Principles
The Rules We Trade By
Drawn from the contradictive, cycle-first philosophies of Camel Finance and Bob Loukas. These aren't suggestions — they're the operating system.
The Cycle is the Edge
Markets are not random — they move in recurring, measurable cycles. The 4-year macro cycle, the 60-day intermediate cycle, and the daily cycle create a nested structure that repeats across all markets. Your job is to identify where you are in the cycle and position accordingly.
— Bob Loukas
Be Contradictive
The crowd is almost always wrong at cycle turning points. When euphoria peaks, the cycle is near exhaustion. When fear dominates, a new cycle is forming. The best entries feel uncomfortable. If everyone agrees with your trade, you're probably late.
— Camel Finance
Push Until Unreasonable
Once you're in a cycle trade with confirmation, ride it. Don't take profits because you're scared — take profits because the cycle is telling you to. Push the position until the cycle becomes unreasonable: when time runs out, translation fails, or the confirmation stack breaks.
— Cycora Philosophy
It's OK to Be Wrong
No cycle analysis is perfect. Cycles can fail, stretch, or truncate. The goal is not to be right on every trade — the goal is for the process to make money over time. Accept losses quickly when the cycle invalidates, and let winners run when the cycle confirms.
— Cycora Philosophy
Risk Management is Non-Negotiable
Every trade has a defined invalidation — typically the break of the prior cycle low. Protect capital before chasing upside. Position sizing should reflect cycle confidence: higher confidence in right-translated bull cycles, lower in uncertain or left-translated phases.
— Bob Loukas
Confirmation Before Action
Never anticipate a cycle low — confirm it. Wait for the full stack: cycle low detection, 10-SMA reclaim, DSS Bressert signal, and trendline break. Missing a few percent at the bottom is always better than catching a falling knife.
— Camel Finance
Translation Tells the Truth
Where the cycle peaks relative to its midpoint reveals the market's true character. Right translation means strength — lean in aggressively. Left translation means weakness — play defense or sit out. Translation is the single most important cycle concept.
— Bob Loukas
Emotional Control is a Skill
Fear and greed are cycle signals, not trading signals. When you feel the urge to buy because everyone is buying, the cycle is likely topping. When you feel the urge to sell because everyone is panicking, the cycle is likely bottoming. Use emotion as a contrarian indicator.
— Both