The Trader's SIG



Here is a sampling from previous meetings.


Apr 2008

Statistics for Traders

A brief introduction into basic statistics for traders. Don't let the topic scare you. This is not a mind-numbing, textbook-type treatise on the subject, but more of a common-sense guide to the more useful aspects.

Presented by: Bill Rhinehart



Mar 2008

Trading in Volatile Markets

Open session to discuss what's working (and not working) for you while trading in these volatile markets. Come prepared to share an idea or two or, if you're the quiet type, come simply to learn from and ask questions of others.

Moderated by: Bill Rhinehart



Feb 2008

Mobile Trading

From dial up via modem to electronic trading via smartphone with QuoTrek and VT Mobile Trading, now you can trade any place any time. It's certainly convenient but equipment is expensive and service is not cheap. We'll show you our BlackBerry tethered to our portable PC or connected directly to e-signal via wireless internet. Come to the meeting and tell us how you are using i-mode technology to let you do whatever else wherever else while you're trading.

Presented By: Alan and Kim Herd



Jan 2008

Commodities for Stock Traders

A look at commodity-based exchange-traded funds.

Presented By: Bill Rhinehart



Dec 2007

No meeting in December



Nov 2007

Psychology in Trading

Interactive presentation on the psychology invloved in successful trading.

Moderated By: Douglas Roberts



Oct 2007

Microeconomics and Chart Patterns

How classical economic theory creates price patterns.

Presented By: Curtis McKallip Jr.



Sep 2007

Book Reports

Bring your favorite trading book (or two) and be ready to share with the group what makes it a "must read" for traders.

Moderated By: Bill Rhinehart



Aug 2007

Gauging Market Risk - Revisited

A revisit of a simple technique for gauging stock market risk.

Presented By: Bill Rhinehart



Jul 2007

Trading and Profiting with Candlesticks

Presented By: Vishu Gupta



Jun 2007

Update on technical analysis with volume and candles

There is a strong correlation between price and volume in candles, moving averages and various indicators. Volume signals the beginnings and ends of trends in price. It also affects how well indicators and candles predict movement in price. When it's low, they work poorly. When it's high, at least you know something's going to happen. We'll show you how we use volume, candles and indicators to predict price movement in futures markets and how they could be used to predict price movement in equity markets.

Presented By: Kim and Alan Herd



May 2007

Trading Starter Set

A look at a couple of simple trading setups, with entry, exit, and money management techniques.

Presented By: Bill Rhinehart



Apr 2007

Trading stocks using the Industry Bell Curve and fundamental analysis

An exploration of tools at the Investors Intelligence website such as the US Industry Bell Curve, Buy-Sell Climaxes, and Insider Selling along with some actual trades.

Presented By: Curtis McKallip, Jr.



Mar 2007

Trading in (or near) Retirement

Open session on trading (and investing) in retirement. Everyone is invited to share what works (and what doesn't) when trading in or near retirement. Bring your questions, concerns, joys, fears, and mistakes to share with the group.

Moderated By: Alan and Kim Herd



Feb 2007

Handy Stock Research Helper and Open Session on Options

First, we'll look at a handy helper page for stock research. Next, we'll go into a follow-up open session for folks to ask questions on options and option-based strategies.

Presented and Moderated By: Bill Rhinehart



Jan 2007

Classical Covered Call Writing

A discussion of covered call writing for the beginner.

Presented By: John Kopecki



Dec 2006

No meeting in December



Nov 2006

Intraday signals to complete end-of-day setups

Many traders submit orders as stops or limits to ensure the market is moving the way they want before they enter or exit. Since floor traders and brokers know what everyone will probably do, submitting orders according to support and resistance levels or pivot points puts you into the same trading situation as thousands of other speculators - vulnerable to being caught up with everybody else when "the locals run the stops." Using an hour or two of intraday data to see what the market is going to do BEFORE submitting orders provides some security against your orders being swept up by the locals. We'll show you why and how we are using intraday data to complete our EOD setups.

Presented By: Alan and Kim Herd



Oct 2006

Gauging Market Risk - Part Two

In a previous talk we discussed gauging market risk and adjusting your trading accordingly. We'll discuss another, slightly more complicated, method for those wanting more.

