My Swing Trading Rules

 Note: These rules are a bit different than for Day Trading.

Duration of Swing Trades = normally 1-5 days (longer if the trend remains intact), I almost Never  hold a Swing trade over a weekend, (exception: unless I am utilizing options.)

• All swing trades are based on Technical Analysis First and foremost
• Fundamental Analysis is extremely important, however it is slightly subordinate to Technical Analysis
• Always Keep records of swing trades, to reflect upon, as educational tools.
• Swing Trades are mostly mechanical in nature !

1.  Technical Analysis, must be done, prior to entering a trade.
2. Always determine ENTRY Points, and EXIT Points, for your trades
3. Stop losses, must be utilized, as these trades are not monitored as closely as day-trades.
4. Never add to a losing position. It is a prescription for disaster (JMHO). I do not believe in cost averaging down, in relation to salvaging a swing trade that has gone bad.
5. I always protect a winning trade when I am up a dollar or more.
6. I always protect profits when a stock moves 5+% in my favor, (I will hold it if most indicators indicate the trend will continue). I find it is better to re-enter the next day, then to hold and potentially see a nice profit GAPPED away. (Note: Many Funds do not return 10%+ a year, do not overlook 5% in less than a week, and to see it evaporate on a Gap-Down or Gap-Up is extremely painful. There are many great Swing trades out there each day…do not become fixated on what you could have gained…become fixated on your gains…just imagine what 5% a week compounded over 50 weeks comes to… a very hefty sum ! JMHO)
7. LET STOCKS COME TO YOU DO NOT CHASE A STOCK READ the Golden Rules when in doubt ! Exit all trades, when a you expect a major trend reversal !

Some Food for thought for those obsessed with catching tops and bottoms