What is trading and how to get started

 

Table of contents: 

1. What is trading 

2. How does it work

3. What assets and markets can you trade 

4. Trading vs investing 

5. How to start trading 

6. Trading examples 

What is trading 

Trading refers to the process of buying and selling financial instruments, such as stocks, bonds, commodities, or currencies, with the aim of making a profit from the price fluctuations of these assets. Traders, also known as investors or speculators, engage in trading activities in various financial markets, including stock exchanges, foreign exchange markets, futures markets, and more.

The primary objective of trading is to capitalize on short-term price movements or market inefficiencies. Traders employ different strategies and techniques to identify opportunities, analyse market trends, and execute trades. These strategies can be based on technical analysis, fundamental analysis, or a combination of both.

There are several types of trading, including:

1. Stock Trading: Buying and selling shares of publicly listed companies on stock exchanges.

2. Forex Trading: Trading currencies in the foreign exchange market, where traders speculate on the exchange rate fluctuations between currency pairs.

3. Commodities Trading: Buying and selling physical goods such as gold, oil, agricultural products, or other raw materials.

4. Options Trading: Trading options contracts, which give traders the right (but not the obligation) to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price within a specified time period.

5. Futures Trading: Trading futures contracts, which are agreements to buy or sell an asset at a future date and a predetermined price.

6. Day Trading: A short-term trading strategy where traders open and close positions within the same trading day, aiming to profit from intraday price movements.

7. Swing Trading: Holding positions for several days or weeks, aiming to capture larger price movements than day trading.

8. Algorithmic Trading: Using computer programs and algorithms to automatically execute trades based on pre-defined rules and strategies.

How does trading work?

1. Market Participants: Various participants are involved in trading, including individual retail traders, institutional investors (such as mutual funds, hedge funds, and pension funds), market makers, and speculators. Each participant may have different goals, strategies, and resources.

2. Financial Markets: Trading takes place in financial markets, which can be physical locations (like stock exchanges) or electronic platforms (like electronic communication networks or ECNs). These markets provide a centralized platform where buyers and sellers can interact and execute trades.

3. Financial Instruments: Trading involves a wide range of financial instruments, such as stocks, bonds, currencies, commodities, and derivatives. Each instrument has its own characteristics and trading rules.

4. Order Placement: Traders place orders to buy or sell a specific financial instrument. They can enter various types of orders, including market orders (buy or sell at the prevailing market price) or limit orders (buy or sell at a specific price or better).

5. Order Matching: When a buy order matches a sell order in terms of price and quantity, a trade occurs. Market orders are usually executed immediately at the best available price, while limit orders are added to the order book until a matching order is found.

6. Execution and Settlement: Once a trade is executed, the exchange or trading platform processes the transaction. The buyer's account is debited with the purchase amount, and the seller's account is credited with the sale proceeds. Settlement refers to the process of transferring ownership of the financial instrument and the corresponding funds.

7. Market Liquidity: Liquidity is crucial for trading. It refers to the ease with which a financial instrument can be bought or sold without causing significant price movements. Liquid markets have a large number of participants and a high trading volume, which ensures efficient price discovery and smooth execution.

8. Market Dynamics: Trading is influenced by various factors, including supply and demand dynamics, economic indicators, company news, geopolitical events, and investor sentiment. These factors can cause price fluctuations and create trading opportunities.

9. Trading Strategies: Traders develop strategies based on their analysis of market conditions and their goals. Strategies can range from short-term, high-frequency trading to long-term investing. Traders may use technical analysis (chart patterns, indicators) and fundamental analysis (financial statements, economic data) to make informed decisions.

10. Risk Management: Successful trading requires effective risk management. Traders use techniques like position sizing, stop-loss orders, and take-profit orders to control risk and protect their capital. They may also diversify their portfolio to spread risk across different instruments or asset classes.

What assets and markets can you trade?

There is a wide range of assets and markets available for trading. Here are some common assets and markets that traders engage with:

1. Stocks: Stocks represent ownership shares in publicly traded companies. Traders can buy and sell stocks on stock exchanges, such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or NASDAQ.

