One of the strongest suggestions I can make to a systems trader is to find a top notch executing broker to run their trading systems for them. The benefits of this can be enormous.

The first benefit of using an executing broker is time. Running a trading system is far more time consuming than most people at first realize. There are the daily data downloads, occasional data errors, running the trading system software, generating the orders, entering the orders, trading errors and so on. When it is all said and done, traders need to devote much of their evening, every night to making sure everything is correct. This can interfere with basic plans like going out to dinner! But, those investors using an expert executing broker are able to regain all this time, the broker handles the grunt work. This frees your time to do far more productive things such as new research, or spending quality time with family and friends and so on.

The next tremendous benefit is automatic discipline. Anybody who has traded a system long enough knows that there is always a tendency to want not to follow the system at times. This can happen after a series of losers when ones confidence is weak. However, as we all should know, failing to follow your systems diligently is a serious no-no and is the largest cause of trading system failures. Having a third party whose job it is to place all the trades accurately and without hesitation can be a decisive factor of successful trading. (This is my opinion after many years of experience watching this).

Another significant benefit is the camaraderie that can develop between a trader and his broker. Trading can be a lonely place full of stresses and strains. Having a sympathetic and understanding broker that knows that system inside and out and his lived through all its ups and downs can be invaluable. This is especially true if that broker also trades that same system for his own account.

In summary, it is my opinion that employing expert trading systems brokers can be an essential part of a trader's success. Not only does an executing broker free your time to pursue other interests, but it also creates a friendly yet disciplined environment where every trade is accurately taken every time. The benefits of having more time while having an efficient trading operation are key factors in ones success, in my experience.

Commodity trading carries risks and is not suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.