I have in the past suggested that trend-following traders think that it is impossible to predict the onset of a new trend, so it’s better to follow the trend once it’s started. Well, that’s what Michael Covel says in his book on ‘Trend Following’…

When I wrote my article The Long Term Spread Bettors’ Wish List I glossed over the issue of overnight financing charges on rolling spread bets, even though this is perhaps the most important factor for the longer-term spread bettor.

I’m quite fond of spread betting individual equities rather than the more usual indices, foreign exchange currency pairs and commodities — though I do dabble in those too.

For reviewing the different providers I have at one time or another held spread betting accounts with most of the spread betting companies and their white label partners. By white label partners I mean companies like Barclays Stockbrokers who sit on the City Index spread betting platform

When you look to open a new spread betting account, what do you look for? Is it the things that the spread betting companies usually shout about like tight spreads, fast execution and no re-quotes? As a day trader those things might be important to you, but for a longer-term spread bettor like me like me those criteria are not so important…

I thought that in anticipation of the festive week ahead I’d spread some Christmas cheerlessness. Yes, you read it right, I said “cheerlessness”.

Rather than offering some trading guidance today, I thought I do exactly the opposite and tell you why you should beware the experts.