John Carter

Founder of Simpler Trading®

John Carter

“I think there are a lot of parallels between being a good trader and living a good life. The market truly is the ultimate psychologist.”

Who is John?

John Carter has been a full-time trader since 1996. In 1999, tired of talking to his goldfish while trading alone in his office, John launched TradetheMarkets.com to post his trading ideas. The company has since evolved into what is now, Simpler Trading. In addition to being an experienced trader, John is also a published author. The 3rd Edition of his book, John Carter: Mastering the Trade, was a #1 Best Seller on Amazon. John is the trading expert everyone turns to when the markets go awry (as they often do), and many of our traders have taken ideas and strategies from him and morphed them into their own strategies. He’s truly one of the best with a level of charisma that draws people in, which has transformed him into the famous trader he is today.

He started Simpler Trading because he wanted to create a community of traders, who educate others simply because they care about other people’s success. His setups, market knowledge, and guidance to continually improve yourself as a trader are invaluable. As for his trading strategy, it combines expert technical analysis with an overall macro, fundamental view. His proven trading setups identify large directional plays that he leverages with both options and futures, as well as neutral moments in time for income trading opportunities when market conditions are on the slow side. He likes being in the trade before anyone else, and he uses his signature indicator ‘the Squeeze’ to enter many of these plays. The scans he created allow him to locate his favorite setups and jump on moves before they take off.

What makes him a truly fantastic mentor on top of his vast knowledge, is his ability to make you feel as though you’re talking to an old friend. John’s trades can generally be adjusted for those looking for a more conservative take on his aggressive plays, and traders can use his tools to find setups that fit their own risk parameters. His trading style is best geared towards a trader with previous experience and a solid understanding of the inner workings of the market. You can find him daily in our trading room, sharing his analysis and trade ideas with our members.

Follow him @johnfcarter on Twitter.

Where can I find John at Simpler?

The Simpler Trading Team is unlike any other. We have 100+ years of combined market experience. While most other services offer ‘hypothetical’ trades and theories, we share our actual trading ideas in real-time. Start a $7 Trial >>

John’s Courses

Instantly Find Hidden Squeeze Pro Setups Across All 18 Timeframes

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New Automated Squeeze Signals for Targeting Bigger and Faster Gains

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John’s Trading Plan

Go into looking at the market without a bias – look at what the charts and internals are telling me and then go from there. Trying to impose my will on the market is pointless.

My goal in my larger trading account is to make 2.5% to 5% weekly, and wire out 2.5%. In my small account, the goal is consistent growth.

  • Cutting the trades that aren’t working
  • Lighten up on the weekends
  • Don’t make a decision that could lead to giving back all my gains

​I trade futures, indexes, options, options on futures and indexes, and stocks.

I will trade all time frames, my favorites being the Daily and the 30 minute charts. I also like the 195 minute chart.

  • Squeezes on any time frame
  • Reversion to the mean plays in a trending market
  • Fade the gap
  • High short interest with squeezes
  1. There has to be a Squeeze. A monthly or weekly Squeeze is a bonus.
  2. Price above the 34-period moving average
  3. Stacked moving averages on the daily time frame chart
  4. If it’s trading within 10% of 52-week or all-time highs, this is an especially good setup

I generally place stops right outside the 2 ATR band on a daily chart.

For trade exits, I look at Fibonacci extensions to find resistance levels, and also watch for signs from my indicators that the move is weakening.

My default risk for a trade is 5% of my account. I don’t let the trade go to max loss, but 5% is what I would be willing to risk going into a trade. I will go bigger as well.

My trading relies on the Squeeze. I find it’s best to only trade when I have a Squeeze forming.

I write down notes each day on how the day went, if I made any trading mistakes, went too big on a trade, traded when the setup wasn’t ideal based on my rules, and note things I can improve on or that I did well.

Anything can happen: develop a resolute, unshakable belief in uncertainty. The market has no responsibility to give us anything or do anything that would benefit us. Markets are neutral: I do an overview every year in December to look for key themes. I want to know what I did best, what I did worst, and how I can adjust what I’m doing to maximize my potential for the next year. Losses are okay: losing or being wrong are inevitable realities of trading, since anything can happen. Taking small losses is part of a successful trader’s job. Accept risk: fully acknowledge the risks inherent in trading and accept Monitor emotions: learn how to monitor and control the negative effects of euphoria and the potential for self-sabotage. Abandon search for Holy Grail: attitude produces better overall results than analysis or technique.

