2011 is behind us, so it is time to renew our energy and focus on the new year! Here are a few tips to jumpstart your daytrading profits.
1. Pay close attention to intermediate term stock market trends. If you can stay on the right side of the market with your day trades, you will be more profitable. This all starts with identifying the current trend in the market.
2. Learn how to read the tape. When you can stay on the right side of the tape, and trade in the direction that the big money is flowing, you will put the odds more in your favor.
3. Don't trade just to trade, or just for the action. Most traders I know are amateurs, and they trade for the thrill of trading. Learn how to treat day trading as a business, don't get emotional, and you will become a better trader.
4. Stick with volatile stocks with decent volume. It makes no sense trying to scalp a few pennies in Microsoft when you can hop on board a fast mover and grab a few dollars!
5. Set goals. You should set goals regarding the success of your trading business. If you are relatively new to trading, you should simply strive for being profitable every month. Most traders are not close to being profitable each month, or at all for that matter.
6. Develop your trading plan and stick to it! Many traders are always changing strategies, looking for the holy grail. There isn't one. So develop a basic and sound strategy and stick with it!
Going forward I will be presenting a lot more tips and thoughts to help your day trading success, so keep stopping by!
Scott Cole
www.bestdaytradingstocks.com
Monday, January 2, 2012
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Stock Market Commentary - Correction Has Begun
U.S. stocks posted a follow through day to the downside yesterday, effectively ending the rally that began late last summer. In order to offset this price action, a huge upside day will be required. What could be the catalyst for that? A big number in this week's employment report. This morning, the ADP gives the first glimpse at Friday's employment report, but it has not been a very reliable indicator of the government number in recent months.
If the number is over 300,000 new jobs on Friday, I suspect there could be a spike. At the same time, that may also indicate that the Fed must stop QE2 sooner rather than later, which would spook the market. A perfect number might be in the 150K to 200K range.
Stay tuned!
Scott Cole
www.bestdaytradingstocks.com
If the number is over 300,000 new jobs on Friday, I suspect there could be a spike. At the same time, that may also indicate that the Fed must stop QE2 sooner rather than later, which would spook the market. A perfect number might be in the 150K to 200K range.
Stay tuned!
Scott Cole
www.bestdaytradingstocks.com
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Stock Market Commentary
Yesterday was a true selling day for the market, with all of the averages down at least 1.5%. The reasons for the decline are of no matter. It is simply a warning shot that the market is due for a correction. I found it interesting that the futures pointed to a rebound early this morning, but slowly declined into the open, and now the market is down as I write this about 11 am. If there is follow through today, then yesterday's action suggests a correction is at hand. If another true selling day occurs within the next week, then the easier money will likely be made on the short side. For now, it is a good idea to consider both long and short trades when daytrading to hedge your bets.
Scott Cole
www.bestdaytradingstocks.com
Scott Cole
www.bestdaytradingstocks.com
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Stock Market Commentary
Yesterday's trading action suggests a short term top may now be in place for the market. With the exception of the Dow Jones Industrials, all of the major averages were down at least 1%. Also, yesterday's close was below the previous four closes. When that occurs the day after a new high is made, odds are that a top is in place in the near term.
Daytraders should pay attention to a potential change in character for this market. While yesterday is just one trading day, if it's action is not reversed in the next few days, then the market is likely heading for a bit of a correction. As a result, the best opportunities will involve short positions or long positions within ETFs that short the market.
Scott Cole
www.bestdaytradingstocks.com
Daytraders should pay attention to a potential change in character for this market. While yesterday is just one trading day, if it's action is not reversed in the next few days, then the market is likely heading for a bit of a correction. As a result, the best opportunities will involve short positions or long positions within ETFs that short the market.
Scott Cole
www.bestdaytradingstocks.com
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Weekly Stock Market Commentary
U.S. Stocks continued their march upward this week as the S&P 500 closed with a 1.1% gain on the week. Historically, as far as records have been kept, a 1% up move in the first week of the year has a 100% correlation to the market ending the year with a gain. This is according to CNBC. Of course, this is utterly worthless information. However, since this is also the third year in the presidential cycle, odds are in favor of a positive year as well.
In any event, all this suggests is that the current trend is up, and for daytraders, it makes most sense to stay on the side of the trend. I've seen over and over again in recent weeks how the market opens lower and closes higher than the open. Even if it is just a small gain or a small loss, the short sellers are getting grinded to death. At some point there will be a correction, however, at this point, it is not yet on the horizon.
One of the big trades on Friday was RBN. This is the kind of move that many daytraders miss. The stock gapped significantly at the open, and many daytraders simply like to fade this kind of gap. However, a more experienced trader would look at the daily chart and see a favorable set up for a big up move.
After the stock gapped higher, it moved significantly in the first five minutes. It is virtually impossible to try and scalp such a move. In fact, it would be foolish, because you would be leaving a lot on the table. Better daytraders and short term traders would look for a bigger move.
