Scalping

For some traders in the brisk world of trading, swift decisions and fast moves are their bread and butter. Imagine a race that you must finish in only several seconds where the prize is small, but it is sure to profit. That’s basically what scalping is all about. It is a strategy converting small price changes into opportunities for making money one quick trade at a time. It’s about coming up in the market, where your speed and precision mean everything. 

What is scalping? 

Scalping is a trading strategy whereby traders try to draw profits from small changes within brief time frames. Unlike long-term investing, where one holds the assets for months or even years, scalping is about making swift, small profits several times in the day. These traders are known as scalpers, who may execute dozens or hundreds of trades during a single trading session. The goal is to “scalp” small profits off each trade, which can add up to significant returns by the end of the day. 

The most common areas where scalping is used are highly liquid markets of stocks, forex, and futures, where price movements are very frequent and spreads between bids and asks are smaller. It is a very disciplined form of trading that often requires fast decision-making and depends greatly on sophisticated trading tools and platforms. 

Understanding Scalping 

Scalping is based on an asset’s very small price range. It, therefore, becomes a game of taking advantage of small, short-term movements in the price of the said asset through quick entrance and exit from trades in a matter of minutes, if not seconds. These movers usually aim for a variation in the price of less than one percent to several percent, intending to amass the resulting profits through numerous operations. 

Scalping requires an understanding of how the market works, especially order execution and pricing. Scalpers will mostly use technical analysis, mainly short-term charts and indicators, including moving averages, relative strength indexes, and Bollinger Bands. They will analyse these for trends and patterns that will signal them when to place and exit a trade. 

Scalping requires a very robust risk management system. While the gain from one trade may be small, it usually takes only one loss to eliminate the profit that one has accrued over many trades. Because of this, the use of stop-loss orders becomes a common activity for scalpers to reduce potential losses and preserve capital. The speed at which scalping happens means one should be able to make decisions rapidly and not deviate from one’s strategy. 

The future of scalping will depend on technological advancements and market conditions. As trading platforms continue to evolve, scalpers will have more potential tools for market analysis and trade execution. For example, algorithmic trading and high-frequency trading systems are fast becoming mainstream among scalpers, and one can now execute trades at an improved rate. 

With the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning, this process is bound to impact scalping even further. These AI-driven algorithms can analyse a sea of real-time data to identify trading opportunities that are well beyond the perception of human traders. These technologies could give scalp traders the edge they need to identify short-term price movements and execute trades more effectively. 

With these improvements come the challenges. As more and more traders begin to employ algorithmic and high-frequency trading techniques, markets are sure to become increasingly competitive, further tightening the scalper’s profit margins. Besides this, regulatory changes aimed at decreasing excessive volatility in the markets may tame scaling with new restrictions. Despite all these possible challenges, the idea of scalping will likely remain a popular trading strategy, especially among people who like fast-paced environments and know how to work with advanced technology. 

Market Conditions for Scalping 

Scalping works particularly well under market conditions; the trader’s recognition of those conditions is one key to successful trading. 

  • Liquidity: Scalping requires high liquidity — that is, the market trade volume should be sufficiently high. Such liquidity allows the scalper to get in and out without greatly affecting the price of an asset. Large company stocks, major currency pairs in forex, and futures contracts are commonly used in scalping because they can provide such high liquidity. 
  • Volatility: Extreme volatility, while risky, is needed to some extent. Consequently, small, frequent fluctuations provide the chances that a scalper needs. Very volatile markets increase the possibility of great losses since their prices may move against the trader with great speed. 
  • Tight Spreads: The ultimate of scalping would be most effectively executed in markets with as small a spread as possible. This minimises trading costs and, correspondingly, allows earning on even negligible changes in prices. 
  • Stable Economic Environment: Scalping can be done in almost any market condition; however, it is far easier in a stable economic environment with predictable price movements. Events or news releases can suddenly cause the prices of instruments to move unpredictably, which can be difficult for a scalper to manage. 

