International markets traders banter

[sinner]

Quiet today. I kind of get the feeling price is jumping around looking for some volume.

[skc]

Whilst I am sure that your IT workspace is far more elaborate than my own, I would have thought that having replacement equipment prepped and on standby would have been a must for any day trader. Surely the proceeds of the one good day's trading that one could potentially miss out on (in the event of technological failure) would go a long way towards compensating for the cost of the duplicate computer equipment required, would it not?

It's less about missing a day's work. More importantly protection against failure when you have a full clip.

[Sam Collins]

Interesting that the SPI has come off around 0.80% from the US high last night, currently down around 0.50% from that point while the Emini has come off around 0.20%. Although the AUD rallied last night, guess this has some impact?

[MRC & Co]

^^^^^

Yep, SPI always weak when AUD rallies. Plus S&P never has as high beta to Asian indices during Asian timezone.

Protection against failure when you have a full clip is your stop order or phone broking generally. Never heard of anybody having 2 computers, 1 simply as a backup if the other fails (aside of course from insto who normally have many trading computers anyways).

[Trembling Hand]

Sorry to hear about your logistical mishap T/H.

Given your well earned reputation as a successful trader, I was a little surprised that you didn't have more comprehensive contingencies in place for technological mishaps (which whilst regrettable can be reasonably expected to occur to anyone whom relies on such technology on a continual basis).

Whilst I am sure that your IT workspace is far more elaborate than my own, I would have thought that having replacement equipment prepped and on standby would have been a must for any day trader. Surely the proceeds of the one good day's trading that one could potentially miss out on (in the event of technological failure) would go a long way towards compensating for the cost of the duplicate computer equipment required, would it not?

Na na na. I got plenty of redundancy. Three internet services, 2 desk tops fully loaded and ready to trade, plus a laptop always on and one in the cupboard, and a smart phone!!!!!

I think that's enough. It's just my main comp clapped out. Perfect excuse to go out and load up on a new latest fangdangled monster.

This baby is going to suck more power than the MCG light towers.

[Sam Collins]

^^^^^

Yep, SPI always weak when AUD rallies. Plus S&P never has as high beta to Asian indices during Asian timezone.

Yeah, what about Wednesday night though? AUD falls 100+ pips and SPI was still weaker than S&P. What does it have the highest beta to? Nikkei? Shanghai?

LOL TH, city lights go dim when you turn your machine on. I just got a new machine too, mine crapped itself the other day as well, must be this time of year! Gotta love a new PC though

[cynic]

Na na na. I got plenty of redundancy. Three internet services, 2 desk tops fully loaded and ready to trade, plus a laptop always on and one in the cupboard, and a smart phone!!!!!

I think that's enough. It's just my main comp clapped out. Perfect excuse to go out and load up on a new latest fangdangled monster.

This baby is going to suck more power than the MCG light towers.

Apologies T/H, I misunderstood your situation, so thanks for clarifying. My confidence in your foresight is restored.

... Never heard of anybody having 2 computers, 1 simply as a backup if the other fails (aside of course from insto who normally have many trading computers anyways).

Are you for real!?

What about a retail trader with three desktops, two laptops, two internet accounts (one wireless one landline), UPS and portable electricity generator (in case of power outages etc).. Have you heard of one of those?

[MRC & Co]

What about a retail trader with three desktops, two laptops, two internet accounts (one wireless one landline), UPS and portable electricity generator (in case of power outages etc).. Have you heard of one of those?

Well I see some (TH and your eloquent self) do have an entirely replicated box. A laptop is not going to do the job if your trying to replace a trading station for an entire day of proper work in the markets, you can't do the same job without the entire set-up.

Na, never heard of a UPS, don't even know what the acronym stands for, but I have heard of a portable electricity generator (do I get a gold star?), but fortunately I don't trade from home so don't need to be in the know on hardware.

[MRC & Co]

Yeah, what about Wednesday night though? AUD falls 100+ pips and SPI was still weaker than S&P. What does it have the highest beta to? Nikkei? Shanghai?

I don't watch SPI intraday anymore, but I would go with any of the other Asian equity indices. Watching S&P for clues on SPI movement is rarely useful (although sometimes it can pop and the SPI will try and follow).

[barney]

I just got a new machine too, mine crapped itself the other day as well, must be this time of year! Gotta love a new PC though

Got a new one myself about 12 months ago ..... so its now a bona fide dinosaur

Close to upgrade time so curious on what Comp setup others are running / IP speeds etc etc

I just ran a 3MB speed test and got ... Line Speed 4.97 Mbps (4967 kbps) Download Speed 621 KB/s (0.61 MB/s ........ Is that up to scratch?

