Trade Like a Pro (In Good Times and Bad)

Ever wonder how some people seem to be able to make money in the market no matter what? Why some people are successful enough where they can trade for a living?

For some, it seems like a dream, akin to fantasizing about being in the movies or winning the lotto. But for others, it's not a dream. It's what they do. And there are way more people doing it than there are famous actors or lottery winners.

What's interesting is that in most fields where people have reached a high level of success, you'll find that it doesn't necessarily take extraordinary smarts or some ultra-special talent to make it.

It's really just about doing things that have proven to work and then doing them over and over again.

The key is knowing what works. But you don't need to know everything that works. Just some things that work. (And at the same time, stop doing things that don't work.)

You Don't Have To Reinvent the Wheel

The Zacks Rank is one of the best rating systems out there. Over the last 28 years, Zacks Rank #1 stocks have shown an average annual return of more than 25% a year, beating the S&P 500 in 23 of the last 28 years. That means, annually, you're beating the market more than 82% of the time.

That's a spectacular track record. And that one item alone could help an investor transform his or her portfolio.

MORE . . .

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Free: Finding #1 Stocks

Today you can claim a copy of Finding #1 Stocks by Kevin Matras, a $49.95 value, free of charge. This 300-page hardbound book unfolds almost every stock-picking secret from the Zacks system that has nearly tripled the market with an average gain of +26% per year. These stellar returns were examined and attested by an independent accounting firm.

The book is yours for exploring the online Zacks Method for Trading: Home Study Course in your own home, on your own time. But your chance to get it free is good only until midnight Wednesday, May 11 or until copies run out (whichever comes first).

Get details right now >>

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Get Specific

Once you've decided to become a better trader, you need to define what that means. 'Making more money in the market' is a fine affirmation. But how much money are you trying to make each year? What percentage gain are you shooting for?

For example, if you decided to eat better, that's a great decision. But what does that mean? Before you go to the store, you'll need to decide what kinds of foods you'll buy more of, and what foods you'll buy less of.

If your goal is to lose weight, how many calories will you eat per day? Essentially, you'll be creating a meal plan to help you accomplish your goal. Without that, your decision to eat better is only a wish, rather than a real plan.

This is true for anything. And the same applies to trading.

If your goal is to make 15% a year (baby steps -- the Zacks Rank #1s average 25%), how will you do it? How much will you need to make each month to accomplish this goal?

If 15% a year is your goal, then you'll need to average 1.2% a month for a compounded return of 15%. If your goal is 20%, then you'll need 1.5% a month. For 25%, you'll need 1.9% a month.

Execution

Now you have to put that plan in motion.

From the list of roughly 220 Zacks #1 Rank stocks, you'll then select which ones are right for you.

Are you a Momentum trader or a Value investor? Are you interested in Aggressive Growth stocks or maybe Growth and Income combined?

As soon as you decide what type of trader/investor you are, it'll be easier to find the stocks you're looking for.

Think about the last car you bought. Once you decided what kind of car you wanted, you probably started seeing them everywhere. They didn't just magically appear. They were always there. You just became aware of them.

It's the same with stock picking. Once you know what you're looking for, they'll become easier to find.

This will keep you on track. As long as your stock picking is in alignment with your trading style and your goals, it will help you get into the right stocks, and keep you out of the wrong ones.

Something Extra

Of course, markets don't always go up.

A good trading system should help you outperform the market in both good times and bad.

But sometimes, there are special situations that can be best taken advantage of through the use of Exchange Traded Funds, options, and even shorting stocks.

The trader who is knowledgeable about these types of products, and how and when to use them, can take their trading to an even higher level when these opportunities present themselves (like now).

Trading Plan

Whatever your trading goals are, whether it's to trade for a living, or earning x% per year on your investments, the time to begin is now.

Put your trading plan together.

You don't need to be the next Warren Buffett to succeed. You just need to do a handful of things right. And the commitment to do them over and over again.

You can do it.

And we can help.

Where to Start

The express train to professional-caliber trading is our Zacks Method for Trading: Home Study Course.

With this fun, interactive online program, you can master the Zacks Rank without attending a single class or seminar. Do it online in your own home at your own pace. It covers the investment ideas I just shared and guides you to better trading step by step.

You'll quickly see how to get the most out of the system that has nearly tripled the market for more than a quarter century. Also discover how to

• Identify what kind of trader you are.
• Find stocks with the highest probability of success.
• Trade them so you can consistently beat the market regardless of where stock prices are headed.

The course also goes over some of our best-performing strategies from a variety of different trading styles, and it helps you create and test your own.

Today, in fact, is the perfect time to get in.

I'm giving participants free hardbound copies of my book, Finding #1 Stocks, a $49.95 value. Its 300 pages unfold virtually every insider secret I know about the stock-picking system that has nearly tripled the S&P 500 for more than a quarter century.

Please note: Copies of the book are limited and your opportunity to get one free ends midnight Wednesday, May 11. So if you're interested, be sure to check this out right now.

Find out more about the Zacks Home Study Course >>

Thanks and good trading,

Kevin

Zacks VP Kevin Matras is our chart patterns and stock screening expert. He developed many of Zacks' most powerful market-beating strategies and directs the Zacks Method for Trading: Home Study Course.

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