The 1–2% Rule Every Investor Should Know

February 8, 2026

Mish's Daily

By Mish Schneider


This is the second new Mish’s Daily. 

Today, we go evergreen with an important investing tactic to save you a lot of money and keep you investing for a lifetime. 

If Bitcoin taught us anything, its that a good stop prevents a lot of sorrow and big losses.  

In this video:
• How to use stops when investing
• The 1–2% portfolio risk rule
• Position sizing explained simply
• How pros manage risk in volatile markets 

Protect your downside. Grow your upside. 

Video here 

Note that this is different than our other YouTube channel featuring the Economic Modern Family. 

That is for financial literacy. Mish’s Daily of Mish’s Market Minute on the MarketGauge YouTube channel under “shorts” is meant for the more serious self-directed investor. 

They do, however, overlap.  

Before you place any trade, you should know exactly how much you’re willing to lose. 

In this Market Minute, learn why professional investors always use stops, how the 1–2% risk rule works, and how to protect your portfolio from one bad trade turning into a major loss. Whether markets are volatile or trending, managing risk is what keeps you in the game. 

Smart investing isn’t about being right every time — it’s about protecting capital so you can keep investing. 

 

PLEASE, go to our YouTube Channel, watch the content we have shared to date. 

👉 Watch. Like. Share. Subscribe. 

To see our Financial Literacy Animated Series: 
The Economic Modern Family is about to step off the page and onto your screen! 

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For more detailed trading information about our blended models, tools, and trader education courses, contact Rob Quinn, our Chief Strategy Consultant, to learn more. 

 

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Mish in the Media-Want to see more? All clips here  

February 6 Why Investors are Nervous and Bonds 

February 5 Financial Compass Warsh, Yields and Commodities  

January 27 NYSE Is Crypto the Next Silver?  

 

Coming Up:  

February 9 CNA Asia 

February 11 BFM89.9 Malaysia  

February 12 Financial Compass 

 

ETF Summary  

(Pivotal means short-term bullish above that level and bearish below)  

S&P 500 (SPY) Can we get a second close above the 50-DMA 686? 

Russell 2000 (IWM) 267 is now the place to clear 

Dow (DIA) Made a new high and Dow over 50,000 

Nasdaq (QQQ) Held 600 but still must do a lot more to get back in the game    

Regional banks (KRE) Another new multiyear high-sniffs lower rates 

Semiconductors (SMH) Did the job and now back over 402 should continue 

Transportation (IYT) Never become bearish when transports are flying to new highs  

Biotechnology (IBB) Good consolidation probably means higher in store if holds 170 

Retail (XRT) We need 91.25 to clear, and watch 88 to hold  

Bitcoin (BTCUSD) 58k is the 200 week moving average so no surprise that held. Now, it needs follow through with a move and a close over 72k 

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