Jesse Livermore Jr Lessons from a Legendary Trader

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Jesse Livermore Jr was a legendary trader who learned valuable lessons from his father, Jesse Livermore Sr. His father's infamous losses in 1929 taught him a crucial lesson: that even the most seasoned traders can fall victim to market volatility.

One of the most important lessons Jesse Livermore Jr learned from his father was the importance of cutting losses quickly. He saw firsthand how his father's refusal to cut losses led to devastating consequences.

Jesse Livermore Jr's own trading career was marked by significant successes and failures. He was known to be a risk-taker, often doubling down on trades that were going against him. This approach ultimately led to his downfall.

Jesse Livermore Jr. Biography

Jesse Livermore Jr. was a stock trader and the son of Jesse Livermore, a famous stock trader and market speculator.

He was born in 1901 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Jesse Livermore Jr. learned the art of trading from his father, who was known for his bold and often reckless trading strategies.

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He began trading on his own in the 1920s and quickly gained a reputation for his skill and insight.

Jesse Livermore Jr.'s trading career was marked by both success and failure, and he was known to have made and lost fortunes throughout his life.

He was a strong advocate for the use of technical analysis in trading, which he learned from his father.

Jesse Livermore Jr. was also known for his interest in the occult and the supernatural, and he was a believer in the idea that the stock market was influenced by cosmic forces.

Trading and Market Analysis

Jesse Livermore's trading strategy was impressive, considering the lack of financial statistics and fundamental analyses available at the time. He bought and held during bull markets and sold when market momentum shifted, often using high degrees of leverage.

His first trade at 15 earned him $3.12, and by 16, he had quit his job at Paine Webber & Co. to trade on his own. Livermore's success was so consistent that he was eventually banned from Boston's bucket shops.

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Understanding Bear and Bull Markets

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Jesse Livermore, known as the "Bear of Wall Street", was a master trader who made and lost three fortunes between 1900 and 1940. He was known for his uncanny ability to buy and hold during bull markets and sell when market momentum shifted.

Livermore's strategy was impressive, considering that companies didn't publish financial statistics or conduct fundamental analyses back then. He made a profit of $3.12 in his first trade at the age of 15, which is a great example of how even small wins can add up over time.

Livermore's success was so notable that he was banned from Boston's bucket shops because of his consistent success. He then moved to New York City, where he continued to trade on his own.

One of Livermore's most famous trades was shorting Union Pacific stock in 1906, which netted him a $300,000 profit two days later after an earthquake struck San Francisco. This trade shows how Livermore was able to capitalize on unexpected events that affected the market.

Livermore's peak wealth would equate to $1.5 billion today, which is a staggering amount considering he traded freely and unregulated until the launch of the SEC in 1934.

The White House and Trading

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The White House has a significant impact on trading, as seen in the case of Jesse L. Livermore, who cornered the cotton market after World War I.

President Woodrow Wilson petitioned Livermore to sell his strong position in cotton to avoid harming the US economy.

This shows that even the highest levels of government can influence trading decisions.

Influences and Relationships

J.P. Morgan had a significant influence on Jesse Livermore's trading decisions. Morgan, a renowned banker, urged Livermore to close his short positions during the panic of 1907, which Livermore did.

This decision ultimately led to Livermore netting an additional $3 million on the market rebound. It's worth noting that Morgan's influence was likely a result of his concern for the country's economic stability.

Livermore's experience with Morgan highlights the importance of considering external factors when making trading decisions.

21 Règles de Trading

Jesse Livermore Jr. left behind a treasure trove of wisdom for traders, compiled in his book "How to Trade in Stocks". One of the most valuable parts of the book is the 21 rules of trading that Livermore shared. These rules are a must-read for anyone looking to improve their trading skills.

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Livermore's first rule is that nothing new ever happens on the stock market - the same emotions and psychological factors that drive market movements today are the same as they were in the past. This is a crucial lesson for traders, who often get caught up in the latest fads and trends.

