Want to be a successful day trader? Then one of the first things you’ll need to learn how to do is pick stocks effectively. Successful traders have a lot of key traits that they share, including the ability to exercise discipline in the way that they choose their shares, and always having a good plan in place for getting in and out of trades, and knowing what stocks to watch. They also know that it takes more than just a trading screener to make sure that they’re picking the right investments. While a screener like the Finviz screener can help you to narrow down your stock options, it doesn’t tell you much about the nature of the companies that you’re investing in.

To help you get started in choosing the right stocks, let’s look at the minimum requirements that all of your investments should have.

The Basics of Choosing Stocks

No matter what your day trading strategy might look like, there are some basic requirements that you should always consider when you’re making an investment decision. Remember, the basic requirements that you need to stick with in your trading strategy will differ depending on your personality, risk level, and the amount of capital that you want to trade with, but almost every investment should include a good average daily volume of trades.

Volume is an important part of choosing stocks because thinly traded stocks can be difficult to exit when you’re in a time of trouble. Higher volume stocks, on the other hand, are easier to enter and exit. Additionally, share price is another thing you’ll need to consider when you’re choosing stocks, as lower-priced shares might not be the deal most people perceive them to be. Low-priced stocks can equate to a greater level of risk – particularly when you get into the penny stock market.

You’ll also need to make sure that you know as much as possible about the company before you trade in any stock. Although it’s tempting to get involved with investments based on basic numbers alone, the more you understand about the business and where it’s headed, the easier it will be for you to determine whether you’re spending your money on the right organization.

Going Beyond the Basics of Choosing Stocks

There are many different strategies available online that can help a beginner when it comes to choosing the right day trading stocks. Some people focus on the history of a company, and the evidence that the business in question could potentially do well again in the future. Others look into the opinion surrounding the company in specific forums.

One great way to make sure that you always get started on the right track is to begin your search for the ideal stock in a market that you feel comfortable and familiar with. When you understand an industry and how it changes from month to month, it’s much easier to read the performance of the businesses that you’re interested in buying shares with. What’s more, you’ll find that you have a lot of fun trading stocks if you can get excited about the stocks you’ve purchased for more than just their ability to make you some extra cash.