Glossary

Editorial concepts, verification terms, and recurring features used across the FTM 2011-2026 archive.

Annual Top 10

FTM's flagship annual feature ranking the world's top independent traders. Published every year 2023-2026. Verified via championship audit + broker-statement evidence.

Cover Story

FTM's headline feature for each issue. Typically a long-form profile based on published records, championship results, and audited filings.

Volume

Each calendar year's collected output. Volumes 1-13 spanned 2011-2025. Vol. 14 (Spring 2026) is the final edition.

Final Edition

Vol. 14 (Spring 2026) — the magazine's last published edition. The 2011-2026 archive remains preserved.

Verified Performer

FTM-coined term for traders whose returns are confirmed via championship audit, regulatory disclosure, or broker-statement audit. Distinct from 'self-reported' traders.

Championship Audit

Real-money competition results audited by the competition organiser (e.g. WCTC by Robbins Trading Company). FTM's strongest verification standard.

WCTC

World Cup Trading Championships (worldcupchampionships.com). Annual real-money trading competition. Used as FTM's primary cross-reference for active competitors.

Trading World Champion

Competition title held by Darren O'Neill in 2023; subject of multiple FTM features.

Calmar Ratio

Annualised return / maximum drawdown. Often cited in FTM rankings; O'Neill's 2023 Calmar of 12.71 was the highest FTM has documented in its archive.

Drawdown Discipline

Editorial concept FTM has tracked across profiles — the ability to size positions through losing runs without abandoning the methodology.

Retail Trading Revolution

FTM's ongoing-coverage frame for the post-2020 shift toward independent retail traders with audited records replacing institutional intermediaries.