Alexander Elder: Biography, Career, and Business Insights

Alexander Elder’s Profile Summary

Company	Elder.com
Position	Professional trader, author, teacher of traders (founder/director of Traders' Camps and co-director of SpikeTrade)
Source of wealth	Royalties from books and educational content, trading profits from self-employed trading activities, speaking fees.
Also known as	Author, Educator, Psychiatrist.
Age	76
Education	Tartu University, Estonia – medical degree (psychiatry).
Citizenship	United States
Residence	New York City, USA
Family	Information
Website, Social Media	https://www.elder.com/

Biography

Alexander Elder is a renowned trader, author, and educator, best known for his work in trading psychology and technical analysis. Born in Russia, Elder trained as a psychiatrist before transitioning into financial markets. His medical background gives him unique insights into the psychological aspects of trading, making him an influential voice in the area of trader psychology. He emigrated to the United States, where he initially practiced medicine before shifting his focus fully to trading. Elder is the author of several bestselling books, including "Trading for a Living," which integrates his psychiatric training with his practical trading experience. He is also a sought-after speaker at conferences worldwide and offers various educational programs and workshops to traders. Elder's work emphasizes the importance of managing emotions in trading, applying technical analysis effectively, and maintaining discipline.

How did Alexander Elder make money?

Alexander Elder makes money in the following areas:

Royalties from books and educational content, trading profits from self-employed trading activities, speaking fees.
What is Alexander Elder net worth?

As of 2026, there is no publicly available and reliable information regarding Alexander Elder’s net worth.

What is Alexander Elder also known as?

Alexander Elder is a renowned author with several bestsellers, including "Trading for a Living", which has become a classic in trading literature. He is also a dedicated educator who conducts seminars, workshops, and week-long Traders' Camps aimed at improving the skills of professional and amateur traders alike. Elder's background in psychiatry gives him a unique perspective on the psychological aspects of trading, which he integrates into his teachings and books.

Prominent achievements

Author of "Trading for a Living", a global bestseller, founder of SpikeTrade, creator of the Triple-Screen Trading System, and a sought-after speaker at international trading conferences. He continues to influence traders worldwide through his books, seminars, and trading systems.

Trading Strategy

Alexander Elder’s trading strategy is based on a systematic approach that combines technical analysis, trading psychology, and risk management. At its core is the Triple Screen Trading System, which uses three timeframes: a higher timeframe to identify the main trend, an intermediate one to detect corrections, and a lower one to pinpoint entry points. This multi-layered analysis helps filter out false signals and improves timing accuracy.

Elder places strong emphasis on psychological discipline and capital preservation. One of his key rules is the “2% rule,” which limits risk on any single trade to no more than 2% of the trading account. He uses trend-following indicators like the MACD and oscillators such as the Force Index or RSI to confirm trades. Elder’s method is especially popular among swing traders seeking a structured and disciplined trading framework.

What are Alexander Elder’s key insights?

Dr. Alexander Elder’s philosophy emphasizes the importance of psychological control, disciplined methodology, and sound money management. His 3M approach—Mind, Method, and Money—stresses that successful traders must understand their own emotions, follow a reliable trading method, and manage their capital wisely.

Personal life

Elder keeps his family life private, and no detailed information is publicly available.

Useful insights

Strategies for success in Forex trading

Forex trading requires a solid understanding of both market behavior and technical tools. The following books offer practical strategies for mastering the art of Forex trading through technical analysis and charting techniques.

John Murphy - "Technical Analysis of the Financial Markets"
- Summary:
  
  John Murphy provides an extensive overview of technical analysis, including chart patterns, technical indicators, and how to apply these tools to any financial market. It covers everything from basic chart reading to advanced technical strategies used by professional traders. Murphy’s book is comprehensive and provides clear, step-by-step guidance on interpreting market behavior through technical analysis.
- Why read it:
  
  For Forex traders, understanding technical analysis is critical to making informed decisions. This book is a go-to resource for those looking to develop a deeper understanding of price action and trend analysis.
Steve Nison - "Japanese Candlestick Charting Techniques"
- Summary:
  
  Nison introduced Japanese candlestick charting to the West, revolutionizing the way traders interpret price action. The book explains how to use candlestick patterns, which are now essential tools in modern technical analysis, to predict market movements and trends. Nison covers over 50 candlestick patterns and how they can enhance market timing for better entry and exit points.
- Why read it:
  
  Mastering candlestick charting can give Forex traders a significant edge in predicting short-term price movements. This book is essential for those who want to improve their technical analysis skills with a focus on precision and timing.