If you look at the web address of this blog, you would encounter the word "tsupitero" which you wouldn't find in any standard dictionary. It's well known however, in the stock traders' lingo. (As used here, the term has no gender limitation. Is there a word tsupitera?)
The term refers to you and me, the small investor, who attempts to earn something from the stock market by trading in and out a stock position (s) on the basis of rumors, tips and supposedly inside information. The label is hurled with derision, oftentimes from so-called analysts and traders who seem to delude themselves that they alone are the masters of the trade (pardon the pun). The term connotes ignorance, gullibility and associated words.
The closest to the term is the word "kibitzer" which in chess lingo refers to a woodpusher who watches a game between masters and grandmasters and offers analysis and recommends "better" moves on the sidelines.
In short, nag-memeron (my apologies to non-natives).
That situation was truer then before the digital age. Now that data and information (these are disparate things) can be easily be obtained through the internet, theoretically, the professional and the kibitzer are playing on a level field. With the stock exchange evolving into more professional market, more and more information are available to everybody at no cost which were hitherto found only within the domain of the old-boys' (and girls') club of traders and brokers.
Take quarterly reports. Before, if you want to know how a company performs on a quarterly basis you have to go to the stock exchange library to browse them, and you have to present an acceptable ID and an alibi why you are interested in such-and-such report. Now, with a click of the mouse, you have a pdf copy right into your hard disk. You don't even have to download them; just let them stay in the Cloud and pluck them when you need them.
Reforms done by government regulatory bodies allow us, tsupiteros to access previously privileged information on listed companies such as buying and selling of insiders (the Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership of Securities) or ownership (Public Ownership Report). These may not concern the average investor, but insights can be gained just by snooping at them.
The point is, with some basic financial knowledge, common sense and reasonable diligence, the tsupitero can be at par with the seasoned traders, brokers and analysts when it comes to investing and trading.
In some areas, he may even have an advantage. He has no ax to grind. Unlike the professional analyst who covers a security, he is at liberty to decide when to sell or buy a stock. The analyst on the other hand, would have a hard time recommending a SELL to a stock he is covering, especially if he has developed friendship with the company's investor relations guy, or if his boss, for unknown reasons, disapproves of his recommendation.
I wouldn't be offended if the term is bestowed upon me. I like it. I consider it a badge of independence and confidence of oneself when it comes to investing.
You should not, too. Now is the right time to take charge of oneself . Arise, tsupiteros.
Prepare your weapons and ammunition. Load up on provisions. We are going to wage war.
It's a Bucketshop traders back at the turn of the early 1900's when a stock bettor will come to the Stock betting parlor and bet on a 10-shares trade with a 1 point/margin. I do the same thing trade 10-shares if it goes down 1 or 2 points I'm out, but if it goes on my favors I add up my position and buy another 10-shares lot. Phyramiding my position. Do you know anyone that do these betting on the stock? Putting in 1 or 2 points margin/waging?
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