Frequently Asked Questions - Investor Education

Welcome to our investor education classroom. We know there are many FAQs listed as this section is growing all the time. We aim through our Market Lab Reports and our Investor Education sections to help all investors empower themselves, so they can perform at optimal levels.

Some of our members keep pace with the growing list of FAQs as new ones are added. Others use keyword search phrases. We have noticed that some of the more popular keyword search phrases are 'leveraged etfs degrade', 'sell stops', 'risk management', and 'TVIX'.

Subscribe to our FAQs RSS feed and keep up to date with FAQ entries as they are published.

Entries in each category are ordered with the most recently modified entry at the top.

Dr K Market Direction Model

Dec 03 2012

I did a brief calculation of the MDM performance over the past 10 years (16% annual return) and the last 35 years (30% annual return). That's a pretty significant difference. Is there anything in particular that explains this difference?

Nov 26 2012

MDM had a buy signal. I bought a 3x ETF. The ETF moved higher but now has moved back to my original buy price. At what point should I have exited if at all?

Nov 15 2012

You place importance on back testing. What in your opinion is the proper way to back test a trading idea?

Aug 26 2012

What are the strengths of the model?

Aug 26 2012

How can I use this site to boost my returns since we are living in such challenging times?

Aug 26 2012

Should I expect returns similar to those achieved by the model?

Aug 26 2012

Will the MDM ever change to a buy signal without a follow through day? What about sell signals from a confluence of distribution days?

Aug 08 2012

I got "whipsawed" lately trying your market calls since the model (understandably) could not handle the short-term fluctuations. What % moves are required for MDM to work well?

Jul 11 2012

When there is a buy or sell signal on the MDM, do you position size based on where you have to set your stop-loss on the trade or do you commit a fixed percentage of your account on every trade..

Jun 12 2012

How has high frequency trading affected the interpretation of price/volume action?

May 03 2012

Some market timing sites show huge returns. What should I watch out for?

May 02 2012

It has been few days since you updated your Market Direction Model. Is it showing a sell signal after the last few distribution days. If not, can you elaborate how far are we to seeing a sell signal.

May 02 2012

Why is your model still on a buy signal since I thought buy signals are neutralized during the trading day once the NASDAQ trades below the closing price the day before the gap-up buy signal day.

May 01 2012

Why short a normal leveraged ETF instead of just buying an inverse leveraged ETF?

Apr 27 2012

Please walk me through the basics on how to use the Market Direction Model in my trading.

Apr 12 2012

For Dr. K's Market Direction service, when you recommend a specific ETF to buy, does that buy recommendation come with a stop loss as well?

Mar 13 2012

I am new at this and was curious what 1x, 2x, and 3x ETF code means? Do you also recommend buying all the ETFs or merely picking one from each group?

Jan 20 2012

Is your model discretionary in any way? Do you only adhere to the market direction model rules in your book?

Dec 23 2011

I was curious as to the reason why your Model would switch to a buy today and IBD's Big Picture did not go back to Confirmed Uptrend? What is the benefit of your model over IBD's model?

Dec 21 2011

The Big Picture column in Investor's Business Daily is on a buy signal, yet MDM is still on sell. Please comment.

Dec 21 2011

How is it that your MDM is a sell whereas you have stocks to buy in your PPR?

Nov 29 2011

You often speak about the MDM as if it's some robotic, non emotional thing that makes it's decision based on x,y,z factors.

Nov 29 2011

How has Dr K MDM systematic model done against some of the best timing sites on the internet?

Nov 03 2011

I was looking over the history of the MDM. It seems the model has given nearly twice as many signals in the last 12 months compared to most other periods.

Nov 01 2011

I prefer to wait for a trending market to use the Market Direction Model. Rebalancing/decay works to one's advantage in trending markets.

Oct 07 2011

What if I am only able to act on signals at the open of the following trading day?

Oct 05 2011

The model just switched from a sell to a buy signal. If I were to switch into cash rather than go long and the market took off to the long side, would I ever get another buy signal?

