Trading Strategies

There are many reasons why some succeed at trading, while others badly fail. One of the biggest differences is in trade preparation, establishing proper targets, and being able to stay in the position. Having a sound trading plan and strategy can make the world of difference to any trader, no matter their experience level. Top professional traders share their expert trading strategies to help you become a more consistently profitable trader.

Articles on Trading Strategies

Like Tom Hanks’ character at the end of the movie Cast Away, the State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) is at a key fork in the road. Whether it takes the bullish or bearish path is critical.
It’s time for a damage assessment in markets. A battlefield analysis of major asset classes to see which ones the war is hurting the most – and what that might say about the future.
The 10-week exponential moving average (EMA) for the S&P 500 Index (^SPX) is starting to decline below the 21-week EMA, and any follow-through could turn into a major intermediate-term warning. The last bearish crossover was in March 2025 and, prior to that, just as the last bear market was getting started in February 2022, notes John Eade, president of Argus Research.
The markets campaign opened with strength but ended with attrition last week. The State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) declined 2%, reflecting pressure at the index level. The Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) fell 1.9%, while still holding relative leadership versus peers. Now, it’s put up or shut up time, writes Buff Dormeier, chief technical analyst at Kingsview Partners.
The S&P 500 Index (^SPX) fell to year-to-date lows last week. At 6624.70, the large-cap benchmark also broke below its 200-day moving average – the first break below that support level going back a year. If this selling persists, keep some key trading data points on your radar, writes Lucas Downey, co-founder of MoneyFlows.
The State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) is the only shelter that’s actually working. Utilities extended their remarkable 2026 run with the XLU/State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) ratio climbing another 11.3% over three months, explains Michael Gayed, editor of The Lead-Lag Report.
No, it’s not your imagination. EVERYTHING is more volatile in 2026 – it’s just a question of degree. And that means you have to adjust your trading strategies.
In this double-header episode of the MoneyShow MoneyMasters Podcast, we’re coming to you from the 2026 Money Show in Las Vegas – sitting down with two seasoned market experts to discuss investing and trading strategies for a shifting market environment.
Stocks finally got some relief from the oil markets on Monday, as WTI declined 4.6% to $94 per barrel and Brent dropped 2.6% to $100.50. One stock to consider trading is GE Vernova Inc. (GEV), a global leader in the electric power industry, observes John Eade, president of Argus Research.
We recently discussed the ongoing internal battle with the markets as “trapped longs” look for exit points. While the S&P 500 Index (^SPX) is under pressure, that headline number is masking something far more critical beneath the surface, cautions Lance Roberts, editor of the Bull Bear Report.

Experts on Trading Strategies


Virtual Expos

Virtual Learning

In today’s complex and volatile markets, a single line of defense is rarely sufficient to protect investor portfolios. This presentation introduces Tactical Allocation Models (TAM), a next-generation framework built on a multi-layered defense that dynamically adapts to shifting market conditions. You’ll explore how TAM integrates an adaptive Volume Factor risk overlay with defined outcome strategies—including floors and buffers—to address distinct phases of the market cycle and help mitigate downside risk and drawdowns. Beyond the mechanics, you’ll discover how this synergistic, goals-based approach aligns with behavioral finance insights, aiming to improve client outcomes by enhancing emotional resilience and reducing the likelihood of impulsive decisions. Attendees will leave with a tactical blueprint for constructing more resilient portfolios—and cultivating greater investor confidence. 

Kenny will demonstrate in this session how you can tell when it is time to cover your shorts if you are shorter and brave enough to go long when you cover—all by using VWAP. 

Falling realized and implied volatility levels have helped the market quickly recover from the Spring Tariff Tantrum. However, we observed similar price action in 2018 during the first trade war, followed by a period of significantly higher volatility levels, as economic data began to sour and tariffs started to take effect. We could consider a repeat, given that tariff levels today are significantly higher than they were in the past.

The summer rally is losing steam just as August and September—the market’s historically weakest months—come into view. With inflation pressures mounting, tariffs returning to the headlines, and political uncertainty rising, timing is everything. Join Jeff as he breaks down his critical NASDAQ Best 8 Months MACD Seasonal Sell Signal, what it means for your portfolio now, and how he's adapting to the shifting landscape of rates, politics, and seasonality. Don’t miss his top picks, defensive plays, and tactical ETF moves to ride out the late-summer volatility and position for a stronger Q4. 

John and Zoe will examine how to strategically create portfolios that deliver returns with reduced volatility. Traditional wisdom about buy and hold strategies fails to consider that many investors are not comfortable sitting through full market cycles, especially when drawdowns exceed 20%. Through an exploration of how to combine complementary strategies and respond tactically to market activity, John and Zoe will demonstrate some of the alternatives to a pure indexing approach. 

Policies dictate price—so the direction of the US dollar, yields, oil, and gold can be tied closely to macroeconomic policies and global events. Samantha LaDuc, founder of LaDucTrading.com, will discuss her macro-to-micro market calls across each critical asset class and how it impacts equity market returns moving forward.  

IBD’s MarketDiem newsletter gives you hand-picked trade ideas for stocks and options right in your inbox every weekday during market hours. Our team does the research, so you get smarter trading insights, timely market analysis, and even bite-size investing lessons––all in a quick 5-minute read. Subscribe today for $4.99 per month or just $20 for the entire year.

Whether you are interested in AI, robotaxis, air taxis, cyber security, cryptocurrency, gold/silver, or your favorite hot stock, there are ways to ensure that you are on the right side of the trade. What's your move when stocks are near their all-time high? At the same time, having the proper amount "safe" and knowing what is "safe" in a Debt World where paper losses abound is an essential part of our successful, time-proven strategy. We can do both! 

In this 30-minute session, discover how to turn both bull and bear markets into opportunities for massive growth, without shorting. You’ll learn a proven methodology that has been tested to grow your portfolio at up to 10 times the return of the S&P 500 over a 25-year test period. Learn to ignore the noise by mastering a versatile trading strategy based on rules and discipline. You’ll also learn precise, actionable insights on what to buy, when to buy, and when to secure profits, empowering you to navigate any market condition confidently. Get ready to transform market dips into wealth-building opportunities and outperform traditional investing with a game-changing system designed for consistent capital growth.

Conferences


In today’s uncertain and computer-driven market, lots of traders are making one critical mistake. They don’t know how to manage a trade once they are in it, so they hold and watch a winner become a loser. Learn how to line up a successful trade, set a realistic target, and know when a trade is not going to work out, so you can exit before incurring large losses.

Trading requires a disciplined approach and there are techniques you can learn to use now that can minimize your risk and increase your profits. The secret lies in knowing how consistently profitable traders find trades and manage them well from start to finish. Anyone can learn these trading strategies—all you need is a commitment to discover what works and the confidence to implement them. Whether you trade stocks, options, or futures, we’ve gathered the top experts here to show you specific tactics that can be used immediately to spot opportunities and trade them profitably.

Trading is a dynamic enterprise. If you aren’t improving your systems, strategies, and technology you may be losing ground. Our experts will keep you up to date on all the cutting-edge tools—as well as some that have stood the test of time—to keep you on the fast track to trading success.

Whether you're just starting out or a veteran trader looking for fresh ideas, or you are interested in learning day trading strategies, stock trading strategies, and everything in between, this section is made for you.Every article, video, or event is designed to bring you the latest intelligence available so that you can make better trading decisions, starting with your very next trade. Our experts will help you gain the edge you need to succeed in any market environment.