Power Trading Radio - A Trader's Perspective On Investing In Stocks, Futures, Forex, Options Podcast

Today Tillie Allison hosted the show with professional trader and Online Trading Academy icon, Merlin Rothfeld. Merlin actually learned to trade stocks on an electronic trading floor in 1998. Merlin traded 500 trades per day but has evolved into a currency swing trader. Tillie and Merlin talk about the advantages of trading currencies including the cost basis, the rate of return, trading hours, and market correlations including US stocks and currencies. These advantages give traders an edge to trade global markets successfully.

Merlin Rothfeld and Tillie Allison take a look at some of the recent headlines including the JPMorgan fine for its handling of MBS, the value of Apple, and the extremely strong close of the equity markets. Tillie shares how she handles some of these headlines in her trading as well as sharing a few golden nuggets from her trading style. Tillie is in studio after being on the read teaching in New York, Kansas City and Connecticut.

Merlin Takes a look at the recent market activity including interesting inverse head & shoulders formation on the major indexes? Will there be a monster move to the upside, or a trap for the bulls? Later, Merlin answers some great listener question on proven money making strategies and scanning tools to find high probability trading opportunities. The big news? Another Gold Coin Winner!!!

Dr. Woodruff Johnson, author of “From Pain to Profit: Secrets of the Peak Performance Trader”, joins Merlin for a show dedicated to traders psychology and development. Dr. Woody and Merlin look at some of the key factors which prevent novice traders from setting and following rules. This is one of the major factors which leads to a traders downfall. Dr. Woody answers several listener questions with the hopes of helping them understand more clearly their personal issues and how to overcome them.

Trading Mentor Joann Farley joins Merlin to discuss how one should handle themselves when the markets exhibit higher than normal volatility or extreme announcements. Today was a good example of how novices were “Whipsawed” by the market while the Professionals established levels where they were going to go Long or Short depending on what the market did, not what the announcement was. Joann walks listeners through one of the trades, outlining the risk management involved, as well as how she teaches traders to use indicators as decision support tools.

In preparation for the end of the year, traders should be thinking about 2 firm deadlines: December 31st 2012, and April 15th 2013. These 2 dates represent definitive deadlines for the IRS and specific tax codes. Michael Atias of OTA Tax Pros (www.OTAtaxpros.com) , joins Merlin to help traders understand what they should be doing for both of these two deadlines. Michael also goes on to talk about the importance of Estate Planning for preservation of capital, added tax loopholes, and planning for the future. TaxMageddon is coming, are you ready?

Paul Buzby, Director of Economic Research at RCW Financial, joins the show to talk about the upcoming Fiscal Cliff. There are many changes that could arise if we do not reach some agreement with regards to the upcoming cuts! Paul explains some of the more important issues, as well as addressing the upcoming Debt Ceiling issue which will hit in February 2013. Paul and Merlin also discuss the common question of which is the better asset class: Gold ETF’s, Gold Bullion, or Gold Coins. Paul shares his vast knowledge on the subject to help guide investors toward the right investment, as well as several free resources at his website.

Special guest Mark Thornton, senior resident fellow at Ludwig von Mises Institute, shares his thoughts on the current market environment as well as what the impacts of Prohibition are to the economy. With many states pushing to legalize Marijuana, it appears that the pro’s outweigh the cons from an economic expansion perspective! Merlin takes a look at the current market issues and announces a new gold coin winner.

With the market uncertainty and looming fiscal cliff, many traders are looking for any added support for a bullish or bearish move. Diana presents some interesting points which may provide comfort to those seeking for a ray of light! Merlin and Diana talk about several aspects of the housing market including: Commercial and residential properties. Diana also talks about the new format for her online Real Estate class which starts in February 2013.

Having won “Trade of the Week” in Power Trading Nation, Steve Moses joins Merlin to talk about some of the factors that led to the trade, and how it ultimately panned out. The duo takes a look at couple different trading strategies which let you profit in sideways markets, just like Steve did with his Trade of the Week on Priceline. After a few questions about pricing options with Implied Volatility and Historical Volatility, focus turns to the fiscal cliff and the impacts it may have on the market.

