Today we continue to discuss the excellent trader series in the US stock market. Yesterday we talked about top quantitative traders from two institutions, and today we bring personal cases, which are relatively harder to define, so the data on outstanding personal traders searched by ChatGPT comes from publicly available reports and competition results. The strategies and background information of each trader refer to official announcements, interviews, and their published works or statements.
Currently, there is a U.S. investment championship (United States Investing Championship, USIC) which is one of the world's most well-known live trading competitions, famous for its high transparency, real trading operations, and high return rate. It is regarded as the 'Olympics of live trading.'
Basic introduction as follows:
Since the 1980s, it has attracted a large number of famous traders to participate and has become a golden stage for testing practical trading skills.
2024 Champion (Account Size $1M+) – Law Wai-Sum (J Law)
Style: Fusion of practical experience and systematic learning.
Formerly a high school teacher, established a personal system through self-study of master strategies (such as Minervini and O’Neil) combined with years of trading experience, possessing over 15 years of real trading experience. Focuses on capital management, strictly executes stop-loss and position-increasing logic.
Core Strategy (Winning Three-Step Method)
1. Macro Judgment + Position Layout (Position Trading)
At the beginning of the year, he conducted a macro assessment of the market: believes that 2024 is similar to 2019, in a cycle of reducing interest rates and the economy not showing obvious recession, very favorable for growth stocks.
Decide to primarily adopt buy-and-hold (Position Trading) and supplement with swing trading to capture sustained rises in 'big bull stocks'.
Emphasizes not to chase short-term trades to avoid missing mainstream stocks like Nvidia.
2. Dual Screening with Technical + Fundamental Analysis
First filter potential targets using technical analysis (trends, momentum);
Look at fundamentals (such as profit growth rate, industry outlook) to confirm value.
Shared cases include SCOM (Super Micro), Palantir, MicroStrategy, SoFi, TNA, TQQQ, etc., all of which are cases of strong technical performance and growth.
3. Position and Profit Management Strategy: 'Multiple Advantage Entry Points'
He amplifies subsequent gains through a strategy of adding to positions after initial profits;
For example, in the case of Palantir, he first takes profits and then increases his position, adding more at higher win-rate stages.
Set clearly defined buy points, stop-loss, and take-profit rules;
Utilize short-term swing trading to lock in profits, using the gains to support larger positions, creating a cycle of reinvestment.
2023 Champion (Account Size $1M+) – Tanmay Khandelwal, who won at the age of 23.
Style: Structured Stock Selection + Rigid Risk Control.
Based on a formal background (Columbia University engineering and operations research), tends to multi-factor analysis, selecting high-profit growth stocks.
Stock Selection Framework: BEST Principle
Strategies and Operational Methods
1. Combination of Quantitative + Qualitative
Use the BEST framework to filter target stocks, ensuring dual advantages in fundamentals and technicals.
2. Disciplined Execution
No arbitrary buying or selling, adhere to the trading plan, do not impulsively enter the market or take profits early.
Avoid buying or holding when the price falls below the 200-day moving average.
3. Strict Risk Control Mechanism
Each trade's maximum drawdown should not exceed 1% (of account or position ratio).
Clearly set stop-loss points and standards for exiting due to deterioration in fundamentals or technicals.
4. Lock in Profit Advantages
Timely 'reduce positions to lock in profits' during profitable phases;
Improve capital utilization efficiency through reinvestment strategies; simultaneously use moderate leverage to enhance returns.
5. Compound Growth Strategy
Profits continue to increase, accumulating gains continuously;
Advocate building a trading journal based on failures and errors, regularly reviewing and self-reflecting.
2021/2022 Champion (Account Size $1M+) – Mark Minervini, legendary trader with over 30 years of market experience, who achieved an average annual return exceeding 220% for five consecutive years.
Style: SEPA / 'Strong Buy Point' + Combination of Technical and Fundamental Analysis.
Uses his self-created SEPA system: focuses on relatively strong stocks, with buying opportunities at the breakout moments (Powerplay Setup). Author of 'Trade Like a Stock Market Wizard', advocating a professional trading mindset and discipline.
Core Investment Strategy: SEPA Model (Specific Entry Point Analysis), consisting of four core steps:
1. Select Targets (Fundamental Screen)
2. Technical Setup Confirmation
Stocks must exhibit one of the following 'explosive patterns':
Technical Key: Price breaks above consolidation platform (Pivot Point) accompanied by increased volume, indicating institutional entry.
3. Precise Entry Points
SEPA does not make 'trend predictions', only acts when 'breakthrough confirmation' occurs:
4. Risk Control Mechanism (Risk Management)
Minervini regards 'losing small amounts' as the primary principle:
5. Stock Management and Selling Principles
Increase positions with profits, decrease positions with losses;
Do not sell if it does not fall below the moving average (e.g., 10EMA/21EMA);
If the price rises too quickly or shows abnormal volume, consider partial profit-taking;
Exit upon signs of a downward trend reversal or major negative news;
Strategy Summary (Minervini Quotes Highlights)
'Experts do not earn a lot, but they lose little.'
'Your biggest enemy is yourself. Discipline is the core of victory.'
'Most people take profits after gaining a few points but stubbornly hold onto losses. Experts do the opposite.'
2020 Champion (Account Size $1M+) – Oliver Kell
Style: Based on CAN SLIM and multi-time frame analysis.
Deeply influenced by Andrew Ng’s (O’Neil) CAN SLIM model, combined with the thoughts of growth/trend masters like Darvas and Livermore.
Focus on varieties with strong growth potential, enter at 'buy points', establish low-risk zones, and build positions/increase positions in phases.
Emphasize multi-time frame coordination, chart behavior observation, stop-loss settings, and selling discipline.
Core Trading Strategy
1. Multi-Factor Stock Selection Based on CAN SLIM
Emphasize principles such as 'Current & Annual Earnings', 'New Story', 'Relative Strength', etc.
Emphasizes the combination of fundamentals and trending topics to ensure strong profitability and trend breakthroughs.
2. Cycle of Price Action—Price Cycle Model
Identify price 'five phases': from reversal extension → EMA backtest → bottom consolidation → upward breakout → soft extension.
Focus on 'low-risk buy points': Price pulls back to EMA and then confirms the breakout again, known as 'Base n’ Break' buy point.
3. Technical Analysis + Multi-Period Coordination
Use 10-day & 20-day EMA as trend and sell signals; exit if it falls below.
Combine short/medium-term trend judgment, with multi-period resonance leading to high win rates.
4. Strict Risk Control Rules
Set a maximum stop-loss of about 3% for each trade to avoid significant drawdowns.
Start with a light position, gradually increasing after confirming the trend.
When the price breaks out and then pulls back below the moving average, he will reduce or completely close positions to lock in profits.
5. Position Distribution and Portfolio Planning
Typically hold 6-12 stocks, with 3-5 core positions holding a larger weight.
The portfolio balances individual stock stories with strong trends to achieve diversification of returns and risk.
The summary comparison of these legendary traders is shown in the figure below:
We will continue to bring this series and summarize their core characteristics and strategies, so stay tuned!