/ Journal

Notes from the desk.

74 articles on process, tools, psychology, and the deals worth knowing.

/ All Posts · 74 articles

Only Trade Stocks That Are Actually In Play

Jun 25, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

Only Trade Stocks That Are Actually In Play

Learn why trading only high-volume, liquid stocks can reduce slippage, improve execution, and help you avoid costly trading mistakes.

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The Realistic Path to Wealth as a Trader

Jun 23, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

The Realistic Path to Wealth as a Trader

Learn a realistic approach to building wealth as a trader by combining market edge, a strong career, tax-advantaged accounts, and long-term compounding.

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The Fine Line Between Selling Too Soon and Holding Too Long

May 28, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

The Fine Line Between Selling Too Soon and Holding Too Long

One of the hardest parts of trading is knowing when to sell. In this post, I break down the mechanical “linear selling” strategy I use to scale out of winning trades while still staying positioned for bigger moves.

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5 Bloomberg Terminal Alternatives That Cost a Fraction of the Price

May 12, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

5 Bloomberg Terminal Alternatives That Cost a Fraction of the Price

Everyone wants a Bloomberg Terminal, but almost nobody wants to pay Bloomberg Terminal prices. These five tools cover real-time news, market dashboards, financial data, filings, AI research, and terminal-style workflows for a fraction of the cost.

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The Trading Rooms That Aren’t Ghost Towns

May 10, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

The Trading Rooms That Aren’t Ghost Towns

Many trading Discords are getting quiet, but active trading communities still matter. Here are three paid trading rooms worth checking out.

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The Only Trading Tools Stack You Need for Day Trading

Apr 21, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

The Only Trading Tools Stack You Need for Day Trading

A simple, proven 5 tool stack for day traders. Learn which platforms actually matter, how they fit together, and how to get the best discounts on each.

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The Trading Checklist Sitting on My Desk

Apr 14, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

The Trading Checklist Sitting on My Desk

Most traders overcomplicate things. This simple trading checklist helps you stay disciplined, manage risk, and focus only on the trades that matter. Download the exact template I use.

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How to Backtest Trading Strategies in Trade Ideas (Simple 3-Step Process)

Apr 12, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

How to Backtest Trading Strategies in Trade Ideas (Simple 3-Step Process)

Learn how to backtest trading strategies using Trade Ideas in minutes. Build filters, test historical data, and refine your edge.

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This Scan Rarely Fires… and Most Traders Still Can’t Follow It

Apr 11, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

This Scan Rarely Fires… and Most Traders Still Can’t Follow It

This Trade Ideas scan uncovers high-quality overnight momentum setups, but it doesn’t trigger often. Learn why most traders struggle with it and how to use it effectively.

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A List of the Best Traders I’ve Come Across

Mar 27, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

A List of the Best Traders I’ve Come Across

A list of the best traders I’ve come across and what makes them stand out. Learn the strategies, patterns, and edges top traders use to stay ahead.

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8 Beaten-Down Stocks With Net Cash (And Why They’re Interesting)

Mar 24, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

8 Beaten-Down Stocks With Net Cash (And Why They’re Interesting)

Eight stocks down 30–60% with strong balance sheets and real businesses. When expectations are low and cash is high, that’s where asymmetric opportunities tend to show up.

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$BULL Is Down 91%. So I Bought It.

Mar 19, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

$BULL Is Down 91%. So I Bought It.

A beaten-down stock with billions in cash, millions of users, and a setup that’s hard to ignore.

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A 77% Crash in 12 Minutes

Mar 17, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

A 77% Crash in 12 Minutes

WNW stock crashed 77% in 12 minutes after a $14M direct offering at $2. See the mean reversion trade setup that offered a 4.7:1 risk-reward from $0.50 to $0.83.

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How IrishBornInvestor Turned Overnight Momentum Into a 654% Return

Mar 15, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

How IrishBornInvestor Turned Overnight Momentum Into a 654% Return

Trader IrishBornInvestor turned the overnight momentum strategy into a 654% compounded return. See his trade journal, Finviz scanner setup, and free trading spreadsheet template.

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Stop Staring at Top Gainers All Day

Mar 13, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

Stop Staring at Top Gainers All Day

Learn why serious traders stop watching top gainers all day and instead build scanners around their strategy. See how tools like Trade Ideas help automate setups and eliminate market noise.