Based on our strategy, an entry point would have been somewhere just under $40. The stock closed at $41.18. The chart is below
Scott Cole
www.bestdaytradingstocks.com
In any event, all this suggests is that the current trend is up, and for daytraders, it makes most sense to stay on the side of the trend. I've seen over and over again in recent weeks how the market opens lower and closes higher than the open. Even if it is just a small gain or a small loss, the short sellers are getting grinded to death. At some point there will be a correction, however, at this point, it is not yet on the horizon.
One of the big trades on Friday was RBN. This is the kind of move that many daytraders miss. The stock gapped significantly at the open, and many daytraders simply like to fade this kind of gap. However, a more experienced trader would look at the daily chart and see a favorable set up for a big up move.
After the stock gapped higher, it moved significantly in the first five minutes. It is virtually impossible to try and scalp such a move. In fact, it would be foolish, because you would be leaving a lot on the table. Better daytraders and short term traders would look for a bigger move.
Based on our strategy, an entry point would have been somewhere just under $40. The stock closed at $41.18. The chart is below
Scott Cole
www.bestdaytradingstocks.com
Monday, July 12, 2010
Stocks Trade Modestly Higher in Sluggish Trade
U.S. Stocks closed with modest gains in light trade on Monday as trading shifts to earnings reports. With little economic news over the weekend and during trading today, stocks traded within a narrow trading range, and it appears the market may have tired out a bit after last week's big gains.
Among the big industry performers today were semiconductors, music and video stores, lumber and auto makers.
Low priced stocks were again among the big percentage movers of the day. The exception was Hewitt (HEW) which was up 32% on reports that Aon put in a bid to buy the company. Playboy stock was a big winner today as well. Otherwise, most stocks we look at for daytrading did not move much today. Given that the market has traded up for five consecutive sessions and that the overall trend is still down, we should see some decent daytrades involving short selling over the next couple days.
Scott Cole
www.bestdaytradingstocks.com
Among the big industry performers today were semiconductors, music and video stores, lumber and auto makers.
Low priced stocks were again among the big percentage movers of the day. The exception was Hewitt (HEW) which was up 32% on reports that Aon put in a bid to buy the company. Playboy stock was a big winner today as well. Otherwise, most stocks we look at for daytrading did not move much today. Given that the market has traded up for five consecutive sessions and that the overall trend is still down, we should see some decent daytrades involving short selling over the next couple days.
Scott Cole
www.bestdaytradingstocks.com
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Stocks Explode to the Upside
U.S. Stocks posted very strong gains today, with no particular reason for the move. Volume was slightly ahead of yesterday, and therefore I give this move some credibility. Stocks rose about 3% across the board today in the major market averages.
Stock index futures were initially suggesting a lower open, but as the market progressed, leading up to the open, they picked up some steam, and the train seemed to gain significant momentum throughout the day. This is the kind of trading day that suggests the possibility of a change in character for the market.
A check of the leading industry groups today indicates that real estate was the big winner on the day. Five of the top twenty groups were real estate related. Other strong performers included banks, technology and casinos.
Going forward, the market still has a big hill to climb to negate the recent downside breakout completely. If the market can push to a close above 1131 on the S&P, then you have a head and shoulders continuation pattern, which is bullish. Ultimately though, I still see a trading range market, but the range just got a bit wider.
Retail sales will be reported tomorrow for June, and that could put a damper on the market. An upside surprise will add to today's momentum.
For daytraders, the pickins could not have been easier. Opening range breakout systems worked beautifully during this move to the upside, since there was not a major upside gap in the major averages. The single best stock from the standpoint of its move for the day, and its volume was Omnivision Technologies. It rose over 11% on the day, and is a nice liquid stock. Check out the chart below.
Scott Cole
www.bestdaytradingstocks.com
Stock index futures were initially suggesting a lower open, but as the market progressed, leading up to the open, they picked up some steam, and the train seemed to gain significant momentum throughout the day. This is the kind of trading day that suggests the possibility of a change in character for the market.
A check of the leading industry groups today indicates that real estate was the big winner on the day. Five of the top twenty groups were real estate related. Other strong performers included banks, technology and casinos.
Going forward, the market still has a big hill to climb to negate the recent downside breakout completely. If the market can push to a close above 1131 on the S&P, then you have a head and shoulders continuation pattern, which is bullish. Ultimately though, I still see a trading range market, but the range just got a bit wider.
Retail sales will be reported tomorrow for June, and that could put a damper on the market. An upside surprise will add to today's momentum.
For daytraders, the pickins could not have been easier. Opening range breakout systems worked beautifully during this move to the upside, since there was not a major upside gap in the major averages. The single best stock from the standpoint of its move for the day, and its volume was Omnivision Technologies. It rose over 11% on the day, and is a nice liquid stock. Check out the chart below.
Scott Cole
www.bestdaytradingstocks.com
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