Top 10 Proven Trading Strategies for Quick Profits

Introduction: In the dynamic world of trading, achieving quick profits can be challenging yet rewarding. To help you navigate this fast-paced environment, we’ve compiled ten effective trading strategies for quick profits. This guide will not only provide you with actionable insights but also introduce you to tools and resources that can enhance your trading success.

1. Scalping: Capturing Small Movements for Quick Gains

Scalping involves executing numerous trades throughout the day to capture small price movements. This strategy is suited for traders who prefer quick, frequent trades.

  • Tips for Success:
    • Focus on High Liquidity: Choose assets with high trading volumes.
    • Utilize Short Timeframes: Opt for 1-minute to 5-minute charts.
    • Implement Tight Stop-Loss Orders: Protect your capital with stringent stop-loss measures.

You have to make quick entry and exit. So, opt for a system or platform which is very quick to respond. You can try algorithm-based scalping too.


2. Momentum Trading: Riding the Market’s Current

Momentum trading capitalizes on assets showing strong directional movements. By entering trades aligned with these trends, traders can potentially reap substantial profits.

  • Tips for Success:
    • Identify Trends Early: Use tools like moving averages and RSI to gauge momentum.
    • Define Clear Targets: Set specific entry and exit points based on momentum indicators.
    • Watch for Trend Reversals: Stay alert for signs that the trend might change.

This will be relatively easier to execute as compared to scalping.


3. Day Trading: Profiting from Daily Market Movements

Day trading involves buying and selling assets within the same trading day to exploit short-term price fluctuations.

  • Tips for Success:
    • Stay Informed: Keep up with market news and events that could impact prices.
    • Use Technical Analysis: Employ chart patterns and indicators to time your trades.
    • Maintain Emotional Control: Adhere to your trading plan and avoid impulsive decisions.

4. Swing Trading: Making the Most of Short to Medium-Term Trends

Swing trading aims to capture gains from price swings over several days or weeks. This strategy is ideal for traders who prefer a bit more time to analyze and act.

  • Tips for Success:
    • Utilize Trend Analysis: Apply trend lines and oscillators to identify potential entry points.
    • Set Strategic Stop-Loss Orders: Safeguard your profits and limit losses.
    • Monitor Economic Events: Pay attention to events that could influence market trends.

5. News Trading: Leveraging Market Reactions to Economic Events

News trading involves making trades based on the market’s reaction to significant news events. This strategy requires quick decision-making and execution.

  • Tips for Success:
    • Follow Economic Calendars: Stay updated on upcoming news releases and their potential impact.
    • Act Quickly: Execute trades immediately after news announcements.
    • Prepare for Volatility: Use stop-loss orders to manage unexpected price swings.

6. Arbitrage: Exploiting Price Discrepancies Across Markets

Arbitrage involves taking advantage of price differences between markets to make a profit. This strategy relies on quick execution and accurate calculations.

  • Tips for Success:
    • Identify Price Discrepancies: Monitor various markets for price differences.
    • Execute Promptly: Time your trades to capitalize on price gaps.
    • Consider Transaction Costs: Factor in fees and spreads when calculating potential profits.

A simple arbitrage trade would be buying stock in cash and selling futures of the stock in derivatives segment . This will yield gain if futures are at higher price than stock. At the expiry date, futures and spot price will merge.


7. Breakout Trading: Capitalizing on Price Breakouts

Breakout trading involves entering trades when the price breaks out of a defined range or pattern, anticipating a strong price movement.

  • Tips for Success:
    • Analyze Chart Patterns: Look for patterns like triangles or flags that signal potential breakouts.
    • Confirm with Volume: Ensure that breakouts are supported by increased trading volume.
    • Set Clear Targets: Define entry and exit points based on breakout levels.

8. Trend Following: Profiting from Market Trends

Trend following strategies aim to profit from established market trends by entering trades in the direction of the trend.

  • Tips for Success:
    • Utilize Trend Indicators: Use indicators like moving averages or MACD to confirm trends.
    • Enter on Pullbacks: Consider entering trades during minor corrections within the trend.
    • Watch for Trend Reversals: Be attentive to signs that a trend may be reversing.