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5 Trading Tools I Use Every Day

Mar 12, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

5 Trading Tools I Use Every Day

Looking for the best trading tools? Here are 5 platforms I use daily for charting, stock scanning, research, and small cap dilution checks.

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The “big Twitter boys” call it pyramiding.

Feb 18, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

The “big Twitter boys” call it pyramiding.

Learn how pyramiding works in trading. Add to winning positions while tightening risk and keeping your original target intact to increase profits.

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I’m Turning 30 and I’m Long Nextdoor

Feb 17, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

I’m Turning 30 and I’m Long Nextdoor

Is Nextdoor stock undervalued? A deep dive into NXDR’s users, cash position, dilution risk, and why this could be an asymmetric turnaround bet.

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Your Trading System Should Be So Simple Anyone Can Run It

Feb 16, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

Your Trading System Should Be So Simple Anyone Can Run It

Your trading system should be simple enough that someone with no experience could follow it and at least break even. If you cannot clearly explain your edge, your entries, and your risk in a few paragraphs, it is probably too complicated to survive long term.

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Big Goals, Small Buckets

Feb 5, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

Big Goals, Small Buckets

A personal look at trading with constraints, overnight momentum, higher-time-frame reversals, and why big goals only work with the right life foundations.

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e0 and the Making of base.report

Jan 24, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

e0 and the Making of base.report

An in-depth founder interview of e0 exploring base.report and its approach to structured market prep for swing traders.

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How I Used Trade Ideas and Ask EDGAR to Catch a 293% Winner in $BNAI

Jan 24, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

How I Used Trade Ideas and Ask EDGAR to Catch a 293% Winner in $BNAI

How I combined Trade Ideas and Ask Edgar to catch a 293% overnight momentum winner in $BNAI.

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The Hardest Part of Trading Isn’t the Strategy

Jan 15, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

The Hardest Part of Trading Isn’t the Strategy

Traders don’t fail because their strategy is bad. They fail because they forget the goal. Here’s the hardest lesson I had to learn.

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I’m Getting Back to Tracking My Trading

Jan 13, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

I’m Getting Back to Tracking My Trading

It has come that time in which I have to get back to tracking my trading, and I am using TradeZella as a way to accomplish that!

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Why Is Schwab (thinkorswim) Restricting the Buying of Stocks?

Jan 13, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

Why Is Schwab (thinkorswim) Restricting the Buying of Stocks?

Schwab has aggressively begun restricting the buying of volatile small cap stocks for active traders leaving us with no choice but to move elsewhere.

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How My Trading Is Changing in 2026

Jan 12, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

How My Trading Is Changing in 2026

Momentum stopped working late in 2025. Here’s how my trading is changing in 2026, with a focus on real companies, strong balance sheets, and downside protection.

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Why I Bought $BULL on the First Trading Day of 2026

Jan 5, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

Why I Bought $BULL on the First Trading Day of 2026

Why I bought $BULL at $7.90 after a week of research, including valuation, cash balance, user growth, and asymmetric upside.

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Dan Mirkin and the Making of Trade Ideas

Jan 4, 2026 · Kyle Vallans

Dan Mirkin and the Making of Trade Ideas

An in-depth founder interview with Dan Mirkin on building Trade Ideas by solving his own trading problems with speed and real-time data.

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Why I Bought The Trade Desk (TTD) Stock After a 69% Drop

Dec 29, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

Why I Bought The Trade Desk (TTD) Stock After a 69% Drop

The Trade Desk is down nearly 70% from its highs, but the business is still growing revenue, has a strong balance sheet, and serves many of the world’s largest advertisers. Here’s why I started a long position in TTD and how I’m thinking about the setup from a higher time frame perspective.

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Why Less Exciting Trading Leads to Better Results

Dec 23, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

Why Less Exciting Trading Leads to Better Results

Trading doesn’t have to be flashy to be profitable. By avoiding a few high-risk traps like penny stocks, leverage, leveraged ETFs, and options, traders can dramatically improve their odds and set themselves up for asymmetric returns over time.

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$IRBT Before the Weekend: What Traders Need to Know

Dec 19, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

$IRBT Before the Weekend: What Traders Need to Know

iRobot ($IRBT) is heading into OTC trading after a Nasdaq delisting, but that doesn’t change the outcome for shareholders. Here’s what traders need to understand before Monday to avoid unnecessary risk.