Examples of Scalping 

To further illustrate how it works, consider these practical examples of scalping: 

  • A scalper trading in the US stock market may decide to choose a very liquid stock like that of Apple Inc. or AAPL. By observing this stock’s price action, he may notice that, at times, even within one day, the stock price fluctuates. Suppose it moved from USD 150.50 to USD 150.60. The scalper might jump into the trade at US$150.52 and get out at US$150.58, immediately catching a profit. Even though this gain is relatively small, it can climb to very substantive profits after several iterations of reinvestment during the trading session. 
  • In the forex market, the scalper may focus on a major currency pair like the EUR/USD. Assuming the currency pair trades around 1.2000, a scalper would be out to make small profits throughout a well-bound narrow range — for instance, within an oscillation between 1.2002 and 1.2005. When one places multiple trades while the price is seesawing inside this tiny bandwidth, the trader will be able to reap numerous small profits throughout the day. 
  • Assuming that an assessment of the Singapore market had been made, for instance, he would trade on the futures market, focussing on contracts such as the FTSE Singapore Index Futures. In this regard, the trader will rely primarily on short-run price movements and sentiment, taking swift positions to buy or sell, allowing him to profit from minor intraday price changes. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Scalping would mean small profits with very fast trades, while day trading involves holding positions for extended periods, often for several hours.

Moving averages, trend lines, and support/resistance levels remain among the most popular methods for finding fast entry and exit points. 

Ensure fast execution and real-time data and set up hotkeys for rapid trade entry and exit.  

Go with tight stop-loss orders, manage the size of your position, and never risk more than a small percentage of your capital. 

Control your emotions, stick to your trading plan, and take breaks to keep you focused during trading sessions. 