Sep 23 2011

You write "using TYH with NO leverage" but isn't TYH a leveraged ETF?

Sep 19 2011

I just joined. The suggested ETFs are trading higher today than where they were originally recommended. Should I buy an ETF now or wait until the next signal change to act?

Sep 19 2011

I was late buying an ETF when the model switched signals. Now that the price of the ETF is back to where it was, can I buy now?

Sep 14 2011

How are you calculating your returns in the tables in the results section?

Sep 13 2011

How do I handle my ETFs on buy or sell signals issued by the model?

Sep 12 2011

I am having a bit of difficulty understanding the Market Timing Results as published on your website.

Sep 02 2011

Your model tracks price/volume action of leading stocks. How do you define a leading stock?

Sep 01 2011

The model went from a buy to a cash signal, then from a cash to a sell signal all on August 31, 2011. Yet August 31 was not a distribution day. Please explain.

Aug 31 2011

What intraday volume sources do you use for NASDAQ Composite and S&P 500 indices? What if it is not clear whether volume will be higher than the prior day's volume near the close of the trading da

Aug 28 2011

Your Market Timing Results page it states "(as of May 31) +46.8% [general trading using all services including the market timing service]". Can explain how you are getting the +46.8%.

Aug 25 2011

How many failed follow through days did we get in the 2010 'flash crash' May-Aug ?

Aug 25 2011

The last signal I received was "Neutral" but when I logged in the signal was Cash. Is there a difference?

Aug 24 2011

What if I miss the neutral signal because it came just a few minutes prior to the close?

Aug 21 2011

I am confused about your references to stop losses of 7-8% with your direction model.

Aug 07 2011

On decay factors, when do leveraged ETFs underperform and when do they outperform? To remove the bias, it seems better to short a normal leveraged ETF instead of just buying an inverse leveraged ETF.

May 11 2011

What do you recommend for stop loss limits on 3x index ETFs like TZA. Typical 8% or do you need to give it more room?

May 09 2011

What are typical drawdowns I can experience in a 3-times ETF?

May 09 2011

Can you let us know when the model is close to switching signals? Can you also recommend position size when it does switch?

May 06 2011

What do you mean by inverse ETF?

May 06 2011

How do you determine the model's fail-safe?

Apr 14 2011

I'm a new subscriber. On your Market Direction Model service, you recommended four ETFs. What is the suggested buy price?

Mar 24 2011

Various ETFs

Mar 15 2011

I am wondering if the MDM can be used effectively in an IRA or 401k by just taking the long signals only?

Mar 07 2011

This choppy news driven market not ideal for trading but at least you warned us to expect that during whipsaws. In this type of environment do you find it better to be more focused on ETFS or stocks?

Mar 07 2011

I've noticed that the TQQQ performance (103%) dwarfs many of the high octane stocks: ARUN (72%), ARMH (72%), NFLX (54%), PCLN (52%), BIDU (47%) since 9/1/10.

Feb 02 2011

What are the long term returns of your model if you used a 3x ETF that approximates 3-times the NASDAQ Composite?

Feb 01 2011

Recently, it seems the model made most of its gains on its buy signals since 2009, and most of its gains on its sell signals in 2008. Why not ignore the sell signals during bull markets?

Jan 24 2011

The model has an enviable track record as measured by its performance using US stock exchanges. What about foreign stock exchanges?

Jan 24 2011

What I would like to know is what to do with our pocket pivot positions when market direction changes to cash. Based on your portfolio management, I’m thinking we should at least scale back some.

Jan 20 2011

On a change in signal, is it more accurate to use opening price to make the calculation?

Jan 17 2011

Why don't you show results for the discretionary portion of your model?

Jan 17 2011

Should I use the systematic or discretionary portion of the model in my own trading?

Jan 13 2011

I mainly have only enough time for the MDM. In general it looks like the MDM has its own safeguards with really the only bad year in 2007 where it underperformed-do you have any insights on that year?

Jan 13 2011

Why do some of the signals occur on Saturdays?