9. High-Frequency Trading (HFT): Leveraging Speed for Profit

High-frequency trading uses algorithms to execute a large volume of trades at high speeds. This strategy requires advanced technology and infrastructure.

  • Tips for Success:
    • Invest in Technology: Utilize high-speed trading platforms and sophisticated algorithms.
    • Optimize Algorithms: Develop and test trading algorithms for efficiency.
    • Stay Compliant: Ensure adherence to regulations governing HFT practices.

10. Swing Trading with Options: Enhancing Returns with Options Contracts

Swing trading with options involves using options contracts to capture short to medium-term price movements, potentially increasing returns.

  • Tips for Success:
    • Trade Liquid Options: Focus on options with high trading volume.
    • Apply Options Strategies: Use strategies like covered calls or puts to manage risk.
    • Understand Options Greeks: Familiarize yourself with Greeks like Delta and Theta to predict price movements.

if you are from India, you can start by opening a trading and demat account with Zerodha.

What is Exchange Traded Fund – ETF?

Exchange Traded Fund

In this blog, we will briefly discuss about the ETFs and their different types with a comparison to Mutual Funds.

What are ETFs?

  • They are created to replicate an Index.
  • ETFs are listed and traded on the Stock exchanges.
  • There is option of putting limit orders.
  • We get the Delivery of ETFs in our Demat account.

Types of ETFs

  • Index ETF — Track the benchmark like NIFTY & SENSEX.
  • Gold ETF — Tracks precious metals like gold, silver, etc.
  • Sector ETF — Invests in stocks specifically in 1 sector.
  • Bond ETF — Invests in bonds like treasury bills, corp, etc.
  • Currency ETF — Gives exposure to foreign exchange (forex).
  • Global ETF — Invests in global stocks like Apple, Tesla, etc.

ETFs vs Mutual Fund

FeaturesETFsMutual Funds
FlexibilityThese can be bought and sold during trading hours on stock exchanges.It involves placing a request with the Mutual Fund house and generally takes a longer time.
NAVBought and sold at real-time NAVBought and sold at closing NAV
Lock-in period and Exit loadNot ApplicableApplicable
Expense RatioLow Expense ratioRelatively higher as they are usually actively managed

Few ETFs

  • Nippon India Etf Nifty Bank Bees
  • Nippon India Nifty 50 Bees Etf
  • Icici Prudential S&P Bse Sensex Etf
  • HDFC S&P BSE Sensex ETF
  • Nippon India ETF Nifty Next 50 Junior BeES
  • Nippon India Nifty Infrastructure Bees Etf
  • Motilal Oswal NASDAQ 100 ETF
  • Mirae Asset NYSE FANG+ ETF

Stock Market : Fundamental Analysis

Fundamental Analysis
Fundamental Analysis – Decoding the term

In this blog we will break what all constitutes fundamental analysis. Fundamental analysis is usually used by investors and is a useful skill to master.

Introduction - Fundamental Analysis

Annual Report

1. Qualitative

  • Corporate governance
  • Moat of the business
  • Competition landscape
  • Regulatory environment
  • Promoter background

2. Quantitative:

  • Profit & Loss
  • Balance Sheet
  • Cash Flow

Mindset of Investor

Trader: Design trade.

Speculator: Gut feel, Friend told.

Investor: Does deep down fundamental analysis.

How to read annual report of a Company

  • Download from the company website.
  • Includes financial and non-financial.
  • Figure out your main area
    1. Management Discussion & Analysis.
    2. General Shareholder Information.
    3. Consolidated Financial Statements.
  • Management Discussion & Analysis
    1. Business Strategy of the Company
    2. Growth Prospects of the Company
    3. Risk that the company faces.
  • Insight into corporate governance
    1. Director’s Background
    2. Director’s Remuneration
    3. Shareholding Pattern
  • Consolidated Financial Statements

