Your Trading Objective: Why is that so Important?

You've decided to try your luck at trading stocks or commodities, but so called experts tell you that you need to determine your trading objective. What exactly does that mean and why is it so important? Well, it's really a question of your trading philosophy. A trading objective basically identifies the horizon on which you've chosen to trade. For instance, a day trader will have totally different set of objectives and goals than will a long term investor. They look at the market through different sets of glasses and it can be very dangerous to your trading account to try to mix and match trading styles.

Let's first look at the most common trading objective ? long term investing. Long term traders are usually more concerned with company fundamentals such as earnings, annual growth, and sales to name a few. They may use some technical indicators such as price charts and graphs to help time their entry points, but fundamentals are generally more important to them. Long term traders are looking for that home run trade that will pay very large profits. Therefore, they can be right as little as 20-25% of the time and stay earn a nice profit. They have been known to hold a given stock for several years.

The other end of the trading objective is the day trader. Day traders go into the market each day looking for quick small moves of less than a point ? known as "scalps". They use technical charts exclusively and typically buy large positions which they often sell within minutes. Their profits on a given trade is much smaller than those a long term investor would generally make, so therefore day traders must have a very high winning percentage of trades ? usually 60% or more to be successful.

These trading objectives are two extremes and are discussed here to illustrate a very important point. If a day trader takes a position based on short term indicators from a chart or other technical indicator, it would be a huge mistake to change that trade into a long term investment because the trade setup wasn't based on a long term trade. Inexperienced traders will often do this when a short term or swing trade goes bad. Instead of cutting their losses by simply selling the position, they change it into a long term trade hoping that the position will become profitable. DO NOT change your trading objective ? stick to you trading plan. This rule will protect your account.

Chuck Cox is a Technical Writer and Industrial Scientist by professional with a background in statistics. He has used mathematical and statistical methods to invest and trade in the stock, futures, and options markets. Chuck has owned various businesses and presently operates several websites. To investigate and learn more about trading stocks, visit his website, http://www.earncashathometoday.com/trading-stocks.htm

limousine Ackley .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare
In The News:

A virtual private network can help ensure your information remains security and your privacy remains intact. Kurt the CyberGuy explains.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Artificial intelligence-based cameras are giving air defense operators unprecedented capabilities in monitoring and protecting airspace.
Apple's iOS 18.1 Inactivity Reboot automatically reboots your iPhone if it hasn't been used or unlocked for more than three days, providing better data protection.
An inventor designed rooftop solar panels for a Tesla that draws solar energy while the car is parked, adding travel mileage without plugging in.
There are currently no laws governing what artificial intelligence can and cannot do with the information it gathers; here are 10 things to avoid telling AI chatbots to keep yourself safe.
A credit union with over 240,000 members recently revealed it was targeted by cybercriminals, resulting in a data breach that was part of a two-month attack by hackers.
Scammers have become skilled at creating convincing fake websites that can easily fool unsuspecting users. The CyberGuy offers tips to protect yourself.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
CAPTCHAs, which are used by websites to confirm whether users are people or bots, are harmless, but hackers are using them to infect PCs with malware.
Hackers recently leaked personal information of about 500,000 Americans and stole patient medical records that included lab results and insurance details.
The holiday season sees a rise in mobile shopping scams. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson helps you learn how to stay safe.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says a VPN enhances online banking security by encrypting data and protecting privacy.
Beware of these six sneaky holiday scams. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson gives you tips to avoid falling victim.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals how to securely back up and factory reset your Android to protect your privacy and data.
Artificial intelligence is making life easier for cybercriminals, allowing them to create elaborate scams to trick people. Kurt the Cyberguy explains how to protect yourself.
Cut through all the digital clutter and delete multiple emails from your Android simultaneously. Kurt the CyberGuy explains how it's done.
Tips to prevent your holiday decorations from being stolen
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson lays out the immediate steps you should take if your phone has been hacked and your personal information becomes vulnerable.
Fraudsters are sending people bogus invoices through PayPal as part of a sneaky scam that is going around; here's how to protect yourself from being fooled.
A former Colgate-Palmolive employee was shocked to discover $750,000 had been drained from her 401(k) account. "CyberGuy" offers tips on how to prevent identity theft.
Electric vehicle maker Harbinger recently showed its electric delivery truck can handle icy roads with agility and stability in winter.
To make the busiest time of year more manageable, here are some tricks for tracking your packages, taking quality family photos and curating the perfect Christmas playlist.
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains how to keep your online Amazon gift purchases a secret from loved ones or friends this holiday season.

It Cant Be Done

Wouldn't it be nice if you were only in the... Read More

Emotional Involvement

I'll bet with almost anyone that has stocks or mutual... Read More

Market Psychology

Today we are inundated with tons of information about the... Read More

How Covered Calls Turned a Trader Around

Sidney felt sick as she looked at her latest OptionsXpress... Read More

Prosperity

It has fallen upon the consumer to make our economy... Read More

How We Eluded The Bear Of 2000

The date October 13, 2000 will forever be embedded in... Read More

Chart Reading

As an investor you will want to check out any... Read More

One Way Street

Ever turn down a street, get half way and suddenly... Read More

Your Trading Objective: Why is that so Important?

You've decided to try your luck at trading stocks or... Read More

Mutual Fund Honor Roll ? Buy High, Sell Low by Chasing Performance

Buy high and sell low -- It's not a typo.Millions... Read More

Investment Lawyers and Trash Stocks

The trash business in its efforts to cook their books... Read More

Inertia

One of the basic laws of physics is that a... Read More

What is a Trading Plan ? and Why You Need One?

How do you make money without picking tops and bottoms?I... Read More

Mutual Funds: The Modern Den of Thieves!

Mutual funds were created with the idea that one person... Read More

Trading For A Living - Part 1

There can't be many traders who haven't at least considered... Read More

Some Good News for A Change

Before we get into all the good news out there,... Read More

Using Sector Funds to Construct Diversified Mutual Fund Portfolios

'Sector funds are too risky.' 'I doubled my money with... Read More

Mutual Funds are Dead

You may have wondered why your mutual funds have been... Read More

Living Trust Investing: Income Considerations when the Grantor Dies

A common problem I often see when working with living... Read More

How To Be A Winner

Everyone who invests in the stock market wants to be... Read More

The Golden Goose is Sick

It is finally catching up with them. The brokerage companies... Read More

Stock Insurance

You have a lock on your house. You have a... Read More

Market Timing?

The recent criminal fiasco in the mutual fund industry is... Read More

Parachute Investing

Ever jumped out of an airplane? It's OK if you... Read More

Trading Tips No 5: Stock Trading Curve Drawdown and Commitment

All stock trading and investing methods must deal with the... Read More

shuttle from O'Hare Alexander ..