Without a plan, its not a trade, its a gamble.
7-2-2025
From the Trading Desk at Stipelis
Strategy Wednesdays: The Problem with Tips
Let’s talk about tips—the kind of unsolicited trading advice that always seems to show up after the idea has already ripped higher.
You’ve heard it:
“Hey Stephen, I bought XYZ at 50, it’s now 75… you may want to buy some here.”
Oh, great thanks for the heads-up. So, I’m supposed to buy it now?
Ok, here’s my issue: if I’m going to take an idea seriously, I need it before the move.
Let’s buy it together at 50, not after it’s up 50%.
And beyond the entry, I need the why. There are thousands of tradable ideas, why this one? Why now? What’s the thinking behind the idea? What is the setup, the risk, the objective? And most importantly—where’s the exit?
I need the plan.
Because if I act on your tip without a plan, I’m not investing or trading. I’m just following.
And following someone else’s idea—without understanding the plan—is never a good idea.
But there is another problem: the market is an ideas-based environment. There is a certain intellectual component to it. The capital markets are full of “ideas”. And a lot of these ideas are useless if you are not careful. Because even a good idea at the wrong time, (read price), is actually a bad idea.
And as a registered entity, I don’t have the luxury of vanishing after a bad idea. I’m held to a standard. I can’t hide from a bad trade—I have to own it.
When you manage money, accountability isn’t optional. You can’t pitch ideas and then disappear when they don’t work. You have to stay in the conversation—win or lose.
Professionals are present, accountable, and available. That’s the whole point.
We don’t hide from losers, and we don’t run from drawdowns.
And lastly, after reviewing hundreds of investor statements and I mean, hundreds, I’ve noticed something consistent—everyone brags about the winners. No one ever talks about the losers. It’s like the losing positions don’t even exist.
So, the next time someone offers you a “can’t-miss” tip, ask yourself—am I getting a plan, or just a coinflip with no follow-through? Because without a plan, it’s not a trade—it’s a gamble.
The opinions expressed are those of Stipelis Global Trading LLC and are considered market commentary. They are not intended to act as investment recommendations. Individuals should make investment decisions based on their own analysis and with direct consultation with a financial advisor.
Stipelis Global Trading LLC is registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and is a member of the National Futures Association. Member ID 0474441
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