What is the differenec between these two boards (apart from the fact that one costs money to use)? Are they actually separate?

tobin37 -

I'm writing this as a lurker on the other BB, rather than a regular trader, but here are my thoughts on the Traders' BB:

Those on the Traders' BB are primarily focused on short term trading using vehicles like spreadbetting (through companies like CMC/Deal4Free, IG Index, City Index, Fins) or CFDs, Contracts for Difference, (using direct access to the markets via companies like GNI or ETrade.) Their trading styles vary from 'scalping' the odd point or two several times a day, to taking slightly longer-term position or swing trades. Some play UK equities, and others play market indices and futures like the FTSE, Dax, Dow or SP500. They use real-time data, from Sharescope or Updata if not from the more expensive US feeds and trading platforms. Many use Level 2 data, either from the trading companies they deal with or from MoneyAM, which enables them to see the true state of the order book for different stocks, giving them an edge in some situations, and preventing them from falling into traps in others - when fake orders are distorting the trading environment, for example.

What I've described so far is actually the content of the Traders and USA threads on the Traders' BB, rather than the other threads on there. Compared with the Investors' BB there are very few (hardly any) threads dealing specifically with individual stocks, and those that do exist are usually looking at those stocks purely from a day-trading technical analysis (TA) perspective (eg BARC, LLOY, or RSA) or bordering on jokey wind-ups (eg Burberry). The emphasis is primarily on predicting price movements using TA indicators on graphs and charts, and sometimes reacting quickly to live news, rather than longer-term fundamental analysis. Most of the other threads there are trading-related including topics like technical information (eg pivots) advice on trading software (eg eSignal) and hardware (eg multi-screen PC systems) and plenty of debate on the pros and cons of using different spreadbetting and CFD companies. The remaining threads generally feature arrangements for events like the highly-praised MoneyAM Trading Days, and other social get-togethers, along with a few sports-related and jokey ones. Trading itself can be a solitary pastime, but the Traders' BB, with its social events and activities, brings people together and injects some fun into the process.

Traders contributing to the Traders' BB are generally a sociable bunch who are knowledgable, friendly and helpful - quick to help beginnersa and to praise others who've offered good advice or made a good trade, but equally quick to commiserate with those who've had a bad day.

They are also, of course, completely barmy. Some more so than others!

Hope that helps.

StonyB

StonyB has summed it up perfectly.

I think that a lot of the comments here are true, the traders room is generally to do with (very) short term trading on margin. However there are also a lot of people who like to swing trade, run positions for several days / weeks, and we do have a thread about stocks to swing trade in a PEP / ISA / SIPP wrapper.

As has also been said, the traders thread is generally a very friendly place to be, anyone who steps out of line is politely corrected although that rarely happens. A lot, but not all of the posters have met at some time, usually MoneyAM's traders meetings. The level of help and support is great. Newcomers are welcomed warmly. Give it a try, aanyone asking a question usually gets a helpful reply, no matter how stupid the q seems at the time - we were all there once.

I think I should visit the investors thread more often, but I only have so much time in the day.

Oh and it was me that took a 2p profit on sctn, but I also took a 3p profit on sctn later in the day, total 3p, but on margin that earned me 5% approx. on my capital. Yes, pure speculating, but often highly profitable if done well - ie by others than me!!! And I was working.

When I first signed up at the 'other place' i joined the free bb.
I quickly realized that i wasn't going to learn much there as there were too many idiots posting and cluttering up the board. I changed to the 'premium' board where the posters were more experienced and serious (apart from a notable few).
On this site however the posters on the 'investors' bb are quite civilized and experienced so although i have been a beta tester on the 'traders' bb i didn't feel it necessary to renew when MAM finally asked me for monry.
I think the only difference is that the contributors to the 'traders' bb are prepared to pay the 5 pm fee and us 'investors' aren't.