Swing and intraday trading are on the same sides of a coin with few differences. We’ll be breaking down the differences and similarities in this article, allowing you to make a choice on which one will suit your needs.
In the stock market, many people like to speculate on technical analysis and use charts to predict future price movements. Swing traders are also using charts but have different expectations when it comes to time in trades as they typically stay much longer than Intraday traders with an exit point predetermined for entry. Many points differentiate the two below like number of transactions, holding period etc.
What is Swing Trading?
It is a trading method in which you can buy and sell stocks over a period that could last several days, weeks, or months. Swing traders use technical indicators and patterns to identify price trends and attempt to take advantage of them by entering positions at certain times – before the trend reverses.
Using technical analysis will give you that extra edge in determining if a target price is attainable or not so it’s important to look into the stock chart and try to identify uptrend and downtrend, support and resistance levels of companies that you’re planning on buying, you’ll have to do specifically price and volume analysis and candlestick chart analysis.
It’s not uncommon for swing traders to hold stocks for weeks, months, quarters, or even years and this makes them less vulnerable than being stopped.
By using your brokerage account, you could make the numbers of trades. If you decided to do this monthly, you can have swing trading calls from a professional advisor, this could lead to some serious money.
The term swing trading refers to buying and selling short-term investments within a specific period that lasts for several days, weeks, or months. Swing trading usually involves holding positions over longer periods than day trading or intraday trading but not as long as buy-and-hold investing.
What is intraday trading?
Intraday trading is where you can trade multiple trades per day, but only for a short amount of time. This type of trading usually takes place during the day but is not limited to it and is mainly used by investors who work in the stock market as a profession or as a part-time occupation.
During intraday trading, you build your portfolio or trade on the stock exchange while closing down positions before they expire. It’s different from swing trading because you’re buying and selling stocks during this period rather than holding them for several days, weeks, or months.
For intraday traders, you’re met with required active time engagement, so make sure you have the time set aside while also avoiding much stress. The downside is you need up-to-date software to check your trading activity, which can be costly or tiresome. For intraday trading, look for software that allows you to check your trades in real-time and view your current performance.
You only need two hours per day with day trading and the whole process can take up to 4 hours a day of your time. With intraday trading, you trade multiple times each day, but you can only do it for a short amount of time. It’s important to keep in mind that intraday trading usually takes place daily so this needs to be considered before you begin.
Which is best for you?
If you’re a trader looking for the perfect system to get into, you need to decide between the two. For a trader who wants more freedom, less stress, and less rapid trading, swing trading is best for you. On the other, for a better focus, more number of transactions, and multiple trades, day trading is your best pick.
Whichever you choose, make sure to follow the below-listed tips:
- Start small
Don’t spread yourself too thin when you start trading. This is a mistake a lot of people make and that’s why they get stopped at the wrong times. You need to know your limits so be smart about it. A capital as low as 10,000 rupees can be a great starting point.
- Try to stick to a consistent plan
As you get started, it’s imperative to follow a specific trading plan and execute it each day. This helps you stay on track and also prevents you from making mistakes. It’ll make your trading much more organized and you will feel confident when making trades because of how prepared everything is in your plan. Don’t trade while angry or stressed out.
- Pick a profitable stock
Some stocks are simply better to trade than others. Those with a high-profit margin, good business practices, and solid technical analysis will be your best options. Always research to make sure you’re invested in the right stock for yourself. One big mistake is not knowing when to sell. EKI Energy, Castrol India, Indian Energy Ex, and Manali Petrochem are the best stock for positional trading in India.
Conclusion:
The stock market is an area where one mistake could cost you more than you can afford. It’s important to not invest more in trading and seeing your gains right away as it could lead to your account being wiped out. When a correction occurs, be conservative and wait for the markets to stabilize before placing any new trades.
With that said, both intraday trading and swing trading are great options for beginners as they are manageable, less stressful, and can help you stay on track. With a good plan in place, you’ll be better equipped to handle whatever comes your way when trading. Pay heed to the above helpful positional trading tips in India.