Understanding P&L Statement

  1. Revenue (Top Line)
    Total Income = Revenue from operation + Other Income
  2. Expense: Raw materials + Salary paid to the Employees + Depreciation & Amortization + Interest Payments + Electricity & Rent + Power & Advertisement.
  3. Operating Profit = Revenue − Expenses
  4. Tax: Profit after Tax (PAT: Final Profit or Bottom Line)
    PAT = Operating Profit − Tax

Understanding Balance Sheet

  • Year on Year basis
  • Two broad sections: Assets & Liability (Both are sub-divided into Non-current and Current)
  • Non-Current Assets
    1. Have a long-term economic benefit to the company.
    2. Includes: Tangible Assets (Like — Property, Plant & Machinery) and Intangible Assets (Like — Trademark, Patent & Certificate, Financial Instruments)
  • Current Assets: Economic output within a year time frame.
    1. Inventories: Finished goods ready to be sold. (Dig Deep)
    2. Trade Receivables
    3. Repayment of Loan by others to them
    4. Cash & cash balance held with the Bank
  • Non-current Liabilities: Financial obligations which can be fulfilled within a few years.
  • Current Liabilities: This should be fulfilled within a year.
  • Equity Liabilities: 2 Parts — Share Captial + Reserves & Suplusses(Profit from P&L)

The Cash Flow Statement

  • It gives the exact cash position of a company
  • Three Activities a company can conduct: Operating + Investing + Financing. Sum total forms cash statement
  • Generate or consume cash
  • Operating Cash: Represent the core operation of the company.
  • Investing: Capital expenditure: New plant, acquisitions.
  • Generate Cash: Positive Cashflow
  • Consume Cash: Negative Cashflow
  • Financing: Borrowing from banks, paying out dividends.

The Connection between Balance Sheet, P&L and Cash Flow Statement

All three are deeply connected.

P&L: Revenue + Significant Expense + Effective Tax Rates+ PAT

Balance: Borrowings +Account receivables + Cash available at hand or banks

Cashflow: Cashflow from Balance + Investing + Financing Activities

Financial Ratio Analysis

Metric that helps in understanding the financial health of a company. It is divided into 3 broad categories — Profitability ratio, leverage (or solvency) ratio, and valuation ratio.

The profitability ratio helps us understand the profitability of the business. Profits are important to expand the business and pay dividends to shareholders. To analyze a company on the basis of this ratio, ensure that the PAT margin and EBIDTA Margin are trending upwards and are stable.

Some of the Profitability ratios are:

  1. Operating Profit Margins (OPM)
    Percentage of profit a company produces from its core operations. Calculated by calculating the EBITDA (Earning before Tax, the interest cost, depreciation & amortization) of a company.
    EBITDA = Total Income − Total Expenses
    OPM = EBITDA ÷ Revenue from operation
  2. Net Profit Margin
    Calculate the percentage of profit a company produces from its total revenue.
    PAT Number ÷ Total Income
  3. Return on Equity (ROE)
    The ratio measures the efficiency with which a company generated profits from each unit of shareholder’s equity or capital invested.
    The higher the ROE, the better it is (>25%). A company should not have much debt as it can skew the ROE number.
    It is different for different sectors. Like IT company has a very high ROE as they don’t have to re-invest more as compared to a manufacturing company which has a low ROE.
    ROE = Net Profit after Tax ÷ Shareholder’s Equity

The leverage in the context of the balance sheet refers to the debt that a company has taken from the bank to run its operation. It is also called the Solvency ratio. This ratio measures the operational efficiency of the business. Some of the leverage ratios are:

  1. Interest Coverage Ratio
    Helps us understand how much the company is earning wrt the interest burden it has.
    This ratio determines how efficiently a company repays interest on its outstanding debt.
    Higher the better(>1).
    Interest coverage ratio = EBIDTA ÷ Finance Costs (Interest Obligations)
  2. Debt to Equity Ratio
    D/E = DEBT ÷ EQUITY
    A measure of the total debt of the company against the total shareholder’s equity in the company.
    Minimum the best. Lower than 1 is better.

