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John Carter

Founder of Simpler Trading®

John Carter has been a full-time trader since 1996. In 1999, tired of talking to his goldfish while trading alone in his office, John launched TradetheMarkets.com to post his trading ideas. The company has since evolved into what is now, Simpler Trading. In addition to being an experienced trader, John is also a published author. The 3rd Edition of his book, Mastering the Trade, was a #1 Best Seller on Amazon. John is the trading expert everyone turns to when the markets go awry (as they often do), and many of our traders have taken ideas and strategies from him and morphed them into their own strategies. He’s truly one of the best with a level of charisma that draws people in, which has transformed him into the famous trader he is today.

He started Simpler Trading because he wanted to create a community of traders who educate others simply because they care about other people’s success. His setups, market knowledge, and guidance to continually improve as a trader are invaluable. As for his trading strategy, it combines expert technical analysis with an overall macro, fundamental view. His proven trading setups identify large directional plays that he leverages with both options and futures, as well as neutral moments in time for income trading opportunities when market conditions are on the slow side. He likes being in the trade before anyone else, and he uses his signature indicator ‘the Squeeze’ to enter many of these plays. The scans he created allow him to locate his favorite setups and jump on moves before they take off.

What makes him a truly fantastic mentor on top of his vast knowledge, is his ability to make you feel as though you’re talking to an old friend. John’s trades can generally be adjusted for those looking for a more conservative take on his aggressive plays, and traders can use his tools to find setups that fit their own risk parameters. His trading style is best geared towards a trader with previous experience and a solid understanding of the inner workings of the market. You can find him daily in our trading room, sharing his analysis and trade ideas with our members.

Follow him @johnfcarter on Twitter.

Where to find John at Simpler

Simpler Essentials

We’ve taught thousands of traders over the past 10+ years. The most consistently successful have a strong foundation in trading basics. That’s why Simpler Essentials focuses on these critical core skills and breaks them down into bite-sized chunks that you can consume at your own pace. Our commitment is to deliver the best trading education while being responsive to your feedback.

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Simpler Central

The Simpler Trading Team is unlike any other. While most other services offer ‘hypothetical’ trades and theories, we share our actual trading ideas in real-time. Like you, we have our own money on the line. Because we provide instant trade alerts, you can watch for setups, even if you work full-time with a smartphone or tablet.

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Small Lot

Want to grow a small account? Join the Small Lot Trading Room with real-time alerts from John Carter and Allison Ostrander’s expert strategies and sessions.

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John's trading plan

What is my Approach?

Go into looking at the market without a bias – look at what the charts and internals are telling me and then go from there. Trying to impose my will on the market is pointless.

What are my Goals?

My goal in my larger trading account is to make 2.5% to 5% weekly, and wire out 2.5%. In my small account, the goal is consistent growth.

What are my Objectives?

  • Cutting the trades that aren’t working

  • Lighten up on the weekends

  • Don’t make a decision that could lead to giving back all my gains

What Markets will I trade?

​I trade futures, indexes, options, options on futures and indexes, and stocks.

What Timeframes will I trade?

I will trade all time frames, my favorites being the Daily and the 30 minute charts. I also like the 195 minute chart.

What Setups will I trade?

  • Squeezes on any time frame

  • Reversion to the mean plays in a trending market

  • Fade the gap

  • High short interest with squeezes

Entry rules:

  1. There has to be a Squeeze. A monthly or weekly Squeeze is a bonus.

  2. Price above the 34-period moving average

  3. Stacked moving averages on the daily time frame chart

  4. If it’s trading within 10% of 52-week or all-time highs, this is an especially good setup

Where will I place my Stops?

I generally place stops right outside the 2 ATR band on a daily chart.

Exit take profit (and/or) trail-stop rules

For trade exits, I look at Fibonacci extensions to find resistance levels, and also watch for signs from my indicators that the move is weakening.

Risk Management rules

My default risk for a trade is 5% of my account. I don’t let the trade go to max loss, but 5% is what I would be willing to risk going into a trade. I will go bigger as well.

What Tools will I use for my trading business?

My trading relies on the Squeeze. I find it’s best to only trade when I have a Squeeze forming.

Review/Trade Journal process:

I write down notes each day on how the day went, if I made any trading mistakes, went too big on a trade, traded when the setup wasn’t ideal based on my rules, and note things I can improve on or that I did well.

Discipline & Mindset notes:

Anything can happen: develop a resolute, unshakable belief in uncertainty. The market has no responsibility to give us anything or do anything that would benefit us. Markets are neutral: I do an overview every year in December to look for key themes. I want to know what I did best, what I did worst, and how I can adjust what I’m doing to maximize my potential for the next year. Losses are okay: losing or being wrong are inevitable realities of trading, since anything can happen. Taking small losses is part of a successful trader’s job. Accept risk: fully acknowledge the risks inherent in trading and accept Monitor emotions: learn how to monitor and control the negative effects of euphoria and the potential for self-sabotage. Abandon search for Holy Grail: attitude produces better overall results than analysis or technique.

My Golden Rules (and/or) Trading Commandments:

  • Don’t be a dick for a tick

  • When you get the chance, feed the ducks

  • Don’t lose your ass on a Friday

Download a blank trading plan

Swing Trading Hacks

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