I take his point that a volatile market is much easier for a speculator with reliable information to manipulate. |
The strategy that fits the needs of a speculator will probably have no place in the portfolio of a long term investor. |
The speculator is betting on changes in the price, while the arbitrageur is betting on changes in the spread. |
When markets turn vulnerable, the enterprising speculator may this time decide to reverse his long position and go short. |
We electrocute the Italian and print pictures of the wheat speculator in our magazines as an example of Success. |
But someone needs to take the other side of the bargain, and that usually requires a speculator. |