[skc]

Got a new one myself about 12 months ago ..... so its now a bona fide dinosaur

Close to upgrade time so curious on what Comp setup others are running / IP speeds etc etc

I just ran a 3MB speed test and got ... Line Speed 4.97 Mbps (4967 kbps) Download Speed 621 KB/s (0.61 MB/s ........ Is that up to scratch?

My line speed is 8.77Mbps, d/l speed is 1.07MB/s.

If you are using ADSL it depends mostly on your distance to the exchange.

And unless you are doing some really quick scalps I wouldn't think it matters that much.

[barney]

My line speed is 8.77Mbps, d/l speed is 1.07MB/s.

If you are using ADSL it depends mostly on your distance to the exchange.

And unless you are doing some really quick scalps I wouldn't think it matters that much.

Cheers SKC ....... Almost double my country NSW speed ..... you must be a City dweller

[cynic]

Well I see some (TH and your eloquent self) do have an entirely replicated box. A laptop is not going to do the job if your trying to replace a trading station for an entire day of proper work in the markets, you can't do the same job without the entire set-up.

Na, never heard of a UPS, don't even know what the acronym stands for, but I have heard of a portable electricity generator (do I get a gold star?), but fortunately I don't trade from home so don't need to be in the know on hardware.

Yes , you are quite right, I can be a bit blunt when responding to posts where my opinion differs, so thankyou for demonstrating the diplomacy that my earlier post lacked.

Apologies for not detailing the UPS acronym. The Uninterruptible Power Supply (if my foggy memory serves me correctly) is basically just a gadget that connects between the power point and the modem/computer/monitor (or other mains powered equipment) and ensures that power continues for at least a short period of time in the event of a power outage. This gives me ample time to start up the generator thereby ensuring zero downtime. Now that I am equipped with wireless broadband as well as ADSL, the portable generator is very probably redundant (unless of course the wireless service has an outage).

I am not sure that you would want to receive an award (gold star) from someone with my reputation as you may be perceived in a similar vein. Having said that, I've read many of your posts and have rarely had cause to disagree with your insights and analysis.

I am uncertain as to your definition of "proper work" but would agree that it is more comfortable (although not essential) trading with a well equipped work station rather than just a solitary laptop.

I don't watch SPI intraday anymore, but I would go with any of the other Asian equity indices.

+1

I quite agree - I experienced the SPI futures as very suitable for several of my scalping strategies up until mid 2007. During the GFC the intraday behaviour changed significantly and there was a corresponding change to my success rate. The rapid deterioration of my account balance during 2008 convinced me to let go of my determination to conquer the SPI futures and experiment with the trading of other instruments. For the past year my instruments of choice have been derivatives of the FTSE and the DAX. Although I have recently discontinued trading the DAX (volatility of the past six months was unsuitable for my preferred trading style), the FTSE has continued to exhibit behaviours that are within my comfort zone. If not for the unsuitability of the market hours I would happily trade Hang Seng (or possibly Nikkei) futures/derivatives, but with a slightly more aggressive strategy than that with which I trade the FTSE.

[MRC & Co]

What do you do for work out of interest cynic? You have quite the writing style, interesting.

Mkts volatile again tonight! Weak CPI and USD falls (standard), but then weak industrial production and capacity utilization, everyone loads up on more short USD and it rallies. hahaha, standard, gotta be logical enough to avoid being completely logical, I think they call it contrarian!

[cynic]

What do you do for work out of interest cynic? You have quite the writing style, interesting.

Thanks for your interest MRC.

I've replied to your question in the General Chat thread entitled:

"Interesting poll: What is your occupation?"

[Timmy]

Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, and Peter Oppenheimer, Apple's CFO, will host a Conference Call on Monday, March 19, 2012 at 6:00 a.m. PT to announce the outcome of the Company's discussions concerning its cash balance. Apple will not be providing an update on the current quarter nor will any topics be discussed other than cash.

http://investor.apple.com/

That's 9 am NY time.

[skc]

http://investor.apple.com/

That's 9 am NY time.

Free cash with every New Ipad purchase?

[sinner]

http://investor.apple.com/

That's 9 am NY time.

I wonder where Apple is holding all it's so called 'cash'? I doubt they actually have even 1% of that in real at call money, rather they have loaned 100 billion in short term loans to some entity like the US Treasury (such as buying and rolling 100 billion in 13 week bills). Someone who watches the Apple balance sheet could probably tell us what security they use to 'save'.

I wonder how that entity will cope if Apple decides to halve its loan? As an example, Democrats and Republicans currently fighting over the debt ceiling are arguing over just $19 billion in spending cuts which they argue must be seen through before the next debt ceiling raise.

[Starcraftmazter]

Damn can you imagine if they decide to pay more dividends or do a large buyback? It will drag everything up so much. Complete market distortion.

[sinner]

Damn can you imagine if they decide to pay more dividends or do a large buyback? It will drag everything up so much. Complete market distortion.

huh?