William Delbert Gann, better known as W.D.Gann is a right world wide legend of stock and commodity trading. Gann was born in Texas in 1878. He started his incredible 50 year trading career in 1902.

In 1933 Gann made 479 trades of which 422 were winners. That year, the return on his capital was an astounding 4000%. Gann continued these incredible trading feats, year after year. Ultimately, over his 50 year trading career, Gann’s total profits would be about 500 million in today’s dollars. Gann’s trading methods and principles worked equally well in the stock market or the commodity market.

Gann was a market genius and his trading principles and methods are just as valid today as they were many decades ago. In 1942, Gann authored a book titled “How To Make Profits In Commodities”. In this book, Gann provided us with the best of his 50 years of trading experience. Included are 28 valuable trading rules.

Gann believed you should learn to trade on knowledge and eliminate dread and hope. You should only trade on facts. Its vital to use stop loss orders to protect your capital and profits. Gann also stated that nothing will help you more than going over the past history for commodities and studying its actions.

Gann strongly believed one must be independent when it comes to trading success and a certain trading plot is needed to achieve that success. Gann provided us with 5 qualifications necessary for trading success. They are knowledge, patience, nerve, excellent health and capital. Gann also gave brilliant advice to only take small losses when you are incorrect, do not overtrade, and never buck the trend. After you determine the trend of the market, go with it.

This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the incredible knowledge and wisdom of W.D. Gann. I highly recommend reading his books, especially the one mentioned earlier in this article. Study his methods and principles. You will become a better trader by doing so.