To sign up for our daily email newsletter, CLICK HERE
Day trading is a type of trading strategy that involves buying and selling financial instruments, or engaging in short selling and then buying back, with the goal of making a quick profit. The duration of the position can range from a few seconds to a few hours, but it must not extend beyond the trading day. An example of day trading might involve a speculative trader who identifies a technical uptrend in Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 10:15, takes a long position, and closes it in 45 minutes for a fast profit.
However, if a position is held beyond the trading day, it is not considered day trading. This is because day trading requires traders to act quickly and with high values that cover a small profit margin. Typically, small profits on high volumes are sufficient for day traders to achieve acceptable profits. Day traders typically trade on margin, allowing them to open large positions even with limited capital. Additionally, high trading volume also results in lower transaction costs.
A wide variety of tradable assets are available in global markets, including stocks, bonds, forex, commodities, and various derivatives such as futures, options, or swaps. However, some assets tend to outperform others when it comes to short-term trading. Ultimately, day trading requires discipline, experience, and an ability to make quick decisions under pressure in order to succeed.
The most effective tools for day traders
When it comes to choosing tools for day traders, there are certain characteristics that are ideal for day traders. First and foremost, high liquidity is essential, as it allows for easy buying and selling in large volumes and ensures fair pricing. Additionally, high volatility is a key factor for day traders seeking to make multiple profits through frequent trading. Low transaction costs are also important, as they enable traders to avoid incurring excessive fees.
According Traders Union, there are several instruments that meet these criteria and are therefore ideal for day trading. Forex instruments, for example, offer high liquidity, volatility, and low transaction costs, making them well-suited for short-term trading. Futures on popular indices, such as Standard & Poor’s, are also highly liquid and have low transaction costs, though they may be less volatile than other options. Similarly, highly volatile equity futures can be effective day trading instruments, provided traders are careful in selecting the underlying stocks. Commodity futures, particularly those related to highly liquid commodities like crude oil and gold, also offer diversification and opportunities for day trading.
Finally, options on indices and volatile stocks can provide inexpensive alternatives to expensive stocks, and careful selection of these options can lead to high liquidity, volatility, and low capital requirements. Overall, traders union experts note that day traders seeking effective tools for intraday trading should look for instruments that offer high liquidity, volatility, and low transaction costs, and consider options such as forex instruments, futures, and commodities.