As much as 95 per cent of day traders lose money in the market, it demands an investigation.
Intraday trading is the most popular, yet data suggests that most intraday traders lose money. A 70 percent don’t last beyond the first year, and 95 percent stop trading by the third year. The number seems pretty high, right? So, what’s going on? Why such a high percentage of traders lose money in day trading? Let’s investigate, alright?
Trading isn’t easy. It takes time and a lot of practice to perfect. And, in day trading, mistakes are costly and result in huge financial losses.
Intraday trading, also known as day trading, is a type of trading where investors buy and sell financial instruments within the same trading day. This means that all positions are closed out before the market closes for the day, and no positions are held overnight. Intraday traders seek to profit from short-term price movements in various financial markets, such as stocks, commodities, currencies, and derivatives.
**Pros of Intraday Trading:**
1. **Quick Profits:** Intraday trading allows for the potential to make quick profits due to the frequent buying and selling of positions within a single day.
2. **No Overnight Risk:** Since all positions are closed by the end of the trading day, traders are not exposed to the risks associated with overnight market movements or unexpected news.
3. **Leverage:** Some brokers offer leverage to intraday traders, allowing them to control larger positions with a relatively small amount of capital. This can amplify potential profits (as well as potential losses).
4. **Flexibility:** Intraday trading offers flexibility as traders can adapt to real-time market conditions and adjust their strategies accordingly.
5. **Elimination of Long-Term Trends:** Intraday trading focuses on short-term price movements, which can be beneficial in markets with volatile or uncertain long-term trends.
**Cons of Intraday Trading:**
1. **High Risk:** Intraday trading is inherently risky due to the fast-paced nature of the activity. Rapid price fluctuations can lead to significant losses if trades go against the trader's expectations.
2. **Stress and Emotional Pressure:** Constantly monitoring the market and making quick decisions can be stressful and emotionally taxing, potentially leading to impulsive decisions.
3. **High Transaction Costs:** Intraday trading involves frequent buying and selling, leading to higher transaction costs in terms of commissions, spreads, and other fees.
4. **Lack of Overnight Exposure:** While avoiding overnight risk can be an advantage, it also means missing out on potential profit opportunities that may occur after market hours.
5. **Market Volatility:** While volatility can be advantageous, it can also lead to unexpected and sharp price movements that can result in losses.
6. **Time-Intensive:** Intraday trading requires constant monitoring of the markets, which can be time-consuming and may not be suitable for individuals with other commitments.
7. **Skill and Knowledge Requirements:** Successful intraday trading requires a deep understanding of technical analysis, chart patterns, market indicators, and other trading strategies.
8. **Regulatory Restrictions:** Some regulators impose specific rules and restrictions on intraday trading, such as pattern day trading rules that require traders to maintain a certain minimum account balance.
Intraday trading can be potentially profitable for skilled and disciplined traders, but it comes with significant risks and challenges. It's important for individuals interested in intraday trading to thoroughly educate themselves, develop a robust trading strategy, and manage their risk effectively.
Research on the success and failure rates of intraday traders varies widely based on factors such as market conditions, individual strategies, trader skill levels, and the time period under consideration. It's important to note that trading success is highly individual and can't be solely determined by statistics. However, here are some general figures and findings from various studies and reports:
1.**SEBI Report:** 89% of the individual traders (i.e. 9 out of 10 individual traders) in equity F&O segment incurred losses, with an average loss of Rs. 1.1 lakh during FY22, whereas, 90% of the active traders incurred average losses of Rs. 1.25 lakh during the same period
2. **SEC Report:** The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published a report titled "Day Trading: Your Dollars at Risk," which states that "most individual investors do not have the wealth, the time, or the temperament to make money and to sustain the devastating losses that day trading can bring."
3. **AMF Study:** The Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) in Canada conducted a study on the profitability of day traders. The study found that, on average, day traders incurred losses and that the proportion of traders who were consistently profitable was very low.
4. **Brazilian Academy of Sciences:** A study published by the Brazilian Academy of Sciences indicated that only a small percentage of day traders consistently achieved profits. The study analyzed trading activity in the Brazilian stock market.
5. **Statistics from Brokers:** Some brokerage firms provide statistics on the success rates of their clients. These figures can vary widely. Some reports suggest that a significant percentage of day traders experience losses over time.
6. **Failure Rates:** Some estimates suggest that the failure rate for day traders is around 90%, meaning that approximately 90% of day traders end up losing money in the long run. However, these figures are often anecdotal and can't be universally applied.
7. **Short-Term Trading and Taxes:** One challenge faced by short-term traders, including intraday traders, is the impact of taxes. Frequent trading can lead to higher taxes due to the classification of gains as short-term capital gains, which are typically taxed at higher rates than long-term capital gains.
It's important to approach these figures with caution and recognize that trading success depends on a combination of factors including market knowledge, strategy, risk management, emotional discipline, and adaptability. Day trading is known for its challenges, and the high level of risk is a significant factor contributing to the relatively high failure rates reported in some studies. Traders who are considering day trading should thoroughly educate themselves, practice with a demo account, start with a small amount of capital, and be prepared to continually learn and adapt their strategies.