The valuation ratio compares the stock price with the valuation of the company to get a sense of how cheap or expensive a company’s stock is. Popular valuation ratios are:

  1. Price to Sales
    Helps to compare the stock price of the share with the sales per share. Higher associated with PAT margins.
    Ratio = Current Share Price ÷ Sales per share
  2. Price to Book
    Book value = Tangible Asset − Liabilities
    It is simply the amount of money that is left on the table after a company pays off all its obligations.
    Book value = Total Equity ÷ Total Outstanding Shares
    PB = Share Price ÷ Book value
    A higher price to book value ratio signifies that the firm is overvalued wrt the company’s equity/book value.
    A lower price to book value signifies that the firm is undervalued wrt the company’s equity/book value.
  3. Price to Equity
    Earnings per Share (EPS) = PAT ÷ Total Outstanding Shares
    PE = Share Price ÷ EPS
    For every unit of profit that a company generates the market participants are willing to pay PEx (times) more to acquire the share.
    Compare to industry-specific.

Compare the financial ratios of a company to its peers to have a better understanding.

How to value a company

Very elaborate process. The different techniques used

  1. Intrinsic valuation
    Discounted Cash Flow analysis Model (DCF): It considers Free cash Flow and Growth rate of cash flow and risk.
  2. Relative valuation
    Used when there is no positive free cash flow.
  3. Option based valuation

Investing Checklist

Gross Profit Margin > 20.

Revenue

EPS

PAT

Debt

ROE = 20–25 %

Business diversity of a company

Be reasonable with your expectations.

What is New Fund Offers – NFO?

New Fund offers in mutual funds are like IPO for shares, where the fund houses come up with an investment proposal and public can subscribe to it.

What are NFOs?

  • An NFO or New Fund Offer is offered by Asset Management Company (AMC).
  • It is an invitation to the investors to subscribe to the units of a newly launched fund.
  • These are launched to introduce a new investment theme that any of AMCs existing funds do not offer.
  • A contribution is made to the pool of investment that is yet to be invested by subscribing to NFO.

How to Analyse an NFO (Checklist)

  • Asset Management Company (AMC): Good experience (At least 10 years), Good growth in its Asset Under Management (AUM), Lower expense ratio, Good portfolio of existing funds.
  • Fund Manager
  • Investment Strategy: Does the offering meets your investment needs (theme).
  • Load: Different funds have different exit loads.
  • Risk and Return Potential.

What is a Marubozu candlestick? How to trade them?

What is a Marubozu candlestick? In this blog we learn about Marubozu candles and the psychology behind trading the pattern.

In technical analysis of the stock market, traders look for patterns in the price and volume of securities to make predictions about future price movements. One such pattern is the marubozu, which is a single candle on a candlestick chart that has no shadow or wick on one end, signifying strong buying or selling pressure.

A bullish marubozu is a candlestick that has a long green body with no upper wick, indicating that buying pressure was strong throughout the trading session, pushing the price up from the open to the close. This pattern is usually seen as a strong bullish signal and traders may interpret this as a bullish trend reversal or a continuation of an existing bullish trend.

When a bullish marubozu forms, traders interpret it as a sign of strong buying pressure and confidence in the market. This may lead to increased optimism and a sense of security among traders, leading them to take long positions in the stock. The bullish sentiment may also lead to increased demand and further price appreciation, thus continuing the positive cycle.

What is a Marubozu
First and Second green candles are Bullish Marubozu while fourth candle (Red) is an example of bearish Marubozu.

On the other hand, a bearish marubozu is a candlestick that has a long black body with no lower shadow, indicating that selling pressure was strong throughout the trading session, pushing the price down from the open to the close. This pattern is usually seen as a strong bearish signal and traders may interpret this as a bearish trend reversal or a continuation of an existing bearish trend.

When a bearish marubozu forms, traders interpret it as a sign of strong selling pressure and bearish sentiment in the market. This may lead to increased fear and caution among traders, leading them to take short positions or exit long positions in the stock. The bearish sentiment may also lead to decreased demand and further price depreciation, further worsening the selling pressure.

It is important to note that market psychology is not always rational and can be influenced by various factors, such as news events, economic data releases, and rumors. Therefore, traders should not solely rely on candlestick patterns and should always consider multiple factors before making a trading decision.

