Where in the World is Gary B. Smith (The Chartman)?

by Michael on January 12, 2006

A few people have asked me (and I’ve gotten a lot of hits from Google searches) if I knew why Gary B. Smith is no longer writing for TheStreet.com/RealMoney.com. I have no idea why he’s no longer writing for them. I just looked at his profile on Fox News’ site and saw something that was new news to me — he’s managing partner of Exemplar Capital. Maybe Gary’s too busy working at Exemplar to write for TSCM any more. If anybody knows more please chime in.

{ 15 comments }

Nusair Bawla January 12, 2006 at 11:34 am: He emailed me that he is opening a new fund around april of this year. I do not know if it is a hedge fund or mutual fund. If i find out, I will let you know.
Michael January 12, 2006 at 11:41 am: Thanks Nusair
Dave January 12, 2006 at 12:27 pm: I know he left thestreet.com, but they gave no info on where he was going… Dave Morrow wrote good bye note
Scott_H January 13, 2006 at 6:21 am: If it’s a choice between a hedge fund or a mutual fund, I’d put my money on a hedge fund. His style of investing would never be appropriate for a mutual fund.

Of course, he has apparently changed his style of investing. In his “Chartman” premium service earlier in 2005, he discussed having developed other techniques for picking stocks that he found to be more effective than his trademark “breakout” methodology. He never did say how he was doing it now, but he did say that he didn’t trade the “breakouts” much, anymore. Needless to say, that caused a bit of a ruckus among the subscribers of his Chartman service. Talk about bursting one’s bubble — being told by your guru that he doesn’t trade the stock picks you are paying him to make because he has found some better picks to trade.

I wish him luck with his hedge fund. Still, one wonders if he’s getting into the business a bit late in the game…
Michael January 13, 2006 at 6:58 am: Thanks Scott. I find it very interesting that Gary came to the same conclusion I did about trading breakouts. I guess that explains some of his call on “Bulls & Bears”. I used to wonder why he was picking stocks that were bouncing off of trendlines, in downtrends, etc. since he was supposedly “Mr. Breakout”.

I have the same concern about him being late to the hedge fund arena.
Nusair Bawla January 13, 2006 at 9:37 am: I just got an email from him saying that it is a hesdge fund.

Nusair
Malcolm January 14, 2006 at 1:16 pm: I spoke to Gary B. via email last week. He could not come to terms with TSCM. He is starting a hedge fund with some partners and has some other ventures he is considering.
Katherine Faigen January 17, 2006 at 4:54 pm: Hey,
just searching google and noticed the site, figured I could help clear a few things up. I’m Katherine Faigen, Gary Smith’s daughter and while not overly informed in all his doings, I do happen to know the current situation. My dad as The Street had a disagreement over compensation. Exemplar Capital is a hedge fund he’s starting with a few friends of his and should kick off in the middle of the year.
Jason January 29, 2006 at 3:07 am: its too bad the chartman is gone. I emailed with him over at thestreet.com alot of times and he seems like a good guy. Always responds to questions. Its too bad they lost another great guy, I remember when they lost adam feurstien,herb greenberg, and now the chartman. Its a shame.
ben February 2, 2006 at 1:59 pm: Gary should start a blog discussing trading, without giving recommendations
I got the impression he was never comfortable giving daily tips
But he’s brilliant at general trading and he’s sorely missed
He was one of the authentic market guys with a passion for trading who could also write and teach.
As a natural communicator I bet he won’t be able to hold of starting a blog!
Michael February 2, 2006 at 2:55 pm: Ben,

I agree.
mark February 3, 2006 at 10:15 am: A blog or book from Gary would be great. I always found his discussions and approach as informative as his charts. After reading him for 4 years or whatever it was, I’ll also miss his humour and updates about his personal life and his family.
sandeep February 5, 2006 at 10:28 am: Thanks for the info guys, I was trying to find our where Gary is and if he was writing for another site.
He is a trader but was right about the big picture too. Traders are going to miss him , at least the part time ones like me.
Anonymous February 11, 2006 at 3:41 pm: RealMoney has also lost fav value picker Arne Alsin. Only reason to read RealMoney now (for traders) is Jim DePorre, aka Rev Shark.

I subscribed to Gary’s newsletter and he was indeed heavy into trading breakouts. But he never taught about the finer points of trading that were not justs breakouts. Such as time tested tactic of buying in congeston a small piece, then adding later at start of breakout, etc. Or the time tested pullback. He never taught the pullback play. he would trash a stock because the breakout bar was too long, and would never say “hey, watch this for a few days and if it pulls back and bases then it might be a good buy.” He would trash a stock up three days in a row as saying too risky, but it would have just formed a cup, and he would not say, “hey if this bases for a few days you will have a handle to go with cup.” Bottom line, his picks were way too narrow and missed out on so much.
Brandi February 12, 2006 at 5:59 pm: Hey Katherine, glad you commented here. I’m one of Gary’s fans from the street. I caught on quickly to his outstanding trading methods. When I asked him one day why you were going to college instead of learning the ropes from your dad he said “She’s one of those girls that doesn’t care about money” hehe . I kinda had a feeling about 6 months before hand that Gary would be leaving thestreet from some of my observations so I asked him about in April of ’05 if he was going to stay and he said as long as they keep paying him. I’m really glad he will be doing a hedgefund. I myself was asked by “the captain” to work for the street but I have not. I do owe a lot to your dad though and if I can contribute to his future endevors I would like to. He knows my picks are top notch. Who would have thought when he said I should be writing his column that they would be looking for someone to do it so soon .
To the guy who said Gary changed his style away from breakouts, nonsense, this is not so. I will try to get in touch with your dad soon though my same e-mail I used. Please pass this on to him and tell him to keep an eye on DELL .