Intraday Trading – Strategies to Ace the One Day Game

Overview

Some might say that holding your investment is the only way to make long term wealth, but have you heard of the whispers of intraday trading? If you know the right way, you know that one can make long term wealth with the same day trading too? But hey! The vision is too appealing, but the path is not at all a cakewalk! You need the perfect mix of technical knowledge, risk management strategy, and robust trading psychology. Here we brought you the first step toward your intraday trading – toward only benefit, no loss…

What is Trading?

Trading, in simple words, is like swapping things but in a cooler, grown-up way. Instead of trading toys or snacks, traders exchange assets. These assets can be pieces of a company (yes, you can own a piece of your favorite companies!), different types of money (like swapping your dollars for euros), or even precious things like gold.

There are two main styles of trading:

• IntraDay Trading: It’s like a fast and furious race. Day traders buy and sell their assets within the same day.

• Investing: This one’s more like a marathon. In this, investors buy assets and hold them for a very long time for exciting growth. 

Note: trading isn’t just about making money but is also about thoroughly understanding how the world of finance works. It’s a bit like playing a strategic game, and it can be super exciting!

What is Intraday Trading?

Intraday trading, often called day trading, means “within the same day”. It is just like a financial rollercoaster ride but here traders buy and sell assets within the same day. This is just like trying to catch a moving train and jumping off before it stops. These traders keep a close eye on price charts, looking for opportunities to make quick profits from small price changes.

For instance, imagine you’re trading stocks and might buy shares of a company in the morning, assuming their price will increase during the day. If the price rises as expected, you will sell the shares to make a profit very same day. But here’s the tricky part: if the price goes down, you might end up losing money. Well, this is pretty much intraday trading with its benefits and losses. 

• Intraday trading means buying and selling  stocks within the same day while the stock market is open.
• It focuses on the price highs and lows within a single trading day.
• Day traders watch how stock prices change during the day and make quick trades to make money from these short-term price changes.
• Traders use different strategies like scalping, range trading, and many more for intraday trading.

Intraday traders need to be quick thinkers, calm under pressure, and good at analyzing charts and data. It’s like a fast-paced game where the goal is to make money before the sun sets. Intraday trading also talks about the highest and lowest prices of a security during the day. For instance, a “new intraday high” means the price went higher than any other during that day’s trading. Sometimes, this high can be the same as the closing price.

Brokers offer leverage to trade with, complying with SEBI guidelines. SEBI requires you to close your positions by the end of the trading day, or your broker will do it for you.

What is Positional Trading (Delivery Trading)?

Positional Trading (delivery trading) , on the other hand, is a bit like when you buy a toy, and you get to keep it forever. In delivery trading, people buy stocks, which are shares of companies, and they keep them for a long, long time (a day, week, month, or years). They hope that these stocks will grow in value, just like you hope your toy collection gets cooler as you grow up. It’s a patient way to make money in the stock market.

Additionally, in delivery trading, when you want to buy some stocks (which are like pieces of a company), you need to have enough money to actually buy them. The feeling is like having money in your pocket to get the new toy you love.

For instance, if you want to buy your favorite toy and it costs 100 RS, you’ll need to ensure that you have 100 RS in your wallet. When you buy the toy, you keep those 100 RS aside, so you won’t spend it on anything else.

Later, when you decide to sell that toy because its price went up to 150 RS, you’ll have to make sure that you still have the toy and can make a 50 RS profit. So, in delivery trading, you need to have the item (or shares in the stock market) when you want to sell them to make a profit.

Intraday Trading v/s Positional Trading (Delivery Trading) : What’s the Difference

Well! Both types of trading sound so similar that many found themselves in the pool of confusion while studying the difference between intraday trading and delivery trading. Here we got you whole list of differences based on types of shares, margin, and much more:

Also Read: Intraday v/s Positional Trading

Time Limits: The Race Against the Clock

The basic difference between both, the time. Intraday trading is like a race with a tight deadline – you gotta buy and sell on the same day. If you get distracted and forget, your broker might sell stuff automatically, and that’s not always good. 

Delivery trading, though, doesn’t have a time limit. You can hold onto your stocks as long as you want, depending on your plans. It’s like having a chill, open-ended relationship with your stocks.

