The Best Female Traders Making Waves in Global Markets

Trading floors used to be packed with men in suits shouting orders across crowded rooms. Today, some of the best female traders are proving that success in financial markets has nothing to do with gender and everything to do with strategy, discipline, and continuous learning.

Women now represent a growing segment of the trading world. Globally, women make up approximately 8-11% of forex traders, with higher participation rates in developed markets like Europe (23%) and North America (19%).

These numbers show that women are claiming their space in trading, and they’re doing it with impressive results.

Why Female Traders Are Gaining Ground

Several factors explain why more women are succeeding in trading today.

Technology has removed many old barriers. You don’t need an office on Wall Street anymore. Anyone with a laptop and internet connection can access global markets from home, which works well for people managing careers, families, and other responsibilities.

Research shows that female traders often outperform their male counterparts. A 2021 study by Fidelity Investments analyzed 5.2 million accounts over a 10-year period and found that women investors outperformed men by 40 basis points (0.4%) annually.

Even more impressive, research from Warwick Business School tracked 2,800 investors over three years and discovered that women outperformed men by 1.8% per year.

The difference comes down to approach. Women typically emphasize risk management over aggressive gains. They’re more patient, waiting for high-quality setups rather than jumping into every market movement.

The Warwick study found that women traded only nine times per year on average, compared to 13 times for men. This disciplined approach of trading less frequently reduces costs and allows investments to grow without constant interference.

Women also handle stress better during volatile periods, sticking to their plans instead of making emotional decisions when prices swing wildly.

The research shows women avoid “lottery style” investing—the tendency to chase speculative, lower-priced stocks that might increase dramatically. Instead, they focus on shares with proven track records and take a longer-term perspective.

Online communities have helped too. Mentorship programs, trading forums, and social media groups give female traders places to learn, share strategies, and support each other. This network effect creates momentum—as more women succeed, they inspire and guide others entering the field.

5 Best Female Traders Who Changed the Game

Several women have built remarkable trading careers that demonstrate what’s possible with the right skills and mindset. The best female traders include:

1. Kathy Lien

Kathy started on Wall Street at just 18 years old and worked her way up at JPMorgan Chase before moving to specialized forex firms. She co-founded BK Asset Management and helped launch DailyFX.com when she was only 21.

Her books on currency trading are considered essential reading for anyone learning forex. Her estimated net worth sits around $5 million after more than 20 years in the markets.

2. Linda Bradford Raschke

Linda began in 1981 and started her own hedge fund in 2002. She excels at short-term trading strategies and technical analysis.

She’s written several books and remains active on social media, sharing insights that help new traders avoid common mistakes. Her longevity in such a demanding field speaks to the strength of her methods.

3. Raghee Horner

A bet with her mother got her started—her mom insisted she invest 25% of her part-time job earnings. Raghee initially thought it was silly but soon got hooked.

She developed her own indicators for identifying trends and now serves as Managing Director of Futures Trading at Simpler Trading.

Her net worth has reached approximately $82 million, and she trades across multiple markets including forex, options, futures, and stocks.

4. Jennifer Fan

Jennifer graduated from NYU’s Stern School of Business at just 19 and went on to work at major Wall Street firms. She founded her own commodity-focused hedge fund called Arbalet Capital before joining Millennium Management.

She now runs Family Office, managing private wealth and assets. Forbes recognized her achievements by including her in their “30 Under 30: Finance” list in 2012.

5. Lauren Simmons

Lauren broke barriers as the youngest full-time female trader at the New York Stock Exchange at age 23. She’s also only the second African American woman to trade on the NYSE floor in its 226-year history.

Despite her background in genetics, Lauren found her calling in finance and now works as an author, speaker, and advocate for diversity in financial markets.

What You Can Learn From Their Success

These accomplished traders share common habits that anyone can adopt:

• They treat risk management as their top priority
• They never stop learning
• They practice before risking real money
• They control their emotions
• They seek community and mentorship

Conclusion

The success of female traders proves that markets reward skill and discipline, not gender. The achievements of the best female traders on the market open doors for everyone and show that with the right approach, anyone can build a successful trading career.