Jan 12 2011

Is investing in one ETF enough, or is more ok? I do have a small account. Are there additional buying opportunities in an ETF, and would you tell us in updated reports?

Dec 06 2010

On your results page, you show -3.12 for 11/16/10 which was a sell signal, then a blank for 12/1/10 when your model went to cash. Please explain.

Dec 06 2010

Does your MDM model also indicate a switch for the emerging markets, or just the USA?

Nov 19 2010

If you get to full margin quickly, when your model goes to sell do you sell all your positions or do you focus on your seven week rule, the 10 and the 50 day averages?

Nov 19 2010

You mentioned in recent emails that part of the switching process is contextual. If this is the case, how did you come up with your backdated results?

Nov 19 2010

When the model siwtches signals, do I buy the 3-times etfs? And if a neutral pick happens, do I sell them?

Nov 18 2010

What do you mean by fail-safe?

Nov 18 2010

Why do you suggest shorting S&P500 ETFs, not NASDAQ ETFs, even though your MDM signals are flashed by the behavior of NASDAQ index, not by S&P500 Index.

Nov 17 2010

Does this market MDM neutral or sell signal mean that any ETFs bought from your original buy signal should now be sold?

Nov 16 2010

The ETF is thinly traded. Should I be concerned?

Nov 16 2010

Why did you not include TYH in your recently suggested ETFs since you use it as a 3-times proxy for the NASDAQ Composite?

Oct 31 2010

Is your model applicable to ETFs that track foreign exchanges?

Oct 31 2010

I am interested in knowing more about the MDM service. What knowledge do I need to possess and how much time is necessary to achieve positive returns?

Oct 15 2010

Based on your macro comments in prior reports, do you think ETF123/stock xyz is a good investment?

Sep 30 2010

When the Timing Model signals a buy or a sell, do you automatically buy or sell stocks?

Sep 24 2010

My question pertains to add points on the ETF's.

Sep 15 2010

Do you trade the market timing model just for ETFs, or do you also use it for stocks?

Sep 15 2010

One of the most important but often neglected parts of CANSLIM is the M, the need to time the market. You have created your own market timing model. Can you describe it and how it differs?

Sep 14 2010

Regarding distribution days, I was wondering if your model takes into account the "zone of relevant action", when counting Dist. days. ie. when the NASDAQ moves up 5% from a dist. day....

Sep 14 2010

Should I consider tighter stops on my stocks when a sell signal is issued by the model?

Sep 06 2010

Dr K's MDM and the relation to the current trend

Sep 03 2010

When your model signals a buy or sell, should I invest in a 3x ETF or a 1x ETF?

Aug 31 2010

For the leveraged ETFs, I have read over the past year that these are tricky to use over the long term since they reset daily and have some tracking problems.

Aug 30 2010

Are you still recommending TZA based on your Market Timing Model having a sell signal?

Aug 25 2010

The latest Market Direction Model Report is dated 5 days ago, is this because there has been no change in the signal?

Aug 25 2010

How do you feel about using calls and puts on the QQQ's if not able to buy double or triple inverse ETF's?

Aug 25 2010

During your studies, when is the best time to enter your direction model and the best time to exit?

Aug 25 2010

Do you plan to send emails to advise us that you have posted a new update?

Aug 25 2010

Can you please help me clarify the Market Directional Model signals?

Jul 09 2010

Where did the name The Virtue of Selfish Investing come from?

Jun 22 2010

Why has the Dr K MDM systematic model done so much better over the long 35 year time frame from 1974 to 2009 compared to the last few years?

Jun 22 2010

How can I know that your rules that guide your model will continue to work?

Jun 22 2010

Is the systematic portion of your market direction model a black box in that it is computer programmable?

Jun 21 2010

What are the weaknesses of the model?

Dr K UVXY Model

Nov 13 2012

Why is UVXY model also on sell if Market Direction Model (MDM) is on sell since the two models move inversely to each other?

Sep 14 2012

Good call on the latest signal issued by the UVXY model. It looks as if the additional fine-tuning is paying off. Is the model still in beta?