Types of Shares: Liquid vs. Illiquid

Alright, so there are two main types of stocks: liquid and illiquid. Liquid stocks are like the popular kids in school – lots of people know them and trade them all the time. In intraday trading, traders usually prefer these because they’re easy to buy and sell quickly. 

On the flip side, delivery traders can go for both liquid and illiquid stocks. Some folks even dive into what we call “penny stocks,” hoping they’ll become famous (and valuable) someday.

Market Mood: Bull Vs Bear

Next up, let’s talk about how traders deal with market moods. Intraday trading geeks are like chameleons – they adapt to whatever the market feels like that day. When things are good (bull market), they buy first and sell later. When it’s not so good (bear market), they sell first and buy later. 

Delivery traders, on the other hand, usually spot opportunities when the market is down, and they hang onto their stocks until things get better. When the market is on fire, they might sell their holdings.

Trading Margin: Playing with Borrowed Money

Now, let’s talk about playing with money that’s not entirely yours. Intraday traders often get the chance to use something called “leverage” or “margin” from their brokers. It’s like borrowing money to buy more stocks than you actually have cash for. For example, if your account has 5,000 rupees, but your broker offers 4x margin, you can also buy stocks worth 20,000 RS! Cool, right? But watch out, the lender might ask for some extra fees for this favor. 

Delivery trades are a bit simpler – you can only buy stocks if you’ve got enough cash in your account to cover the cost. Some brokers do offer margin for delivery trades, but it’s not as common.

Risk Factor: The Rollercoaster of Stocks

Lastly, let’s get real about risks. Intraday trading is like riding a stock market roller coaster. It’s quick and thrilling, but it can also be riskier. See, with intraday stuff, you don’t keep stocks overnight, so you dodge those nighttime surprises. But stocks can be crazy – they can jump or drop because of all sorts of stuff, even after the market closes.
 
If you’re more into long-term delivery trading, short-term ups and downs might not bother you much. But if you’re doing quick, short-term trading, those wild swings can mess with your plans.

Intraday Trading Strategies

If the chef knows all the ingredients and recipe before cooking the meal, he knows the cuisine is tasty, everytime he serves it. Just like that, intraday trading strategies are the techniques that traders use before stepping into the world of intraday trading. Here are the important keys of this secret lock of success:

1. Scalping – Quick and Small Wins:

Scalpers are like speed demons. They make tons of trades throughout the day, aiming to profit from tiny price movements. They’re not looking for big bucks; they’re after those small, frequent wins.

2. Range Trading – Staying in the Middle:

Range traders are like market watchers who sit on the fence. They buy stocks at a lower price within a certain range and sell when it’s high in that range. They think that when something goes up a lot, it will probably come back down in that same range. It’s kind of like a see-saw at the playground – what goes up must come down, and vice versa, but only within that specific range.

3. Momentum Trading – Riding the Wave:

Momentum traders are surfers. They jump on the bandwagon when they spot a stock with strong upward or downward momentum. They believe that trends are likely to continue.

4. Breakout Trading – Breaking Free:

Breakout traders are like sprinters at the starting line. They wait for a stock’s price to burst through a predefined level of support or resistance. When it happens, they take off, hoping for a big move in that direction.

5. Trend Trading – Going with the Flow:

Trend traders are patient hikers. They follow established trends, either up or down, believing that the trend will persist. They often use technical indicators to confirm the trend’s strength for intraday trading.

6. News Trading – Riding the Headlines:

News traders are detectives. They keep an eye on the latest news, earnings reports, or economic data releases that can move markets. When significant news breaks, they react swiftly to capitalize on price changes.

7. High-Frequency Trading (HFT) – Lightning Fast:

HFT is like a Formula 1 race. Computers execute trades at incredible speeds, often within microseconds. HFT firms use complex algorithms and technology to profit from minuscule price discrepancies.

8. Contrarian Trading – Swimming Upstream:

Contrarian traders are like rebels. They bet against the crowd’s sentiment. If everyone’s bullish and buying, they might think it’s time to sell. It’s a strategy based on the belief that markets often overreact.

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy as you can always pick your best one and keep a side option during intraday trading. What works best for you depends on your risk tolerance, trading style, and market conditions. Many traders experiment with different strategies before finding their sweet spot. And no matter which strategy you choose, always practice risk management and stay disciplined in your trading approach.

