There is a distinct advantage to day trading, that is that your risk is limit by closing all open positions by the end of the day. This reduces the risk of dramatic unforeseen and uncontrollable problems rising overnight.
Day trading generally involves holding positions for minutes up to hours, again this offers an advantage of limited exposure to the market and uncontrollable swings. A good day trader can pick off short term price trends and ride them out for maximum gains in a minimal time frame. Generally day traders use Technical Analysis to trade – looking for chart patterns and price trends to make their trading decisions. This process is mathematical and takes out a lot of the downside of trading emotionally.
Anyone with an interest in the market should have at least a basic understanding of Technical Analysis. TA would benefit long term investors’ right through to professional day traders. There is a massive amount of potential to improve one’s trading and investing performance, accuracy and most importantly, profitability.
Charting involves looking at the graph of an instrument or market over a given time frame – usually minutes and identifying patterns such as triangle, rectangles and trend lines. These patterns regularly appear through the course of a day and offer fairly predictable trading opportunities. Using tight stop losses based on your position size and proven support and resistance levels,a traders risk can be sharply reduced. Stops are a critical part of day trading and a lifeline for your trading success. They must always be in place and obeyed.
Day trading definitely has an inherent risk, but careful money management, good stock selection and a disciplined trading approach can push the odds in your favour.
Consider your personality when looking at day trading and establish whether you have the right disposition. It can be an intense career. But a well prepared trader can manage both the risk and the rewards that the profession throws at them.
Write down your own personal trading plan – what markets to trade, what trading capital you will risk, your preferred time frame, what trading strategies you will employ, will you use patterns, or chart indicators, your money management plan and your desired outcomes. Preparation and planning are the key to good trading. You should treat your trading a business. Ensuring you follow thees rules you will stakes the odds in your favour, giving you the best possible chance at day trading successfully.