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Best Trading Books Ranked by Traders

Dec 16, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

Best Trading Books Ranked by Traders

Most “best trading books” lists are recycled opinions. This one is different. Using a popular X thread, traders’ recommendations were counted, cleaned, and ranked by frequency to reveal what traders actually recommend today.

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Why I’m Long PetMed Express ($PETS) After the $4 Buyout Proposal

Dec 12, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

Why I’m Long PetMed Express ($PETS) After the $4 Buyout Proposal

PetMed Express ($PETS) caught my attention after a non-binding $4 buyout offer highlighted just how cash-rich the company is. Here’s why I’m long and how I’m thinking about the risk-reward.

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Sticking Forks Into Electrical Sockets

Dec 11, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

Sticking Forks Into Electrical Sockets

Most new traders spend their first couple of years sticking forks into electrical sockets. You learn the hard way, you get burned, and you slowly figure out what actually works. That is the tuition you pay before you have any shot at becoming consistently profitable.

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Buying a HUGE Gap Down on $CHOW

Dec 10, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

Buying a HUGE Gap Down on $CHOW

On December 10th I took a long trade on CHOW after it opened 91 percent lower from a limit-down halt. The tape firmed up, buyers stepped in, and I flipped it for a quick gain. Here is exactly how I thought through it and why these small-cap liquidator trades still offer opportunity if you know what to look for.

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Most Small-Cap Long Traders Lose for One Simple Reason

Dec 9, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

Most Small-Cap Long Traders Lose for One Simple Reason

Most traders lose money going long on small caps because they forget what they are actually buying. These are terrible companies with temporary momentum, and once you understand that, the entire game changes.

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The Best Trading Chatrooms Worth Joining

Dec 4, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

The Best Trading Chatrooms Worth Joining

Here are the few trading and investing chatrooms that are genuinely worth joining. These communities are clean, high signal, and filled with traders who share real setups and insights. These are the rooms I personally use and recommend.

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Paid to Think

Nov 18, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

Paid to Think

Most traders spend too much time reacting and not enough time thinking. The best trades of the year come from a few obvious opportunities, not constant activity. Here’s why slowing down and thinking clearly is your real competitive edge.

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The AskEdgar Discord saved me thousands!

Nov 5, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

The AskEdgar Discord saved me thousands!

I almost bought $CHR after buyout rumors — until a quick question inside the AskEdgar Discord saved me from a 50% loss. Here’s how the platform and its community can help traders make smarter, faster decisions.

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3 Big Trades Heading Into 2026

Nov 3, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

3 Big Trades Heading Into 2026

Discover three high-conviction trade ideas for late 2025 — a potential $MRNA buyout, an overextended $NVDA setup, and a $IONQ short in the quantum bubble. Learn where smart capital is positioning for 2026.

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Max’s Secret: The One Thing Every Trader Should Copy

Oct 29, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

Max’s Secret: The One Thing Every Trader Should Copy

Max is one of the best traders at SMB Capital, known for mastering momentum, mean reversion, and options. But his real secret isn’t a strategy—it’s a daily habit that keeps him sharp, focused, and consistently winning.

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The Pre-Delisting Squeeze: A Trade I Like

Oct 23, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

The Pre-Delisting Squeeze: A Trade I Like

Discover a unique trading setup known as the “pre-delisting squeeze,” where heavily shorted penny stocks often surge just before being delisted. Learn the mechanics behind this trade and why it can create sharp short-covering rallies.

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The $1 Billion in Volume Auto Buy

Oct 21, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

The $1 Billion in Volume Auto Buy

When a stock trades over 1B shares, closes strong, and is up big on the day, it’s often an overnight momentum setup. Learn how to catch these moves and set up the Trade Ideas filter.

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What I Actually Want Out of Trading

Oct 20, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

What I Actually Want Out of Trading

I used to think trading had to be everything. Then I learned the real game is building a process that quietly compounds in the background while you build a good life. This isn’t about chasing every ticker or comparing yourself to others. It’s about trading with clarity, staying grounded, and defining what success actually looks like for you.

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Be Your Own Chief Risk Officer

Oct 17, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

Be Your Own Chief Risk Officer

Real traders don’t just manage trades, they manage risk like a Chief Risk Officer. Here’s how to protect capital, stay in the game, and actually turn the corner.

