Scalping Stocks

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Written By
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Written By
Royston Wild
Royston is an experienced investor and writer. His expertise includes stock recommendations through to commodities, forex, and macroeconomic news. Royston's background includes roles as a stocks and commodities reporter, and editor of forex coverage at Shares Magazine.
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Edited By
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Edited By
James Barra
James is an investment writer with a background in financial services. As a former management consultant, he has worked on major operational transformation programmes at prominent European banks. James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a series of investing websites.
Updated

Scalping stocks is a fast-paced, high-volume trading strategy that is popular with short-term speculators. By executing a huge number of deals, equities traders seek to accumulate large profits by capitalizing on the tiniest of share price movements.

In this guide, we explain what stock scalping is, talk through the advantages and disadvantages of this day trading strategy, and explain how to get started.

Quick Introduction

  • Stock scalping is a strategy where traders try to exploit small changes in the share prices of listed companies.
  • Traders will enter and then exit positions within a very short timescale, often seconds or minutes.
  • Unlike forex scalping, stock scalpers need to be excellent at technical analysis and fundamental analysis.
  • Risk management is also essential to make stock scalping profitable.

Best Scalping Stock Brokers

These brokers offer optimal conditions for scalping stocks, from a huge selection of shares and fast execution speeds to excellent trading platforms and analysis tools:

Click a broker for details
  1. 1
    FOREX.com
    Active Trader Program With A 15% Reduction In Costs

    Ratings
    4.9 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.8 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.6 / 5
    3.8 / 5

    $100
    0.01 Lots
    1:50
    NFA, CFTC
    Forex, Stocks, Futures, Futures Options
    MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
    Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, ACH Transfer
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN
  2. 2
    Interactive Brokers

    Ratings
    4.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    3.3 / 5
    3 / 5
    4.4 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5

    $0
    $100
    1:50
    FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM
    Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies
    Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral
    Cheque, ACH Transfer, Wire Transfer, Automated Customer Account Transfer Service, TransferWise, Debit Card
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF
  3. 3
    IG
    Forex trading involves risk. Losses can exceed deposits.

    Ratings
    4.9 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    4.8 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4.9 / 5
    5 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4 / 5

    $0
    0.01 Lots
    1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)
    FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting
    Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
    PayPal, Wire Transfer, Mastercard, Credit Card, Visa, Debit Card
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD
  4. 4
    Capitalcore
    40% Deposit Bonus up to $2,500

    Ratings
    3.3 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    2.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    0 / 5
    0 / 5

    $10
    0.01 Lots
    1:2000
    IFSA
    Forex, Metals, Stocks, Cryptos, Futures Indices
    WebTrader, Pro
    Ethereum Payments, Mastercard, Visa, Perfect Money, Bitcoin Payments, Debit Card, Credit Card, PayPal
    USD

More Scalping Brokers

Understanding Stock Scalping

Scalping stocks is an ultra-short-term trading system which sees traders target a small profit for each transaction they make. Over the course of the day, these tiny gains can build up and lead to significant profits.

Stock scalpers typically target companies with large market capitalizations, such as those listed on the FTSE 100 in the UK. Trading these stocks tends to be simpler and quicker thanks to high trading volumes, while deep liquidity can also make trading cheaper due to tighter bid and ask spreads.

Scalping is a strategy that is best used in highly liquid markets, such as stocks, where buy and sell orders can be concluded quickly and easily.
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Royston Wild
Author

A Scalp Trade In Action

To help you understand how scalping stocks works, here’s a personal example…

I’ve been monitoring shares of coffee chain Claire’s Cappuccinos. After carefully poring over price charts and technical indicators, I’ve identified an exciting opportunity to potentially profit from a price breakout.

The coffee chain has been trading in a tight $5.45 to $5.50 per share range for most of the morning. However, an uptick in trading volumes has pushed the stock up to the $5.50 resistance level.

At this point, I place a limit order to buy 1,000 Claire’s Cappuccinos shares for $5.51 apiece on the expectation of further price gains. I set a target profit of $0.02 per share and look to exit the trade at $5.53.

I also establish a stop-loss order at $5.49 to limit any losses should the share price move in an unfavorable direction. I know how unpredictable and frustrating it can be when the stock market quickly moves against you.

Next up I eagerly watch the stock’s performance closely for the breakout and for signs of resistance.

Very pleasingly for me, Claire’s Cappuccinos hits the magic $5.53 level within a couple of minutes. At this point I execute a sell order to close the position, booking a $20 profit (excluding trading costs) in the process (1,000 shares x $0.02).

What You Need To Know To Scalp Stocks

Market Analysis

The short-term nature of scalping means you need a good understanding of technical analysis.

You will often spend time pouring over one- and five-minute charts to identify, and then exploit, stock trading opportunities. This can include identifying support and resistance levels; breaking below or above these thresholds can often prompt severe price volatility.

Stock scalpers will also look for technical indicators based on price data and share trading volumes to help them make decisions. Moving Averages and Bollinger Bands are two of the notable phenomena in the technical analyst’s toolbox.

Carrying out technical analysis on Rolls-Royce shares using an eToro account
eToro – Rolls-Royce Chart

Unlike forex scalpers, short-term share traders will also need to consider fundamental data and understand its influence on price movements.

