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John Carter

Squeeze Indicator Creator & Options Trading Legend

Options & Technical Analysis
$100+ Million
American
John Carter

John Carter

Options & Technical Analysis

Key Stats

Net Worth

$100+ Million

Origin

American

Lifespan

Born 1969 (57 years old)

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Biography

John Carter is a legendary options trader best known for creating the "TTM Squeeze" indicator and building Simpler Trading into one of the most recognized trading education platforms in the world. His massive trades and transparent approach have made him a icon in the retail trading community.

Background

John comes from a trading family—his father was a Morgan Stanley broker who introduced him to the markets at age 10. After getting degrees from Cambridge and the University of Texas, John initially worked as a financial analyst before going full-time into trading.

The TTM Squeeze

John's most famous contribution to trading is the TTM (Trade The Markets) Squeeze indicator. This tool identifies periods of low volatility (the "squeeze") that often precede explosive moves. The indicator has become a staple on trading platforms worldwide and is used by hundreds of thousands of traders.

Trading Style

John is known for:

  • Options on Futures: Trading options on commodities and index futures
  • Swing Trading: Holding positions for days to weeks
  • The Squeeze Setup: Waiting for volatility compression before entering
  • Large Position Sizing: Taking big swings when conviction is high

Notable Trades

John has documented numerous seven and eight-figure trades throughout his career. His willingness to share both wins and losses has set him apart in an industry often filled with secrecy.

Simpler Trading

Through Simpler Trading, John has trained tens of thousands of traders. The platform offers live trading rooms, educational courses, and indicator tools that have helped democratize trading knowledge.

Trading Philosophy

"The squeeze is the setup. The momentum is the trigger." John believes that most traders fail because they trade too much and too small. He advocates for patience—waiting for the highest probability setups—and then trading with conviction when they appear.

Famous Trades

2020 LONG

Tesla Options

Famously turned a position in Tesla calls into a $16 million profit during the 2020 rally.

Massive Win

+$16 Million

2021 LONG

AMC Options

Captured the meme stock rally with a perfectly timed options play on AMC.

Major Win

+$11 Million

Legendary Quotes

"The squeeze is the setup. The momentum is the trigger."
— Simpler Trading
"I would rather make 10% on a large position than 100% on a small position."
— Mastering the Trade
"Professional traders spend most of their time waiting. Amateurs spend most of their time trading."
— Interview
"The markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent."
— Trading Room

Recommended Reading

Mastering the Trade

The complete guide to day and swing trading

2006

Mastering the Trade (Second Edition)

Updated strategies for modern markets

2012

Mastering the Trade (Third Edition)

Latest techniques including options strategies

2019

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