Frequently Asked Questions
Consultation fees:
This ranges between £1,400 and £1,700 for England and Wales and is dependent on discussion, location and length of time, typically a full day.
What is your success rate?:
A good question but sometimes difficult to answer in any small time frame. It’s not unusual to hit several losers in a row, nor the opposite. The main question is easier when put like this – “do you make money trading the markets”. The answer then simply is YES. ‘Can You’ is your important question, again the simple answer to this is, YES. NOTE: It’s also possible for you to lose money, so let’s remember to never trade with money you cannot afford to be without. Specific figures can be discussed and provided in person but in short, is far better in any successful month than a bank currently gives in 1 year.
Below are current stats:
Dated: 1st October 2021 to 31st December 2023
Gross Exposure £1.93m
437 Trades
Return Rate: 0.92
Contract win rate: 44%
Profit/Loss Ratio: 1.06:1
Average hold on successful trades: 26 days, 18 hours
Average hold on losing trades: 21 days, 12 hours
Markets traded:
S&P 500
FTSE 100
Dax 40
VIX
Platinum
Cac40
Natural Gas
EU Volatility
VIX (Volatility Index)
Is there a Guarantee of income:
I must distinctly express (for legal and honesty reasons) that there is no guarantee whatsoever in you making money from trading on any consultation that I may provide to you – I am obliged to state this by law. This is a speculative business and as such should not be relied upon for a sole source of income - diversity is key. You should only use money you can comfortably afford to lose.
What do you trade:
I mainly trade commodities on the futures exchange. However, the list below is not exhaustive and depending on market factors can also take advantage of major indexes as well as stock in individual companies. The following list is an example of what I and my team are regularly monitoring and trained in:
My Team currently consists of 2 analysts growing to 5 by end of 2024 (Previously 2023 - the 2nd half yearly results of 2023 was a negative return that wiped out yearly profits and ended in the red.
Softs:
Orange Juice
Sugar 11
Sugar 5
Soybeans
Soybean Oil
Soybean meal
Robusta Coffee
Arabica Coffee
Cotton (New York)
Wheat (London)
Wheat (Chicago)
Oats
Rough Rice
Corn
Cocoa (New York)
Cocoa (London)
Lumber
Live Stock: (note - if you are vegetarian, vegan or against meat trade, you may not wish to take these trades)
Feeder cattle
Lean hogs
Live cattle
Energies: (note - if you are strictly on the side of green energy, you may not wish to take these trades)
Natural Gas
US Crude oil
Gas Oil (London)
No lead gas
Heating oil
Metals:
Platinum
Aluminium
High grade copper
Gold
Silver
Palladium
*The above list may be added to or subtracted from without notice depending on market conditions.
Why don't you give as many signals/consultations as some other providers:
I am mainly looking to catch longer term trends which I believe are more reliable and cost effective. Longer term trends also filter out a lot of the noise you get during minutes, hours and days of trading back and forth. Bear in mind that every time you open and close a trade, your broker will charge a commission meaning you have to earn more simply to pay your broker. Many signal providers want you to open and close several trades per day in order to get paid. I do not rely on your commissions for business nor do I receive any and would rather give you a few good quality trades than a bag full of poor ones. Do not confuse quantity for quality.
What makes you different from other traders or signal providers:
I don't throw out several signals per day just to make commissions nor do I insist you join with a specified broker for a return. I give genuine professional advice and help on all parts of trading including the psychological aspects, money management and trading set ups. I can also help in setting up account and managing financials. Money management is a crucial part of trading and account safety as is the psychological impacts trading can have. In short, if you win, I win, if you lose, I lose.
Do I have to sit and watch a screen all day:
No. Not if you don't want to. Plus it's pretty boring if you are only looking at a graph wondering why it's going up and down. We do the work so you don't have to. You place your trade then wait for the exit.
What control do I have over my positions and trading:
100% control. You have full control at all times as well as the responsibility to execute trades with your broker. I do not touch your money nor have any control over it or access to it in any way whatsoever. You are fully responsible for placing any trades and closing them down or you can allow access for me in your absence - This must be prior approved.
How do I keep stock of my account:
I have many and various individual trade sheets to work off which will allow you to keep stock and account for each and every trade that befits your suitability to risk and financial gain. I can also help in the simple use of these sheets to make sure you keep on track to making money whilst controlling risk within your preferred parameters. Don't worry if you do not wish to do this as it's all electronically recorded from your broker.
I may need help to set up an account:
I shall help you with this and after I have had a meeting in person or at consultation stage. I shall then discuss with you about account set up and money management. Money management and the psychological aspect is a key area for success and something that most others overlook or simply fail to understand.
Do you recommend a broker to use:
I recommend a broker to use as the platform you would be using would be the same as the one we use. This makes it simple for all involved including me. Although the prices would be the same (bar spreads and commissions), the platform and set up of the display screen would not be. That means we all see the same figures at the same time including commissions and spreads and can act upon them accordingly. Should there ever be any issue with the recommended broker like speed of execution, slippage etc, we would all be in the know and signals would not be acted upon. We would also reserve the right to suggest that all our clients move along to another broker in force (should that ever be the case). This gives us more power when dealing with a broker and helps keep everything transparent.