Jul 02 2012

UVXY model in beta - Any progress?

Jul 02 2012

With the VIX trading higher today, why is the TVIX down over 10% so far on the day?

May 14 2012

Considering the UVXY model has a greater than intraday time frame (on order of days or weeks), where do you set the failsafe stop for the UVXY model?

Sep 23 2011

Amazing theoretical performance on TVIX, but how have your actual portfolios performed in 2011?

Pocket Pivot Review / Buyable Gap Ups

May 13 2013

What is the 6-day sell rule for BGUs?

Jan 30 2013

Should I buy a buyable gap up at the open or wait until later in the trading day? What about buying in subsequent days on pullbacks?

Oct 29 2012

The pocket pivots are not working as well as they should. I feel like they are thrown out willy nilly regardless of current market conditions.

Oct 17 2012

How far up can I buy a stock after it is recommended? What if Market Direction Model is on a sell?

Sep 05 2012

I just would like to know if you see your continuation pocket pivot concept as a low risk add point comparable to other entry points.

Aug 27 2012

Important note on PPR (Pocket Pivot Review) and BGU (Buyable Gap Ups) - Please read

Aug 27 2012

Selling- do you tell us when to sell stocks?

Jul 09 2012

Q: Why was AKRX continuation pocket pivot not email alerted before, in May for example?

Apr 12 2012

Could you please elaborate on why you issued a pocket pivot on the following stocks (see below):

Apr 12 2012

Why was FNSR were not emailed out at the time earlier pocket pivots triggered?

Apr 12 2012

When applying the 7 week rule, do you start counting the weeks only after the stock has broken out of a base, or is it from the first time it closes above the moving average?

Apr 12 2012

Why recommend pocket pivots in stocks in a particular group today when you then tomorrow decide that the whole group is behaving poorly?

Apr 12 2012

What is your view on holding a stock purchased on a pocket pivot signal through an earnings report?

Apr 12 2012

Question on buying pocket pivots the day after it is recommended, either because you missed it or because the report was sent out after the close.

Apr 11 2012

Question on violation of the 10-day moving average

Apr 11 2012

I'm finding it difficult to hold onto a pocket pivot stock if it doesn't move higher for a few days after I buy it. So then I sell it, but then it starts to move higher. Any suggestions?

Apr 11 2012

If an initial position is established earlier with the expectation of a pocket pivot point, but later find out that the volume is insufficient, do I close the position right away?

Apr 11 2012

Where exactly is the pocket pivot point on a stock? How does this compare to the pivot point in base breakouts?

Apr 11 2012

Are there any differences in using the pocket pivot buy signals on ETFs versus stocks? Is this applicable at all here?

Apr 11 2012

If a stock undercuts the low of the pocket pivot day, is this a possible short?

Apr 11 2012

What do you advise for use as a stop loss guide for buying pocket pivots?

Apr 11 2012

Why are some stocks that issue pocket pivots or gap ups more difficult to handle than others that issue the same?

Apr 11 2012

Just yesterday I read that it was not time to exit your inverse ETFs. Now this morning's e-mail from Gil indicates he's buying stocks. Please explain.

Apr 11 2012

How have Pocket Pivots performed in 2011, a year that could never really catch a trend.

Apr 04 2012

How do you determine if a stock gapping up is buyable? If it is buyable, how do you time your entry?

Mar 13 2012

With so many pocket pivots in a strong market, how do you find the best ones, or do you buy them all?

Mar 13 2012

On page 160 of your 18,000% Disciple book, it states that pocket pivot points that begin their move from a point that is above the 10-day moving average can in most cases be considered as "extended"

Jan 31 2012

Under which scenarios would the 7 week clock be reset for a stock? Would it be reset on each Continuation Pocket Pivot or buy-able Gap-Up?

Jan 31 2012

Can you discuss how you would handle stock XYZ?

Oct 25 2011

I've been an investor for many years and a subscriber to IBD but never heard of the pocket pivot. What is it?

