Campaign Trading By John Sweeney

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The first and only professional guide that tackles the impermanence and built-in obsolescence of most trading systems. This book carefully shows futures, options, stocks, and bonds traders how to create a profitable campaign that works for a specific financial instrument, under certain circumstances, for a limited period of time. Then, instead of blindly staying with the system, the user learns to redevelop and adapt it for the next set of financial circumstances. Because the program is constantly adjusted to meet market changes, obsolescence is avoided and the overall trading campaign remains fresh, flexible, and even more profitable. Offers sound guidelines to implement trending into any trading system.

From the Inside Flap

Campaign Trading Success in the trading arena requires the ability to change strategies on a regular basis in order to accommodate moves in the market and shifts in investment preferences. And while having a solid trading system in place is important for attaining favorable and profitable results, it is equally important to have an overall approach that is flexible. After all, any given system is only effective for a certain period of time, under a specific set of circumstances.

Campaign Trading gives you the tools you need to develop a strong trading style that can be adjusted, refined, and returned, when necessary, to meet the demands of current market behavior. Author John Sweeney, Technical Editor of the highly regarded Technical Analysis of Stocks & Commodities magazine, has written a one-of-a-kind book that focuses on the “big picture.” He maps out a game plan with which you can win the trading war, not just the isolated battles.

Covering essential topics such as the basics and anomalies of campaigning, reversing bad trades, reversing out of ranges, and using options to shift the odds, this invaluable reference shows you how to build a sound base for campaigning. You will learn what measurement techniques to use, how to test trading rules for effectiveness, and how to pick the types of trades you will use in future campaigns. Campaign Trading uses case examples to illustrate how to create a profitable trading campaign that takes advantage of a specific trading instrument under a variety of circumstances.

Once this campaign is established, you’ll learn how to redevelop and adapt it to a new and different set of market conditions, thereby avoiding the built-in obsolescence typically found in systems that remain static. With Campaign Trading, you’ll be appropriately armed to battle system impermanence and obsolescence. Whether you’re a futures, options, stock, or bond trader, you’ll find this must-have reference an indispensable source of help and guidance for keeping your system effective and on target—regardless of what the market is doing.

From the Back Cover

“John Sweeney helps traders break free from the rigidity of single-note systems by teaching the principles of maximum adverse excursion and maximum favorable excursion. With his approach, you’ll know exactly when to stay in a trade and when to walk away—allowing you to succeed across any market setting.” — Tushar S. Chande, Ph.D., Author, The New Technical Trader

“For traders who are serious about gaining an advantage, this book is essential. In Campaign Trading, John Sweeney introduces the concept of excursion analysis, a discipline every committed trader must understand to consistently achieve success.” — Thom Hartle, Editor, Technical Analysis of Stocks & Commodities

“Sweeney tackles one of the most overlooked elements of technical trading—how to exit effectively. With impressive depth and research, he explains how to capture profits while avoiding devastating losses under varying market conditions.” — John F. Ehlers, Author, MESA and Trading Market Cycles

Adaptability: The Key to Trading Longevity

In the fast-moving world of trading, strategies cannot remain static. Markets shift, investor preferences evolve, and a rigid system soon becomes outdated. While a structured trading method is essential for achieving profitable results, long-term success also depends on flexibility. No single system works forever. Campaign Trading provides the insights and tools needed to build a trading style that can be fine-tuned and reshaped to fit the market as it changes.

The Big-Picture Roadmap

John Sweeney, respected Technical Editor of Technical Analysis of Stocks & Commodities magazine, delivers a book that goes beyond surface-level strategies. He outlines a blueprint for winning not just isolated trades, but the overall trading campaign. Core topics include the fundamentals and anomalies of campaigning, correcting poor trades, breaking out of stagnant ranges, and using options to improve probability. Readers will also learn how to apply the right measurement techniques, test the strength of trading rules, and select the most effective trades for future campaigns.

Real-World Applications and Case Studies

Through detailed examples, Campaign Trading demonstrates how to construct and execute a campaign around a chosen instrument under multiple conditions. More importantly, it shows how to evolve that campaign into a fresh strategy when market conditions change, eliminating the weakness of systems that remain unchanged.

An Indispensable Resource for Every Trader

Armed with Sweeney’s strategies, you’ll be equipped to counter the challenges of system impermanence and obsolescence. Whether you trade futures, options, stocks, or bonds, this book offers practical, lasting guidance to keep your trading method sharp and effective—no matter how the market behaves.