How Many Stocks Should I Be Looking at

[Colenelsteve 10]

Hey, guys,

 

This has probably been covered a million times on here already, but my question is... If I want to get serious about day trading, how many stocks should I be keeping an eye on.

 

I am talking ball park. I just don't want to try and keep track of too many at first and get overwhelmed or confused. I don't want to limit myself either. Is keeping an eye on 20 or so but getting intimate with 5-ish reasonable?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Steve

[emazing 10]

Hey Steve.

 

I am a very succeesful day trader and I only trade around 2 stocks at a time Pretty much the same one, day after day. You really don't need to have a lot of stocks to day trade. If you have 2 like I do and they move, it's more than enough.

 

Good luck Steve!!

[kv_maligi 10]

Hi Steve,

 

what you said is 100% correct. Trading on high liquid two stocks, same, day after day, is to trade & follow them.

Is it possible for you to give strategy you are using ? I am not much successful on my strategy rather you can say i do not have any proven strategy with me.

 

Thanks

viswanath

[emazing 10]

It took me quite a while to figure out my strategy. First things first. I use eSignal for my charting software. Over there I have a few custom indicators that really work wonders. You can get some of them on Emini Day Trading (MACDiv is great for its devergence). It's a bit difficult explaining exactly how I trade in words. BTW, on the indicators I use "ALOT" is the basic MACD, but you have to change the original settings from 12,26,9 to 5,35,5.

 

Sorry i couldn't help you more.

 

Good luck,

 

E.

[SIUYA 11]

Personally I think if you have -

- enough money

- a trading strategy that has an edge

- the discipline to actually focus and work every day

 

Then the more stocks the better.

 

This creates two real issues - portfolio issues with regards to the platform to use and monitor the portfolio, and the portfolio risk management - an extra level over just single instrument trading.

 

At present most platforms are too orientated to cover only a few instruments and require way too much management for portfolios and active trading. There are some exceptions - but they are limited depending on the instruments and the country you are in.

Ideally Excel allows the greatest flexibility but then you have to have the charting and the broker all talk via Excel.....as opposed to having just one system.

Plus with more instruments you often need greater computing power.

my two cents...

[emazing 10]

I really have to disagree with SIUYA! Not bashing or attacking you in any way whatsoever but, give me just ONE reason why "the more stocks the better"??

 

Why??

 

Think about it my friend. If you trade every day the same 2 or 3 stocks, and they are highly liquid and most importantly, "They Move" than what else do you need?

 

I know of a few day traders that monitor over 100 stocks. You know what I have to say to that?

 

NUTSSSSSS! Instead of trading, they look at the stocks and waste valuable time. I only trade for ONE hour a day, and I'm usually done before 11 am.

 

Take it from someone that REALLY learned his lesson. I do EXTREMELY well with an over 95% winning trades, I barely have losers and many many times I have made over 50 trades in a row without one loser.

 

But again hey, to each his own.

 

To finish this off, you really do NOT need to watch alot of stocks. 2 or 3 are more than enough.

 

Cheers,

 

E.

[MightyMouse 12]

I really have to disagree with SIUYA! Not bashing or attacking you in any way whatsoever but, give me just ONE reason why "the more stocks the better"??

 

Why??

 

Think about it my friend. If you trade every day the same 2 or 3 stocks, and they are highly liquid and most importantly, "They Move" than what else do you need?

 

I know of a few day traders that monitor over 100 stocks. You know what I have to say to that?

 

NUTSSSSSS! Instead of trading, they look at the stocks and waste valuable time. I only trade for ONE hour a day, and I'm usually done before 11 am.

 

Take it from someone that REALLY learned his lesson. I do EXTREMELY well with an over 95% winning trades, I barely have losers and many many times I have made over 50 trades in a row without one loser.

 

But again hey, to each his own.

 

To finish this off, you really do NOT need to watch alot of stocks. 2 or 3 are more than enough.

 

Cheers,

 

E.

 

Oh yeah? I made 50 bazillion million stock trades in a row without a loser.

 

Your claim is EXTREMELY transparent.

[emazing 10]

MightyMouse, I don't have to prove you or anyone else anything at all. I'm not trying to show off in any way or form whatsoever. All I'm trying to do is tell some people that you do NOT have to be looking at alot of stocks.

 

BTW, working at a hedge fund and being a quant trader (if you even know what that is) is not for the faint of heart.

 

Why don't you go and apply at a hedge fund and see what the hiring process is all about.You really do have to know your shit.

