disaster trade that could wipe out your account,

  4. A common perception about systematic trading that just isn’t true (and how to overcome it),

  5. Plus loads of insights into algo trading, risk management, short selling and valuable lessons from many years of trading.

 

Disclaimer:

Trading in the financial markets involves a substantial risk of loss. All content produced by Better System Trader is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute trading or investment advice.

 

Jan 16, 2024

Jump right into this exciting episode where Scott, a former tennis coach turned expert trader, shares his journey and tricks of the trade. With his witty anecdotes and deep insights, Scott's story isn't just about trading; it's a tale of transformation and finding success in unexpected places.

 

Key Learning Points:

 

  • Transitioning Careers: Hear how Scott switched from tennis coaching to trading and the lessons he learned.

  • Trading Strategies: Discover Scott's approach to different trading strategies and what works best.

  • Risk Management: Learn about the importance of balancing trade size and managing risks.

  • Cultural Influence: Find out how culture can significantly impact your trading success.

  • Adapting to Change: Gain insights on staying flexible and adapting to market changes.

 

Disclaimer:

Trading in the financial markets involves a substantial risk of loss. All content produced by Better System Trader is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute trading or investment advice.

 

Jan 3, 2024
In this episode, our guest is breakout trading specialist and Hedge Fund manager Tomas “Mr Breakouts” Nesnidal. In our discussion Tomas shares the 3 biggest lessons from his start in discretionary chart trading up to breakout trading mastery, plus some interesting stories along the way (like the trading tips he learnt from a CIA agent!) Packed with practical tips, eye-opening insights and interesting stories, this is a must-listen for anyone looking to up their trading game. Tomas's story is one you don't want to miss. Key Points: Transition from Discretionary to Algorithmic Trading The Role of Lifestyle in Trading Choices Exploring Breakout Trading Strategies Incorporating Robustness Testing in Trading The Importance of Exit Strategies over Entries Developing a Successful Trading Model Influence of Mentors in Trading Development And Much More. Disclaimer: Trading in the financial markets involves a substantial risk of loss. All content produced by Better System Trader is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute trading or investment advice.
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