The Trade Busters 140 - Guest Appearance - The Derivative
Nov 13, 2024
David Sun, an entrepreneur and fund manager, shares his fascinating transition from retail options trading to managing a small fund. He reflects on key lessons learned during market upheavals, like the Wall Street Bets phenomenon and COVID-19. The conversation dives into the nuances of volatility risk premium and innovative hedging strategies. Sun also explores the impact of AI on trading biases and the importance of data accessibility for empowering retail investors. His insights provide a roadmap for navigating today's complex financial landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Humble Start Selling Puts At Princeton
- David Sun started in options by selling puts after learning from a friend during his time at Princeton around 2008–2009.
- That naive early approach taught him premium-selling fundamentals and shaped his long-term trading path.
Fund Launch Into Market Turbulence
- David launched his first options fund in October 2018 and lived through the December 2018 sell-off and multiple regimes through 2022.
- The timing gave him varied stress events to learn from without blowing up the business.
Keep A Stable Funding Source
- Keep a separate funding source and don't rely on trading fees as your sole income while incubating a trading business.
- Staying financially secure preserves discipline, conviction, and better decision-making under stress.