 

But whatever, do believe what you want to and trade the way you want to. Who am I to do ANY claims?

 

In my trading career I learned that there are 2 types of traders, (1) the one who is actually open to learn and (2) the other who's bashing and talking all kinds of negative nonsense.

 

Which one are you?

[SIUYA 11]

 

Take it from someone that REALLY learned his lesson. I do EXTREMELY well with an over 95% winning trades, I barely have losers and many many times I have made over 50 trades in a row without one loser.

 

 

E.

 

The one reason to trade more than a few stocks..........trade more instruments and make more money. Its that easy!

 

the point is its not that easy, but if you have a repeatable dynamic robust edge then surely you should be able to apply that to a lot of instruments. The hard part is being able to find the time and systems to be able to do it effectively. But clearly with your track record as it is then that should be no problem.

 

There are plenty of stocks that fit your criteria of being liquid and that move.

Now if there are other motivations like, diversification, wanting to only work 1 hour a day, not wanting to follow a portfolio and understand portfolio management, desire to specialise, desire to just trade one instrument then fine...... but

 

(As you mention in another post...... you dont need to trade a lot of stocks....but dont say people who do are nuts. ...you also question MM about the bashing and then you say others are nuts.....this is a forum for discussion, varying ideas, and opinions.)

[MightyMouse 12]

MightyMouse, I don't have to prove you or anyone else anything at all. I'm not trying to show off in any way or form whatsoever. All I'm trying to do is tell some people that you do NOT have to be looking at alot of stocks.

 

BTW, working at a hedge fund and being a quant trader (if you even know what that is) is not for the faint of heart.

 

Why don't you go and apply at a hedge fund and see what the hiring process is all about.You really do have to know your shit.

 

But whatever, do believe what you want to and trade the way you want to. Who am I to do ANY claims?

 

In my trading career I learned that there are 2 types of traders, (1) the one who is actually open to learn and (2) the other who's bashing and talking all kinds of negative nonsense.

 

Which one are you?

 

Of course your not trying to pretend that you are the very best trader. Of course you have nothing to prove. If you were doing that you would say that you do significantly better than 95% winning trades. Your string of winners would far exceed 50 in a row and you certainly wouldn't say that it takes you so much time during the day to do it. I apologize for being harsh since i mistook your trading statistics as exaggerated claims.

 

I am the type of trader who trades and puts real money on the line each and every trade I take. I trade independently and would not want to ever trade for a firm. The last person I worked for was my father when I was 16-17 years old. Its great, however, that you work for a hedge fund that allows you to trade for one hour. That allows you plenty other hours of the day too heal the infirm with the touch of your hand. Hell, you may be able to heal them simply by looking at them. Praise the Heavens for He walks among us.

 

I am not bashing but it is my opinion that you are a little boy who likes to make people believe in fairy tails about trading.

[emazing 10]

MightyMouse, do know this: I blew out several accounts while learning the long and brutal journey of day trading. It used to be the other way around, each trade I would enter would go against me.

 

Luckily I 'am one of the 5% who made it.

 

In regards to your posts to me, I'm not sure I understand the reason for all these negative vibes you're sending me (I'm a little boy??).

 

I personally taught 4 people my trading strategy, 3 of my family and one good friend of mine. The all work at prop firms and are doing phenominally well. I really don't know why you are so negative towards me and possibly a bit bitter?

 

I hope I'll never grow as old and sour as you are. May god bless you. I wish you nothing more than to succeeed in this brutal game of trading.

 

E.

[emazing 10]

SIUYA, you 're wrong. I said people who "MONITOR" over 100 stocks are nuts! Instead of trading, you're wasting time looking, but that's just my personal opinion.

 

E.

[SIUYA 11]

SIUYA, you 're wrong. I said people who "MONITOR" over 100 stocks are nuts! Instead of trading, you're wasting time looking, but that's just my personal opinion.

 

E.

 

Point taken..... but the same could be said about people who monitor one or two stocks and dont trade them.

 

While a lot of context can be lost in written forums, it is clear that your posts have been misunderstood, and as a hint....capital letters, exclamation marks, name calling, blunt statements and self promotion (not that I am saying you are guilty of this) generally draw the reader away from the point you are trying to make.

 

I am sure MM may agree to disagree with me as he knows what my motto (acronym) stands for.

 

regardless, all the best working for your hedge fund.

[emazing 10]

SIUYA, I must apologize if I offended anyone here. I'm truly sorry. When I joined TL not too long ago, my intentions were only but good and that includes disagreeing with some people. But I strongly believe that if the disagreeing is done in a tactful manner, than it's fine.

