Hey traders,
If you’ve been trading for a while, you know the drill — the news, economic data, and reports are all over the place. One day, a report says everything’s on the up and up, and the next, they’re calling for a recession. It’s enough to make your head spin.
Now, I’ve been at this a long time, and one thing I’ve learned is this: sometimes, more information is too much information.
We live in a world where economic reports and opinions come at us faster than ever, but does that really help us make better trades?
Here’s why I believe in sticking to the simple stuff.
Every week there’s a new set of data telling us where the economy’s headed — CPI, PPI, jobs reports, manufacturing numbers, you name it.
It’s easy to think all these numbers will give us a crystal-clear picture of what’s next. But in reality, they hardly ever give us a straight answer.
Think about it: one week, the jobs report shows a surge, and everyone’s screaming, “Recovery!”
The next week, inflation data comes out higher than expected, and now it’s “Recession’s coming!”
To tell the truth, t’s like riding a rollercoaster — and if you’re hanging on every twist and turn, you’re going to get dizzy.
Keep It Simple: Focus on the Trend
Instead of trying to guess where the market’s going based on every economic report, I like to focus on what the market itself is showing me.
And for that, I keep an eye on something like the SPY — the S&P 500 ETF.
When the SPY is moving up, it’s telling us there’s strength in the market.
When it’s in a clear trend, I know there’s a strong chance it’ll keep going that way.
Trends have a tendency to persist — not because of economic data, but because of how the market actually behaves.
Don’t Get Caught Chasing Data
Look, I’m not saying economic reports don’t matter. But if you’re constantly shifting your strategy to align with each new piece of data, you’re chasing your own tail.
Big traders, the ones who move the market, aren’t making trades based on last week’s data; they’re looking at long-term trends and fundamentals.
Sticking with a clear, simple chart can keep you grounded.
You don’t need to know every number in the latest report to make a smart trade.
Sometimes, the best move you can make is to ignore the noise and let the chart do the talking.
The Bottom Line
The next time you see the headlines shouting about inflation or the latest jobs report, take a step back.
Instead of scrambling to interpret every new stat, ask yourself this: What is the market itself telling me?
By focusing on the trend, you can avoid a lot of unnecessary stress and make more consistent trades.
Keep it simple, stick to the trend, and let the data fights happen without you.
Trade well,
Jack Carter
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