striker report January, 2020 
   
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Developer/CTA Interview
Robert Spears and Brian Miller
System Developers, Optimized Trading LLC
Program(s) Developed: Bravo NQ trading system
Interview Date: April, 2019
Interviewed by John Gallwas
Optimized Trading LLC., is a system developer located in Charleston, West Virginia. The company uses its propriety program to select from a menu of systems to optimize performance for its swing-trading systems. Robert Spears is the Managing Partner and his partner, Brian Miller, leads the systems the firm's research and development program.
John Gallwas: Robert, we understand that after years of working with equities, you moved to "alternative investments" by forming Optimized Trading LLC., to develop futures trading systems. What caused you to make this major move?

Robert Spears: I moved to alternatives in 2003 after a 21 year career on the equity side of the business. The bear market of 2001-2003 taught me traditional long only asset allocation models failed with the S&P and Nasdaq down 50-70%. My personal mission to uncover investment options which offered clients the potential for gains in varying market environments led to the alternative space.

John Gallwas: What do you mean when you say "We are a client centric firm building adaptive programs on validated ideas"?

Robert Spears: Our primary goal from the beginning was to deliver a product to clients with the potential for consistency of returns over market cycles. The foundational stones of Optimized's programs are Brian's decade long pursuit and development of the best ideas and concepts to accomplish those goals.

John Gallwas: Describe the basic market philosophy behind the firm's trading systems and how you approach market risk?

Brian Miller: We focus on exploiting linear drifted markets which are fundamentally and behaviorally justified. We keep underlying strategic concepts creative but simple in line with John Conway's work on complexities. We use a multiple model approach with the flexibility to adapt to changing price environments. We approach risk first from an entry perspective by being more selective to increase the probability of positive outcomes. Then, position management with a protective stop and multiple price specific profit targets to allow the system as many alternatives as possible for a positive outcome and reduce the percentage of time in the market. All exit logic is dynamically controlled.

John Gallwas: What are the "nuts & bolts" behind each of the three new futures trading systems featured on your website?

Brian Miller: Each complete system is a collection of individual strategic models designed for a specific market structure. The models analyze price, volume, volatility, market environments and sub structure profiling to identify the model with the highest probability for success in the current environment.

John Gallwas: Are there any books or educators have influenced you or Brian in system development?

Robert Spears: Brian's main influences have been John Conway, John Nash and John Neumann. Mine have been books by Ed Thorp, Howard Marks and Nassim Taleb. We would like to take this moment to announce our promotion in conjunction with the launch of the new systems. Any client who signs up in April or May will be entitled to a free monthly subscription.

This interview is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a solicitation of any kind. Trade only with risk capital. The risk of trading can be substantial and each investor and/or trader must consider whether trading systems are a suitable investment.
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There is a risk of loss in trading. It is the nature of commodity and securities trading that where there is the opportunity for profit, there is also the risk of loss. Commodity trading involves a certain degree of risk, and may not be suitable for all investors. Derivative transactions, including futures, are complex and carry the risk of substantial losses. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Please read additional risk matters on our web site, www.striker.com. It is important you understand all the risks involved with trading, and you should only trade with risk capital. This communication is intended for the sole use of the intended recipient.

About this report The information and links on this website are for informational purposes. The risk of trading can be substantial and each investor and/or trader must consider whether this is a suitable investment. Past performance, whether actual or indicated by simulated historical tests of strategies, is not indicative of future results. Striker is a member of the National Futures Association ("NFA"), the Managed Funds Association ("MFA"), and the National Introducing Broker Association ("NIBA"). Striker is registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"), and was formerly registered with the Securities Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Additionally, Striker is a former member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA"), and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation ("SIPC"). FINRA is the largest non-governmental regulator for all securities business in the United States. Please read Striker Disclosure Statement for the additional disclosure.

The trading performance cited throughout our web site is based on actual trading history, unless otherwise noted. The starting account balance is based on the system developer recommendation. Striker tracks actual performance by recording and maintaining each trade ticket for each system generated. The performance information assumes that no additions or withdrawals have been made. The rate of return for all systems disclosed in the Striker Report is cumulative from the day the system actually started trading at Striker. We maintain a "life" track for all 3rd party systems. We do not necessarily base our records on any particular client account. No one particular customer has achieved these results. The percentage returns reflect inclusion of commissions and fees.The actual percentage gains/losses experienced by investors will vary depending on many factors, including, but not limited to: starting account balances, market behavior, the duration and extent of investor participation (whether or not a client takes all signals for a system) in the specified system and money management techniques.

Striker is a revolutionary concept in action: an international, professional team of brokers dedicated to trading only for clients. It bears repeating: unlike most other brokers, Striker does NOT trade futures for itself or any of its employees. This policy has been in place from the start in order to guarantee that our entire focus remains on the interests of our clientele. Striker believes that when brokers are allowed to trade for themselves (or have in-house trading practices) there is a strong potential for conflict of interest, as the broker may place more importance on his own trading activities (or that of his firm's) than on those of his clients. Finally, Striker has no financial ties to system developers, so there no bias or pressure on how we report the actual trading results posted in our client section. This section is designed specifically for Striker's clients, so they may audit their results on a daily, weekly, monthly, or annual basis.