Intraday trading
Table of Contents
Intraday trading
Intraday trading can be a lucrative option for investors looking to make quick profits in the stock market. This type of trading enables traders to make significant profits from short-term market movements to make quick profits. However, it’s important to approach this strategy cautiously and understand market dynamics and risk management.
What is intraday trading?
Buying and selling stocks within the same trading day is considered intraday trading. This type of trading strategy can be highly profitable but also carries a significant amount of risk.
Intraday trading is done through online platforms provided by brokerage firms. Traders can access real-time market data and execute trades quickly and efficiently. Traders must have a solid understanding of technical analysis, risk management, and market trends to succeed in intraday trading.
Additionally, having a reliable internet connection and access to a computer or mobile device to monitor trades throughout the day is essential.
Understanding intraday trading
Unlike regular, long-term investors, intraday traders are liable for additional financial regulations. This is so because day trading entails higher risk than standard trading. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority,or FINRA, which carries out these additional regulations, exclusively applies them to “pattern day traders.”
Pattern day traders are required to meet a minimum equity level per FINRA rules. Before engaging in any day trades, the client (or investor) must deposit at least US$ 25,000 into their account. There must always be that bare minimum of funds available. The consumer is not permitted to day trade if the equity in their account is less than US$ 25,000 at any given time.
To succeed in this type of trading, investors must have enough capital to sustain their daily trades. Intraday trading also provides opportunities for traders to develop their skills and expertise. However, it is necessary to note that intraday trading is a high-risk activity and requires careful risk management to minimise potential losses.
Benefits of intraday trading
One of the main benefits of intraday trading is that it offers high liquidity. Traders can easily enter and exit positions during the trading day, which allows them to take advantage of short-term price movements. This means that traders can make quick profits and avoid the risks associated with long-term investments. Additionally, intraday trading has less margin requirements, allowing investors to trade with less amount of money.
Another benefit of intraday trading is that it allows traders to diversify their portfolios. By trading different financial assets, traders can spread their risk and take advantage of different market conditions. This can reduce the overall risk of their portfolio and increase their chances of making profits. Intraday traders can trade various financial assets such as stocks, futures, options, and currencies.
Importance of intraday trading
Intraday trading is also important for financial markets’ overall health and efficiency. By providing liquidity and price discovery, intraday traders help to ensure that markets are efficient and transparent. This fosters a greater inflow of traders and investors into the market, resulting in higher liquidity and improved price discovery.
Furthermore, intraday trading allows traders to develop their skills and knowledge. Traders must understand market dynamics and technical analysis well to succeed in intraday trading. This requires continuous learning and practice, which can help traders to develop their skills and expertise over time.
Example of intraday trading
A real-world example of intraday trading in Singapore involves buying and selling shares of popular companies such as DBS Group Holdings, Keppel Corporation, and Singapore Airlines.
In the US, popular stocks for day trading include Apple, Microsoft, and Tesla. Successful intraday traders use technical analysis and chart patterns to identify profit opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
The ability to make quick profits within a day is among the key benefits of intraday. This trading strategy involves buying and selling stocks within the same day, allowing traders to take advantage of short-term price movements.
Another advantage of intraday trading is using leverage to amplify gains. With leverage, traders can control large positions with a small amount of capital, potentially earning higher returns than traditional buy-and-hold investors. However, it’s important to note that leverage also increases risk, and traders should understand how to manage risk before using this strategy.
One major drawback of intraday trading is the high degree of risk involved. Since the trades are executed within a single day, investors must make quick decisions and may miss out on important market information that could impact their trades.
Another disadvantage of intraday trading is the requirement for significant capital. Additionally, intraday traders may face higher taxes compared to long-term investors. Since intraday trading profits are seen as short-term capital gains, they are often taxed at higher rates.
The fast-paced nature of intraday trading can be stressful and emotionally taxing for investors. The pressure to make quick decisions and the potential for losses can take a toll on an investor’s mental health. In conclusion, while intraday trading can be lucrative, it is important to consider its disadvantages before making any investment decisions.
To do intraday trading in the US, you must have a brokerage account with a reliable firm offering intraday trading services.
Next, develop a trading strategy that fits your risk tolerance and investment goals. This may involve technical analysis, fundamental analysis, or a combination of both. It’s also important to watch market news, as events can affect stock prices quickly.
Finally, limit your investment amount and minimise risk using stop-loss orders. Intraday trading may be a successful approach to investing if done with caution and a solid strategy.
To succeed in intraday trading in the US, it is essential to follow certain tips.
- Understand market trends and movements clearly. Staying updated with the latest events and news affecting stock prices is important.
- Secondly, it is crucial to have a robust trading strategy that is based on thorough research and analysis. This includes identifying the entry and exit points, setting stop-loss orders, and determining the risk-reward ratio.
- Another tip is to have a disciplined approach towards trading. This involves sticking to the predetermined trading plan and avoiding impulsive decisions. It is also important to manage the capital effectively using proper risk management techniques. This includes not risking more than 2% of the account on a single trade and diversifying the portfolio.
- Lastly, it is advisable to use reliable trading platforms and tools that provide real-time data and analysis. This can help make informed trading decisions and minimise the risks associated with intraday trading. By following these tips, traders can increase their chances of success in intraday trading.
The best time for intraday trading in the US and Singapore may vary depending on market volatility, economic indicators, and news releases. However, generally, the first hour of trading and the last hour of trading are considered to be the most active and volatile times for intraday trading. During these hours, traders can take advantage of price movements and make quick profits.
Related Terms
- Option Adjusted Spread (OAS)
- Beta Risk
- Bear Spread
- Execution Risk
- Exchange-Traded Notes
- Dark Pools
- Firm Order
- Covered Straddle
- Chart Patterns
- Candlestick Chart
- After-Hours Trading
- Speculative Trading
- Average Daily Trading Volume (ADTV)
- Swing trading
- Sector-Specific Basket
- Option Adjusted Spread (OAS)
- Beta Risk
- Bear Spread
- Execution Risk
- Exchange-Traded Notes
- Dark Pools
- Firm Order
- Covered Straddle
- Chart Patterns
- Candlestick Chart
- After-Hours Trading
- Speculative Trading
- Average Daily Trading Volume (ADTV)
- Swing trading
- Sector-Specific Basket
- Regional Basket
- Listing standards
- Proxy voting
- Block Trades
- Undеrmargin
- Buying Powеr
- Whipsaw
- Index CFD
- Initial Margin
- Risk Management
- Slippage
- Take-Profit Order
- Open Position
- Trading Platform
- Debit Balance
- Scalping
- Stop-Loss Order
- Cum dividend
- Board Lot
- Closed Trades
- Resistance level
- CFTC
- Open Contract
- Passive Management
- Spot price
- Trade Execution
- Spot Commodities
- Cash commodity
- Volume of trading
- Open order
- Bid-ask spread
- Economic calendar
- Secondary Market
- Subordinated Debt
- Basket Trade
- Notional Value
- Speculation
- Quiet period
- Purchasing power
- Interest rates
- Plan participant
- Performance appraisal
- Anaume pattern
- Commodities trading
- Interest rate risk
- Equity Trading
- Adverse Excursion
- Booked Orders
- Bracket Order
- Bullion
- Trading Indicators
- Grey market
- Futures trading
- Broker
- Head-fake trade
- Demat account
- Price priority
- Day trader
- Threshold securities
- Online trading
- Quantitative trading
- Blockchain
- Insider trading
- Equity Volume
- Downtrend
- Derivatives
Most Popular Terms
Other Terms
- Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
- Floating Dividend Rate
- Flight to Quality
- Real Return
- Protective Put
- Perpetual Bond
- Non-Diversifiable Risk
- Merger Arbitrage
- Liability-Driven Investment (LDI)
- Income Bonds
- Guaranteed Investment Contract (GIC)
- Flash Crash
- Equity Carve-Outs
- Cost of Equity
- Cost Basis
- Deferred Annuity
- Cash-on-Cash Return
- Earning Surprise
- Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR)
- Bubble
- Asset Play
- Accrued Market Discount
- Ladder Strategy
- Junk Status
- Intrinsic Value of Stock
- Interest-Only Bonds (IO)
- Interest Coverage Ratio
- Inflation Hedge
- Industry Groups
- Incremental Yield
- Industrial Bonds
- Income Statement
- Holding Period Return
- Historical Volatility (HV)
- Hedge Effectiveness
- Flat Yield Curve
- Fallen Angel
- Exotic Options
- Event-Driven Strategy
- Eurodollar Bonds
- Enhanced Index Fund
- Embedded Options
- EBITDA Margin
- Dynamic Asset Allocation
- Dual-Currency Bond
- Downside Capture Ratio
- Dollar Rolls
- Dividend Declaration Date
- Dividend Capture Strategy
- Distribution Yield
Know More about
Tools/Educational Resources
Markets Offered by POEMS
Read the Latest Market Journal

