Ed (@eddyb123) is a Popular Investor from the UK who enjoys travelling around the world. He uses his sound financial background, and his passion for recognising technologies that will generate disruption, to identify financial opportunities, all while sipping cocktails on sandy beaches. We asked him to answer a few questions about his trading style and strategy:
76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. This is not investment advice.
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself
I’m Ed from England, although I am currently travelling around the world. The majority of my career has been as a Project Manager, building apps and websites for major banks and organisations. After building up some savings, I decided to go full time on eToro and drive around the Americas. I love futurology and technology, so I enjoy researching and analysing upcoming trends while venturing through jungles and relaxing on beaches.
2. Did you have previous experience with financial investments before joining eToro?
Yes – I studied Business and Management at university and opted to take a lot of Finance based modules. From that point, I started investing with robo-advisors, before selecting funds myself and subsequently picking out individual assets. Finding eToro made all of that a lot easier.
3. Why did you choose to join eToro?
The financial world is incredibly complicated and investing in new instruments can always be quite daunting. The simplicity of eToro was a major draw, but I liked the social aspect of the platform as well. I spend a lot of time reading the opinions of other Popular Investors and the ensuing discussions.
4. What are the three key benefits of using eToro?
Ease of use – I can keep an eye on the markets through my phone, wherever I am in the world.
Information – eToro’s Smart Portfolios are a great introduction to new markets and ideas, eToro Senior Analyst Mati Greenspan’s newsletters are always informative, and other users’ opinions provide new perspectives.
Support – I have found the staff at eToro really helpful and responsive which is a big comfort on this type of platform.
5. How has eToro changed the way you trade?
I have used other platforms in the past, but the simplicity of eToro’s design, particularly on the mobile app, makes it so much easier to get the information I want when I want it.
6. What is your type of trading strategy and on what is it focused?
I prefer the term ‘investing,’ and the technology sector is my playing field. My career focused on building and designing technology that would disrupt markets and give companies a competitive edge. So I spend my time assessing what the technological world will look like in years to come and who, and what, is best placed to take advantage of that. I select assets and companies that I think will embed themselves in their market over the next few years. I think day trading has been overwhelmed by algorithms, which is why I have put together a long-term portfolio that I think will be resilient and profitable.
7. What are the benefits of being a Popular Investor and what is your long-term goal?
Well, you get paid as a Popular Investor, so there’s that… Beyond that though, eToro offers much support throughout the process with newsletters, webinars and marketing all thrown in to propel your progress. As a Popular Investor, my goal now is to increase my AUM and the best way to do that is by making other users rich. I would also like to think that people read what I post and consider the ideas I offer as they put together their own portfolios.
8. Do you have any advice for your copiers/ users considering copying you?
I always recommend that you copy my open trades, given my trading volume is pretty low. I would also suggest that you invest at least $1000 in order to ensure that there are no syncing issues when I make changes to the portfolio. More broadly, be patient and make sure that your investment in me is reflective of your risk appetite when balanced with any other investments you might have.
9. What are your hobbies?
I am travelling full time at the moment, so I don’t know if beaches, hammocks and cocktails count as hobbies, but I also enjoy making those cocktails, playing poker, writing, reading, football (both playing and watching), cooking and learning about other cultures.
eToro is a multi-asset platform which offers both investing in stocks and cryptocurrencies, as well as trading CFD assets.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
This is not investment advice. Past performance is not an indication of future results.