Jesse Livermore is an icon in the world of stock trading. While trading his account, he made more than$100 million dollars during the 1929 stock market crash. That equates to a billion dollars or more in today's currency, depending on which index you use, and he wasn't a hedge fund, nor was he trading other people's money.
Key Takeaways
- Jesse Livermore made more than$100 million dollars during the 1929 stock market crash. He had five main trading rules.
- His rules were: only buy strong stocks in a bull market and short, weak stocks in a bear market; and if you don't have a trade setup, don't trade.
- The other rules were: trade with stop-loss orders, and know what that level is before you take a trade; don't average down, and don't follow too many stocks.
A Quick Biography
Jesse Livermore was born in 1877, and even though technology has changed a lot since his time, his bookHow to Trade in Stocks, and the book which chronicles his early trading career (his name is changed in the book) Reminiscences of a Stock of Operator by Edwin Lefèvre, still offer a ton of valuable insight to traders.
Jesse Livermore ultimately became a swing trader and longer-term trader, but he started as a day trader, and this is where he made his first fortunes. The following five tips were offered by Jesse and day traders can surely use them. This trading advice may be almost 100 years old, but it's as relevant as the day it was conceived.
The 5 Trading Lessons
Only Buy Strong Stocks in a Bull Market and Only Short, Weak Stocks in a Bear Market
Bull and bear markets happen when stock prices are rising or falling overall, respectively. Stocks, as a whole or market, are represented by a major index, such as the S&P 500 in the U.S. Therefore, when this index is in an uptrend, focuson taking long trades in the stocks which are strongest. When the index is in a downtrend, focus on taking short trades in stocks that are the weakest.
See Also
Bill Gates Birthday, Real Name, Age, Weight, Height, Family, Facts, Contact Details, Wife, Children, Bio & MoreYou shouldn't be making these trades arbitrarily; they need to be based on a sound tradingstrategy. The above helps you figure out which stocks to trade.
If You Don't Have a Trade Setup, Don't Trade
Developing a strategy and a trading plan takes time and work, but once in place, all you need to do is follow it. If the market isn't providing trade setups based on your trading plan, then you shouldn't trade.
Trade With Stop Loss Orders, and Know What That Level Is Before You Take a Trade
Any trade could be a loser, no matter how good it looks at the outset. Always use a stop loss order, and make sure that it gets you out of the trade if the stock drops to your stop loss price level. Successful day traders don't waffle about when they should exit. They know when, where, and how they're going to get out before they even place the trade.
Don't Average Down
Averaging down is when you add money to a losing a position. If you already have a full position (the maximum size position your trading plan allows) then adding to that position when it's losing money is a significant lapse in discipline. Averaging down can deplete your capital very quickly, especially if done multiple times, as the price keeps going against you.
"I have warned against averaging losses. That is a most common practice.
Great numbers of people will buy a stock, let us say at 50, and two or three days later if they can buy it at 47 they are seized with the urge to average down by buying another hundred shares, making a price of 48.5 on all.
Having bought at 50 and being concerned over a three-point loss on a hundred shares, what rhyme or reason is there in adding another hundred shares and having the worry double when the price hits 44?"
Don't Follow Too Many Stocks
Don't dilute your focus and efforts by following too many stocks. Instead, focus on trading the strongest stocks in a bull market andthe weakest stocks in a bear market. It limits the number of stocks you trade to a handful. Any more than that, and it becomes hard to track them all and trade them adequately. The more stocks being watched, the more likely it is you'll miss the important moves you're waiting for.
Trading Successfully
Jesse Livermore was an extremely successful trader, but he also experienced the downside by losing and regaining his large fortune several times. He blamed his losses on just two things he had overlooked:
- He had not fully formulated his trading rules
- He did not follow his rules
These two problems still likely cause traders to incur losses today, as they always have. Livermore was a big proponent of developing a trading system and making sure to stick to it when trading.
FAQs
While Jesse did not trade ranges, he did trade breakouts from ranging markets. He used a similar strategy as above, entering on a new high or low but using a buffer to reduce the likelihood of false breakouts. Price patterns, combined with volume analysis, were also used to determine if the trade would be kept open.
What was Jesse Livermore's famous quote? ›
Never sell a stock because it seems high-priced. I become a buyer as soon as a stock makes a new high on its movement after having had a normal reaction. Never average losses. The human side of every person is the greatest enemy of the average investor or speculator.
