Quote from sappjason:
Maverick,
So, I've choosen my first NYSE listed stock to trade. For all the pros out there (if you want to take my money, while I'm trading this thing), I've choosen DDS. It was in the news and it's trading at around 28 per share with an average daily volume of about 839K. So, that looks like it fits your suggested criteria.
Now, after I picked this stock, it dawned on me that you mentioned to pick a stock in the news for a reason. However, before just blindly jumping into this substantial educational feat, I have to ask, why should I pick a stock in the news? Is it because news will attract attention to it for the day and hence, more traders will be in there duking it out? Or is because "the public" will be in there duking it out? What were your thoughts on this Maverick? Lastly, does the stock have to be in the news recently as I still haven't found a way to get the full day's T&S and I'm not going to trade until I find an easy way to do that. (Completenewbee, have you found an easy way to get this data?)
Anyway, I have a few more questions (if you don't mind). I want to only trade 2 to 3 shares at a time (rather than round lots), because, I figure during my 6 month to 1 year learning stint, I don't want to loose my A&*#*^&@#, but rather learn to read the tape, while still loosing money for several months and maybe never make money, if I can't put in the necessary time or don't have what it takes (in which case, I will hopefully just give it the hell up). So, with that said, is this 2-3 share limit a wise thing or should I (or do I need to) trade in 100 share lots? I fully realize that my fills will kind-a suck as I would be trading in odd lots and can't easily split the spread or take out the ask with a round lot "buy market order".
Lastly, why do I need to pick a different stock everyday? Does this have to do with focusing on a stock in the news or does this have to do with learning to trade different NYSE stocks?
On a more philisophical note, what will you do if the NYSE moves away from the specialist system and more towards the whole ECN approach? I'm guessing it's kind-of innevitable as technology advances. I do know that many NYSE stocks are also traded on some of the ECNs (such as Island and Archipelago). I guess my question here is: Do you think the ways of the ticker tape readers will be a thing of the past or once you learn this time tested skill, will it always be valuable?
Thanks again,
Jason