Categories: Stock Markets

A guide to trading strategies good for beginners

You would have heard of many webinars and apps offering tips for stock trading. This is the result of the increasing interest in stock markets noticed after the pandemic. But with all the abundance of information available, it sometimes becomes difficult to sift through it. So here are the top trading strategies that are a good addition to learn for beginners in stock trading. Check them out and start your trading journey!

Read More: Top 5 Strategies for Swing Trading

What are trading strategies?

Let us begin with the basics which is –  the meaning of trading strategies. Trading strategies are systematic plans or approaches employed by traders and investors to make informed decisions about buying and selling financial assets, such as stocks, bonds, commodities, or currencies, to achieve specific financial goals. 

These strategies are designed to provide a structured framework for trading activities, and they are based on various factors, including market analysis, risk tolerance, investment objectives, and time horizons. The common objectives of trading strategies are profit generation, risk mitigation through structured trading plans, determining the entry and exit points for trade, and stop loss positions.

Beginners should adopt a trading strategy that is simple to understand and implement. At the same time, it has to be dynamic to accommodate the changing pace of the market and its fluctuations. Some of the common trading strategies for beginners are explained hereunder. 

Day trading

Day trading is a high-speed trading strategy where traders aim to profit from small price fluctuations by buying and selling stocks or other assets within the same trading day. To execute this strategy, day traders closely analyze charts and employ technical indicators to identify short-term trends and patterns in asset prices. 

They make numerous rapid trades throughout the day, never leaving any positions open overnight to avoid overnight risks. However, beginners need to understand that day trading demands an extensive time commitment, unwavering focus, and the ability to make quick decisions. It is most suitable for individuals who can actively monitor the market throughout the trading session, as the fast-paced nature of day trading requires constant attention to capitalize on fleeting opportunities.

Swing trading

Swing trading is similar to catching waves in the ocean, where traders seek to profit from the medium-term price movements of assets that can span several days or weeks. This strategy involves a combination of technical and fundamental analysis to identify assets with the potential for sustained gains. Swing traders typically buy when they anticipate an asset’s price is on an upswing and sell when they expect it to decline. Compared to day trading, swing trading offers a more relaxed pace, making it suitable for individuals who can monitor the markets regularly but do not need to be glued to their screens all day long. While it is less demanding than day trading, it still requires vigilance and a well-considered trading plan to succeed in capturing these longer-lasting market movements.

Momentum trading

Momentum trading is like jumping into a race that’s already going fast, with traders getting in when a stock is rising strongly, hoping it will keep going up so they can make money. Momentum traders rely on various indicators to spot assets that are currently in demand and likely to maintain their upward momentum. They typically buy these assets with the expectation that the existing trend will persist, allowing them to profit from the price appreciation. While momentum trading can be exhilarating, it comes with inherent risks, particularly for beginners. Novice traders should exercise caution, carefully manage their trades, and avoid chasing assets with extreme levels of momentum, as these can be more susceptible to sudden reversals. A thorough understanding of this strategy and risk management is essential for success in momentum trading.

Scalping

The scalping strategy is where the traders engage in numerous very short-term trades to capitalize on minor price fluctuations. Scalpers employ rapid trading techniques and closely monitoring charts to identify swift price movements. The goal is to make small, incremental profits on each trade, which can accumulate into a significant sum over a trading day. However, it’s important to note that scalping demands a high level of skill, discipline, and a deep understanding of market dynamics. Due to its fast-paced nature and the need for quick decision-making, scalping is generally not recommended for beginners unless they have a strong foundation in trading and are well-prepared to manage the challenges associated with this strategy.

Trend following

Trend following is one of the simplest trading strategies and involves chasing the prevailing market trend which is buying during bullish periods when prices are rising and selling during bearish phases when prices are falling. Trend followers utilize various technical indicators to identify these trends and enter positions in the direction of the trend’s momentum. The objective is to profit as long as the trend persists, allowing traders to capitalize on sustained price movements. This strategy is relatively straightforward for beginners, emphasizing the importance of patience and discipline. Novice traders can begin by focusing on well-established trends, making trend following an accessible entry point into the world of trading, especially if they’re willing to take the time to learn and practice this approach.

News trading

New trading is another easy-to-follow and execute trading strategy for beginners. In this strategy, traders swiftly make trading decisions based on economic news events and their anticipated influence on asset prices. News traders closely monitor economic calendars and news releases, speculating on how the market will respond to the news and executing trades accordingly. However, beginners need to be aware that news trading carries inherent risks, primarily due to the heightened market volatility often seen during news releases. To navigate this strategy successfully, beginners should acquire a comprehensive understanding of the news events they are trading and the potential impact they can have on the markets. This knowledge, combined with proper risk management, can help mitigate the challenges associated with news trading.

Breakout trading

Traders employing this strategy in India seek out assets that are on the cusp of breaking through significant price levels, and they initiate trades when such breakouts occur. Breakout traders rely heavily on technical analysis to identify assets that appear to be building up momentum for a potential breakout, and they aim to capture the price movement as it surges past either support or resistance levels. For beginners, breakout trading can offer the advantage of clearly defined entry and exit points, which can simplify decision-making. However, it’s essential to exercise caution as false breakouts can occur, leading to potential losses. Therefore, understanding the intricacies of technical analysis and implementing risk management strategies is crucial for success in breakout trading.

Moving average crossover strategy

The Moving Average Crossover Strategy relies on using moving averages, which are smoothed-out representations of price data, to inform trading decisions. When a short-term moving average, such as the 50-day, crosses above a longer-term one, like the 200-day, it can be interpreted as a potential signal to buy, and conversely, when the short-term crosses below the long-term, it may signal a potential sell. Traders employ these moving averages on price charts to identify these crossover points and take corresponding trading actions. This strategy is particularly suitable for beginners interested in trend-based trading, as it offers a simple and easy-to-understand method for identifying potential entry and exit points in the market. However, like any trading strategy, it should be used in conjunction with proper risk management techniques.

Conclusion

The purpose of trading strategies for beginners is to demystify stock trading and enable them to learn the roots. The initial trading strategies and the portfolio built using them are like the groundwork for the entire trading journey for a trader. Hence, learning these trading strategies with clarity is essential.

FAQs

1. What are the 4 trading strategies?

The popular trading strategies are day trading, momentum trading, scalping, and swing trading.

2. Which type of trading is easy?

Momentum trading and news trading are some of the an easy trading strategy for beginners.

3. What is the most effective strategy in trading?

The most effective strategy in trading varies depending on individual preferences and market conditions, but a common approach is to diversify your portfolio, set clear risk management rules, and base trading decisions on thorough research and analysis rather than emotional reactions.

4. What is the most successful day trading strategy?

Some common day trading strategies include scalping, momentum trading, and mean reversion, but traders often develop their own unique approaches based on their experience and analysis.

5. What is a lazy man’s portfolio?

A lazy man’s portfolio is a simple and low-maintenance investment strategy that typically consists of a small number of diversified, low-cost index funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs), designed to minimize the need for active management and reduce overall investment fees.

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Marisha Bhatt

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