  • Don’t be a dick for a tick
  • When you get the chance, feed the ducks
  • Don’t lose your ass on a Friday

Trading Platforms Used by John:


John’s Must Read Books:

3rd Edition: Mastering the Trade

One of today’s most successful traders, John F. Carter has made his popular guide more relevant and effective than ever.

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Fibonacci Trading

Carolyn Boroden shows you how Fibonacci patterns studies can be used as an extremely effective method for achieving greater profitability.

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The War of Art

A succinct, engaging, and practical guide for succeeding in any creative sphere, The War of Art is nothing less than Sun-Tzu for the soul.

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The Disciplined Trader

Mark Douglas examines the causes as to why most traders cannot raise and keep their equity on a consistent basis, in this industry classic.

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Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic

An illuminating look at the extraordinary life of one of Silicon Valley’s most exciting, unpredictable, and ambitious entrepreneurs.

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Trading in the Zone

Douglas uncovers the underlying reasons for lack of consistency and helps traders overcome the ingrained mental habits that cost them money.

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Way of the Turtle

Way of the Turtle reveals, for the first time, the reasons for the success of the secretive trading system used by the group known as the “Turtles.”

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The Complete Turtle Trader

The true story behind Wall Street legend Richard Dennis, his disciples, the Turtles, and the trading techniques that made them millionaires.

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The New Market Wizards

Mr. Schwager is a recognized industry expert in futures and hedge funds and the author of a number of widely acclaimed financial books.

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Understanding Options 2E

Michael Sincere is a full-time columnist, writer, and author of numerous books, including Understanding Stocks and All About Market Indicators.

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Second Edition: The Black Swan

In this groundbreaking book, Taleb shows that Black Swan events explain almost everything about our world, and yet we are blind to them.

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Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder

An investigation of opacity, luck, uncertainty, probability, human error, risk, and decision-making in a world we don’t understand.

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Sixth Edition: Security Analysis

Masters of value investing explain why the principles and techniques of Graham and Dodd are still highly relevant even in today’s vastly different markets.

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Here are some of John’s favorite products:

BulletProof Brain Octane Oil

I use this for memory, focus, and clarity. Crave less and do more with brain-boosting, fat-burning, high-energy fuel. Ketogenic. Innovative cap design gives you a precise pour…

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Panda Planner® Pro

I use this for planning daily and weekly. Most people struggle to keep up with the demands of modern life, leaving them feeling overwhelmed and xhausted…

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Specialty Grade Organic Whole Bean Coffee

Specialty Grade Organic Whole Bean Coffee The best coffee and healthiest setup. Fresh-roasted, specialty grade, antioxidant-rich, medium roast organic whole bean coffee delivered fresh to your door.

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Rambler 30 oz.

Tumbler I use this to stay hydrated with enough water. Your morning brew stays hot, and your iced coffee will stay cold - so take your time…

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Vital Brain Booster

I use this for memory, focus, and clarity. This supplement works to enhance cognitive function through key nutrient supplementation. Each nootropic capsule contains highly effective ingredients…

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Adjustable Computer Desk

Adjustable Computer Desk Reduce, reuse, recycle—and look good while you’re doing it with the UPLIFT V2 Rubberwood Solid Wood Height Adjustable Desk…

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WACOM Intuos Pro

Wacom Intuos Pro offers you more natural creative control than ever before. Combined with the super-sensitive Wacom Pro Pen 2, our sleek new tablet looks and feels amazing…

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Gunnar Haus Onyx Gaming Glasses

HAUS blue light blocking glasses rewrite the design paradigm with turn-of-the-century, European hand-crafted materials melded into micro-forged modernistic detailing…

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John In the Media

Chat With Traders: MORE Aggressive Trading, MORE Million-Dollar Wins w/ John Carter

August 11, 2022

Returning guest and veteran options trader John Carter has become increasingly aggressive with his trading tactics, and as a result, has booked a multitude of large profits during the past few years.

Fox Business: What To Know About Cannabis ETFs, & Stocks

September 26, 2018

Simpler Trading CEO John Carter discusses the recent buzz around marijuana stocks and how more cannabis ETFs are beginning to emerge.

Fox Business: Stock market continues to rally despite weak corporate earnings

March 11, 2019

Fox Business: Stock market continues to rally despite weak corporate earnings

Tasty Works: The Australian Dollar

July 19, 2012

Catch John Carter from Simpler Trading. Tom, Tony and John talk about the Australian dollar. The Australian dollar was new to Tom!

John’s Classes:

John’s Indicators

Associated Memberships

That's as far as you can go!