Free Education » XpressMethod

Finding trading success isn't easy, but putting yourself in the best possible position to get there can be with the XpressMethod – our five-step blueprint for developing a solid trading plan and putting it into action using the many trading tools and resources on the optionsXpress platform.

Step 1: Plan

You can't reach your financial goals without first considering how you're going to get there. So start with some simple questions. What are your objectives? Are you going to invest or trade? How are you going to manage risk? What are your rules for investing or trading?

Step 2: Screen

How are you going to find the investments or trades that align with your goals and objectives? What are your criteria? It's time to get familiar with the trading tools that can help you scan the markets for the opportunities that best fit your plans.

Step 3: Analyze

Once you've determined your criteria and assembled a collection of possible investments, the next step is to analyze these choices within the scope of your specific plan. Determine which indicators – fundamental or technical – will help you best assess each potential opportunity, and begin thinking about entry and exit signals.

Step 4: Execute

With your plan firmly in place, and a number of investment opportunities found and scrutinized to fit comfortably into that plan, it's time to put things in motion using our powerful execution tools and tactics.

Step 5: Monitor

A good investment plan needs ongoing care and management to ensure that it's continually meeting your goals and performing the way that you envisioned. But your original goals may change, and the markets most certainly will change. So you may need to go back and alter your plan, screen new ideas, do more analysis, and possibly move in a different direction.

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