How the market makers extract millions of dollars a day and How to grab your share – A chance meeting or was the universe just delivering what I was searching for? I was in a crowded cafe at lunchtime enjoying some minestrone soup and whilst pondering the elements that made it so good, my table shot to the left and the soup exited on the right. The culprit, an expensive suit apologized and ordered me another.
I tried to make polite conversation but sitting down with his colleague; he made it clear that conversation was not on the cards. I admit I was eaves dropping, I had to, they were talking about the markets and trading was currently not going well for me.
I was just about to try my luck at gleaning some information when one suit said to the other “OK so the deal is this, you do not act today in one, you assist if needed, and that’s all. Blue will be setting up from 2-3:30 news at 2.30 you step in at about 46 and pick up the stragglers, OK?” “Yes, got it” the other suit replied, “Now lunch and no more work talk”. They drifted off into talking about boats and my courage to interrupt faded.
Soup finished I decided to go and see the London Stock Exchange building before heading back home. I got lost on the way but eventually I was standing in front of the building when I heard a familiar voice, I turned to see Mr Minestrone, as I now like to call him. He looked dead at me with a very surprised expression, which then turned to what I can only describe as a glare as he brushed past.
He then looked again over his shoulder as he entered the LSE building. That was the last I ever saw of Mr Minestrone and although I did not realise it at the time he was to be the most influential person I have ever met regarding trading the markets. However, it would be several more years before the overheard words of Mr Minestrone would change my life forever.
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