The other common single candlestick patterns are Bullish Engulfing, Bearish Engulfing, and Inverted Hammer. Please click on respective links to access the blog.

What are Doji and Spinning top candlestick patterns?

What are Doji and Spinning top candlestick patterns? In this blog, we will look into two very important candle patterns.

Doji and spinning top candles are two important candlestick patterns that traders use to interpret market sentiment and make informed trading decisions. In this article, we’ll discuss what doji and spinning top candles are, how they are formed, and how traders use them to make trading decisions.

What is a Doji Candle?

A doji candle is a candlestick pattern that signals indecision in the market. It is formed when the opening and closing price of a security is almost the same, resulting in a candle with long wicks on both the upper and lower end. The long wicks show that both buyers and sellers have attempted to push the price in opposite directions, but neither side was able to gain control. This results in a candle with a small real body that is often situated near the middle of the candle’s high and low range.

What is a Spinning Top Candle?

A spinning top candle is a similar pattern to the doji candle, but it is formed when the real body of the candle is larger and the upper and lower wicks are still relatively long. The spinning top candle also signals indecision in the market, as the larger real body shows that both buyers and sellers have taken control of the price at some point during the trading session, but neither side was able to gain a sustained advantage.

How to Use Doji and Spinning Top Candles in Trading

Doji and spinning top candles are most effective when used in conjunction with other technical analysis tools, such as trend lines, support and resistance levels, and moving averages. Traders often look for doji and spinning top candles at key levels of support and resistance, as they can signal a potential reversal in the trend.

Doji Spinning top
Doji and Spinning top candles
In the pic above, the first green candle is close to what doji would look like. The third red candle which has a thicker body is close to what a spinning top would look like.

For example, if a doji or spinning top candle forms at a key resistance level, it may indicate that the price has reached a top and that a downward trend could soon follow. On the other hand, if a doji or spinning top candle forms at a key support level, it may indicate that the price has reached a bottom and that an upward trend could soon follow.

The other common single candlestick patterns are Marubozu and Inverted Hammer. Please click on respective links to access the blog.

What is a candlestick pattern? How to read them?

What is a candlestick?

A candlestick is a type of chart that is commonly used in technical analysis to display the price movements of a financial instrument, such as a stock, currency, or commodity, over a specific period of time. Each candlestick is represented by a “real body” which displays the open and close prices and “tails/wicks”, which display the highest and lowest prices reached during the period.

What is a Candlestick?
A bearish Candlestick

The red rectangular part as seen in the image above is called body and the thin line on top and bottom of body is called tail/wick/shadow.

In a candlestick pattern, the body represents the area between the open and close prices of a financial instrument during a specific period of time. The body is typically shown as a rectangle and its color can indicate the direction of price movement. A white or green body indicates that the closing price was higher than the opening price, indicating a bullish movement, while a black or red body indicates that the closing price was lower than the opening price, indicating a bearish movement.

The tail/wick is the line above or below the body that represents the high or low price for the period. A tail above the body is called an upper tail or upper wick, and it represents the highest price reached during the period. A tail below the body is called a lower tail or lower shadow, and it represents the lowest price reached during the period.

In a candlestick chart, the upper and lower tails can provide insight into market sentiment. For example, a long upper tail on a candle can indicate that bears (sellers) tried to push the price down and were ultimately successful, indicating that bulls (buyers) lost the grip. Similarly, a long lower tail on a candle can indicate that bears(sellers) tried to push the price down but were ultimately unsuccessful, indicating that bulls (buyers) tightened the control.

It’s worth noting that the length and position of the tails can provide additional information about the market sentiment and can be used to identify potential buying and selling opportunities.

In other blogs we will look into most common single candlestick patterns like Hammer and Shooting star, Marubozu, spinning top, Doji and Hanging Man.

What are Single candlestick patterns? How to trade them?

What are single candlestick patterns? How to trade them?

Single candlestick patterns are a popular tool used in technical analysis to predict future price movements in financial markets. These patterns are formed by a single candlestick and can provide insight into the sentiment of market participants.

There are several single candlestick patterns that are commonly used in technical analysis: We will look into hammer and shooting star in this blog.