Any broker appreciates the business and together we are stronger.
NOTE: you are totally free to choose whichever broker you decide to go with as detailed below.
Can I choose my own broker:
Yes of course. I only recommend brokers that I would use myself or am actively using. It’s important for all of us to have a recommended broker which is fully regulated with money segregation and protection in the UK (or your country of permanent residence).
What if my broker does wrong by me:
If you feel your broker has done wrong by you in any way, you should bring it up with them immediately. If you are using our recommended broker, you should also bring it to my attention at the first instance and immediately – do not delay. It may be an oversight or a misunderstanding (as is usually the case), but nonetheless we can help and advise with the issue. In the case of you being genuinely wrong done by (albeit extremely rare), we will help in bringing this to the attention of the recommended broker immediately and may reserve the right to cease all trading with the broker with immediate effect. Although its pertinent to note that this is extremely rare with zero genuine cases being brought to my attention in over 20 years. Our current broker has been in business over 40 years.
I take all such cases of people feeling of or being ripped off by brokers extremely serious. My sole purpose is to make money and in turn placing trades makes the broker’s money by way of commissions. Remember the broker wants your business and wants you to succeed, as do I. The more trades you make, the more money the broker makes and the longer you stay trading with us.
The longer you stay with Lee Shepherd Trading, the more money we make and friendships blossom. Our consultations become so much better for the next set of trades. It wouldn’t make sense for me to invest my time just to lose you after a few weeks or months, or of course you simply are not interested or do not have the financial means to trade. I am here for the long haul, I hope you are with me too.
How much money do I need to start with:
Depending on your level of risk or/and risk management or/and leverage, I will only work with people with a starting balance of at least £50,000 (Fifty thousand pounds). This allows for multiple entries and margin if required. Remember, you should expect to start off losing some money (as with any business or start up), if you get lucky from the get go, that’s a bonus but do not expect nor rely on this. It’s not unusual for me to give several losing signals in a row, but then on the contrary, I can then issue many winners in a row, it's all balance and patience. This is why it’s important to not miss out and have your alerts set up, even if you are working or on holiday. I can help you with this via full access if you are unavailable at any given time.
NOTE: Never trade with more than you can afford to lose. Over trading leads to ruin and sleepless nights. No one likes to lose money they can’t afford and a line to remember is: It's better to be out of a trade wishing you were in than in a trade wishing you were out'. Should I suspect anyone of over trading, reckless gambling or over leveraging, or simply trading with money they cannot afford to lose, I shall reserve the right to cease working with you with immediate effect. You may appeal my decision for which all appeals are fully looked in to and considered.
I want to trade with a balance over £500,000 (Five hundred thousand British pounds - GBP):
There is no limit to the size you can trade with, however, due to margin rates, leverage and possible increases included but not limited to slippage and being filled at possible higher rates (generally not in your favour) – I would recommend a 1 to 1 chat over dinner to ensure that the money you are trading with is affordable, relative to your lifestyle and that you fully understand the risks involved. My largest account has been in excess of £3.4m.
Having a larger account will involve a different strategy and would be discussed in person and in confidence. Proof of amount would be required before I entertained a free consultation prior to discussing any set ups and fees. It’s important to note that it is easier to make astronomical percentage figures with small balances but as the account grows, the percentage figures will reduce greatly, however, the amount gained would be expected to go up considerably in contrast to your balance.
Hence why investment banks make millions per day but only on a few percentage points. James Simons hedge fund manager for Renaissance made $1.6B (yep, that’s 1.6 Billion dollars) in 2018. Shocking stuff but not a rarity either. I'm not aiming for this and predominantly are aiming at growing small funds quickly and sustainably for a better lifestyle.
Can I lose money:
Yes of course. In fact in the world of trading, you have to become accustomed to losing money all the time. That's the psychological part of trading the financial markets. Not all trades will work out. The bottom line is to make more than you lose. I sincerely hope you understand this as my tolerance for abusive behaviour from individuals who have lost money is zero.
What if I keep losing:
If you keep losing, I can help you with this but my time with you will be limited. In short, if you keep losing I would suggest basic things first like being with my recommended broker, being quicker with your trade entries and closing, stop losses and profit targets etc.
Ultimately, should you keep losing or feel you cannot give enough attention to the trades, I may cease working with you. I like to be with quiet winners and as such, if you are not dedicating enough energy to the job, may find it very difficult.