 

Unfortunately, not everyone agrees with me on this one.

 

Anyway, all the best to you:-))))))))))

 

Cheers,

 

Emazing

[Ingot54 13]

SIUYA, you 're wrong. I said people who "MONITOR" over 100 stocks are nuts! Instead of trading, you're wasting time looking, but that's just my personal opinion.

 

Actually you are both correct.

 

There is NOTHING wrong with filtering through, or scanning 100 stocks, or even 500, if your scan throws up a heavily filtered opportunity that is ready NOW. A chart is a chart, and if the signal says "go" then you take it.

 

How you do that will depend on YOU, as well as on the software you use, the information at your disposal (sector, index, instrument, order book) and so on.

 

Yet the person who, like Emazing, specializes in just 2 or three stocks is equally performing his art, as the results are dependent, amongst other things, on his knowledge of the "personality" or characteristics of those couple of stocks he trades.

 

This is just a storm in a teacup. It is understandable that when one knows his method as well as the traders involved in this exchange of opinion do, then strong opinions are bound to emerge.

 

As all are truthfully speaking of their own solid experiences with the market, it is proof to me that each side of this debate is operating a very robust system/approach to trading.

 

I have enjoyed the thoughts evoked by all proponents in this discussion - thanks to you all. It is easy for me to see that we are actually all on the same page, but understandable that those on the right will have a totally different approach from those on the left!

 

It is the results that count, and I look forward to continuing discussion.

 

Perhaps we could look at why each of you believes so strongly in his approach, instead of dismissing the likely success all of you are achieving.

 

What has led you to conclude that maximum 3 stocks are best to focus on, Emazing, as opposed to the many that Siuya farms in his approach?

 

I think your responses would be very constructive to the discussion, from here on. Care to elaborate? I would enjoy your reasons for your views.

 

EDIT: Siuya - the acronym for your username is a little rude - I doubt you would get the full version registered!

Edited February 5, 2011 by Ingot54

[emazing 10]

Ingot54, I have no problem sharing with you and the rest why I believe you should not be day trading many stocks, "BUT", I do ask all members, please no bashing or bad-mouthing. It is my own personal opinion and I myself have no problem at all if people disagree as long as it's done in a tactful manner.

 

My trading style is as follows: I guess you can call me more of a scalper. I aim for small profits like $0.10 to $0.20, but sometimes I may go for a bit more. I try to go in and out of a trade >>>as fast as I possibly can<<<<, many times just mere seconds, a few minutes the most. As I mentioned before, I mostly trade more expensive stocks such as BIDU and AAPL but on the rare occasion I will trade a penny stock as well (usually pump and dumps that are up 300% to 500% in just a few days. These can be great shorts).

 

The downside of trading these types of stocks is that they are VERY expensive so you really need some buying power behind you.

 

The upside is that these more expensive stocks really move. Look at AAPL for example, watch it carefully, especially in the morning time how fast it can move. It's a beast and can move a whole dollar in just a minute or two, so if you're on the wrong side of these beasts, you can be in big trouble.

 

And please don't get me wrong, as I trade, I have my live news service on, and if I hear a really "HOT" story, I may jump on it. For example a while ago APOL reported some really bad news and the stock plummeted, or an even longer time ago GS was accused of fraud, so when you hear these "heavy duty" news, of course I may tend to jump on them and suck out as much as I popssibly can.

 

Because I'm more of a scalper than a day trader, for my style of trading it just doesn't make sense to jump areoung many stocks. When AAPL goes up, I'll quickly enter a long position, than as it goes down, I'll take it short. What I'm trying to say here is that I'm chasing the stock.

 

Bare in mind, it takes a lot of skill chasing a stock. I use "leading" indicators, not lacking ones that tell me ahead of time what's going to happen.

 

And believe you me, in about an hour, trading these beasts, you can make yourself an EASY $1 to $1.50. Now go ahead and multiply that amount by the amount of shares you trade.

 

I hope this brought some clarity to all those that negatively disagreed with me.

[MadMarketScientist 11]

For me with stocks when daytrading no more than 2-5 stocks -- and usually more like 2-3.

 

When swing trading I like a hot list of about 10 stocks to keep it interesting and not boring - provides just enough regular trading.

 

 

MMS

[emazing 10]

Nice to see that the boss himself agrees with me:-)

[jeremymullins79 10]

I believe 5 stocks are enough for a day but it depends much on how much earnings you seek to obtain.