If you are new to trading, you’re probably looking for made-for-you trading templates, easy-to-follow guides – and even ‘guaranteed return’ trades. While if anyone is selling a guaranteed return trade, you should run a mine; many find that scalping gives regular profits.
But what is scalping, how do you do it, and how much are the profits?
Who or what are scalpers?
When we think about scalpers, typically, we think about scalpers who buy tickets and sell them for a much higher price. When it comes to trading, scalping is talking about a trading style that earns small profits that all up over time.
Usually, scalpers will trade often and in short succession, and they have a stringent exit policy. There is software that can do the scalping for you because a single loss will wipe out the small profits that have added up; trusted providers like Orbex offers scalping to make it easy to get the hang of it.
To scalp successfully, you need to employ discipline, stamina (for the rapid succession of scalping), and decisiveness. There is little to no room for waiting. Often the most successful scalpers will use tools like the one mentioned above.
Why is scalping becoming more popular?
Once traders get a bit more experience, they are likely to look for ways to bring some excitement to their trading style. With experience comes confidence, and it is that confidence that will get more successful deals.
It is also with experience that traders will be able to spot an opportunity and leverage it.
How does scalping work?
The primary technique for scalping is that you look for short-term trading – making a profit from the price differences by buying and selling repeatedly. Just like all other trades, buying at one price and selling for a higher price, but unlike most other traders, scalpers are looking for tiny incremental price increases.
Traders will be looking for highly liquid assets that offer frequent price changes within a single day.
One of the biggest bonuses about liquidity is that you will get the best prices when exiting or entering the market.
From a market volatility point of view, scalping can be less risky because the deals are smaller. The opportunities are short and need to be taken quickly in order to make small profits frequently.
While some traders will hold a position for weeks or months to wait for a more significant profit, scalpers are looking for short, multiple profits opportunities.
What are the principles of scalping trading?
Every type of trader will work with a specific set of principles and rules. These rules are designed to protect their financial goals and keep them on track regardless of losses, emotions, and external factors.
- Smaller mores frequently: While many other traders will be looking for bigger movements, scalping traders are going to exploit all of the smaller movements in asset price.
- Limit risks by lower exposure: The less exposure time you have on the market, the less chance you have of running into a loss or an adverse condition.
- Small moves are easier to obtain: Big profits come from when stock prices have moved considerably – and that happens when there are shifts in supply and demand. Smaller price moves are easier to catch in comparison.
Scalp traders will focus heavily on technical trading strat, while position traders will work on the fundamentals and analysis to pick their trades.
Overview of scalping strategy?
The basics of scalp trading will require 1-minute charts, exchange order books, and level 2 quotes – to efficiently scale trade at an advanced level.
It’s not the small price moves that more scalpers are looking for; instead, they are looking to make a profit off the bid/ask spread. To get a profit off the bid/ask – you need to be a skilled trader – or learn how to use software to maximize profits.
One of the methods of scalping is to buy shares in bulk and wait for a small upward tick, then unload the moment profitability is met.
Unlike many other traders, scalpers will trade the same security repeatedly in one session, and even more so on a volatile trade day.
It’s not just a pence of a cent that matters; it is the fraction of a pence or a cent.
Can anyone scalp trade?
Using a combination of software, and they understand and have experience in trading – yes, anyone can scalp trade. Scalpers use short timeframes and one-minute or tick charts to plan their trades.
To scalp successfully, you need to be disciplined and dedicated to the strategy, as well as being comfortable executing at speed. Successful scalping traders will also be watching the news and looking for any events that may trigger changes in stock prices that can be taken advantage of.
If you are more comfortable holding your position for a long time and are looking for larger profits, then scalping is not your ideal trading strategy.