As a trader and asset manager, I’m often asked how I navigate today’s volatile markets. The answer isn’t about choosing between long-term investing and short-term trading; it’s about integrating them. I’ve developed a hybrid strategy that has allowed me to achieve returns of over 21% while maintaining a 0% drawdown, and it’s built on a foundation of discipline, flexibility, and a deep respect for risk.
My framework is designed to do two things simultaneously: capture broad market trends and execute on precise, high-probability opportunities. Here’s how it works.
My strategy is a blend of two distinct but complementary activities.
The core of my portfolio is built on dynamically managed ETFs. I select these based on prevailing market cycles, sector strength, and macroeconomic momentum. This isn’t a “buy and hold” portfolio; I actively rebalance it every few days or weekly to stay aligned with what the market is telling me. This structural part of my strategy is about strategic positioning for medium-term trends.
Layered on top of that is my intraday trading. I am extremely selective here. I only execute trades when I identify a high-probability setup confirmed by multiple technical indicators. These are “fast in, fast out” plays designed for tactical alpha. The ETF portfolio provides structure; the intraday trades provide a tactical edge.
I consider ETFs to be one of the most elegant financial instruments available to modern traders. They are the engine of my strategy for several key reasons:
I believe the future for ETFs is bright, especially in regions like the UAE where sophisticated investors are increasingly seeking efficient ways to access global markets. I expect them to become the core vehicle for most portfolios in the GCC.
When I shift from my macro ETF view to my intraday tactical plays, I rely on a specific set of tools to find high-quality setups. My decisions are never based on one signal alone; I always look for confluence, where multiple indicators align to tell the same story. My primary tools are:
– Anchored VWAP: This is crucial for understanding where institutional money is positioned.
– RSI: I use it to spot potential trend reversals or confirm momentum.
– Volume Zones: These show me where significant accumulation or distribution has occurred, highlighting key areas of interest.
– Support/Resistance: These levels provide a fundamental roadmap of market psychology.
If the signals align, I execute. If they don’t, I have the discipline to wait. Patience is a profitable strategy in itself.
You can have the best strategy in the world, but it’s worthless without a non-negotiable approach to risk management. For me, risk is always the starting point.
Before I even enter a trade, I know my exact exit point if I’m wrong. In my ETF portfolio, I manage risk by limiting concentration and rotating out of positions as soon as momentum starts to fade. In my intraday trades, I use tight stop-losses, strict position sizing, and I never hold a losing trade into uncertainty hoping it will turn around.
I often compare serious trading to Formula 1 racing. It’s not a game; it’s a high-performance discipline that demands thousands of hours of practice, extreme mental focus, and millisecond decisions under pressure.
Ultimately, my strategy is unique not because of the tools I use; anyone can pull up an RSI chart. It’s unique because of how I combine structure, tactical agility, and a “no ego” approach to risk into a single, cohesive framework. I built a system that works for me, and that is the most powerful tool any trader can possess.
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About the Author: Hasnae Taleb is a multi-award-winning trader, entrepreneur, and asset manager. Recognized by the U.S. Department of State for her influence and pioneering role in finance, she specializes in developing hybrid trading strategies that blend macroeconomic ETF investing with disciplined, technical intraday execution.
