Investor and entrepreneur Kevin Steuer joins me to examine whether Main Street investors can compete in a market dominated by algorithms—and whether competing is even the right goal.
Most investing conversations reduce themselves to slogans: “Just buy index funds” or “Learn to trade like the pros.” This episode does neither. Kevin and I unpack the uncomfortable reality that nearly 90% of U.S. equity volume is now algorithmic—and what that means for individuals trying to generate alpha in a machine-driven market.
Kevin shares how he acquired Stock TA, a technical analysis platform that had previously been shut down, and why he chose to rebuild it. We explore trend-following versus value investing, passive allocation versus active sector rotation, and the psychology that sabotages most retail traders long before the market does.
The conversation moves beyond tactics into something deeper: the cost of time. At what point does investing become another job? When does persistence turn into hubris? And how do you measure expected value—not just in portfolio returns, but in hours spent chasing marginal gains?
This isn’t a promise that trading beats indexing. It’s a sober look at risk, discipline, asymmetric bets, and the reality that markets don’t reward narratives—they reward positioning.
The lesson isn’t that everyone should trade.
It’s that if you do, you need structure, probabilities, and the humility to know what game you’re actually playing.
TL;DR
~90% of U.S. equity volume is algorithm-driven
Retail traders compete against rule-based systems, not other humans
Passive indexing may outperform most active traders long-term
Trend-following requires discipline—not prediction
False breakouts and stop hunts erode returns
Scaling into and out of positions reduces emotional decision-making
Expected value matters more than win rate
Time spent trading is an invisible cost most ignore
Persistence without edge becomes hubris
Memorable Lines
“The human brain doesn’t think like a computer.”
“The price of anything can be anything.”
“Escalator up, elevator down.”
“Trend exhaustion—not emotion—should trigger exits.”
“If investing becomes a job, calculate the hourly rate.”
Guest
Kevin Steuer — Investor and entrepreneur
Acquirer and rebuilder of Stock TA, a technical analysis platform focused on trend scores, confluence levels, and sector-based strategy to help Main Street investors navigate algorithmic markets.
🔗 Stock TA
🔗 Kevin Steuer (LinkedIn)
Why This Matters
Markets have changed.
Liquidity is deeper. Machines execute faster. Information spreads instantly. The old debates—value versus growth, passive versus active—don’t capture the structural shift.
For founders, operators, and executives, investing mirrors business strategy:
You’re always allocating capital under uncertainty.
This episode reframes investing not as prediction—but as risk management, discipline, and clarity about your own personality.
Because beating the market isn’t just about edge.
It’s about knowing whether the pursuit itself is worth the cost.
