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JFK Files, Market Manipulation, and Trading Lessons: What You Need to Know

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Written by Timothy Sykes

The long-awaited JFK files have finally been released, and while history buffs are diving deep into the documents, I’m reflecting on the big-picture lessons of this kind of news dump.

No bombshells have been uncovered (yet) … But the JFK files phenomenon ties into something every trader should understand—the power of anticipation, speculation, and market psychology.

If you’re a trader looking to understand news-driven momentum, here’s how the JFK files release connects to market trends, trading opportunities, and avoiding the herd mentality.

1. The Power of Speculation and Anticipation

Before the release, speculation was rampant. Would the files contain new revelations about CIA involvement? A second shooter? Traders can relate—speculation fuels pre-earnings plays, hot sector runs, and meme stock spikes.

👉 Trading Takeaway: The real move often happens before the news drops. “Buy the rumor, sell the news” is a classic strategy because once the news is out, the hype fades. Look at how stocks tied to major catalysts often run up before earnings or big events—then collapse when the actual news drops.

Traders who understand how speculation drives price action can position themselves ahead of the crowd.

2. Government Transparency and Market Manipulation

One of the biggest questions surrounding the JFK files is: What’s still hidden? Conspiracy theories thrive when people suspect key information is being withheld. Sound familiar?

Markets aren’t so different. Short reports, hedge fund moves, and hidden institutional plays all create an environment where retail traders feel like they’re being left in the dark.

👉 Trading Takeaway: Watch for manipulation in stocks, just like historians watch for gaps in the historical record.

More Breaking News

The best traders aren’t caught off guard. They know how to read between the lines, track volume, and use Level 2 data to see real buying and selling pressure.

3. The “Nothing Burger” Effect: What Happens When News Disappoints

Many traders were expecting something shocking from the JFK files, but so far… no major bombshells. That’s a classic “sell the news” moment.

👉 Trading Takeaway: You don’t need to look further than NVDA’s recent earnings release. The stock crushed earnings… but it still wasn’t enough to turn the tide on the bigger-picture catalyst affecting the market. Without an appropriate frame of reference, NVDA stock might have looked like a buy.

Final Thoughts: Trade Like a Historian

Historians will spend years analyzing these JFK files, piecing together the bigger picture. That’s exactly how great traders approach the market.

  • They study patterns and past events—history doesn’t repeat, but it rhymes.
  • They stay skeptical of hype and speculation (knowing the real move often happens early).
  • They look for hidden clues in price action and volume…

This is a market tailor-made for traders who are prepared. Momentum stocks thrive on volatility, but it’s up to you to capitalize on it. Stick to your plan, manage your risk, and don’t let FOMO drive your decisions.

These opportunities are fast and unpredictable, but with the right strategy, you can make them work for you.

If you want to know what I’m looking for—check out my free webinar here!

What’s your take? Are you trading news-driven plays, or are you sticking to technical setups? Let me know in the comments!



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* Results are not typical and will vary from person to person. Making money trading stocks takes time, dedication, and hard work. There are inherent risks involved with investing in the stock market, including the loss of your investment. Past performance in the market is not indicative of future results. Any investment is at your own risk. See Terms of Service here

The available research on day trading suggests that most active traders lose money. Fees and overtrading are major contributors to these losses.

A 2000 study called “Trading is Hazardous to Your Wealth: The Common Stock Investment Performance of Individual Investors” evaluated 66,465 U.S. households that held stocks from 1991 to 1996. The households that traded most averaged an 11.4% annual return during a period where the overall market gained 17.9%. These lower returns were attributed to overconfidence.

A 2014 paper (revised 2019) titled “Learning Fast or Slow?” analyzed the complete transaction history of the Taiwan Stock Exchange between 1992 and 2006. It looked at the ongoing performance of day traders in this sample, and found that 97% of day traders can expect to lose money from trading, and more than 90% of all day trading volume can be traced to investors who predictably lose money. Additionally, it tied the behavior of gamblers and drivers who get more speeding tickets to overtrading, and cited studies showing that legalized gambling has an inverse effect on trading volume.

A 2019 research study (revised 2020) called “Day Trading for a Living?” observed 19,646 Brazilian futures contract traders who started day trading from 2013 to 2015, and recorded two years of their trading activity. The study authors found that 97% of traders with more than 300 days actively trading lost money, and only 1.1% earned more than the Brazilian minimum wage ($16 USD per day). They hypothesized that the greater returns shown in previous studies did not differentiate between frequent day traders and those who traded rarely, and that more frequent trading activity decreases the chance of profitability.

These studies show the wide variance of the available data on day trading profitability. One thing that seems clear from the research is that most day traders lose money .

Millionaire Media 66 W Flagler St. Ste. 900 Miami, FL 33130 United States (888) 878-3621 This is for information purposes only as Millionaire Media LLC nor Timothy Sykes is registered as a securities broker-dealer or an investment adviser. No information herein is intended as securities brokerage, investment, tax, accounting or legal advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to sell or buy, or as an endorsement, recommendation or sponsorship of any company, security or fund. Millionaire Media LLC and Timothy Sykes cannot and does not assess, verify or guarantee the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any information, the suitability or profitability of any particular investment, or the potential value of any investment or informational source. The reader bears responsibility for his/her own investment research and decisions, should seek the advice of a qualified securities professional before making any investment, and investigate and fully understand any and all risks before investing. Millionaire Media LLC and Timothy Sykes in no way warrants the solvency, financial condition, or investment advisability of any of the securities mentioned in communications or websites. In addition, Millionaire Media LLC and Timothy Sykes accepts no liability whatsoever for any direct or consequential loss arising from any use of this information. This information is not intended to be used as the sole basis of any investment decision, nor should it be construed as advice designed to meet the investment needs of any particular investor. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future returns.

Citations for Disclaimer

Barber, Brad M. and Odean, Terrance, Trading is Hazardous to Your Wealth: The Common Stock Investment Performance of Individual Investors. Available at SSRN: “Day Trading for a Living?”

Barber, Brad M. and Lee, Yi-Tsung and Liu, Yu-Jane and Odean, Terrance and Zhang, Ke, Learning Fast or Slow? (May 28, 2019). Forthcoming: Review of Asset Pricing Studies, Available at SSRN: “https://ssrn.com/abstract=2535636”

Chague, Fernando and De-Losso, Rodrigo and Giovannetti, Bruno, Day Trading for a Living? (June 11, 2020). Available at SSRN: “https://ssrn.com/abstract=3423101”