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The Dinner Table Trades

Oct 7, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

The Dinner Table Trades

The real money is made within the dinner table trades — the ones everyone’s talking about. On October 7th, 2025, that trade is $IONQ. Here’s why I’m short through $IONZ and why this setup has the potential to make my month.

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Trading Buckets 🪣

Oct 5, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

Trading Buckets 🪣

If your trading doesn’t fit into one of these buckets, you’re probably fighting an uphill battle. Month after month, the best traders make money in a few key setups. Here’s where you should focus.

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Should I Even Trade Full Time?

Oct 3, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

Should I Even Trade Full Time?

Many traders dream of going full-time, but the reality is often more brutal than glamorous. Here’s why keeping a remote job while trading might be the smartest path to long-term wealth.

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Why I Focus on Over-Extended Large Caps

Sep 28, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

Why I Focus on Over-Extended Large Caps

Four beaten-down companies worth studying this week. Not automatic buys, but potential opportunities to prepare for.

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Stock Analysis Pro Review: Is It Worth $5.92/Month?

Sep 26, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

Stock Analysis Pro Review: Is It Worth $5.92/Month?

Stock Analysis Pro gives investors unlimited access to decades of financial data, advanced screeners, ETF holdings, and ad-free research tools — all for just $5.92/month when billed annually. In this review, I break down its features, pricing, and whether it’s worth it.

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Trade to Get Rich

Sep 19, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

Trade to Get Rich

Trading is brutal. If your goal is just to cover bills instead of getting rich, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Here’s why having a job first may be the smartest path to long-term trading success.

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The Importance of Getting Off the Screens at Lunch

Sep 4, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

The Importance of Getting Off the Screens at Lunch

Trading isn’t about staring at quotes nonstop. Stepping away for lunch gives you the reset you need to think clearly, avoid overtrading, and stay sharp.

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Why IBD Style Trading Doesn’t Work at Proprietary Trading Firms

Sep 3, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

Why IBD Style Trading Doesn’t Work at Proprietary Trading Firms

IBD-style trading doesn’t fit the business model of short-term prop firms like SMB Capital or Kershner. From mark-to-market P&L rules to risk manager pressure, here’s why it never works inside these firms.

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Kyle's Trades

Sep 2, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

Kyle's Trades

A running list of my trades to stay accountable. Updated daily so you can see exactly what I’ve been trading.

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New Month, New You!

Sep 1, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

New Month, New You!

A new month means a fresh chance to clean up your trading habits. For me, that means cutting out front-running trades that have been costing me P&L and focus. Pick one thing to fix this month and see how much progress you can make.

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The Importance of Building out Filters

Aug 29, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

The Importance of Building out Filters

Most traders chase too many stocks. The best traders only see setups that fit their strategy. That’s the goal—filter the noise and focus on what you do best.

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The $150 Trading Tech Stack That’s Actually Worth It

Aug 15, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

The $150 Trading Tech Stack That’s Actually Worth It

The $150 trading tech stack that’s actually worth it: Stock Analysis, Trade Ideas, and Ask Edgar. Three tools I use daily for less than the cost of dinner out.

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The Best Free Market Newsletters I Read Regularly

Aug 14, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

The Best Free Market Newsletters I Read Regularly

Discover the best free market newsletters for investors. These curated emails help you stay informed on earnings, macro trends, tech news, and undervalued stocks.

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The Best Traders to Follow on Twitter in 2025

Aug 5, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

The Best Traders to Follow on Twitter in 2025

If you’re serious about trading, one of the smartest moves you can make is following great traders. From eight-figure prop veterans to retail traders who share every detail of their wins and losses, here’s a curated list of some of the best follows right now—people who consistently provide insights, lessons, and real-time perspective on the market.

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Why Front-Running Setups is Killing Your Trading Performance

Jul 23, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

Why Front-Running Setups is Killing Your Trading Performance

Learn why front-running your setups kills your win rate and how to avoid this costly trading mistake. Stay disciplined and improve your performance.

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Thinkorswim Overnight Momentum Scanners: Step-by-Step Setup & Strategy

Jul 16, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

Thinkorswim Overnight Momentum Scanners: Step-by-Step Setup & Strategy

Learn how to set up Thinkorswim scanners for overnight momentum trading. Follow our step-by-step guide to add custom scans, columns, and indicators for long and short strategies.

