#TradingTypes101

Here’s a quick “Trading Types 101” overview to get you familiar with the major styles and approaches used in financial markets:

1. Based on Time Horizon

Type Time Frame Description

Scalping Seconds to minutes Rapid trades to capture tiny price changes. High frequency.

Day Trading Within a single day Buys and sells assets within the same trading day. No overnight positions.

Swing Trading Days to weeks Captures short- to medium-term price moves. Uses technical and sometimes fundamental analysis.

Position Trading Weeks to months or years Long-term strategy based on macro trends and fundamental analysis.

2. Based on Strategy/Approach

Type Description

Technical Trading Uses charts, indicators (e.g., RSI, MACD), patterns. Focused on price and volume.

Fundamental Trading Based on company/asset financials, earnings, macroeconomic indicators.

Quantitative Trading Uses mathematical models and algorithms. Often automated.

Sentiment Trading Trades based on market sentiment, news, social media, etc.

Arbitrage Trading Exploits price differences in different markets or instruments.

Trend Following Enters trades in the direction of the prevailing trend. Uses momentum indicators.

Mean Reversion Assumes price will revert to an average level over time. Uses Bollinger Bands, RSI, etc.

3. By Market Focus

Stock Trading – Equities, ETFs

Forex Trading – Currency pairs

Crypto Trading – Digital assets like BTC, ETH

Options Trading – Contracts giving the right (not obligation) to buy/sell

Futures Trading – Agreements to buy/sell assets at a future date

Commodities – Gold, oil, agricultural goods

Choosing a Type

Ask yourself:

How much time can I dedicate daily?

Do I prefer quick trades or long-term analysis?