Advantages & Disadvantages (Pros and Cons) of Intraday Trading

Intraday trading, also known as day trading, has its share of advantages (pros) and disadvantages (cons). Let’s break them down in a casual way:

Advantages (Pros) of Intraday Trading:

1. Quick Profits:

It’s like getting a paycheck every day. Intraday traders focus on making money in a single day, so they don’t have to wait weeks or months to see final results.

2. No Overnight Risk:

You’re out before bedtime. Intraday traders don’t hold positions overnight, which means you don’t have to worry about unexpected news or market gaps when you’re sleeping.

3. Increased Leverage:

It’s like a financial superpower. Some brokers offer high leverage for intraday trading, allowing you to control larger positions with less capital. This can magnify your profits (but be careful; it can also magnify losses).

4. Daily Learning:

Think of it as a crash course. Intraday traders get to learn quickly because they make more trades in a day. It’s like an accelerated learning program for the stock market.

Disadvantages (Cons) of Intraday Trading:

1. High Risk:

It’s like walking on a tightrope. We all are aware that stock prices can swing widely in a single day, which is the reason why intraday trading can be riskier than long-term investing. If you’re not careful, you can lose a lot of money quickly.

2. Stressful:

Picture it as a fast-paced game. Intraday trading can be intense. You need to make quick decisions, and the adrenaline can be draining. It’s not for everyone, especially if you can get anxious easily or can’t handle stress well.

3. High Costs:

Trading isn’t free. You’ll have to pay commissions and fees for every trade you make. If you’re a frequent day trader, these costs can add up fast and eat into your profits.

4. Emotional Rollercoaster:

It’s like riding emotional waves. Intraday traders often experience strong emotions like fear and greed. It can lead to impulsive decisions i.e., definitely not in your best interest.

5. Requires Skills:

It’s not a casual hobby. Successful intraday trading requires a good understanding of the markets, technical analysis, and discipline. It’s like playing a musical instrument; you need practice and skill.

Briefly, intraday trading can offer quick profits and exciting learning opportunities, but it comes with high risks, stress, and costs. It’s essential to be well-prepared, emotionally stable, and willing to invest the time and effort required for success in this challenging trading style.

What are Intraday Trading Indicators

Intraday trading indicators are like tools in a trader’s toolkit. They help you make sense of the price movements of stocks or other assets during the trading day. Let’s break down some common intraday trading indicators in a casual way:

Moving Averages (MA):

Think of Moving Average as your smoothie blender. It takes all the noisy price data and makes a smooth line. This line shows the average price over a specific time frame (like 10 days). If the price goes above the line, it might be a good time to buy. If it dips below, it could be a sign to sell.

Bollinger Bands:

Picture Bollinger Bands as stretchy rubber bands around the stock price. They expand and contract as the price moves. When the bands squeeze in, it’s like the calm before a storm. The price might break out soon. When the bands widen, it’s like the storm has passed. The price might calm down.

Relative Strength Index (RSI):

This one’s like a fitness tracker for stocks. The indicator tells you if a stock is overbought (everyone’s into it) or oversold (nobody wants it). If a stock’s RSI is high, it might be time to think about selling. If it’s low, it could be a buying opportunity.

Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD):

The MACD is like a detective’s magnifying glass. It looks at two moving averages, one fast and one slow. When they cross, it’s a signal. If the fast one crosses above the slow one, it’s a “buy” signal. If it crosses below, it’s a “sell” signal.


These indicators aren’t crystal balls, though. These are just tools to help you make more informed decisions. Combine them with other info, like  market trends,the all factors that contribute to technical analysis to make your trading moves. And remember, trading can be like solving a puzzle – these indicators are just a few pieces!

What is the Brokerage Charge for Intraday Trading

It’s like going to different restaurants – each brokerage company has its own unique menu of charges, and those fees can vary based on a bunch of factors or their own direct costs. When you’re into intraday trading in India, you’ve got to watch out for those fees your broker might charge. It’s like a party with different entry fees depending on where you go:

• Flat Fee: Some brokers are like, “Hey, it’s a flat rate, dude.” They charge a fixed amount for each trade. The charges of intraday trading may vary from ₹10 to ₹50 or more, depending on who you’re hanging out with.