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What Does It Mean When People Say Trading Is an Art, Not a Science?

Jul 15, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

What Does It Mean When People Say Trading Is an Art, Not a Science?

Trading isn’t about rigid rules—it’s about adaptability. Learn why trading is considered an art, not a science, and how top traders think about risk, stops, and intuition.

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Dilution Tracker vs AskEdgar: Which One’s Better for Tracking Offerings and Filings?

Jul 6, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

Dilution Tracker vs AskEdgar: Which One’s Better for Tracking Offerings and Filings?

Ask EDGAR and Dilution Tracker are two of the top tools for tracking offerings and SEC filings. After comparing both, we think Ask EDGAR is the clear winner—offering better pricing, deeper research, a more active community, and a cleaner interface.

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How to Run Trade Ideas on a Mac (Yes, It’s Possible!)

Jul 5, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

How to Run Trade Ideas on a Mac (Yes, It’s Possible!)

Trade Ideas doesn’t offer a native Mac app, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. Whether you’re a casual trader or running complex automated strategies, there’s a solid workaround that fits your setup. In this guide, we break down the best ways to run Trade Ideas on a Mac — from simple browser access to advanced virtual desktops with full feature support. If you're serious about using Trade Ideas on macOS, this post will save you time and frustration.

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The Best Yahoo Finance Alternative

Jun 19, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

The Best Yahoo Finance Alternative

Track and analyze stocks faster with Stock Analysis. Use coupon code SAVEONTRADING to get access for just $5.92/month with our exclusive discount.

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Why the Standard Plan Is All You Need from Trade Ideas

Jun 19, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

Why the Standard Plan Is All You Need from Trade Ideas

The standard plan from Trade Ideas is $107 per month and is more than enough!

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The Hidden Edge of Hyperscalping

May 8, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

The Hidden Edge of Hyperscalping

Discover the surprising edge behind hyperscalping with Schwab. Learn how commission-free market orders can beat the pros using direct access brokers

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Catalyst Trading: How to Prepare for Market-Moving Events

May 6, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

Catalyst Trading: How to Prepare for Market-Moving Events

Catalyst trading is where preparation meets opportunity. From spin-offs to Fed meetings, the right events can send stocks soaring, or crashing. Let’s break down where and how to spot these golden market opportunities and trade them smartly.

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How To Autosave Drawings on Charts With Finviz Elite

May 2, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

How To Autosave Drawings on Charts With Finviz Elite

How to autosave drawings on Finviz charts—step-by-step guide with visuals. Learn where to find the autosave feature and never lose your chart annotations again.

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The App That Helped Me Focus and Trade Better

Apr 23, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

The App That Helped Me Focus and Trade Better

Block distractions and boost your trading focus with Freedom. Learn how this simple tool helped me cut out noise, reclaim time, and stay locked in on the market.

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Can You Write Off Trading Tools and Software? Yes—Here’s How

Apr 17, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

Can You Write Off Trading Tools and Software? Yes—Here’s How

Yes, traders can write off trading software, tools, and even research services. Learn what qualifies, how to do it, and the IRS rules to follow.

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Why Trade Ideas Web Is Perfect for Mac Users & Traders on the Go

Apr 15, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

Why Trade Ideas Web Is Perfect for Mac Users & Traders on the Go

If you’re using a Mac or trading on the go, Trade Ideas Web makes it easy to run your scanners, set alerts, and stay in the game—right from your browser.

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How Trade Ideas Replicates the Tools I Used at SMB Capital

Apr 14, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

How Trade Ideas Replicates the Tools I Used at SMB Capital

Trade Ideas is the closest thing to the proprietary software used at SMB Capital—offering real-time scanning, backtesting, and automation for serious traders. Get exclusive discounts at SaveOnTrading.

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How To Screen For Stocks With A Cheap Enterprise Value Relative To Their Market Cap

Apr 11, 2025 · Kyle Vallans

How To Screen For Stocks With A Cheap Enterprise Value Relative To Their Market Cap

Learn how to find undervalued stocks by screening for companies with low Enterprise Value relative to Market Cap. Use StockAnalysis to run this powerful value strategy—only at $8.99/month via SaveOnTrading.

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