How did Jesse Livermore manipulate the market? ›
At the bucket shop, Livermore would place a trade on a stock that he knew was only thinly traded on the NYSE. He would then trade the shares on the NYSE to move the actual stock price substantially in the required direction. The new price would come through to the bucket shop and Livermore would collect his profits.
How did Jesse Livermore make his wealth? ›
At the age of 16, he quit his job, began trading full-time, and from 1893 to 1894, Livermore, nicknamed by fellow traders "The Boy Plunger". From 1895–1897, age 18–20, he accumulated $10,000 trading profits, a one thousand per cent net return in three years of trading.
What is the livermores pivotal point theory? ›
Livermore's strategy revolved around what he termed the “pivotal point.” He observed that stocks often exhibited significant price movements when they reached certain critical levels. By identifying these pivotal points, Livermore was able to time his trades to capitalize on these large directional moves.
Who is the best day trader ever? ›
Jesse Lauriston Livermore (July 26, 1877 – November 28, 1940) was an American stock trader. He is considered a pioneer of day trading and was the basis for the main character of Reminiscences of a Stock Operator, a best-selling book by Edwin Lefèvre.
Why is Jesse so important? ›
Jesse is important in Judaism because he was the father of the most famous King of Israel. He is important in Christianity, in part because he is in the Old Testament and mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus.
What does Jesse always say? ›
A lot of Jesse's famous quotes come with the word “B****,” including the line “Yo Gatorade me, b****.” This line comes in the middle of the series after Jesse is recruited by Walt to help him cook meth for Gus Fring.
What was Jesse known for? ›
In the Old Testament, the father of King David. Jesse was the son of Ohed, and the grandson of Boaz and Ruth. He was a farmer and sheep breeder in Bethlehem. David was the youngest of Jesse's 8 sons.
Who is the best trader in the world? ›
Top 10 best forex traders in the world 2024
- George Soros. Known as the "Man Who Broke the Bank of England," George Soros is a Hungarian-born American billionaire investor and philanthropist. ...
- Stanley Druckenmiller. ...
- Bill Gross. ...
- Ray Dalio. ...
- Carl Icahn. ...
- John Templeton. ...
- Warren Buffett. ...
- Charlie Munger.
Market expert Ramesh Damani named George Mathew Fernandes as the father of the Indian stock market, acknowledging his significant contributions to shaping the country's financial landscape. George Mathew Fernandes, a prominent trade unionist and socialist, played a crucial role in shaping India's industrial policy.
Who was the most important trader? ›
The Banjaras were the most important trader nomads. Their caravan was called tanda. Sultan Alauddin Khalji used the Banjaras to transport grain to the city markets. Emperor Jahangir wrote in his memoirs that the Banjaras carried grain on their bullocks from different areas and sold it in towns.
What was Jesse Livermore's strategy? ›
Livermore advised investors to buy on a rising market and sell on a down one. Livermore maintained that leading stocks would be the first to break a trading range and reach top prices. Livermore recommended that investors should draw out half of every profit made and set it aside as a reserve.
Why is Jesse Livermore famous? ›
Jesse Livermore (1877-1940) was an American trader who over his long and renowned career traded both bull and bear markets including the panic of 1907 and crash of 1929. He is most famous today for being the object of the best-selling Reminiscences of a Stock Operator written by Edwin Lefevre in 1923.
Is there a movie about Jesse Livermore? ›
The American Clock (TV Movie 1993) - Tony Roberts as Jesse Livermore - IMDb.
What was the old method of trading? ›
In ancient times, trade began as a barter system in which people exchanged one object for another. Prehistoric humans traded animal skins or services for food. Over time, coins and currencies began to emerge. Some primitive societies used shells or pearls as currency.
What is the gann theory? ›
The Gann theory states that the price of an asset changes with an angle. Price changes are related to different geometrical figures, thus helping predict future movements. One can draw angles on a price chart to determine the support and resistance levels with this theory.
What is Larry Williams trading method? ›
Larry Williams' approach to trading integrates technical analysis with insights into fundamental factors and market cycles, targeting exacting trade setups. His comprehensive strategy emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and flexibility in order to stay current with fluctuations in the market.
Who was the most powerful trader? ›
Top 10 Greatest Traders of All Time
- George Soros. George Soros, aka "the man who broke the Bank of England," was born a Jew in Hungary in 1930, survived the Holocaust, and fled the country then. ...
- Jesse Livermore. ...
- William Delbert Gann. ...
- Paul Tudor Jones. ...
- Jim Rogers. ...
- Richard Dennis. ...
- John Paulson. ...
- Steven Cohen.