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It is based on a report by a Phillip Securities Research analyst.   Disclaimer These commentaries are intended for general circulation and do not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any person. Accordingly, no warranty whatsoever is given and no liability whatsoever is accepted for any loss arising whether directly or indirectly as a result of any person acting based on this information. You should seek advice from a financial adviser regarding the suitability of any investment product(s) mentioned herein, taking into account your specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs, before making a commitment to invest in such products. Opinions expressed in these commentaries are subject to change without notice. Investments are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The value of units in any fund and the income from them may fall as well as rise. 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It is based on a report by a Phillip Securities Research analyst.   Disclaimer These commentaries are intended for general circulation and do not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any person. Accordingly, no warranty whatsoever is given and no liability whatsoever is accepted for any loss arising whether directly or indirectly as a result of any person acting based on this information. You should seek advice from a financial adviser regarding the suitability of any investment product(s) mentioned herein, taking into account your specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs, before making a commitment to invest in such products. Opinions expressed in these commentaries are subject to change without notice. Investments are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The value of units in any fund and the income from them may fall as well as rise. 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Why Investors Consider Gold Acts as a hedge against inflation Diversifies investment portfolios Preserves purchasing power over time Can perform well during market uncertainty Offers high global liquidity Should You Buy Physical Gold or Gold ETFs? For most retail investors, Gold ETFs offer several advantages: Feature Physical Gold Gold ETF Storage Required Yes No Easy to Trade Limited Yes Brokerage Account No Yes Liquidity Moderate High Ongoing Costs Storage & Insurance Management Fee Frequently Asked Questions [market_journal_faq]   Disclaimer These commentaries are intended for general circulation and do not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any person. Accordingly, no warranty whatsoever is given and no liability whatsoever is accepted for any loss arising whether directly or indirectly as a result of any person acting based on this information. 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It is based on a report by a Phillip Securities Research analyst.   Disclaimer These commentaries are intended for general circulation and do not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any person. Accordingly, no warranty whatsoever is given and no liability whatsoever is accepted for any loss arising whether directly or indirectly as a result of any person acting based on this information. You should seek advice from a financial adviser regarding the suitability of any investment product(s) mentioned herein, taking into account your specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs, before making a commitment to invest in such products. Opinions expressed in these commentaries are subject to change without notice. Investments are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The value of units in any fund and the income from them may fall as well as rise. 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It is based on a report by a Phillip Securities Research analyst.   Disclaimer These commentaries are intended for general circulation and do not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any person. Accordingly, no warranty whatsoever is given and no liability whatsoever is accepted for any loss arising whether directly or indirectly as a result of any person acting based on this information. You should seek advice from a financial adviser regarding the suitability of any investment product(s) mentioned herein, taking into account your specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs, before making a commitment to invest in such products. Opinions expressed in these commentaries are subject to change without notice. Investments are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The value of units in any fund and the income from them may fall as well as rise. 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Any such information or Research contained in these commentaries are subject to change, and PSPL shall not have any responsibility to maintain the information or Research made available or to supply any corrections, updates or releases in connection therewith. In no event will PSPL be liable for any special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages which may be incurred from the use of the information or Research made available, even if it has been advised of the possibility of such damages. The companies and their employees mentioned in these commentaries cannot be held liable for any errors, inaccuracies and/or omissions howsoever caused. Any opinion or advice herein is made on a general basis and is subject to change without notice. The information provided in these commentaries may contain optimistic statements regarding future events or future financial performance of countries, markets or companies. 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Top stock picks include Microsoft, Oracle, Palantir, and Palo Alto Networks, supported by strong AI and cloud adoption trends, robust demand visibility, and growing cybersecurity requirements. The current valuation environment presents opportunities, with large-cap SaaS companies trading at EV/Sales ratios of 9.5 times, representing the negative one standard deviation level despite rising software revenue and net income. The strategy emphasizes companies that provide essential AI infrastructure, maintain mission-critical cybersecurity functions, and offer data analytics capabilities crucial for enterprise AI implementation. Frequently Asked Questions [market_journal_faq]   This article has been auto-generated using PhillipGPT. It is based on a report by a Phillip Securities Research analyst.   Disclaimer These commentaries are intended for general circulation and do not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any person. Accordingly, no warranty whatsoever is given and no liability whatsoever is accepted for any loss arising whether directly or indirectly as a result of any person acting based on this information. You should seek advice from a financial adviser regarding the suitability of any investment product(s) mentioned herein, taking into account your specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs, before making a commitment to invest in such products. Opinions expressed in these commentaries are subject to change without notice. Investments are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The value of units in any fund and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance figures as well as any projection or forecast used in these commentaries are not necessarily indicative of future or likely performance. Phillip Securities Pte Ltd (PSPL), its directors, connected persons or employees may from time to time have an interest in the financial instruments mentioned in these commentaries. The information contained in these commentaries has been obtained from public sources which PSPL has no reason to believe are unreliable and any analysis, forecasts, projections, expectations and opinions (collectively the “Research”) contained in these commentaries are based on such information and are expressions of belief only. PSPL has not verified this information and no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made that such information or Research is accurate, complete or verified or should be relied upon as such. Any such information or Research contained in these commentaries are subject to change, and PSPL shall not have any responsibility to maintain the information or Research made available or to supply any corrections, updates or releases in connection therewith. 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    UltraGreen.ai Positioned for Growth with ICG Platform Expansion, BUY Rating and US$1.92 Target Price