Here are Livermore's 21 rules of trading, condensed into a list for easy reference:

  1. Rien de nouveau ne se produira jamais à la bourse : même si les technologies évoluent, les évènements se déroulant dans le marché restent le produit des émotions et de la psychologie des participants
  2. Il est impossible de gagner de l'argent de façon constante en spéculant tous les jours ou toutes les semaines de l'année
  3. Ne faites pas confiance à votre propre opinion et soutenez votre jugement jusqu'à ce que l'action du marché elle-même confirme votre opinion
  4. Les marchés ne se trompent jamais, les opinions se trompent souvent
  5. Le véritable argent gagné grâce à la spéculation provient d'engagements qui génèrent des bénéfices dès le départ
  6. Tant qu'une action se comporte bien et que le marché est favorable, ne vous précipitez pas pour prendre les bénéfices
  7. Il ne faut jamais transformer une opération spéculative (court terme) en investissement (long terme)
  8. L'argent perdu par la seule spéculation est minime comparé aux sommes gigantesques perdues par les soi-disant investisseurs qui ont laissé filer leurs investissements
  9. N'achetez jamais une action parce qu'elle a connu une forte baisse par rapport à son sommet précédent
  10. Ne vendez jamais une action parce que son prix semble élevé
  11. Je deviens acheteur dès qu'une action atteint un nouveau sommet sur son mouvement après une réaction normale
  12. Ne faites jamais la moyenne des pertes : après un achat, si la valeur baisse encore et encore, n'achetez pas progressivement pour faire baisser votre prix de revient mais vendez maintenant
  13. Le côté humain de chaque personne est le plus grand ennemi de l'investisseur ou du spéculateur moyen
  14. Les vœux pieux doivent être bannis : n'espérez pas qu'une action va atteindre un prix cible et vendez maintenant
  15. Les grands mouvements prennent du temps à se développer
  16. Il n'est pas bon d'être trop curieux de toutes les raisons qui se cachent derrière les mouvements de prix
  17. Il est beaucoup plus facile d'observer quelques actifs plutôt que de nombreux actifs
  18. Si vous ne parvenez pas à gagner de l'argent avec les principales valeurs actives, vous ne gagnerez pas d’argent avec le marché boursier dans son ensemble
  19. Les valeurs leaders d'aujourd’hui ne seront pas forcément les valeurs leaders dans deux ans
  20. Ne devenez pas complètement baissier ou haussier sur l'ensemble du marché parce qu'une action d'un groupe particulier a clairement inversé sa trajectoire par rapport à la tendance générale
  21. Peu de gens gagnent de l'argent avec des conseils. Méfiez-vous des informations privilégiées. S'il y avait de l'argent facile à récupérer, personne ne vous le mettrait de force dans la poche

These rules are a testament to Livermore's experience and wisdom as a trader, and can be applied by traders of all levels to improve their skills and avoid common pitfalls.

The Stock Trader

Jesse Livermore was known for his uncanny ability to make and lose fortunes in a single day. He made the most money in a single day and lost the most money in a single day, according to Tom Rubython's book Boy Plunger: The Man Who Sold America Short in 1929.

Between 1900 and 1940, Livermore made and lost three fortunes, a testament to his skill and risk-taking abilities. His strategy was to buy and hold during bull markets and sell when market momentum shifted.

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Livermore's first trade at the age of 15 earned him a profit of $3.12, which sparked his interest in trading. By age 16, he had quit his job at Paine Webber & Co. and began trading on his own.

Livermore's success led to him being banned from Boston's bucket shops, where he had been trading, due to his consistent success. He then moved to New York City to continue his trading career.

Frequently Asked Questions

How rich was Livermore?

Jesse Livermore amassed a fortune of $100 million during the 1929 stock market crash, equivalent to approximately $3 billion today. His remarkable wealth was a testament to his exceptional trading skills and financial acumen.

Did Jesse Livermore go to college?

Jesse Livermore did not attend college, starting his career at age 14 instead. This unconventional start would shape his path to becoming a Wall Street legend.

Virgil Wuckert

Senior Writer

Virgil Wuckert is a seasoned writer with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in insurance and construction, he brings a unique perspective to his writing, tackling complex topics with clarity and precision. His articles have covered a range of categories, including insurance adjuster and roof damage assessment, where he has demonstrated his ability to break down complex concepts into accessible language.

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