Jul 28 2011

What if a stock closes in the lower half of its trading range on a pocket pivot day?

Jun 21 2011

How did you backtest the pocket pivot trading strategy?

Apr 29 2011

The recent pocket pivot occurred out of no base, thus I didn't buy. Where exactly was the buy point?

Jan 18 2011

Guys I bought REDF at 4.00 before I read the book. Stock is exploding and looking for advice on how to handle the position.

Dec 08 2010

My question is on "double pocket pivots", that is to say multiple pocket pivots on a particular stock in a period of just a few days.

Nov 01 2010

Does the pocket pivot have to close near the top of its trading range to be a valid pocket pivot?

Oct 31 2010

Could you briefly explain, for the sake of education, if there is a significant difference in the gap up of FFIV and the gap up of LVS (as of October 28, 2010)?

Oct 25 2010

Of the pocket pivot emails issued after the close, what is the assumption in terms of entry? Would we enter the next day on the open?

Oct 23 2010

Stocks that undercut the low of the gap up

Oct 21 2010

If you buy a stock on a gap up day and the low of the day is greater than 7-8% from where you bought it, do you still set your stop at the gap up day's low?

Oct 13 2010

The stock is up from where you recommended it. Is it still worth entering a starting position or am I too late?

Oct 03 2010

How do you set your sell stops?

Sep 30 2010

RVBD had a follow on pocket pivot on 9/28/2010. I bought it that day. What is the best stop loss for this position i.e. 10dma, 50dma or some other numbers?

Sep 23 2010

If today's volume in a stock exceeds the previous 10 days and the price of the stock closes above the 10 day today, would this stock be considered a valid continuation Pocket Pivot?

Sep 22 2010

After you buy a pocket pivot, how much time do you give it before selling that position because it is not moving?

Sep 18 2010

Some of the pocket pivot reports show anticipation of a pocket pivot confirmation. What are guidelines when this technique may be more appropriate than waiting for the pocket pivot to be confirmed?

Sep 15 2010

What is the success rate of pocket pivots?

Sep 12 2010

Ten Rules for Pocket Pivots

Sep 06 2010

Pocket pivots not meeting the volume criteria

Aug 25 2010

What do you use intra-day to evaluate when to go short?

Aug 18 2010

Do you routinely go long stocks like PCLN when Dr. K's model suggests the market is in a downtrend?

Short-Sale Set Ups

Oct 14 2011

How do you set your stops when shorting stocks?

Jun 17 2011

For your style on short sale stops - if 50 day is 92.15 do you cover at 92.16 or give it 1% above the 50 DMA?

Jun 17 2011

How do you decide to go in very heavy (up to 400% intraday) when shorting?

Mar 10 2011

What is a voodoo day as it relates to short selling?

Mar 10 2011

I was catching up with the Friday Webinar and want to know if the volatile Chinese stocks you were mentioning could be used for short sell practice. I noticed they go way down fast.

Mar 10 2011

I just listened to the webinar, and I wanted to confirm that in layering you are willing to average up when putting on a short position.

Oct 23 2010

You have put out a number of short-sale set up reports. Does this mean you are becoming bearish on the market?

Portfolio Management and Miscellaneous

Aug 28 2012

Q: Would it not be better if you mentioned the intention to buy stock XYZ slightly before rather than after placing said trade yourselves, even after hours?

Aug 27 2012

Would your Pocket Pivot Review and Buyable Gap Ups reports alert me to the strongest stocks?

Aug 27 2012

Important note on BGU (Buyable Gap Ups) and PPR (Pocket Pivot Review) - Please read

Aug 26 2012

Should I buy or sell stock/ETF XYZ here? What do you think of stock/ETF XYZ?

Apr 04 2012

Does the fact that Stochastics for the general market (eg. SPY and QQQQ) are approaching oversold concern you?

Apr 04 2012

How do you divide the amount you use for each stock or ETF allocation and subsequently add to each of these positions? Do you have an example so as to not get too heavily weighted in one position ?