    Published on Jul 3, 2026 51 

    Phillip Securities Research has initiated coverage on UltraGreen.ai with a BUY rating and target price of US$1.92, highlighting the company's transformation from a traditional dye and hardware business into an integrated indocyanine green (ICG) platform. The research firm's valuation is based on DCF analysis, utilising a 10% WACC and 7 times exit multiple. The company is currently trading at FY26e forward P/E of 15.2 times and EV/EBITDA of 16 times. Company Overview UltraGreen.ai operates in the fluorescence-guided surgery market, providing ICG dyes and near-infrared imaging hardware to healthcare providers. The company is expanding its business model beyond commodity products to become a comprehensive ICG platform provider, incorporating data analytics and software solutions. Market Opportunity and Penetration Drivers Strong market tailwinds are driving greater ICG penetration across both established and emerging surgical procedures globally. Currently, ICG penetration across surgical procedures remains in the low double-digits, with the exception of choroid diagnostics. However, penetration rates are expected to increase by double digits across the majority of procedures using fluorescence-guided surgery by 2028. The primary driver for this expansion is the growing adoption of ICG as a standard of care, with major surgical societies incorporating ICG into their clinical guidelines. A significant catalyst for UltraGreen.ai will be the expiry of Novadaq's Breast Sentinel Lymph Node exclusivity in June 2026, enabling the company to file for US approval and potentially capture a US$66.2 million market opportunity at full ICG penetration. Platform Business Transformation UltraGreen.ai is strategically expanding from its traditional dye plus hardware business into an integrated ICG platform through its PerfusionWorks quantification software and cloud platform. The PerfusionWorks software is expected to receive Europe MDR regulatory approval by 2H26, with subsequent US FDA filing planned to use the European dataset. Notably, the software is camera agnostic and can be used with competitors' imaging hardware, making every near-infrared-capable imaging device a potential customer. This approach addresses the critical obstacle of subjectivity in fluorescence imaging assessment by providing objective and reproducible perfusion data, thereby facilitating standardisation required for broader ICG adoption as a standard of care. Growth Strategy and Financial Position The company maintains a robust financial position, with net cash of US$176.1 million and is pursuing growth initiatives worth approximately US$150 million in potential investments or acquisitions across API suppliers, distributors, and lyophilisation companies. UltraGreen.ai also plans to transition from distributor models to direct sales in select markets, reducing distributor fees and enabling direct hospital relationships. This would support the bundling ICG vials with NIR cameras and cross-selling PerfusionWorks software. The research forecasts a 2-year earnings CAGR of 18.6%. Frequently Asked Questions [market_journal_faq]   This article has been auto-generated using PhillipGPT. It is based on a report by a Phillip Securities Research analyst.   Disclaimer These commentaries are intended for general circulation and do not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any person. Accordingly, no warranty whatsoever is given and no liability whatsoever is accepted for any loss arising whether directly or indirectly as a result of any person acting based on this information. 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    Thai Beverage Navigates Challenging Consumer Environment with Strategic Adaptation, Maintains BUY Rating at S$0.53

    Published on Jul 3, 2026 37 

    Company Overview Thai Beverage PLC operates as one of Southeast Asia's leading beverage companies, with significant operations spanning alcoholic beverages, including beer and spirits, as well as non-alcoholic products. The company has established itself as a major player in the regional market through its diverse portfolio and strategic investments, including its position as the second-largest shareholder in Vinamilk, one of the Vietnam’s largest dairy companies. Strategic Response to Consumer Pressures Thai Beverage is implementing a comprehensive five-pronged strategy to address the current challenging consumer environment. The company is focusing on smaller pack sizes and stock-keeping units (SKUs) to achieve more affordable price points, recognising that consumers are searching for value during this difficult period. The strategy extends to health and wellness through protein-based non-alcoholic products, whilst offering greater convenience through ready-to-drink (RTD) spirits. The RTD spirits initiative represents a particularly strategic move, as it does not cannibalise existing distilled spirits sales but instead makes products more accessible and convenient for consumers. This category can attract consumers from the beer segment whilst delivering higher gross margins due to lower excise duties compared to beer. Importantly, existing manufacturing capacity already supports RTD spirits production, requiring minimal additional capital expenditure. Financial Outlook and Market Position The company's financial position is expected to strengthen as free cash flow improves following major capital expenditure over the past two years in Cambodia and a dairy farm in Malaysia. This improved balance sheet provides flexibility for potential acquisitions, whilst forward purchases of raw materials are largely hedged for the current financial year's requirements. Phillip Securities Research maintains a BUY recommendation with a target price of S$0.53, highlighting Thai Beverage’s attractive valuations at 10 times FY26e earnings, with a dividend yield of approximately 5.5%. Margins are expected to remain resilient due to lower-priced raw materials purchased and disciplined operating cost management. The potential spinoff of Beerco presents an asset monetisation opportunity, particularly given Southeast Asia's, especially Vietnam's, attractiveness to strategic investors as a growing consumer market. Frequently Asked Questions [market_journal_faq]   This article has been auto-generated using PhillipGPT. It is based on a report by a Phillip Securities Research analyst.   Disclaimer These commentaries are intended for general circulation and do not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any person. Accordingly, no warranty whatsoever is given and no liability whatsoever is accepted for any loss arising whether directly or indirectly as a result of any person acting based on this information. You should seek advice from a financial adviser regarding the suitability of any investment product(s) mentioned herein, taking into account your specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs, before making a commitment to invest in such products. Opinions expressed in these commentaries are subject to change without notice. Investments are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The value of units in any fund and the income from them may fall as well as rise. 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