When would I expect to receive a set of trades:
Basic answer is within 24 hours of any working day after consultation, but typically within 1 month and usually within a week (on average). I will not just throw out signals for the sake of it. Patience is a virtue and you will have to wait. However, there are opportunities each and every work day and although the markets are open almost 24 hours a day, I am not. I need to sleep and enjoy the fruits of my labour like everyone else. It’s important to note that you may get an alert during late hours depending on the setups we are looking for. You will have me set as priority on your phone so you can receive my calls or/and texts in a timely fashion. It may be an inconvenience to be woken at 2am but can be necessary to getting the best prices and fills (market dependant). Sacrifice and dedication is important here.
The above is not required if I have account access to place trades on your behalf. NOTE: Having account access does not grant me access to your funds, it only allows me to open and close trades with your broker and would be discussed at consultation stage.
What if I can’t afford to trade right now:
When working with me, I do not know of your suitability or financial situation at any given time. It’s imperative you do your own due diligence with regards to risk and affordability. In short, you should not trade if you cannot afford to lose. If you have a low tolerance to losing, trading will not be for you. In the event that you indicate to me or I discover through other means that you are gambling recklessly or using money you cannot afford to use, I will suspend working with you with immediate effect and inform you within 24 hours of such action and my reason – in certain rare cases I shall reserve the right to cease working with you indefinitely.
If you feel my decision is incorrect, you may appeal by email. All appeals will be considered. I trust you understand that I try to take upon myself to ensure to the best of my ability that vulnerable people do not get sucked in to 'get rich quick' schemes or simply do not understand the risks involved. You can lose more than your deposit if you do not implement stops correctly or/and understand risk and money management. However, with a UK regulated broker for which I would recommend, you would be protected from negative balance under ESMA which means you cannot lose more than your account.
What if I don't have £50k to invest:
That's fine, patience is a virtue. Work hard, save harder and come back once you do. Being under capitalised is a sure way to ruin and I will not undertake anyone wanting or needing to trade with less than this.
Do you do meet ups:
Yes. I love meet ups and getting to know my clients personally. It keeps us all feeling human. I am out every weekend and also aim for every couple of months to meet people from all over the UK in central London. Around 50+ new and old traders regularly attend. It’s held in a bar exclusive to us and is a great place to meet in person with some of our traders who are starting out and need that little extra help and support – it’s also great fun. Note: this event is held without an agenda by another trader and has no talks or reason other than a beer call.
Do you do 1 to 1 training or mentoring and account management for anyone:
No. This would be very costly for the average individual to afford and can be thwart with questions for us which in turn is very time consuming and energy sapping. This is something I only carry out for those who are dedicated and can afford the mentoring, in time and money, (it makes it easier for me and more cost effective for you). I will know who you are and will offer this service to you once you are up and running and ready. It’s also dependant on account size. In short you have to wait to be invited. Transparency is key and is respected both ways.
What legal jurisdiction are you governed by:
I operate in the UK and am governed by the law of England. All my communications shall be in English.
Honesty, trust and conflicts of interest (transparency):
I base myself on honesty and trust and to be transparent about any conflicts of interests. This extends to any handouts, bonuses or/and kickbacks I may receive.
Are my details and privacy secure:
Yes of course. All our discussions are strictly in confidence. I also use back to back encryption for all our communication to prevent interception - any data or information, ideas etc that I discuss with you may be of a sensitive and time based nature. My client base is never disclosed.
You are fully responsible for providing us with your correct contact details as we would be to you. If I do not have these correctly given or/and up to date, you will not be able to receive my communications. Any personal details you provide are held in accordance with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and are not sold or given to any third party without your consent. We respect and expect the same from you.
Disputes and complaints:
I take disputes and complaints seriously but I will not be bogged down with errors or held accountable for your trading in anyway. I am here to trade and make money. If you find our working together is not for you, simply cease working with me and go your own way - Your money stays safely in your account with your regulated broker at all times and I do not have access nor knowledge of your trades (unless access is specifically granted by you) - I do ask for transparency and honesty here as I would be with you. I may also offer advice on how or why a particular trade did not or have not worked for you personally and is always open for discussion. We all learn from our failures in life.
Not every trade will work out and it’s not uncommon to hit a string of bad trades – or run of 'bad luck'.
Past performance is not a guide to future performance.
We work tirelessly to ensure all the signals and contracts are handpicked and worked from open to close of the trade. Should you wish to raise a complaint, you should email me at your earliest opportunity or simply pick up the phone to me or my analysts. If you are having issues with your broker or/and platform, you should communicate this immediately and without delay. All complaints should be addressed to leeshepherdtrading@mail.com. They will not be accepted verbally but please note that any calls may be recorded for security reasons.
Exclusion of liability:
Lee Shepherd Trading shall not be held liable for damages such as direct, indirect, incidental, special or consequential losses, damages for lost opportunity, lost profits, statutory damages, nominal damages, punitive damages, restitutionary or disgorgement damages, damages for costs (including legal costs), arising from the use or inability to use the products and/or services available on LeeShepherdTrading.com or any of its associate websites or media.
If you are ready to move forward with your investing then please send a short email introducing yourself to: leeshepherdtrading@mail.com