Apr 04 2012

Dr K. states, initial purchase, 25% of trading account and he likes 12 - 18 positions (15-25% of account in each and adds to with 2nd/3rd/4th purchase). Can you explain in more detail these numbers.

Apr 04 2012

Question on 3:1 risk/reward ratios and price targets

Apr 04 2012

I am puzzled by the lagging performance in VMW, FFIV, UTHR, BIDU, NFLX and CRM while the market is up almost 200 points! Could this hint that the market is losing its upside momentum?

Apr 04 2012

Have you found any evidence that stocks, which are highlighted in IBD's top 50, are targeted by algo systems that can, for example, force out many retail traders by selling a stock down 8%?

Apr 29 2011

How do you decide to sell your positions?

Nov 15 2010

What I find difficult to understand is how often you actually hold for a violation of the 50 day.

Nov 05 2010

A question on selling

Oct 23 2010

Can you provide some post-earnings comment on stocks XYZ, 123, both which are showing significant volume in connection with big moves, and one which you had commented on earlier.

Oct 21 2010

You buy 1 unit of a stock. It doubles and then you're stopped out. Within a few days an attractive pocket pivot is flashed, do you buy 2 units back into the stock or do you reset back to one unit?

Oct 19 2010

What if a stock you own gaps down?

Oct 18 2010

When you say you sold a stock because it is lagging, does that mean you expect it to go up but not as quickly as others?

Oct 13 2010

If you have many high quality buyable stocks in a good market, which factors do you focus on most in deciding which stocks to buy? Earnings, projecting earnings, IBD ratings, group strength?

Oct 11 2010

Do you factor rumors and other news into your decision making process?

Oct 11 2010

I don't understand why you would look for a stock like DRYS. While it is a liquid stock, what prompted you to look in the sub $15 range especially if price reflects quality merchandise.

Oct 06 2010

Why did you make a decision to short CRM today using a concentrated position, but didn't select CTXS or VMW for example.

Oct 05 2010

My stock did not move higher with the strong market today. Should I sell it or be concerned?

Oct 04 2010

What about using the 20-day moving average (20dma) as a selling guide?

Oct 03 2010

Do you hold or still hold a position in stock XYZ or ETF 123?

Oct 03 2010

Our general take on how to sell, in brief form.

Oct 03 2010

Stop placement

Sep 21 2010

My question is in relation to the O'Neil rules of selling at 20-25% profit from a breakout buy point.

Sep 08 2010

Do you think it may be time to add to stock XYZ or ETF 123?

Sep 06 2010

I realize you wait for the fundamentals and technicals to converge to take a position, but do you ever slowly build positions in "themes" like rare earth metals or thorium?

Market Lab Report

Jan 25 2013

Where do you get your data for institutional sponsorship?

Jan 10 2013

Q: You said that US debt was closer to $70 trillion compared to the $15 trillion figure that is out on the news. Please explain.

Oct 24 2012

UPDATE ON UVXY MODEL and Q&A: I find this highly unusual and almost unprecedented. Why is the market moving higher while the RS line of the IBD 85-85 index moving lower?

Jul 25 2012

Could you please give me an idea of how often open windows seem to occur? Do you find them on both the downside and upside?

Jul 25 2012

I'm aware of people always saying that trading systems will cease to work.

May 14 2012

I did not sell my ETFs when the model (either Market Direction Model or UVXY model) switched signals.

May 01 2012

Do "railroad tracks" have the same effect on a daily chart as a weekly chart?

Mar 13 2012

Please explain whether I should be concerned if the stock gaps down after it announces a secondary stock offering.

Mar 13 2012

Please discuss wedging price/volume action.

Jan 23 2012

Please discuss your selling strategy "Seven Week Rule" which captures gains in a stock without giving back too much profit

Sep 07 2011

Most of the market changes seem to happen during pre/post market trading hours. How can one protect (stop loss) during those hours? Why is there pre and post market trading anyways?

Jul 29 2011

What is ERG and GPR rank?

Jul 03 2011

How do you handle tricky IPOs that are leaders in their space but not forming a proper base?

