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Trading Legend: Jesse Livermore, Known as the Greatest of All Time?

Young Jesse earned the nickname "Boy Plunger" due to his youthful appearance and penchant for assuming substantial trades, contrasting wisely against his contemporaries.

Notable Finance Figure: Jesse Livermore, Known as One of the Greatest Traders Ever
Notable Finance Figure: Jesse Livermore, Known as One of the Greatest Traders Ever

Trading Legend: Jesse Livermore, Known as the Greatest of All Time?

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Jesse Livermore, hailed as the world's greatest stock trader, had a life as turbulent as the stock market itself. Born in the late 19th century, Livermore's career spanned several decades, marked by extreme wealth and bankruptcy, and ultimately, tragedy.

Livermore's trading strategy was characterised by his unwavering conviction in his decisions. As he once said, "The only area I may have differed from most speculators was when I felt I was truly right, dead right, for-damn-sure right-then I would go all the way, shoot the works." This bold approach, while often successful, also led to his financial ruin multiple times.

One of the key challenges Livermore faced was managing the risk of ruin in his trading. A 10% risk per trade, according to experts, has a 100% risk of ruin in the long term for most trading systems. Livermore struggled with this, and his inability to manage risk contributed to his financial downfall.

Livermore's personal life was equally tumultuous. He was married twice, and his second marriage was to a woman with a troubled past. The turmoil this relationship brought may have contributed to his eventual depression and suicide. However, there are no relevant or credible search results detailing specific personalities or events linked to Livermore's separation from his second wife.

The mental anguish and pain from Livermore's wild equity curve may have also played a role in his tragic end. It is speculated that the ups and downs of his trading career took a heavy toll on his mental health.

Despite his struggles, Livermore left a lasting legacy. His life serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of careful risk management in trading. It is easier to recover from a 10% drawdown when risking 1% of capital per trade compared to blowing up when risking all capital on every trade.

In the end, Livermore passed away, leaving behind a legacy as the world's greatest stock trader. His story serves as a reminder that while trading can offer great rewards, it also comes with significant risks. Careful risk management is essential to avoid the risk of ruin.

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