Billionaire trader John Arnold retires at 38

[jem]

Quote from Martinghoul:

Please stop the bullsh1t politics in this thread, gents (or ladies?). Politics belong in the other forum.

Furthermore, anyone with a shred of common sense would know that most really wealthy people in the US (with a few notable exceptions) make sure to donate and support both political parties. That's just a matter of prudent risk management on their part.

it is ironic that you felt compelled to reply to the "politics" as you were admonishing us. Is it really politics when you are making a systemic comment. Is it far different than noting Arnold may have been shut down by politics? Exchanges change position limits. Govts regulate changes. If you find an edge there will be politicians trying to shut it down. Probably because they were purchased by your competitors.

Unfortunately, as much as I tried to stay away govt has gotten so large that almost everything is politics.

 

[Maverick74]

Quote from jem:

it is ironic that you felt compelled to reply to the "politics" as you were admonishing us. Is it really politics when you are making a systemic comment. Is it far different than noting Arnold may have been shut down by politics? Exchanges change position limits. Govts regulate changes. If you find an edge there will be politicians trying to shut it down. Probably because they were purchased by your competitors.

Unfortunately, as much as I tried to stay away govt has gotten so large that almost everything is politics.

Here's the more interesting question. In the past there has been a pattern of guys that make billions exploiting an edge and then retiring and then becoming a mouth piece in Washington for shutting that edge down. The same old story usually involves the billionaire who suddenly sees the errors of his ways and calls for more regulations in the very industry he just got done exploiting.

I'll be very interested to see if Arnold follows this same path.

 

[Swan Noir]

It always amazes me that people can look at the very rich and not understand that they spend a fair amount of time, energy and money being hedged politically. Even some of the fairly rabid ones keep an open avenue to the opposition.

They all know what class they are in and that ultimately there are always some common interests. To think otherwise is quite naive.

Quote from Martinghoul:

Please stop the bullsh1t politics in this thread, gents (or ladies?). Politics belong in the other forum.

Furthermore, anyone with a shred of common sense would know that most really wealthy people in the US (with a few notable exceptions) make sure to donate and support both political parties. That's just a matter of prudent risk management on their part.

 

[ammo]

Quote from Maverick74:

You can't compare Goldman to John Arnold. John Arnold was not making markets in structured products. He was taking huge bets with mostly standardized contracts. Absolutely no comparison. Zero.

no comparison,you're right ,i was refering to the changes since 08,possibly his reason for retirement

 

[syswizard]

John Arnold was not making markets in structured products. He was taking huge bets with mostly standardized contracts.

EXACTLY. He was likely HUGELY SHORT Natty gas futures. Just look at the charts. It was a once-in-a-lifetime move....not unlike John Paulson's CDO trade.

 

[bone]

Quote from Scataphagos:

He's an Odumbo supporter. Negates everything good he ever did...

If you pay Republican administration tax rates, you can afford to be an Obama supporter !

IMO, the really thin Energy OTC markets precipitated this move more than anything.

 

[Scataphagos]

Quote from bone:

If you pay Republican administration tax rates, you can afford to be an Obama supporter !

Wasn't talking about his tax rates or what he could "afford".

By being an Odumbo supporter, he favored/supported policies which are bad for America.

 

[failed_trad3r]

Quote from bone:

If you pay Republican administration tax rates, you can afford to be an Obama supporter !

IMO, the really thin Energy OTC markets precipitated this move more than anything.

Anybody who voted for reagan, bush, clinton or odumbo in the last 30 years is a socialist keynesian.

 

[Brass]

Yeah, that's all well and good. But the important thing is that he's a lot richer than you guys are, he's a lot smarter, and he's an Obama supporter. Your attempts at spin just generate toasty hot air.

 

[Maverick74]

Quote from Brass:

Yeah, that's all well and good. But the important thing is that he's a lot richer than you guys are, he's a lot smarter, and he's an Obama supporter. Your attempts at spin just generate toasty hot air.

Brass, why do you insist on commenting on his politics? As Martin said, I highly doubt Arnold is either a republican or democrat. Same for PTJ, Steve Cohen, etc. Most people get behind who they think will win. And they generally are not ideologues.