Trading in financial markets isn’t about luck—it’s about discipline, process, and consistency. My journey from a novice "turtle" in a legendary trading program to an experienced institutional market participant taught me one undeniable truth: those who follow a structured approach can achieve consistent profits—often 50% or more—over time.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the core principles I’ve refined over years of real-world trading: when to enter, how to scale in, and most importantly, when to exit. These aren’t theoretical concepts—they’re battle-tested strategies shaped by direct experience in proprietary trading desks, convertible bond markets, and institutional client services.
From Turtle Trainee to Market Professional
My introduction to finance began early—not in a classroom, but in the backrooms of pachinko parlors and fruit betting shops, where my grandfather took me as a child. While those environments were far from legitimate investing, they introduced me to a crucial concept: probability. Every game had odds, just like every trade does.
But gambling also taught me its dangers. When my mother disappeared due to gambling debts during my childhood, I learned firsthand how quickly unchecked risk can destroy lives. That painful lesson became the foundation of my investment philosophy: preserve capital first, grow it second.
Academically average in high school, I found strength in communication and leadership—skills that later helped me build relationships with top investors. After earning my degree in business management and completing a master’s in financial engineering at National Chung Hsing University, I faced a harsh reality: breaking into finance is extremely competitive.
That’s when I joined the "Turtle Trader Training Program" at Yuanta Futures—an initiative inspired by the famous Richard Dennis experiment. Unlike traditional hiring, this program welcomed candidates with potential rather than experience. For eight months, we analyzed every minute-by-minute K-line of Taiwan’s stock index over five years, predicting movements and validating results.
We weren’t just studying charts—we were reverse-engineering market behavior.
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Building a Multi-Dimensional Investment Framework
My time as a proprietary trader exposed me to short-term volatility in futures and options markets. While profitable, the constant screen-watching led to burnout—dry eyes, insomnia, anxiety. I realized sustainability required a shift: from day trading to swing trading.
I transitioned into institutional sales (known as "Legal Entity Business" or 法業), where I accompanied fund managers on over 1,000 company visits. This role gave me rare access to elite investors’ thinking processes—their analysis methods, entry triggers, and exit rules.
From these interactions, I developed a comprehensive system combining four dimensions:
- Fundamentals
- Technical Signals
- Market Sentiment (Institutional Flows)
- Mentorship Insights ("The Benefactor Factor")
Let’s break them down.
The Drill-Leopard Stock Selection Model: A 6-Point Fundamental Checklist
To identify high-potential stocks before price movement, I use what I call the "Drill-Leopard Evaluation Matrix"—a six-part fundamental screen:
- Revenue Growth: Is top-line expansion accelerating?
- Gross Margin & Operating Margin: Are profitability metrics improving?
- EBITDA Margin: Does core operations show strength?
- Inventory Levels: Are stockpiles rising or falling relative to sales?
- Contract Liabilities: A forward-looking indicator of future revenue.
- Free Cash Flow: Can earnings convert into real cash?
For example, rising revenues paired with shrinking inventories often signal strong demand. Conversely, growing inventory with flat sales may indicate weakening fundamentals—even if profits look good on paper.
This model filters out noise and focuses on companies with real operational improvement, not just speculative hype.
Timing Entry with the "Three Sword Techniques" of Technicals
Once I’ve identified strong candidates using fundamentals, I apply my "Three Sword Strategy" for precise timing:
- First Long Green Candle After Consolidation: Breakouts from tight ranges often signal accumulation by smart money.
- Peer Group Strength: When multiple companies in the same sector turn bullish simultaneously, it validates broader trend strength.
- Golden Cross in Moving Averages: The 50-day crossing above the 200-day adds confirmation.
These signals don’t guarantee success—but when aligned with strong fundamentals, they significantly increase win rates.
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The Most Important Rule: Exit When Your Thesis Breaks
Here’s a hard truth: most traders know what to do—but fail to execute.
I’ve seen seasoned investors hold losing positions long after their original reason for buying vanished. Maybe revenue growth stalled. Maybe margins collapsed. Yet emotion overrides logic.
My golden rule is simple:
"If your reason for entering no longer exists—exit immediately."
This applies regardless of whether you're down 5% or up 10%. Protecting gains is just as vital as cutting losses.
Even I struggle emotionally at stop-loss points. But years of discipline have trained me to act—not hesitate.
Learning from the Masters: The Power of Mentorship
One of the most overlooked aspects of investing is mentorship. During my institutional years, I made it a habit to ask experts three key questions:
- Why did you buy this stock?
- How are you managing position size?
- What would make you sell?
These "Three Questions Method" opened doors to deeper insights than any research report could provide.
Eventually, I bought a luxury car—not for status—but to create comfortable environments for conversations with clients and mentors during commutes. Those rides became informal masterclasses in portfolio management.
Success starts with imitation. Find people who’ve achieved what you want—and learn from them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can swing trading really generate 50%+ returns annually?
A: Consistent 50% annual returns are rare, but achievable over cycles with strict discipline. More realistically, disciplined swing traders aim for 20–30% average annual returns with controlled risk.
Q: How long should a swing trade last?
A: Typically between 5 days and 6 weeks. The goal is to capture a full price “swing” driven by fundamental or technical momentum.
Q: What’s the biggest mistake new swing traders make?
A: Ignoring exit rules. Many focus only on entry signals but fail to define clear stop-loss or profit-taking levels.
Q: Should I rely more on fundamentals or technicals?
A: Use both. Fundamentals tell you what to buy; technicals tell you when. Combining them improves accuracy.
Q: How do I avoid emotional trading?
A: Create a written trading plan for every position—entry, target, stop-loss, and rationale—and stick to it without deviation.
Q: Is swing trading suitable for beginners?
A: Yes—with proper education and simulated practice first. Start small, follow a system, and prioritize risk management over profits.
Final Thoughts: Be Your Own Market Benefactor
Markets reward patience, preparation, and process—not predictions.
The strategies shared here—the Drill-Leopard fundamental screen, the Three Sword technical trigger, and the ironclad exit rule—are tools forged in real trading environments. They reflect lessons from failures and successes alike.
You don’t need insider information or complex algorithms. What you need is discipline, a repeatable system, and the courage to follow it—even when fear whispers otherwise.
Start building your edge today.
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