Recognising Biases in Investing and Tips to Avoid Them
Common biases like overconfidence, herd mentality, and loss aversion influence both risk assessment and decision-making....

What is Money Dysmorphia and How to Overcome it?
Money dysmorphia happens when the way you feel about your finances doesn’t match the reality...

The Employer’s Guide to Domestic Helper Insurance
Domestic Helper insurance may appear to be just another compliance task for employers in Singapore,...

One Stock, Many Prices: Understanding US Markets
Why Isn’t My Order Filled at the Price I See? Have you ever set a...

Why Every Investor Should Understand Put Selling
Introduction Options trading can seem complicated at first, but it offers investors flexible strategies to...

Mastering Stop-Loss Placement: A Guide to Profitability in Forex Trading
Effective stop-loss placement is a cornerstone of prudent risk management in forex trading. It’s not...

Boosting ETF Portfolio Efficiency: Reducing Tax Leakage Through Smarter ETF Selection
Introduction: Why Tax Efficiency Matters in Global ETF Investing Diversification is the foundation of a...

How to Build a Diversified Global ETF Portfolio
Introduction: Why Diversification Is Essential in 2025 In our June edition article (https://www.poems.com.sg/market-journal/the-complete-etf-playbook-for-singapore-investors-from-beginner-to-advanced-strategies/), we introduced...