2. Bonds: Bonds are debt instruments issued by governments, municipalities, and corporations to raise capital. Traders can participate in bond markets, buying and selling bonds to capitalize on changes in interest rates and credit conditions.

3. Currencies: Currency trading, also known as forex or FX trading, involves buying and selling different currencies in the foreign exchange market. Traders speculate on the relative value of currency pairs, such as EUR/USD or GBP/JPY.

4. Commodities: Commodities are tangible goods or raw materials, including agricultural products (e.g., wheat, corn), energy resources (e.g., crude oil, natural gas), metals (e.g., gold, silver), and more. Traders can engage in commodity trading, taking positions based on supply and demand dynamics.

5. Derivatives: Derivatives are financial instruments derived from underlying assets or benchmarks. They include options, futures, swaps, and contracts for difference (CFDs). Traders use derivatives for speculative purposes or to hedge their exposure to price fluctuations in other assets.

6. Cryptocurrencies: Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others have gained popularity in recent years. Traders can trade cryptocurrencies on specialized cryptocurrency exchanges, aiming to profit from their price movements.

7. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs): ETFs are investment funds that are traded on stock exchanges. They represent a diversified portfolio of assets, such as stocks, bonds, or commodities. Traders can buy and sell ETF shares throughout the trading day.

8. Options: Options provide the right, but not the obligation, to buy (call option) or sell (put option) an underlying asset at a predetermined price within a specific time period. Options trading allows traders to speculate on price movements or hedge existing positions.

9. Futures: Futures contracts obligate traders to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price and date in the future. Futures are commonly used for commodities, currencies, and stock market indexes. They enable traders to speculate on price movements or manage risk.

10. Indices: Indices represent a basket of stocks that represent a specific sector, country, or market. Traders can trade index-based instruments, such as index funds, index options, or contracts for difference (CFDs), to gain exposure to broader market movements.

Trading vs investing 

Trading and investing are two different approaches to participating in financial markets. Here are the key differences between trading and investing:

1. Time Horizon: Trading typically involves short-term time horizons, ranging from minutes to days, with a focus on profiting from short-term price fluctuations. In contrast, investing typically involves longer-term time horizons, ranging from months to years, with a focus on generating returns over the long run.

2. Objective: The primary objective of trading is to generate profits by capitalizing on price movements. Traders aim to take advantage of short-term opportunities and may employ various strategies, such as technical analysis and active trading techniques. Investing, on the other hand, focuses on building wealth over time through long-term capital appreciation, dividend income, or interest payments. Investors often adopt a buy-and-hold strategy based on fundamental analysis.

3. Frequency of Transactions: Trading involves frequent buying and selling of financial instruments, often executing multiple trades in a single day (day trading) or within a short period. In contrast, investing involves fewer transactions, with investors generally buying assets and holding them for more extended periods, allowing time for their value to increase.

4. Risk and Return: Trading tends to involve higher levels of risk due to the shorter timeframes and potential for rapid price fluctuations. Traders often use leverage and employ risk management techniques to control and mitigate risks. Investing generally carries lower short-term risks, although market fluctuations can still impact returns. Investors often prioritize long-term growth and may be more willing to tolerate market volatility.

5. Skill and Knowledge Requirements: Trading requires active participation, continuous monitoring of market conditions, and a deep understanding of trading strategies and techniques. Successful trading often demands technical analysis skills, risk management abilities, and experience in interpreting market signals. Investing also requires knowledge, but it focuses more on fundamental analysis, evaluating the financial health of companies, industries, and economic factors.

6. Time Commitment: Trading requires significant time and attention as traders need to actively monitor markets, analyse price patterns, and execute trades promptly. It often demands constant vigilance and frequent decision-making. Investing, particularly in long-term strategies, typically requires less time commitment as investors can take a more passive approach, periodically reviewing their portfolio and making adjustments as needed.

7. Transaction Costs: Due to the higher frequency of trades, trading often incurs more transaction costs, such as commissions, spreads, and fees, which can impact profitability. Investing, with its lower frequency of trades, typically incurs fewer transaction costs over the long run.

