I’ve been dabbling in swing trading for a few years now, mostly on my own with mixed results—some decent wins, but plenty of losses that came from chasing hot tips or getting emotional during volatile weeks. Like a lot of people, I got tired of sifting through endless YouTube videos and “guru” courses that promised the moon but delivered mostly hype. That’s when I stumbled across Mindful Trader, the swing trading alert service run by Eric Ferguson.
What drew me in initially was Eric’s no-nonsense vibe. He’s a Stanford economics grad with a serious math background (apparently a perfect SAT math score), and he comes across as genuinely straightforward—no flashy Lambos or private jets in his pitch. In an industry full of scams and over-the-top claims, his transparency felt refreshing. He trades everything he alerts in his own accounts, and he shares the full details publicly.
Getting Started: The Platform Dashboard
When I first signed up for Mindful Trader, the member dashboard was surprisingly clean and easy to navigate. No overwhelming clutter—just clear sections for live trades, watch lists, triggered alerts, and educational resources.
Key areas I use most:
- Live Trading Section: Tracks Eric’s main stock account, options accounts, and any “double down” positions.
- Watch List and Triggered List: Shows upcoming potential trades and active ones in real time.
- Getting Started/Help: Great for beginners, with guides on accessing picks and following along.
- Education Hub: Tutorials on his exact stock and options strategies, including basics for newcomers.
It only takes me 5-10 minutes a day to check updates, which fits perfectly into my busy schedule.
The Core: Data-Driven Trade Alerts
The real value comes from Eric’s trade alerts. On average, he sends 6-8 stock picks per week (sometimes more, sometimes fewer depending on market setups). These are swing trades, typically lasting a few days to a week or two.
Each alert is super clear:
- Ticker symbol
- Entry price
- Profit target
- Stop loss
- Expected close date
- Whether it’s a long or short
For example, older alerts I’ve seen included buys like BABA around $81 with a target in the high $80s and JD in the low $30s—straightforward details that make copying the trade easy.
What sets it apart is the backing: Every strategy is rigorously backtested over 20+ years of data, using tools like Monte Carlo simulations (running thousands of scenarios). His main stock strategy focuses on pullbacks in large-cap stocks, aiming for statistical edges rather than speculative bets.
Backtested results? Impressive—around 141% average annual returns historically, with managed drawdowns (typically 24% in a tough year). Of course, past performance isn’t a guarantee, and live trading has ups and downs, but the data-driven approach gives me confidence.
My Personal Results So Far
I’ve been following for several months now, allocating a portion of my portfolio to mirror his picks. It’s not all smooth sailing—there have been drawdown periods where the account dipped—but overall, the wins have outweighed the losses in line with the strategy’s edge. I’ve learned a ton about risk management and sticking to rules, which has improved my independent trading too.
Eric’s optional mindfulness tips have even helped me stay calm during losing streaks (though that’s totally optional—no pressure there).
Is Mindful Trader Worth It?
For swing traders who want a quantitative, low-maintenance way to trade without constant screen time, yes—it’s been a game-changer for me. It’s not day trading or long-term investing; it’s focused on those medium-term opportunities with clear entries/exits.
If you’re skeptical like I was, start by checking out the site yourself. You can sign up for Mindful Trader here and see the current watch lists and performance tracking. It’s subscription-based (cancel anytime), and Eric handles all support personally.
Trading always involves risk, and this isn’t financial advice—just my honest experience. But if you’re looking for something transparent and statistically sound, it’s worth exploring. What do you think—have you tried any alert services before?
