Basics of Intraday Trading

Introduction

Intraday trading is part art, part science. Only the best can survive and make consistent profits. It is not only one of the most remunerative forms of trading but also the riskiest. Hence, if you are an aggressive investor or trader, intraday trading might be your best bet. This article contains information about intraday trading - its basics, features, and ways to profit.

The Basics of Intraday Trading - A Primer

Intraday trading, a.k.a. day trading, refers to the process of buying and selling stocks, futures, options, commodities, currencies, etc., on the same day. Usually, when you buy shares for the long-term, the seller transfers the ownership of the shares to you. The shares thus obtained get stored in your Demat account. However, intraday trading does not require any transfer of shares. Since the buying and selling of shares occur on the same day, the trader’s Demat account is not credited or debited.

Earlier, intraday trading was the domain of expert traders and professional money managers. But, thanks to the proliferation of online trading services, almost any investor can engage in online intraday stock trading.

The Basics of Intraday Trading - How to Trade Efficiently

The first step to mastering intraday trading basics is choosing the right broker. Brokers like 5paisa offer comprehensive guidance and pinpoint research reports to help you identify the best intraday trading stocks. As a fact, intraday trading stocks are different from delivery stocks. The following sections describe some proven tips to ace intraday trading:

1. Open an Account

You will need a Demat and trading account to start intraday trading. 5paisa offers a 100% convenient online account opening facility. You can simply upload your KYC (Know Your Customer) documents like PAN card, Aadhar card, and a photograph to open a free Demat and trading account and start trading. 
You can open two types of trading accounts in India - cash and margin.

If you have a cash account, you can place trades with the available clear balance. For example, if your account balance is INR 10,000, you can buy shares worth INR 10,000. In contrast, a margin account enables you to buy more shares than your account balance permits. For instance, if your account balance is INR 10,000, you can buy or sell shares of up to INR 1 lakh, depending on the margin value provided by your broker.  

2. Pick Liquid Shares 

Liquid shares refer to shares with high volume and sharp bi-directional movements. Due to high investor participation, these stocks are very liquid, meaning you can conveniently buy and sell any quantity without worrying about impacting the prices. Generally, large-cap stocks that are also a part of an index like NIFTY 50 or BANK NIFTY are the most liquid. In contrast, many mid-cap or small-cap stocks are not liquid, and if you pick such stocks, you may get stuck for days to get the momentum you need.   

3. Determine the Entry, Exit, and Stoploss Before Entering a Trade

Expert intraday traders determine the risk-reward before placing a trade. For instance, if your risk-reward ratio is 1:1, you are ready to lose INR 1 for getting INR 1. Similarly, if the ratio is 1:5, you are ready to lose INR 1 for getting five times the profit. Liquid stocks generally move at a breakneck speed, and sometimes, you cannot execute the trade instantly. Placing a target and stop-loss makes you immune from tracking the second-by-second movement of intraday stocks. 

4. Never Be Greedy

Perhaps the most underrated intraday trading basics is the relation between greed and reward. You will often face situations when the market is more positive than expected. It is natural to lose control over your sense of judgment and get swayed in such times. But, in intraday trading, nothing is permanent, and the extraordinary growth in one moment can turn into a catastrophic crash in the next. Hence, it is wise to control your greed and stay true to your target and stop loss for consistent returns.

5. Go With The Flow

Traders often ignore the intraday trading basics by challenging the market. As a rule, you must never challenge the market until you are absolutely confident that your research is top-class. You can observe three broad trend types in the market - uptrend, downtrend, and sideways. If the market is in an uptrend, it is wise to place buy trades before selling. Conversely, you can sell first and buy later if the trend is down.

Conclusion

While the basics of intraday trading might have made you motivated, the best Demat and trading account can give you wings. 5paisa publishes high-quality research reports and company and industry-specific details to make your task easy. You can read the reports, look for news, read the charts, and ace intraday trading.