So, you want to DAY TRADE STOCKS??? We'll, that is a TERRIBLE IDEA!
We are constantly asked by people, why don’t you teach any day trading techniques? In response, we decided to dedicate this blog to the adrenaline fueled world of day trading.
(First, let's begin with the definition of day trading: The buying and selling of securities within the same trading day.)
Many of those who participate in day trading cite the following as reasons why they like to day trade:
We are constantly asked by people, why don’t you teach any day trading techniques? In response, we decided to dedicate this blog to the adrenaline fueled world of day trading.
(First, let's begin with the definition of day trading: The buying and selling of securities within the same trading day.)
Many of those who participate in day trading cite the following as reasons why they like to day trade:
- Less Risk: they contend that since they are exposed to positions for shorter periods of time they are at less risk.
- Better Cash Flow: proponents of day trading say that by locking in profits you get better cash flow from your investments.
- Faster way to make money: day traders make money in the day. They lock in their profits while long term and swing traders must wait for their profits.
Now if this is what you think, then I have bad news for you. The odds of your success to enter into and exit out of a trade with a profit, within a 7.5 hour trading session is stacked against you!
No one starts day trading to lose any money; people only do it if they think they can make money. Yet about 95% of people who attempt day trading will lose their money. Day trading has between a 5% to a 30% statistical chance of success according to market observers and financial specialists. Even the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) has reported in their findings that over 70% of stock day traders lose all their capital through day trading. Something is going on there!
Why do so many people lose money when it looks so easy? We will tell you... You see everything happens for a reason... Sometimes that reason is... you're in over your head and make bad decisions!
The Stock market is composed entirely of other people that are trying to make money, or fend off losses (hedgers). These people who are very good at trading, are looking to take advantage of some of the orders which are placed by inexperienced traders at bad prices, that experienced traders think are good entries or exits. Usually those people are the ones that are going to be right, and the monies of the inexperienced day trader will be transferred to the more experienced traders account.
Again, this is coming from our own 100 years of combined experience working on Wall Street, our teachings and our investing experiences. We ASSURE you that the odds of Day Trading a Stock for your success is stacked very heavily against you. The system is practically rigged to encourage you to gamble and lose your money, and you’d be a fool to ignore our warnings signs and continue on that journey.
If we didn't know any better, a point could be made for Day Trading. The problem is that this is one of those things that looks great on paper, but doesn’t work in the real world. Here is our response to those that point in the favor or day trading for profits, and we added a few of our observations for your consideration:
No one starts day trading to lose any money; people only do it if they think they can make money. Yet about 95% of people who attempt day trading will lose their money. Day trading has between a 5% to a 30% statistical chance of success according to market observers and financial specialists. Even the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) has reported in their findings that over 70% of stock day traders lose all their capital through day trading. Something is going on there!
Why do so many people lose money when it looks so easy? We will tell you... You see everything happens for a reason... Sometimes that reason is... you're in over your head and make bad decisions!
The Stock market is composed entirely of other people that are trying to make money, or fend off losses (hedgers). These people who are very good at trading, are looking to take advantage of some of the orders which are placed by inexperienced traders at bad prices, that experienced traders think are good entries or exits. Usually those people are the ones that are going to be right, and the monies of the inexperienced day trader will be transferred to the more experienced traders account.
Again, this is coming from our own 100 years of combined experience working on Wall Street, our teachings and our investing experiences. We ASSURE you that the odds of Day Trading a Stock for your success is stacked very heavily against you. The system is practically rigged to encourage you to gamble and lose your money, and you’d be a fool to ignore our warnings signs and continue on that journey.
If we didn't know any better, a point could be made for Day Trading. The problem is that this is one of those things that looks great on paper, but doesn’t work in the real world. Here is our response to those that point in the favor or day trading for profits, and we added a few of our observations for your consideration:
- Less Risk: day trading involves split second decisions. While you are exposed to risk for a shorter period, that risk is dramatically greater.
- Better Cash Flow: day traders who say they lock in their profits are just deluding themselves. While they do close all their positions in a single day, their results are measured on a cumulative basis. Think of it as the guy who goes to Vegas 20 times and tells you about the one time that he won. How about the other 19 times?