Hammer

One of the most well-known single candlestick patterns is the “hammer” pattern. This pattern forms when the market opens at a high price, falls during the trading session, and then closes near the opening price. The long lower tail of the candlestick indicates that bears (sellers) were pushing prices down during the session, but bulls (buyers) ultimately stepped in to bring prices back up. The hammer pattern is considered a bullish reversal pattern, indicating that a downtrend may be coming to an end and that prices are likely to rise in the future.

Single candlestick patterns
Hammer candle formation after a downmove. Stock starts rallying after hammer formation

Shooting Star

Other popular single candlestick pattern is the “shooting star” pattern. This pattern forms when the market opens at a low price, rises during the trading session, and then closes near the opening price. The long upper tail of the candlestick indicates that bulls (buyers) were pushing prices up during the session, but bears (sellers) ultimately stepped in to bring prices back down. The shooting star pattern is considered a bearish reversal pattern, indicating that an uptrend may be coming to an end and that prices are likely to fall in the future.

Single candlestick pattern
A shooting star is formed after market rally. Stock starts down move after forming shooting star

It’s important to remember that these patterns should be used in conjunction with other forms of technical analysis and fundamental analysis to make more accurate predictions. Also, it’s important to look for confirmation of these patterns through the formation of other patterns or indicators.

In other blogs we will look into most common single candlestick patterns like Hammer and Shooting star, Marubozu, spinning top, Doji and Hanging Man.

Descending Triangle – How to Trade?

In this blog, we will talk about Descending triangle – How to trade it?

A descending triangle is a bearish chart pattern that is formed when the price of an asset creates a series of lower highs and a flat support line. This pattern is typically seen as a sign that the asset’s price is likely to decrease.

The descending triangle pattern is formed by two trendlines. The first trendline is a horizontal support line that connects the lows of the asset’s price and it can be an area of support too instead of the trendline. The second trendline is a downward-sloping line that connects the highs of the asset’s price. As the price of the asset approaches the support line or support area, it is unable to break through and instead bounces off, creating lower highs.

One of the key characteristics of a descending triangle is the decrease in volume as the pattern forms. We can see that in the chart of Tata motors, the volume has nearly died off. This decrease in volume is a sign that there is a lack of buying pressure and that the bears are in control.

Descending Triangle Pattern – Tata motors

It is often considered a bearish pattern and it is believed that the price of the asset will eventually break through the support line, leading to a significant price decline.

Traders often use the descending triangle pattern as a signal to enter a short position. It is important to note that the descending triangle pattern is not always accurate and it should be used in conjunction with other technical analysis tools to confirm the price direction.

How to trade Ascending triangle Pattern?

Ascending triangle is by far the most reliable pattern, out of multiple continuation patterns. In this blog, we will learn to identify an Ascending triangle pattern, and will also try to learn How to trade Ascending triangle Pattern. Let us understand the pattern in brief. Lets learn How to trade Ascending triangle Pattern.

An ascending triangle is formed when the price is restricted between an upward sloping trendline (support) and a horizontal trendline or area (resistance).

Look at the picture below.

How to trade Ascending triangle Pattern
Godfrey Phillips – Ascending Triangle Breakout

The green trendline is upward sloping trendline and it acts as support. The price bounced up several times from this trendline and is demand zone.

The Rectangular highlighted area in the chart acts as resistance or the supply zone. Price tried to cross this area several times, but it had to face rejections.

As the upward sloping trendline(support) comes closer to Rectangular area (Resistance), we are nearing a possible indecision zone. Whenever support and Resistance zone converge, the probability of breakout increases.

Since Ascending triangle is a continuation pattern, the price keeps moving in the same direction as before the formation of Ascending triangle. The patten might not always give decent breakout, but we can combine Ascending triangle with other indicators like Volume, MACD, RSI to improve the win probability.

Depending on the risk appetite, stoploss can be placed either below upward sloping trendline or below the breakout Candle.

We should stick to buy trades after breakout on the higher side. This will improve our win probability, as the momentum before the breakout was on the same direction. Always trade in the direction of momentum, and you will end up on winning side in longer run.