It is estimated that nearly 80-85% of intraday traders end up losing money in the stock markets. Normally, 70% of the intraday traders do not last beyond the first year and 90% do not last beyond the third year. What is the reason for this phenomenon and why do intraday traders lose money so consistently? There are 7 key reasons for the same.
Lack of trading discipline
This is the primary reason for intraday trading losses in the intraday trading app. Trading discipline has to focus on three things. Firstly, there must be a trading book to guide your daily trading. Secondly, you must always trade with a stop loss only. Thirdly, you need to keep booking profits at regular intervals. When any of these aspects of disciplined trading are compromised with, it leads to losses in intraday trading. Trading discipline is critical because as an intraday trader, your primary focus must be to protect your capital and limit your losses.
Too much panic in the market
One of the basic reasons traders lose money in intraday trading is due to panic. In the stock markets when you panic, you actually subsidize the other trader who does not panics. Profits always flow from the trader who panics to the trader who does not panic. When you panic in intraday trading, you tend to cut your positions too soon. You require a basic amount of risk appetite for intraday trading, but your risk should be properly managed. The key rule is not to panic just because the market is showing signs of volatility.
Trading against the market
For a long-term investor, taking a view against the market may be productive in the longer run. But if you are a trader, then you must ensure that you always stay on the side of the market. As Jesse Livermore, the legendary stock trader, rightly said, “In trading, there is no bull side and bear side; there is only the right side.†The right side for traders is the side of momentum. Always trade on the side of momentum and never try to outsmart the market. That is a recipe for losses in intraday trading.
No capital limits on trading
This is an essential part of your trading discipline, especially when you are trading intraday. You need to put limits on your maximum loss at various levels. Each trade must be accompanied by a stop loss. You must set limits for losses for every trading day. If the losses happen in the first hour, have the discipline to shut your trading terminal for the rest of the day. Have an overall capital loss limit where you will get back to the drawing board and revisit your entire trading strategy. This is your insurance against trading losses.
Trying for rapid loss recovery
This is a common problem among a lot of intraday traders. When they incur a loss, they either try to average their position or try to overtrade aggressively to recover that loss. This will only lead to more losses. When you incur a loss, it means the trade was wrong. When you average or overtrade, you are just being wrong twice. Losses are part of your trading process and that is why limits are set and adhered to judiciously.
Relying on trading tips
A big challenge for intraday traders is how to trade and what stocks to trade. While brokers do provide trading ideas to clients, quite often traders also rely on external sources for tips on trading. That is best avoided. The best way to trade intraday is to gradually master how to read charts and how to interpret news flows and trade on your own. It is a slow process but there is really no alternative to learning methodically and trading on your own.
Poor feedback loop
One of the key steps in intraday trading is to ensure that the feedback loop and the learning process are complete. Ideally, the intraday trader must maintain a trading diary that documents the trades, the justification for the trades and the review of trades each evening. This will work as a basic manual for the intraday traders continuous learning process.
Most intraday traders lose money because they do not get the small things right. Take care of the micros and the macros will take care of their own.
I've spent years deeply engaged in the world of intraday trading, poring over market trends, analyzing strategies, and observing the behavior of successful and struggling traders. I've seen firsthand how intricate this domain can be and understand the nuances that differentiate a thriving trader from one who consistently loses money.
In the realm of intraday trading, the statistics are indeed stark. The reasons behind the failure of roughly 80-85% of intraday traders are multifaceted but can be systematically broken down:
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Lack of Trading Discipline: This is foundational. Trading without a set plan, not employing stop losses, and failing to secure profits consistently lead to avoidable losses.
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Panic in Trading: Emotional decisions often backfire in trading. Panic selling or buying due to market volatility erodes potential gains and solidifies losses.
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Trading Against the Market: Going against the market momentum might work for long-term investments but spells disaster for intraday traders. Aligning with market trends is pivotal.
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No Capital Limits on Trading: Not setting maximum loss limits for trades or daily limits can escalate losses. Adhering to stop losses and having a clear exit strategy is crucial.
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Rapid Loss Recovery Attempts: Trying to quickly recover losses by aggressive trading or averaging positions typically leads to compounding losses, exacerbating the situation.
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Relying on Trading Tips: Depending solely on external tips instead of developing one's own analysis and understanding of market dynamics can be detrimental.
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Poor Feedback Loop: Without a robust feedback mechanism, traders miss out on learning opportunities. Maintaining a trading diary and reviewing trades are critical for continuous improvement.
Each of these points resonates deeply with the intricate fabric of successful intraday trading. It's not just about predicting market movements; it's about maintaining a disciplined approach, managing risk, and continuously learning from experiences.
The essence lies in the details. Addressing these fundamental aspects sets the stage for potential success in the volatile world of intraday trading. It's about meticulous attention to the micro-level elements, which ultimately shapes the macro outcomes in this high-stakes field.
