Managing Trades in a Bear Market with John Zumpano

If you’re an active trader, the last week has probably felt like years. With instability comes panic so we decided to talk to a veteran trader about how to stick with trading during a bear market. John Zumpano began his trading career in 1986…a year before the infamous 1987 stock market crash.

John talks us through the differences between what we’re seeing now versus what happened in 1987 and 2008. He also talks about why the market is always worse right before it turns and shares a story of humility and hope for anyone that’s ever made a big mistake.

If you’re worried right now, take John’s advice to heart: stay in the game.

• [00:16] - This week: John Zumpano
• [02:14] - Interview with John Zumpano
• [02:28] - What got John into the industry?
• [10:49] - The market is always worth trading
• [14:17] - Understanding your appetite for risk
• [17:56] - Improving execution time with hardware
• [22:48] - Transitioning to new technology
• [29:22] - Irrational moves
• [33:08] - Be confident in your levels
• [39:09] - Wild times
• [44:55] - Stay in the game

Limit Up! is a podcast for traders of all levels brought to you by TopstepTrader. Whether you’re considering a career in trading and don’t know where to start, or you’re a seasoned veteran looking for advice from big names in the financial industry, Limit Up! is your guide. Join us weekly as we discuss the market in all of its volatile glory. Risk Disclosure: https://www.topstep.com/risk-disclosure/

Jack Pelzer is a co-host of Limit Up! He traded as part of a U.S. Treasury group for 7 years at Chopper Trading and DRW. After leaving the industry, he became a Writing Fellow and Senior Contributing Writer for The Onion. He is now the Head of Content at Topstep.

Dan Hodgman is a co-host of Limit Up! Prior to coming to Topstep Dan traded 30 Yr Treasury Options and Yield Spreads. Before that, he served in the United States Marine Corps where he simultaneously managed his own Futures Account applying the skills he grew up learning from clerking on the trading floor. Now Dan works with the Traders here at Topstep as a Performance Coach as well as being a regular on the Daily Market Recap.

If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Limit Up! in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show.

Podcast episode production by Dante32.