- Faster profits: this is a fallacy because the potential gain you can make in an single day is limited. Even if you catch a big move, most of the time it is small compared to a stocks short term to near term moves.
- Commissions: day traders tend to make a lot of trades. The cost of these trades even when run through sever discount brokers adds up quickly. I worked as a professional day trader and paid only pennies per share in commission. Many months my commissions ate up a substantial portion of the gains I made.
- Methodology: most day traders are using market news as the basis of the reason they are trading a position. This means they are literally guessing as to why they are in a position. It is like riding a wild bull and you are hoping to hold on and get off with a gain.
- Time and energy commitment: day trading takes a lot of energy. You must be watching the screen always. It is a split second instant decision making activity. Most people do not have the time or energy to commit to day trading. If you don’t, you put yourself in great peril.
- Record keeping and Accounting: to keep things on the up and up you must create and maintain meticulous records of your activity. The IRS demands this. If you let this slip for even a few days you can get in major trouble and must spend a large amount of time sorting it out.
Active Day Trading is an enticing model. It promises investors the world, and while some may make some money, the studies show the risks typically outweigh the benefits.
If making money trading the stock market is a goal for you? Then day trading is not for you. Despite all the newest marvels and technological advances and algorithms, YOU do not have the expertise to outpace the stock market ALONE. You just can’t do it. And, if you think machines can replace a seasoned level 3 trader and the market makers? Then, we have a bridge to sell you.
Nonetheless, you will still hear people brag about how they made money on a particular stock. Perhaps they’ll brag about the money they just made today? Then the very next day when the market is off they lose money and blame the stock market.
To sum it up, while day trading has an allure to it, it is not for most people. It certainly is not for the average trader. Traders should focus on short term swing or trend trading if you are looking to have winners that are dramatically larger than your losers. Trading should become an enjoyable experience. Day trading for profits is a very high stressful environment and should be left to the professionals with Big Pockets. Swing Trading and Trend Trading over the short term is far less demanding. It’s the better choice for those who want to try their hand at trading without becoming totally overwhelmed.
It is important for anyone interested in trading stocks to develop a strong fundamental understanding of how the financial markets work and the most important characteristics of various trading strategies. Bulls To Bears members are consistently telling us about the positive influence our short term trading programs has on their portfolios.
Need help finding the perfect trading program to pair with your Stock Market Trading? Get Bulls To Bears's FREE newsletter today and get a better understanding of short to Intermediate Term Trading. Once you learn to invest with us, you will begin to act with confidence and set yourself on a path to trading success. Come and see why some of our members are netting returns that would make many top traders salivate.
Till next time... Happy Trading from BullsToBears.com!
If making money trading the stock market is a goal for you? Then day trading is not for you. Despite all the newest marvels and technological advances and algorithms, YOU do not have the expertise to outpace the stock market ALONE. You just can’t do it. And, if you think machines can replace a seasoned level 3 trader and the market makers? Then, we have a bridge to sell you.
Nonetheless, you will still hear people brag about how they made money on a particular stock. Perhaps they’ll brag about the money they just made today? Then the very next day when the market is off they lose money and blame the stock market.
To sum it up, while day trading has an allure to it, it is not for most people. It certainly is not for the average trader. Traders should focus on short term swing or trend trading if you are looking to have winners that are dramatically larger than your losers. Trading should become an enjoyable experience. Day trading for profits is a very high stressful environment and should be left to the professionals with Big Pockets. Swing Trading and Trend Trading over the short term is far less demanding. It’s the better choice for those who want to try their hand at trading without becoming totally overwhelmed.
It is important for anyone interested in trading stocks to develop a strong fundamental understanding of how the financial markets work and the most important characteristics of various trading strategies. Bulls To Bears members are consistently telling us about the positive influence our short term trading programs has on their portfolios.
Need help finding the perfect trading program to pair with your Stock Market Trading? Get Bulls To Bears's FREE newsletter today and get a better understanding of short to Intermediate Term Trading. Once you learn to invest with us, you will begin to act with confidence and set yourself on a path to trading success. Come and see why some of our members are netting returns that would make many top traders salivate.
Till next time... Happy Trading from BullsToBears.com!
