Friday, 30 December 2011

Choosing Day Trading Or Investing For The Long Haul

By Sue Ellis


Among those who buy and sell stocks there is an ongoing debate about whether the most profitable approach to stock market trading is short or long term investment. And the two sides rarely reach agreement, because one side is rather conservative in its approach, whereas the other has a more radical and freewheeling attitude. Day traders are usually considered the mavericks of the trading world, and they are known for taking gambler's risks and making huge profits in short amounts of time - sometimes buying and selling the same stock several times in a single day. Those who prefer to buy and hold their stocks follow a more risk-averse path, and cite historical trends to back up their claim that their method is actually more reliable and is the real shortcut to wealth.

Enjoying the best of both world is what a lot of investors are able to do when they set aside some of their money for day trades and the balance of it for longer-term investment. Because day trading tends to be more volatile, and can result in quick profits or fast losses, most of us would be advised to put only as much of our investment capital as we can comfortably afford to lose, into this kind of trading strategy. That way, it will not adversely impact your overall financial situation even if you do encounter a worst case scenario.

There are pros and cons to both styles of investing. The fact that they can get in and out of the market quickly and make money without waiting for the results is what those who do day trades end up enjoying. However, you will be required to research into the companies you decide to invest in and research can take time to do when it comes to any kind of stock market investment strategy. In case you are buying and selling so fast that you don't have time to do adequate background analysis, then it's possible that day trading is not a prudent approach.

Considered as a time-tested approach to the stock market is investing in companies that provide slow but steady returns. If you buy quality stocks and hold them for long periods of time, at least five years or more, you will do very well in the stock market and this idea is in fact supported by most historical evidence. For those who are young enough to have time on their side, it is probably a wise option to buy some stocks and sock them away for retirement.

With most investments, the best thing to in order to minimize the risk and maximize the potential gains is to diversify. Employing both strategies and using a portion of your investment capital for short-term trades while leaving another portion in long term investments is one way you can accomplish this in the stock market. Chances are, if one basket of investments doesn't do well, the other probably will. You will enjoy twice as much success if both of them do well.




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