Jun 21 2011

2011 has been [June 21, 2011 as of this writing] the most frustrating market ever in my 10+ years of trading. When will things get easier?

Jun 03 2011

Price/volume seems deceptive in 2011, and leading stocks that hold strong fundamentals often sell off hard when the major averages reverse even a couple percent.

May 18 2011

What kind of bounce would be weak enough to short into given the choppy market action as of late? What about the fed's divide in terms of how to slow quantitative easing 2?

May 17 2011

I am still experiencing a major problem with my trading, and it happens to be one of the cardinal sins - not letting my winners ride.

May 14 2011

You say that I should use stop loss orders with the pocket pivots. Is this also valid for the ETFs?

Apr 29 2011

Could you share some of the trading disciplines you use in managing your holdings heading into a company's earning announcement?

Apr 29 2011

Could you provide some thoughts on how you would hedge against the continued downtrend of the USD$?

Apr 24 2011

If Ben Bernanke announces that QE2 is the last of the easing policies for now, will there be a negative market reaction?

Apr 07 2011

Can you both address how you plan in advance how to exit your trades? What happens when money rolls out of most or all of your positions at once?

Apr 05 2011

Covel's trend following traders favor mechanical black box over your overall method. Can you comment?

Mar 17 2011

Since the September 2010 move I have been able to keep my drawdown to 10% or so. I have made very little progress since Dec 15 or so.

Mar 15 2011

The market is too volatile so I will sign up for your service when things calm down.

Mar 02 2011

Do you use simple or exponential moving averages or a mixture of the two. I would just like to know what you are referring to when it comes to stop placement etc.

Feb 10 2011

My question is regarding stock selection and stock price. Do you ever consider a stock too expensive?

Jan 24 2011

From the sounds of your emails, you think there may be serious issues with the cloud computing sector based on FFIV (as of January 2011). What is the best strategy when a leading group gets his hard?

Jan 24 2011

If I use options as a stock substitute, How should I calculate the 7-8% stop loss rule? A movement of 7-8% on an option usually doesn't mean much.

Jan 24 2011

As a new/novice investor, I would like to better understand the basics of how QE2 works, how it affects market direction, and how it skews/affects the use of CANSLIM principles.

Jan 22 2011

Do you use seasonality at all?

Jan 05 2011

Even though stock 'XYZ' bounced strongly, you think it won’t simply repeat the same price action of a couple of weeks ago and head lower?

Jan 01 2011

What is the difference between a trailing stop and a tight stop?

Nov 10 2010

I use stop loss orders because I cannot constantly monitor my stocks' prices. How common is it for market makers to drop a stock's price in order to shake out stop-loss orders?

Oct 31 2010

I'm a real newbie. Can you provide some constructive suggestions on trading my account?

Oct 31 2010

This new stock is going to be huge. You might want to track it.

Oct 27 2010

It appears to me that stock XYZ could be setting up for a 4th stage base or consolidation, am I wrong?

Oct 17 2010

Do you use any indicators beyond moving averages such as volume-price indicators (OBV or Accumulation / Distribution) and any oscillators such as RSI or Stochastics?

Oct 17 2010

Was the candlestick pattern on the NASDAQ on 10/15/10 a hangman? If so should we care? As you might have inferred I know just enough about candlestick charting to be dangerous!

Oct 13 2010

How do you determine the base count stage of a stock?

Oct 03 2010

How to Make Money in Stocks says to look for stocks with more than 30% but less than 60% institutional ownership. What are your views?

Oct 03 2010

What are the best ways to identify the "Big Stocks" like BIDU and AAPL and the most important groups which institutions are pouring their money into such as, "Cloud Computing"?

Oct 03 2010

You said, " O'Neil doesnt trade CANSLIM. CANSLIM is for retail investors." What exactly did you mean by this? Please elaborate.

Oct 03 2010

What is your view on mechanical or black box trading? Is it something you are doing?

Oct 03 2010

What are some things that a trader can start doing now to improve?

