0+ Years Experience
Courses Offered
Monthly Asset Allocation Systems
Based on the work of Dr Ken Long
Originally developed by Dr. Ken Long, these monthly asset allocation systems are grounded in academically researched concepts and represent second-generation advancements of the BMR/Core systems. Further developed by Super Trader participant Bill Scheidt and taught at the Van Tharp Institute, these systems leverage the worldās most popular equity indexes, ETFs, and mutual funds. Designed for simplicity, they can be executed in even the most restrictive retirement accounts and require just minutes per month to operate.
These systems excel at identifying and capitalizing on major moves in global markets. By focusing on the worldās largest and most influential indexes, they position traders to capitalize on the substantial movements driven by institutional money. Thereās big money in the big indexes, and when they move, these systems are designed to profit from it.
institutional money. Thereās big money in the big indexes, and if theyāre moving, these systems are going to know about it, and profit from it.
Whatās the difference between the first and second generation systems?
The first-generation BMR/Core systems were developed and taught by Dr. Ken Long, laying the foundation for robust, momentum-based monthly asset allocation strategies. Building on this work, the second-generation systems represent an evolution of the original BMR/Core systems, developed by Van Tharp Institute Super Trader participant Bill Scheidt with the blessing and guidance of Dr. Long. Both systems leverage the academically researched concept of momentum, operate on a monthly timeframe, are designed for ease of execution, and take minutes per month to operate.
The second-generation systems introduce several enhancements, including:
- Enhanced momentum calculationsĀ incorporating a relative strength component.
- Portfolio moving averagesĀ as a second option to the momentum framework.
- Expanded momentum look-back periodsĀ for greater flexibility.
- Optional volatility stopsĀ to manage risk dynamically.
- Optional short positionsĀ to capitalize on market downturns.
- Broader portfolio selectionsĀ for diversification.
- Expanded optionsĀ for the number of holdings per month allowing for tailored strategies.
These refinements make the second-generation systems even more versatile and powerful while maintaining the simplicity and effectiveness of the original approach.
Are these black box systems?
The courses for these systems provide all the rules in complete and exacting detail, reflecting our two core beliefs:
- Black box systems are dangerous to your financial health.
- Good research is reproducible.
In line with these principles, the courses are designed to ensure every student can precisely replicate the research we share. Youāll gain access to the same rules, calculations, assumptions, and methodologies we useānothing is withheld. Upon completing the course, you will have everything you need to fully understand and execute the systems with confidence.
What kind of results do these systems produce?
With SQN scores reaching 4.0 and beyond, Dr. Van Tharp would describe these as excellent systems. Our courses not only teach a number of specific systems in detail but also provide extensive content on how you can customize them to align with your specific objectives for risk and return. The courses include numerous case studies demonstrating how these systems have delivered returns greater than the S&P 500 on only a fraction of the drawdown.
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About
Mission Statement
Our mission is to serve the financial success and well-being of our community by providing quality trading education.
Values
Integrity ā trading systems that work
Quality ā world-class education thatās engaging, clear, and inspiring
Service ā weāre here to help you accomplish your goals

Ken Long, Ph.D.
Ken Long, Ph.D. brings his passion for leadership and teaching into the field of trading where he is a successful professional trader, an accomplished systems developer, and an internationally respected trading coach. He is a retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel with 25 years of active service. He holds a doctorate in management from Colorado Tech University and is an Associate Professor at, US Army Command & General Staff College.
In 1999, Ken founded Tortoise Capital Management which takes a descriptive statistics-based approach to global equity market analysis focusing on capturing low-risk, high-reward recurring opportunities that provide individual traders with a robust edge. Shortly after forming Tortoise Capital, Ken began his 20+ year tenure teaching at the Van Tharp Institute.
Kenās trading business, Tortoise Capital, currently continues to develop complex trading systems focusing on short and intermediate-term trading opportunities that use Exchange Traded Funds, large-cap stocks, and futures contracts. Ken teaches his market approach methods, well-developed trading systems, as well as his latest innovations through Tortoise Capital programs.

Bill Scheidt
Bill Scheidt has more than 15 years of experience trading stocks, options, commodities, ETFs, and crypto. He credits his studies with Dr Ken Long and his participation in the Van Tharp Instituteās Super Trader program as the transformational experiences that galvanized his journey to becoming a successful trader.
Bill is the president of Applied Finance Research, the former co-owner of a Registered Investment Advisor firm, and the co-founder of The Systems Lab Inc. with Jeff Boccaccio. He researches and develops systems-based strategies for trading and investing, offers consulting and instructional services, and manages private equity.
Bill is a natural instructor and has a talent for helping others in their growth and development. He combines a methodical and scientific approach to trading with a down-to-earth and approachable teaching style. Having undergone the journey from losing trader to profitable private equity manager, he has a unique ability to meet traders where they are and help them get where they want to go.

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Building a System That Fits You Using Monthly Asset Allocation Systems
Building a System That Fits You Using Monthly Asset Allocation Systems https://youtu.be/txkJR5N5e68?si=z2sbYAcckePuGUQN A look at using monthly asset allocation systems
Volatility Stops and Shorts for Monthly Asset Allocations Systems
Volatility Stops and Shorts for Monthly Asset Allocations Systems https://youtu.be/6SuoeFiNpMU?si=RC6NKudTGkHzmRA- An overview of the impact and functionality of the optional
Market Beliefs Behind the Monthly Asset Allocation Systems
Market Beliefs Behind the Monthly Asset Allocation Systems https://youtu.be/x5Gat1FzSHo?si=QfyntSDbH7f_yrxK The market beliefs that inform the monthly asset allocation systems. For