In the stock market, even the simplest of investments can quickly become extremely complicated. To truly maximize your potential and capitalize on the exciting opportunities in the stock market, it is essential to understand the basics of realtime trading systems.
Realtime trading systems are computerized trading systems that provide traders with the most recent and up to date information on their investments, as well as pre-defined protocols for entry and exit points. By utilizing these trading systems, investors can automatically establish buying and selling rules to increase their profits and minimize their risks.
For a novice trader, the first step should be to understand the two major types of realtime trading systems: algorithmic trading systems (AT) and rules-based trading systems (RT). AT systems are based on a set of predefined rules and rely heavily on back-testing results to know when to enter and exit the market. RT systems are more manually-focused, relying heavily on pattern analysis, sentiment analysis, and short-term signals to make trading decisions.
Algorithmic trading comes with the benefit of automation, allowing traders to focus more time on other investments and tasks. Despite the potential benefits, algorithmic trading poses a great risk of over-trading, meaning more trades can be placed in a shorter period of time. To reduce the risk of over-trading, it is recommended to have an active exit strategy in place as well as risk management protocols.
Unlike algorithmic trading, which tends to focus on short-term momentum signs and capital optimization opportunities, rules-based trading requires the trader to be aware of multiple factors. To begin, traders will want to be familiar with technical indicators, such as support and resistance lines, in order to spot entry and exit points. It is also important to keep an eye on the news and make sure to use fundamental factors when analyzing a stock. For example, a great way to determine whether or not to invest in a certain stock is to find out if a company or industry is growing or if there is expected to be any upcoming news related to the stock.
In addition to these two primary trading systems, investors can also utilize scalp trading strategies, which relies heavily on making numerous, small trades with the intention of generating small profits. Despite such strategies being relatively low risk, they require considerable effort to monitor the market and make quick buy/sell decisions accordingly. As such, scalp trading may be best for those that are able to dedicate a lot of attention and time to their investments.
Additionally, arbitrage trading is a trading method that involves taking advantage of pricing discrepancies in different markets. By taking advantage of such discrepancies, traders can buy and sell the same asset simultaneously in different markets, allowing them to lock in steady profits and hedge against volatility.
Lastly, traders can also employ algorithmic trading strategies to minimize exposure to market risk while maximizing the chances of making a profit. Algorithmic trading strategies are designed to quickly recognize and capture small arbitrage opportunities that are often missed by discretionary traders.
Realtime trading systems can provide inexperienced traders with an invaluable tool to maximize success and minimize risk. However, it is still important to have a grasp of the fundamentals before utilizing these tools, such as knowledge of technical analysis and fundamental analysis, as well as a basic understanding of spread movements and risk management. By familiarizing themselves with the essentials and utilizing the trading systems to their advantage, novice traders can realistically expect to improve upon strategies and performance.
