Fighting The Tape

Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Fighting The Tape'

The action of placing a trade or trades that go against the ticker tape. Fighting the tape is viewed as a contrarian stance, as traders who choose to trade against the tape are taking positions which oppose the general market perception. Traders who buy when the rest of the market is selling might say they are buying when there's "blood in the streets."
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Fighting The Tape'

Someone who is buying stocks while the overall market is falling is said to be fighting the tape. Many traders say that fighting the tape is a cardinal sin. In volatile markets, however, choosing to fight the tape can lead to profitable trades, since such markets can make directional changes very quickly and abruptly. Conversely, traders can also lose their shirts if the market continues to move against them for a prolonged period.

Sign Up For Term of the Day!

Try Our Stock Simulator!

Test your trading skills!

Related Definitions

  1. Painting The Tape

    A form of market ...
  2. Ticker Tape

    A computerized ...
  3. Trend

    The general ...
  4. Countertrend Strategy

    A trading ...
  5. Double Up

    An investing ...
  6. Digits Deleted

    A designation on ...
  7. Sector

    1. An area of ...
  8. Cyclical Industry

    A type of an ...
  9. Boom

    A period of time ...
  10. Industry

    A classification ...

Articles Of Interest

  1. Understanding The Ticker Tape

    We explain the meaning and use of that reel of symbols whizzing across your TV or computer screen.
  2. Identifying Market Trends

    The success or failure of your long- and short-term investing depends on recognizing the direction of the market.
  3. Forces That Move Stock Prices

    You can't predict exactly how stocks will behave, but knowing what affects prices will put you ahead of the pack.
  4. Which Direction Is The Market Heading?

    The easy and underused NYSE Bullish Percent Index provides insight into market conditions.
  5. Whisper Numbers: Should You Listen?

    These unofficial forecasts hold the potential for insider insight - and investment risk.
  6. Translating Ticker Talk

    Stock tickers can say a lot about a company in just a few letters. Find out how to read them.
  7. Should You Be Afraid Of Dark Pool Liquidity?

    Don't fear the deep end. Dark pool liquidity can help drive down stock cost for everyday investors.
  8. Turnaround Stocks: U-Turn To High Returns

    Find out which catalysts can turn struggling stocks around to create a tidy profit.

comments powered by Disqus
Recommended
Loading, please wait...
Trading Center