Presented By: Bill Rhinehart



Sep 2006

Trading News Events in Technology Stocks

Highlights of research done in 2005 and earlier on what kind of news contributes to lasting moves in technology stocks.

Presented By: Curtis McKallip



Aug 2006

Software; How do I get that little squiggly line?

An open discussion on trading software, specifically charting and trade management tools. This will be an opportunity to find out what software is available and what real users have thought of it.

Moderated By: Bill Rhinehart



Jul 2006

A time for offense - A time for defense

We will discuss one simple method for determining when to be aggressive, or conservative, with your stock trading.

Presented By: Bill Rhinehart



Jun 2006

Brokers; The good, the bad, and the...

An open discussion by the group to discuss our likes, dislikes, needs, and wants with current and/or prospective brokers. A great time to ask questions and learn more about the many brokers out there, whether you trade stocks, options, futures, or forex.

Moderated By: Bill Rhinehart


May 2006

Stops Before You Start

When you enter a trade you should know where, when, and why you'll exit. We'll sort out the types of market orders you can use to trade and the rules you can use to set protective stops. We'll include charts, tables and figures on take-home CD's. As always, reports of your own experiences will guide our discussion.

Presented By: Alan and Kim Herd


Apr 2006

Understanding, Accepting, and Managing Risk

A look at the risk involved in trading, along with practical methods for keeping the risk in check.

Presented By: Bill Rhinehart


Mar 2006

What's the Future in Futures? How to Buy when hedgers Sell.

Futures markets allow traders (currency, cash, commodity markets) to hedge their financial risk. Because fewer than half of all contracts result in delivery of cash or some commodity, speculators also can trade futures. Hedgers are the "smart money" in any market and we will tell you how we predict what trades they are most likely to make. Week-by-week, we analyze current market data, predict market movement and check results prospectively. We will also describe costs (margin accounts and commissions) and potential profits as a percent of margins day-by-day and week-by-week. Everyone at the meeting will receive a CD-ROM with files of charts, tables and text.

Presented By: Alan and Kim Herd


Feb 2006

Selling Covered Calls - The Basics

A synopsis on selling covered calls, with the advantages, disadvantages, and a few hints thrown in.

Presented By: Bill Rhinehart


Jan 2006

A model for the selection of quality equity trading candidates

In a nutshell, the presentation presents a three stage approach to trading where one, 1) identifies and builds a portfolio of quality equity for the trader or investor, 2) identifies current reversals within the portfolio of quality equity identified earlier, and 3) identifies points of entry and exit for the trade or investment.

Presented By: John Kopecki


Dec 2005

No meeting in December

We do not meet in December due to the holidays.


Nov 2005

Options for the Uninformed

A look at basic option strategies to enhance returns, reduce risk, and let you sleep at night.

Presented By: Bill Rhinehart


Oct 2005

Predicting Daily Price from Volume and Price for Stocks and Futures

Technical analyses of stocks and futures show interactions between volume and price foretelling direction and slope in daily price. Linear regressions of volume and price behave as leading indicators you can use to predict whether trends in price are likely to continue or are just about to reverse.

Presented By: Alan and Kim Herd


Sep 2005

Meeting Cancelled due to Hurricane Rita


Aug 2005

Newsletters and Subscriptions and Web Sites, Oh My!

Please bring your stock or futures newsletters, subscriptions, services, web sites, etc. to the meeting to share with the group

Presented By: Group


July 2005

The Ten "DON'Ts" of Investing & Trading

Presented By: Bill Rhinehart


June 2005

Strategies for Choosing Biotech Securities

A webcast about emerging technology in medicine and biotechnology, and what you might want to consider when including biotech in your investment portfolio.

Hosted By: Steve Villemez


May 2005

How options are used to generate income, protect your assets and grow your assets.

Presented By: Vishnu Gupta


April 2005

Picking Trades in S&P100 Stocks Using Candles and Volume

Presented By: Alan and Kim Herd


March 2005

MACD.. and No, it's not the new combo meal at the Golden Arches

Presented By: Bill Rhinehart


February 2005

Building Value and Equity in Traders' SIG and HAL-PC

A presentation and discussion on building value in our SIG to provide incentives for members' participation.

Presented By: Alan and Kim Herd


January 2005

ADX/DMI Directional Movement Indicator

Presented By: Sid Kotha