Spending most of his day Trading and Mentoring other traders, Brandon Tristan takes some time out of his busy schedule to talk a little about what he is seeing in the markets at this time. Merlin and Brandon take a look at the Euro, Yen, and the Aussie on a variety of time frames. The duo also talks about what to do in preparation for storms or other events which may cause disruption to your trading.

Merlin kicks off the week by looking at many listener questions. From Bearish Engulfing formations to the demise of Intel, Merlin analyzes the charts to see where some of the key levels are and what the trades should be. The euro’s strength, the dollar’s weakness, provides some nice trade set ups in the EURUSD and the EURAUD. Knight Capital Group and Research in Motion also get some attention as Merlin discusses why he purchased these two floundering companies.

Jim Puplava and John O’Donnell trade arguments for either side of the bullish/bearish debate. Both make some very compelling arguments that may help you craft a more precise plan for these volatile and uncertain markets. Jim Puplava, Professional money manager, advocates a much more proactive approach to managing ones assets, and using commodities and options to hedge should the markets turn against them. John and Merlin continue the discussion with a final emphasis on 5 key components that every trader and investor should implement to help secure their financial future.

Live from Disneyland, the Happiest place on earth, Cory Lane joins Power Trading Radio to talk about the use of Options in ones long term investment accounts. This differs from the traditional “Leave it to Beaver” portfolio which goes unmanaged and is based primarily on age. A more proactive approach and market timing techniques can earn investors a better rate of return and help them attain their financial goals. Later, Cory and Merlin take a look at the impacts that the Fiscal Cliff may have on the markets as many will be selling winning trades to capitalize on preferential tax treatment.

Debbie Hague joins Merlin to talk about her “Almost finished” book titled “Trade like a Pirate: 67 Golden Nuggets to simplify your trading” This book is filled with stories and examples of situations which cause traders to lose money. Merlin and Debbi talk about some of these common pitfalls that almost all traders face, and what can be done to overcome them. Later, the duo take a look at the S&P 500 for a prognosis of the current market and potential trading opportunities.  

Merlin takes a look at several currency pairs for trading opportunities and offering some advice for current listener questions. Currencies include EURJPY, GBPUSD, USDJPY. Other topics include BBY (Best Buy), RGR (Ruger), SWHC (Smith & Wesson) and crude oil inventories. Merlin also talks about some of the common mistakes traders make that causes them to wind up as failed traders.

Having struggled for years to find her way as a trader, Joann Farley shares some of the important lessons that have helped her make it as a professional trader. It is this dedication and “Addiction” to helping others that has landed her the instrumental role of helping all the XLT environments work together to help students achieve their financial goals. Joann shares some interesting stories from the XLT room which really go to support the idea that everyone should have a solid trading plan in order to succeed!

After 3 years of steady declines, Jim Cramer recommended to the world to sell two securities which have dropped nearly 80%. This just goes to show everyone that many industry professionals have NO clue what they are doing. Merlin talks about “The Turtles”, a trading group founded on the principle that you can teach anyone to trade effectively if they have and follow fixed rules. With structured rules, like the ones taught at Online Trading Academy, traders can turn their back on the mainstream media and make educated, calculated decisions with their money. More importantly, traders and investors will know exactly what they are invested in and why! Every trader should have a plan that outlines all their rules and strategies to help them replicate success and achieve their dreams!

Michael Atias of OTA Tax Pros joins Merlin for a very important episode on the impacts of the Fiscal Cliff. He points out several things that individuals can do right now in preparation for the impending tax increases. Michael also goes on to outline what traders should be doing to prepare themselves for the end of the year. Stressing that with a little planning and direction, everyone can get better returns with less stress. Later in the show, Michael answers several listener questions regarding incorporating their trading business for added savings or maintaining a sole proprietorship. Merlin discusses the new class on traders taxation designed by OTA Tax Pros as a great way for traders to understand how their specific tax situation should be handled going forward.

Markets soared on Monday on the heels of a much weaker dollar and better than expected housing data. Merlin Rothfeld looks at several components fueling the rally including the all important Apple, which was up over 7% on the day. Focus turns to dividends as companies move up their dividend payment date to get around the fiscal cliff problems. What impacts does this have for your portfolio? Later, Melrin looks at scans and filters traders can run to get around looking at thousands of stocks each day to find trading opportunities. This evolves into a brief look at Candlestick formation and their usefulness from a traders perspective.