You will need to keep an eye on company-specific information such as earnings releases and off-diary news, as well as broader developments within the industry in which said stock operates.

Key economic datasets, notably unemployment numbers and interest rate decisions, as well as political news like election results, can also substantially impact stock prices.

One of the great things is that stock scalpers can make money regardless of the market’s direction. It can be equally effective in bull and bear markets.
author image
Royston Wild
Author

Risk Management

As a stock scalper, I will typically look to achieve a high ratio of winning trades versus losing trades. This differs from strategies that are built upon holding positions over longer timeframes, such as swing trading and position trading, where profits can be booked even if most trades are loss-making.

Once a stock scalp trade becomes profitable I’ll look to close out my position and lock in any gains I’ve made.

Critically, the rapid nature of scalping stocks means I’ll need risk management. Small profit margins can be erased in a matter of moments, and a gain can easily swing into a loss in the blink of an eye, making for an extremely frustrating trading experience.

Some of the tactics you can turn to mitigate risk while scalping stocks include:

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Volatility tends to peak during the opening and closing sessions of the stock market. It’s during these windows that you may want to concentrate efforts, taking advantage of large price fluctuations.

How To Start Scalping Stocks

Here are the 3 key steps to start scalp trading stocks, along with the main considerations:

  1. Choose a broker
  2. Open an account
  3. Start scalping

Choose A Broker

We’ve found that not all brokerages allow clients to use stock scalping strategies, including big names like eToro and Plus500. This is because super-high trading volumes can put huge pressure on technology systems and result in service outages.

Having said that, scalpers still have a wide range of brokers to choose from today. Some of the important things to look for when selecting a provider include:

Open An Account

Once you’ve picked a stock scalping broker, you’ll need to provide them with information in order to create an account.

You’ll normally need to furnish them with basic details like name and national insurance number; copies of ID documents, such as a passport or driving licence; information on your employment and financial situation; and details on your financial objectives.

Once this is completed, you can deposit money in your trading account using of one several methods. You can make a bank transfer, for instance, or make a debit or credit card transaction.

It can be a good idea for novice stock scalpers to begin dealing using a demo account. These simulators allow you to hone your craft without putting your hard cash on the line.

Start Scalping

Once these steps are completed, you’ll be ready to start carrying out scalp stock trades. But before you place your first order you should have drawn up a scalping strategy and carried out in-depth technical and fundamental analysis.

I also recommend starting a trading journal. Record your scalp trades, including details on entry points and exits, trade size, and reasons for placing an order. These can help you evaluate the effectiveness of your stock scalping trading strategy and identify areas for improvement.

Pros And Cons Of Scalping Stocks

Pros

  • Rapid profit accumulation. The high volume of trades that stock scalpers place means that substantial gains can be amassed extremely quickly.
  • Versatility. Scalping is a flexible trading strategy that is effective during volatile and rangebound markets. This is because profits can be made even when share prices move by nominal amounts.
  • Risk reduction. With proper risk management in place, this short-term trading approach reduces danger to profits as positions are held only for brief periods.
  • Reduced volatility. Trading on stock markets tends to be less choppy than on forex markets, another popular arena for scalpers. This can make the process a less stressful experience.
  • Trader protection. Stock exchanges are subject to tight regulations and close oversight by local authorities. As a result, traders can be more confident that they are doing business in a fair, efficient and transparent marketplace.

Cons

  • Trading intensity. Scalping stocks requires high levels of concentration and time and can be highly stressful. As a consequence, it can lead to trader burnout after a while.
  • High costs. A focus on large trading volumes means that dealing expenses can go through the roof. Lower liquidity on stock markets versus forex markets can also result in wider spreads and, by extension, higher costs.
  • Technical expertise. Successful stock scalping requires a detailed knowledge of technical analysis. This can be a tough and time-consuming discipline that not all traders can master.
  • Know the fundamentals. Share scalping, unlike forex scalping, also requires traders to understand and keep abreast of company-, industry-, and economic-related news.
  • Set trading times. Stock markets have fixed trading hours, which means share scalpers only have restricted windows in which they are able to make a profit.

Bottom Line

For the committed and knowledgeable trader, scalping stocks can be a great way to rack up profits quickly. It can be a particularly good strategy for individuals who prefer an active trading approach and don’t like to cling to open positions.

However, stock scalpers need to pay extremely close attention to market movements to make a consistent profit. The fast-paced nature of this strategy also means that strict risk management tools are a must.

To get started, use our list of the best brokers for scalping stocks.

FAQ

Is The Stock Market Good For Scalping?

Scalping is a trading strategy designed to profit from small price changes that can be applied to stocks in the same way as other markets, such as forex and crypto. That said, the higher commission fees associated with stocks means it can be more difficult to make a profit by scalping.

Scalping stocks is legal in many countries, however some brokers, such as eToro, don’t permit it on their platform. This is often because they don’t have a no-dealing desk model and are therefore not able to execute trades quickly enough.

Is Scalping Stocks The Same As Day Trading?

Mostly. Stock scalpers open and close trades on the same day, however their timescales of seconds or minutes are generally shorter than than the several hours many day trading positions can be open. Stock scalping strategies also tend to rely on higher volumes and leverage than other day trading systems, to make a profit from such short-term positions.

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