Scalp trading, also known as scalping, is a short-term trading strategy that involves making numerous small trades to capture very small price movements. Scalpers aim to “scalp” or take advantage of minor fluctuations in the market, typically holding positions for a very short time, ranging from seconds to minutes.
Key characteristics of scalp trading include:
1. **Short Holding Periods:** Scalpers open and close positions quickly, aiming to capitalize on small price changes.
2. **Small Profit Margins:** Each trade aims for a small profit, and cumulative gains are expected to be significant over multiple trades.
3. **High Trading Frequency:** Scalpers make a large number of trades in a single day, sometimes executing dozens or even hundreds of transactions.
4. **Focus on Technical Analysis:** Scalping relies heavily on technical analysis and chart patterns to identify short-term trends and entry/exit points.
5. **Low Risk Exposure:** Scalpers typically use tight stop-loss orders to limit potential losses, as quick market movements can result in significant losses.
6. **Liquidity:** Scalping is often done in highly liquid markets to ensure that orders can be executed quickly without slippage.
It’s important to note that scalp trading requires a high level of skill, discipline, and the ability to manage stress, as decisions must be made rapidly, and the potential for losses is present. Additionally, transaction costs, such as spreads and fees, can have a significant impact on the overall profitability of scalp trading.