Biography of Ken Calhoun: A Veteran Trader and Educator
Biography of Ken Calhoun:
Ken Calhoun is a well-known figure in the trading industry,
celebrated for founding TradeMastery.com, Daytrading University, and
StockTradingSuccess.com alongside Steve Nison. His expertise has been
highlighted in esteemed publications like Technical Analysis of Stocks and
Commodities, Active Trader, and events such as MoneyShow Traders Expos.
Graduating from UCLA, Calhoun has garnered recognition for his professional
trading systems and has trained active traders from over 32 countries since
1999.
Education and Academic Background
Ken Calhoun's academic journey includes his studies at UCLA,
where he honed his skills before embarking on his professional career.
Currently based in Laguna Woods, CA, he continues to innovate in the trading
education space, leveraging his diverse background and extensive experience to
mentor and guide traders worldwide.
Academic Background of Ken Calhoun
Ken Calhoun pursued his higher education with a BA in
Psychology from UCLA, graduating between 1982 and 1986. Following this, he
furthered his academic pursuits at California State University, Long Beach,
where he earned an MA in Industrial Psychology from 1988 to 1991. These
educational foundations equipped him with the psychological and industrial
insights that would later complement his successful career in trading and
entrepreneurship.
Professional Journey of Ken Calhoun
Ken Calhoun has built a distinguished career spanning
various industries and roles, starting with his tenure as a statistician at
Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, MI from October 1992 to July 1994. Following
this, he served as a TQM Team Facilitator at Rockwell International in Seal
Beach, CA, and later at McDonnell Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach, CA from
September 1989 to February 1991. These roles laid the foundation for his
transition into entrepreneurship and trading.
Entrepreneurial Ventures
In March 2006, Ken Calhoun founded TradeMastery.com, a
platform offering full-time online trading education and resources. He later
expanded his entrepreneurial footprint with the establishment of
DaytradingUniversity.com, solidifying his reputation as a leader in trader
education. Based in Colorado Springs, CO, his ventures have empowered countless
traders globally for over 18 years, marking him as a pioneer in the industry.
Biography of Ken Calhoun: A Veteran Trader and Educator / Journey of Ken Calhoun / Author / Trader / Strategies /Life lessons / life lessons
Step-by-Step Intraday Trading Strategy
To effectively navigate intraday trading, Ken Calhoun
advocates a systematic approach that begins with scanning five-minute charts.
The strategy hinges on identifying charts trading above the previous day's
high, coupled with an opening five-minute candle that exceeds 30 cents in
range. Upon meeting these criteria, traders are advised to enter just above the
high of this initial breakout candle, setting stop-loss orders below its low.
For exits, Calhoun suggests using bearish reversal signals like shooting stars
or bearish engulfing patterns. A prudent tactic involves scaling out of half
the position when support is lost after the first reversal, and exiting the
remainder under the second reversal signal.
Embracing Strong Breakouts
A common pitfall among retail traders is hesitating to enter
trades following strong initial moves, fearing that such charts are overbought
and unlikely to sustain upward momentum. Calhoun emphasizes the effectiveness
of entering trades above prior resistance levels on robust breakout charts.
This strategy capitalizes on the likelihood of continued upward movement, often
yielding substantial gains. Traders are urged to eschew the temptation to buy weak
stocks in downtrends, which typically continue their decline. Reviewing
personal profit and loss statements often reveals a higher success rate with
breakout strategies compared to attempting to predict market reversals.
Expanding Strategies with Multiday Analysis
Beyond intraday tactics, Calhoun advocates leveraging
multiday charts, particularly when swing trading. Analyzing three-day charts
provides valuable insights into average daily volumes, trading ranges, and
distinctive breakout patterns specific to each stock. This broader perspective
enhances decision-making by highlighting opportunities such as multiday opening
breakouts. For instance, buying above prior day highs on stocks like Alibaba
Group Holding Ltd. has historically proven profitable, particularly when
accompanied by bullish formations like ascending triangles, signaling potential
for significant price breakouts.
Professional Career and Achievements
As president of TradeMastery.com and
StockTradingSuccess.com, Ken Calhoun has offered online training to traders
globally for more than two decades. His career spans significant contributions
to the trading community, including featured appearances in publications like
Technical Analysis of Stocks and Commodities, Active Trader, and platforms such
as Equities.com and CBS’s MarketWatch.com. Calhoun's extensive trading
experience encompasses transactions totaling millions of dollars in stocks and
ETFs, underscoring his authority in the field.
Diverse Background and Expertise
Before his success in trading, Ken Calhoun held roles as a
corporate statistician, quality engineer, and consultant for Fortune 500
companies. His transition to trading leveraged his analytical skills and
business acumen, leading to notable achievements and widespread recognition in
financial media such as CBS, MarketWatch, and TheStreet. With a solid academic
foundation from UCLA, Calhoun continues to influence and educate traders
worldwide through his practical insights and professional accomplishments.
