We've asked each of our bloggers to introduce
themselves and talk a little about why they love the market and what positions they call their own. We encourage our bloggers to own common stock and abide by a common
code of conduct.
Who are you, and why are you passionate about stocks?
Hello blogosphere!
I’m Phil and I live in NYC where I trade equities and options with a small group we call the G Funk All Stars in an unassuming office just south of the NYSE. I also own and run a consulting firm where I work with market participants across asset classes in order to help them inhibit maladaptive trading behaviors and enact adaptive ones.
I completed my undergraduate work at the
I began trading stocks in the late 90’s just as semper augustus was blossoming in all her glorious splendor while at the same time studying abnormal human behavior. This served as a critical formative combination as it became increasingly clear to me that the tech led parabolic market reflected a collective lunacy the likes of which had occurred before periodically throughout history.
As this insight sunk in, I became even more obsessed with markets and especially the psychological aspects of them and on developing market and investor models based on an integration of cognitive psychology and behavioral economics.
I like to spend my free time hanging out with family and a few close friends, grilling up the grub, listening to music, playing a little poker and walking about this astonishing city.
What was the first stock you owned?
I do not remember.
What is your worst investment ever?
I was
trying to short the homebuilders like two plus years ago. Like everyone else in the
free world I was early and got whipped around pretty well as this group continued higher and higher.
That was the last time you listened to anyone else’s stock tip, right?
I
try to listen very closely to what both those who are flourishing have to say as well as those who
are experiencing acute pain. I find that the hot hand tends to stay hot for
longer than one might think while those who are screaming "uncle" with the sell or buy tend to
provide a tell by expressing where you want to take the other side.
What is your
best investment success story?
I love to anticipate noise and arbitrage it by getting on
board before the cacophonic climax. I recall catching Everlast well before the woeful tv series The
Contender began. As the premiere approached the stock went nuts as noise traders learned of the relationship
between the company and the show’s producer Mark Burnett. I sold the day before the
show began.
What do you own now?
I tend to hold stocks for short periods of time but do
have a few longer term investments in LCAV, COP and EWJ.
What are you
cheap about?
I’m a pretty cheap guy across the board but do not skimp on items relating to
food and health.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-15-2006 @ 7:09PM
Chandler Hoffman said...
I like this guy and his passion and interest in the delusions of investor behavior. It seems that 9 out of 10 people follow others and use that decision to rationalize that it was a good decsion. Ever heard Noem Chompski talk about "Manufactoring Consent"? I am a psychologist who deals a lot with divorcing people and irrational behaviors are common to my clients as well, even when they risk more than money....