Oct 03 2010

How do you identify "windows of opportunity" in the general market?

Sep 08 2010

What are your feelings of sell on Rosh Hashanah and buy on Yom Kippur? Market could pull back from here for a retest based on this. Therefore, what would you look for to turn negative short run?

General Questions

Sep 21 2012

Can I receive reports such as market direction model signal changes on my phone?

Aug 27 2012

I do well as an investor and am able to find the right buy points in stocks. What does your service provide that may be of use to my trading?

Aug 27 2012

I am a novice and have little time to follow the market. What would you recommend I do with respect to all your services?

Aug 27 2012

I am just curious how big money one can manage using your system.

Aug 26 2012

It seems some of the paid services have no time delay. What am I getting that non-members aren't?

Aug 26 2012

I am interested in subscribing. How can I see old reports so I better understand how the services work?

Jun 02 2012

Please tell me about your upcoming book, slated for Wiley's fall 2012 line-up.

Apr 29 2012

How do you find these picks? Do you have some kind of volume alert on the IBD 100 or are you continuously looking at charts? What's the secret?

Mar 29 2012

I am subscribed to your Real Time Reports. I am not sure what i am supposed to be receiving. Please explain?

Feb 21 2012

Do you have an audited real-time track record?

Oct 04 2011

Do Gil and Dr K contribute equally to all parts of the site?

Sep 06 2011

How does a new member begin to follow the market timing and stock reports, "in the middle?" If you have already said buy X or short Y, does one wait until the next update?

Aug 01 2011

Is there evidence whether or not your signals (or advisories) cause reactions in the markets of the ETFs or stocks involved?

Jun 17 2011

I receive the Market Lab Reports and Newsletters but have not received the email updates on stocks and ETFs that are indicated. Please adivse.

Jun 16 2011

When you put out a report, do you take a position in the stock?

Apr 22 2011

How exactly do you find the stocks you end up buying? What exactly makes you buy them?

Apr 15 2011

On your pricing...

Apr 02 2011

TOP TIPS FOR PERSONAL OPTIMIZATION- excerpt from our next book "Trade Your DNA"

Mar 21 2011

Thank you for sharing your NY trip with us on the blog. Pictures of places and situations the rest of us will never experience. Very nice!

Mar 15 2011

WEBINARS: Can non-members view webinars after you give them?

Mar 09 2011

This market environment is so difficult. Can you give some advice on how to stay grounded?

Feb 16 2011

Did you start out being pretty calm about huge drawdowns (being a natural) or did you get better about it as you become a better trader?

Jan 31 2011

How would one go about acquiring the skills and level of trading as yourself and Dr. K? Do you have any training or reading material that you can recommend besides the reading list of Dr. K?

Jan 25 2011

Does virtue of selfish investing offer any summer internships or training programs?

Jan 20 2011

Do you listen to any radio shows like Gary K., or read IBD daily updates on the market? Perhaps just in case you think you may have missed something small that can make a difference?

Jan 01 2011

May i obtain a subscription either by phone or by regular mail?

Dec 30 2010

I am curious to know what thought process gave you the confidence to give out such details knowing fully well that they may become useless for both you and your readers once they are in public domain.

Dec 30 2010

What tools/books/courses/seminars would you recommend to become a profitable intraday trader?

Oct 17 2010

Do you show your daily trades as well as your open trades?

Oct 11 2010

In order to reduce my list of stocks that make it through the screen, which of the IBD ratings would you increase in order to reduce the list of passing stock to something manageable?

Oct 09 2010

Is there a list of the stocks you are long?

Sep 26 2010

Won't the very success of your site/book/interviews road shows etc . detract from ensuring the extreme focus you speak of as necessary/and affect the future results?

Sep 16 2010

Why make this service available to others? Arent you concerned that it might make your strategies less useful to you? What are your goals in delivering this service?

Sep 06 2010

What if I cant watch my stocks during the day to take advantage of the real-time email updates?

Sep 01 2010

What are the differences between Virtue of Selfish Investing and Gilmo Report?