Mark Minervini

Champion trader famous for turning $15,000 into over $5 million in 5 years using momentum and technical analysis.

Mark Minervini is a stock market veteran with 40+ years of trading experience. He gained fame by winning the US Investing Championship with a 155% return in 1997, followed by four more years averaging 220% annually. His overall 5-year verified return was 33,554%—turning roughly $15,000 into over $5 million. Minervini's SEPA (Specific Entry Point Analysis) method combines fundamental catalysts with precise technical entry points. He looks for stocks in Stage 2 (early uptrend) with tight consolidation patterns, rising relative strength, and institutional accumulation. Featured in Jack Schwager's 'Stock Market Wizards,' Minervini now runs a private hedge fund and education company. His books 'Trade Like a Stock Market Wizard' and 'Think & Trade Like a Champion' are considered modern classics for growth traders.

Buy the strongest stocks in the strongest sectors at the right time. Risk management is more important than being right.

SEPA method combining fundamental catalysts (earnings growth, new products, industry leadership) with technical patterns (VCP - Volatility Contraction Pattern). Focus on stocks showing relative strength in Stage 2 uptrends. Tight stops (3-8% max loss). Let winners run 100-300%+. Pyramid into strength. Position size based on volatility.

1. 1. SEPA (Specific Entry Point Analysis): Combine fundamental catalysts with precise technical entries
2. 2. VCP (Volatility Contraction Pattern): Buy tight consolidations after 3-4 contracting price swings
3. 3. Stage Analysis: Only buy stocks in Stage 2 (early uptrend), avoid Stage 4 (downtrend)
4. 4. Relative Strength: Buy market leaders outperforming their sector and the S&P 500

• 155% return (1997), 220% average next 4 years
• 33,554% over 5-year period (verified)
• Typical win: 20-100%, occasionally 300-1000%
• Max drawdown kept under 20% through strict risk management

• Trade Like a Stock Market Wizard: How to Achieve Super Performance in Stocks in Any Market
• Think & Trade Like a Champion: The Secrets, Rules & Blunt Truths of a Stock Market Wizard
• Momentum Masters: A Roundtable Interview with Super Traders

• Minervini Private Access ↗
• Stock Market Wizards interview: Available in book
• SEPA method explained ↗