How to start trading 

To start trading, you can follow these general steps:

1. Educate Yourself: Begin by gaining knowledge about trading concepts, financial markets, and different trading strategies. Read books, articles, and online resources, and consider taking courses or attending seminars to enhance your understanding of trading.

2. Set Clear Goals: Determine your trading goals, whether they are short-term profits, long-term wealth accumulation, or a combination of both. Establish realistic expectations and define your risk tolerance.

3. Choose a Trading Style: Decide on a trading style that suits your personality and available time commitment. Common styles include day trading, swing trading, position trading, or long-term investing. Each style has its own strategies and time horizons.

4. Select a Trading Platform and Broker: Choose a reputable online brokerage platform that aligns with your trading needs. Consider factors such as trading fees, platform functionality, security, customer support, and the availability of the financial instruments you wish to trade.

5. Open a Trading Account: Follow the brokerage's account opening process, which typically involves providing personal identification documents, financial information, and completing any necessary forms. Fund your trading account with the desired amount of capital.

6. Develop a Trading Plan: Create a trading plan that outlines your approach, including the types of assets you will trade, risk management strategies, entry and exit criteria, and position sizing techniques. A well-defined plan helps you stay disciplined and make consistent decisions.

7. Practice with a Demo Account: Many trading platforms offer demo or paper trading accounts that allow you to practice trading without risking real money. Use this opportunity to familiarize yourself with the trading platform, test your strategies, and gain experience.

8. Start Small: When you're ready to trade with real money, start with a small amount that you can afford to lose. This helps you gain experience and manage risk while minimizing potential losses.

9. Monitor and Analyse the Markets: Stay informed about market conditions and relevant news that may impact your chosen instruments. Use technical analysis tools, fundamental analysis, and market indicators to analyse price patterns and identify potential trading opportunities.

10. Execute Trades and Manage Risk: Based on your trading plan and analysis, execute trades through your chosen trading platform. Set stop-loss orders to limit potential losses and consider using take-profit orders to lock in profits. Continuously monitor your positions and make adjustments as necessary.

11. Review and Learn: After each trade, evaluate your performance and learn from both profitable and losing trades. Identify areas for improvement, refine your strategies, and adapt to changing market conditions.

Trading examples 

Let's say you're interested in trading stocks and have been analysing the stock of a technology company called ABC Inc. Based on your research and technical analysis, you believe that the stock price of ABC Inc. is likely to increase in the short term due to positive earnings reports and market trends.

1. Analysis and Strategy:

You have studied ABC Inc.'s financial statements, industry trends, and market news. You have identified a price level at which you want to enter the trade (buy the stock) and set a target price at which you plan to sell the stock for a profit.

2. Execution:

You open your trading platform, log into your brokerage account, and search for ABC Inc.'s stock. You check the current market price and place a buy order for a specific number of shares at the desired entry price.

3. Monitoring:

Once your buy order is executed, you actively monitor the stock's price movements. You use charting tools, technical indicators, and news updates to track any developments that may affect the stock's performance.

4. Risk Management:

To manage risk, you set a stop-loss order. If the stock price drops to a predetermined level, your stop-loss order automatically triggers a sell order to limit potential losses.

5. Profit Target:

You also set a take-profit order at your desired target price. If the stock price reaches that level, the take-profit order executes a sell order to lock in your desired profit.

6. Trade Management:

As the trade progresses, you continue to monitor the stock's price movements and adjust your stop-loss and take-profit levels if needed. You stay informed about any news or events that may impact the stock's performance.

7. Exit Strategy:

If the stock price reaches your take-profit level, your sell order executes, and you realize a profit. Alternatively, if the stock price hits your stop-loss level, your sell order triggers, and you exit the trade to limit your losses.

8. Review and Learn:

After the trade, you review your performance, assess the effectiveness of your analysis and strategy, and analyse what went well and what could be improved. You learn from each trade to refine your approach and make more informed decisions in future trades.