Stocks with Josh Review: Legit Trader or Technical Analysis Trap?
Last Updated on March 13, 2026 by David Jaffee
Quick Verdict: High Confidence, Higher Losses
Is Stocks with Josh Legit? Josh Nichols (“Stocks with Josh”) is a popular YouTube trading commentator known for his technical analysis and collaborations with influencers like Larry Jones.
While he markets a private Discord community where he claims to “print money,” our audit of his public “Highest Conviction” plays reveals significant losses. Documented picks like BULL (-60%), Ethereum (-57%), and PayPal (-44%) collapsed shortly after his buy signals.
In our opinion, his reliance on chart patterns lacks predictive value and poses a risk to beginner investors.
While Josh doesn’t seem to engage in outright fraud, in our opinion, this is statistically one of the poorest performing track records we have ever audited. It appears that had his viewers done the complete opposite of his recommendations, they would likely be in a superior financial position.
If you navigate the world of financial YouTube, you have likely encountered Stocks with Josh (Josh Nichols). Known for his enthusiastic “technical analysis” and promises of “A+ Setups,” he has built a substantial following by claiming to predict market moves with precision.
But does his “chart art” actually work? Or is he simply another influencer selling a Discord subscription while his followers take the losses?
We analyzed his background, his specific trade recommendations, and the “dirt” found in his track record.
Who is Josh Nichols?
Unlike institutional traders with verified track records, Josh Nichols appears to be a YouTube personality who rose to prominence during the retail trading boom, frequently appearing alongside other influencers like Larry Jones.
His primary selling point is Technical Analysis (TA)—the belief that drawing lines, flags, and “doji candles” on a chart can predict future stock prices. However, without a background in quantitative finance or institutional risk management, his strategies often resemble “financial astrology” rather than a professional edge.
Audit: The “Highest Conviction” Failures
Josh often directs viewers to his paid Discord to get his “real” alerts. However, if we look at his public “Highest Conviction” plays from late 2025, the results are alarming.
1. The “BULL” Trap (60% Loss)
In September, Josh recommended BULL (a crypto-related stock) at $14.65, predicting a breakout to $17.20, and eventually to $24.
- The Prediction: He claimed it was “extremely well positioned” based on his charts.
- The Reality: Just 25 days later, BULL crashed to $11.00.
- The Result: Followers who listened to the “master chartist” sat on a ~25% loss in less than a month.
- As of mid-February 2026, BULL is trading at $6, a loss of almost 60%
2. Ethereum “Top” Call (-57% Loss)
Josh identified Ethereum as a buy around $4,500, stating it was ready to “retest highs.”
- The Reality: Ironically, he called the exact market top. Ethereum proceeded to plummet to $3,000.
- The Result: A staggering 33% loss for anyone who bought the breakout hype.
- As of mid-February 2026, Ethereum is trading around $1,950, a loss of around 57%
3. PayPal “Highest Conviction” (-44% Loss)
Josh named PayPal (PYPL) his “top stock pick” for October, recommending it around $72.
- The Reality: The stock drifted down to $59.
- The Result: A nearly 18% loss on what he called a “high confidence” setup.
- As of mid-February 2026, PayPal is trading around $40, a loss of around 44%
Stocks with Josh Net Worth: Trading or Subscriptions?
Josh Nichols frequently claims that his Discord members are “printing money.” However, given the track record of his public picks, we question the source of his own wealth.
Stocks with Josh Net Worth Estimate:
It is our opinion that the majority of Josh Nichols’ income is derived from Discord subscriptions (via Whop/Patreon), YouTube ad revenue, and high-paying affiliate sponsorships (such as Moomoo), rather than consistent profitability in the stock market. When a “guru” aggressively pushes a paid community while their public picks are down 50%, it suggests the business is the product.
Based on subscriber estimates and course pricing, we estimate Josh’s net worth at approximately $3 million – the vast majority of which appears to be derived from selling memberships rather than trading profits.