• Percentage of the Pie: Others are like, “Let’s take a slice of the pie.” These companies charge a percentage of the total trade value, often a tiny slice, like 0.01% to 0.05%.

• Account Types: And remember, if you’re a big trader, they might cut you a deal. It might sound like, “You’re a frequent flyer here, so we’ll offer a good discount.”

• Extra Charges: Watch out for extra fees like SEBI turnover charges, GST, stamp duty, and other surprise fees. It may vary as per where you’re trading and what you’re trading.

• Online vs. Offline: If you’re doing intraday trading online, it’s usually cheaper. Going offline might cost you a bit more.

• Subscription Plans: Some brokers offer plans where you pay a monthly or yearly fee, and then you get free or super cheap trades. It’s like an all-you-can-eat buffet for traders.

Check out the fees menu carefully at your chosen brokerage. It can make a big difference in how much you’re shelling out for your intraday trading adventures.

How to Select Stocks for Intraday Trading?

Selecting stocks for intraday trading requires a strategic approach to maximize your chances of success. Here’s a simplified guide:

Liquidity Matters:

You can select stocks that are highly liquid, meaning they have a lot of trading activity. Liquidity ensures you can enter and exit positions easily without significant price slippage.

Volatility Counts:

Look for stocks with a history of price volatility. During intraday trading, traders grow on price fluctuations, so you can avail more trading opportunities with stocks with regular price movements.

Sector Knowledge:

You can think about focusing on sectors or industries that you’re aware of. It’s easier to predict price movements when you’re familiar with the factors that influence a particular sector.

News and Events:

Keep an eye on news and events that could impact the stock’s price during the trading day. Earnings reports, economic data releases, and company announcements can all be game-changers. However, do remember that our expert traders and market professionals stress more upon not relying on the news.

Technical Analysis:

Technical analysis tools can act like your best friend during intraday trading. Technical analysis tools like demand-supply indicator, charts patterns and candlestick patterns help identify potential entry and exit points. Common indicators include Moving Averages, Relative Strength Index (RSI), and Bollinger Bands.

Volume Confirmation:

You can confirm your trade decisions with trading volume. In the stock market, high trading volume can indicate strong market interest and increase the likelihood of a successful trade.

Risk Management:

One of the go-to-staples while trading in the stock market. You can set strict stop-loss and take-profit levels for each trade during your intraday trading. This helps limit potential losses and lock in profits. Never risk more than you can afford to lose on a single trade.

Screening Tools:

You can use stock screening tools or software. These tools allow you to filter stocks depending on your criteria, such as price range, volume, and volatility.

Watch Lists:

You can create a watchlist of potential stocks to trade. Besides, you need to regularly update it with fresh information and adjust your choices as market conditions change.

Paper Trading:

If you’re new to intraday trading or trying a new strategy, you can think of practicing with a virtual or paper trading account to gain experience without risking real money.

Emotional Control:

Emotions can lead to impulsive decisions. Always stick to your trading strategy and avoid making emotional judgments based on fear or greed.

Continuous Learning:

Intraday trading requires constant learning and adaptation. Stay updated with market trends, attend webinars, read books, and follow experienced traders for insights.


Just a heads-up, intraday trading can be pretty risky, and losses are no strangers here. So, before you dive in, it’s a smart move to have a solid game plan and some tricks up your sleeve for managing those risks. And hey, remember to keep your cool, stay patient, and stay on the ball when you’re picking and trading stocks intraday. It’s like a game – you’ve got to be in the zone!

What Does Critics Say

Critics say intraday trading is like a thrilling but risky rollercoaster. They think it’s stressful because you need to watch the stock market all day, which can be nerve-wracking. Plus, there are fees and taxes that eat into your profits, and if you focus on just a few stocks, like putting all your fruit in one basket, you might lose big if things go south. It’s also a bit like playing chess against a pro when you’re just learning – tough! Some experts make money this way, but for beginners, it might be better to start with safer investments. So, remember to be careful before diving into intraday trading.

Writer’s Takeaway

Money can be lucrative but to master the art of trading, you need discipline, patience, and consistency with a pinch of great trading strategy. Know technical knowledge of the market, right breakout strategies, and in-depth pros/cons before you decide which one is right for you; either for intraday trading or delivery trading. Remember: the market is only risky for those who don’t understand what it’s trying to tell them.

FAQs

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