Comments on: Q & A

By: GlennC

GlennC — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:06:22 +0000

Why recommend mutual funds? Most of them are index funds in disguise anyways, while they charge too much for their lackluster performance. As well, studies show that most individual investors manage to underperform their mutual funds because they buy hot funds at a high price and sell low. The conflicts of interests and promotional effects of mutual funds might really hurt individual investors.

Easier yet to go with low-cost index funds. With little effort, an individual investor can outperform 90% of professional money managers out there. For people who don't have the time/inclination for the stock market, that might be a better idea?

By: GlennC

GlennC — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:06:00 +0000

Easier yet to go with low-cost index funds. With little effort, an individual investor can outperform 90% of professional money managers out there. For people who don’t have the time/inclination for the stock market, that might be a better idea?

By: timsykes

timsykes — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 03:14:42 +0000

I was using CarlinTrader, but they’ve seen been absorbed by RBC. Now I use and recommend Thinkorswim

By: timsykes

timsykes — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 03:12:12 +0000

I havent tried Zecco, I have tried Scottrade and I can tell you their borrows on potential shorts aren’t as good as Thinkorswim. I’m a short seller, I need shares to do my job!

By: David

David — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 01:59:38 +0000

Hi Tim,

I recall somewhere on the site that you criticized Scottrade while promoting the benefits of thinkorswim. What is it that you don’t like about them and does the criticism extend to other discount brokers such as Zecco?

Thanks.
David.

By the way, that drunken golf segment on WSW was awesome. I just graduated, so currently looking to work in the financial services industry and hopefully get some of that too.

By: Taylor

Taylor — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:58:01 +0000

Hey Tim,

What software and trading platform were you using on Wall Street Warriors?

Thanks
Taylor

By: Jimmy

Jimmy — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 02:05:09 +0000

Hi Tim,

I heard you interview through “Disciplined investor” Podcast. I guess you are the best stock picker. Awesome job. I just had a simple question. If you pick stock what’s the best way to save in transaction fees? say if you do 10 transaction a day its like loosing $100 day just in fees and What about capital gains and tax implications? Your insight is much appreciated. Best of luck with your new portfolio.

Thanks
Jimmy

By: timsykes

timsykes — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 20:29:17 +0000

I’m predominantly a short seller–because all these penny stock companies are total crap–but sometimes I buy into breakouts, it all depends on their chart pattern

By: ANNE

ANNE — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 18:44:40 +0000

ARE THE STOCKS THAT YOU ARE WATCHING ONES THAT YOU ARE LOOKING TO SHORT?

By: tim

tim — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 18:57:27 +0000

Minimum you need to trade with is a few thousand, commissions are negligible, especially if you start with a small account because you’ll have to ignore most trade setups and really only partake in the ones with maximum volatility/predictability (aka the ones I feature on this site 1-3/month). Software, it’s all about screening for the right charts, see this post:

http://www.test.timothysykes.com/2007/11/11/where-i-find-what-stocks-i-will-trade/

Hardware, I use a $3k laptop, but I overspent back when I was making the big bucks. All you need is an internet connection. Subscriptions, none, test.timothysykes.com, TheLion.com and Investorshub.com are all free. Trading platform, I love Thinkorswim, they have great executions, customer support, they’re cheap (not the cheapest, but when you get what you pay for, Scottrade users know what I mean, LOL) and also have great screening tools. Good luck!

Tim