Stocks with Josh Reviews: The “Survivorship Bias”
A common complaint found in the comments section of his videos is Revisionist History. Former viewers allege that Josh highlights his winners while quietly ignoring his losers.
One user commented:
“What happened to POET? You need to bring up the stocks that have gone the wrong way… You mentioned TTD when it was 50, it got hit so hard and you never spoke about it again.”
Another user noted:
“Enphase was a huge failure too. You never admit failed buys.”
This is a classic marketing tactic. By deleting or ignoring failed calls (like TTD dropping 40 points), gurus create an illusion of infallibility that tricks new viewers into signing up.
The Adobe (ADBE) Earnings Disaster & The “Backtrack”
Recently, another former follower shared their frustration on our YouTube channel regarding a disastrous call Josh made on Adobe (ADBE).
According to the viewer, Josh pumped ADBE as a bullish earnings play with price targets of $300 to $315. In a subsequent live video, he allegedly confirmed to his “Stock Squad” that he was holding call options through the earnings announcement.
When the earnings report was released, the stock plummeted to $248.
The most concerning part? When called out in the comments by users who had lost money following his trade, Josh allegedly backtracked, claiming he “never said it was gonna go up,” despite video evidence to the contrary.
This type of alleged “gaslighting” perfectly illustrates why we warn against following YouTube gurus into high-risk, binary events like earnings announcements.
The Problem with Technical Analysis
Josh relies heavily on drawing support lines and “bull flags.” However, academic studies and market data suggest that Technical Analysis has zero predictive value in the long term.
If Josh’s charts could truly predict that Amazon would explode past $224 (it actually dropped to $213 and then below $200), he wouldn’t have sustained such massive losses in many of his stock picks.
A Better Way: The “Financed Bull” Strategy
You don’t need to pay $50 – $100 / month to watch someone draw lines on a chart and then have their “highest conviction” stocks get crushed! You need a strategy based on math, not slick sales.
At BestStockStrategy, we teach the “Financed Bull” strategy. By buying call debit spreads and financing them by selling naked puts on high-quality companies, you can participate in the upside for “free” while maintaining mathematically superior risk management.
Stop Gambling. Start Winning.
Don’t let a “guru” burn your account with failed breakouts. Learn the strategy that prioritizes capital preservation and consistent wins.
Consumer Resources & Protection
If you believe you have been misled by a trading guru or a high-priced course, we recommend reviewing these government resources on investment fraud:
- FTC Warning: Investment Coaching Scams – Be wary of “proven systems” and “guaranteed” results.
- SEC Alert: Social Media Investment Fraud – Warning against influencers who hype stocks on YouTube/Discord.
- CFTC: Red Flags of Fraud – Watch out for “phantom riches” and lifestyle marketing.
- Contact Your State’s Attorney General
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Stocks with Josh a scam?
In our opinion, while Josh Nichols may not be stealing money directly (like a Ponzi scheme), his marketing tactics raise significant red flags. He promotes high-risk technical analysis strategies that have resulted in documented losses of 44% – 60% for his followers on specific trades like BULL and Ethereum.
What is the win rate of Stocks with Josh?
There is no audited record of Josh Nichols’ trading performance. While he claims to “print money” in his Discord, public tracking of his “highest conviction” YouTube picks shows a pattern of underperformance against the S&P 500.
Is the Stocks with Josh Discord worth it?
Many users have complained that the Discord is “noisy” and lacks clear signals. Given that his public “A+ Setups” have failed to deliver, we believe the subscription fee is better spent on legitimate financial education or low-cost index funds.
About the Author David Jaffee
David Jaffee is the founder of BestStockStrategy.com and creator of the "Financed Bull" Strategy. He graduated from an Ivy League university and worked at Wall Street's most successful investment banks before becoming a full-time options trader and educator. David has taught over 2,500 students in 70+ countries, and his strategy has achieved a win rate approaching 98%. He specializes in selling options for premium income and buying call spreads for long-term wealth building. Verified Trading Results | Student Reviews | Trading Course & Trade Alerts | Watch on YouTube | Personal Website
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