Swing trading is a short-term trading strategy used to profit from price swings in the stock market. Unlike day trading, where traders close positions within a day, swing traders hold stocks for a few days or even a couple of weeks to benefit from upward or downward trends.
This strategy is best suited for people who donât want to monitor the market every minute but still want to earn from short-term price movements. Swing trading is popular in the Indian stock market because it offers the opportunity to make decent profits with proper research, technical analysis, and discipline.
How Does Swing Trading Work?
Swing trading is based on identifying âswingsâ in stock prices â this means buying a stock when you expect it to rise and selling it when you expect a fall. Swing traders mainly rely on technical indicators and chart patterns to make decisions.
The aim is not to make small profits daily like day traders, nor to wait for years like long-term investors. Instead, swing traders look for short-term trends, usually lasting 2â10 days.
Steps to Start Swing Trading
- Open a Trading & DEMAT Account
You need both accounts with a registered stock broker like Zerodha, Upstox, Angel One, etc. - Select Volatile and Liquid Stocks
Choose stocks that move frequently and have high trading volume. These provide better chances of profit. - Use Technical Indicators
Learn and apply indicators like RSI, MACD, Moving Averages, Bollinger Bands, etc., to find entry and exit points. - Set Stop Loss & Target
Always decide your risk before entering a trade. A stop loss helps prevent big losses, and a target helps book profit. - Understand Support & Resistance
Support is the level where a stock tends to stop falling, and resistance is where it stops rising. These are key zones for swing trades.
How to Choose the Best Stocks for Swing Trading?
Hereâs what to check before selecting a stock:
- Volatility: The stock should have enough movement during the day or week. Flat stocks are not good for swing trading.
- Liquidity: Pick stocks that have good trading volume daily, so buying or selling is easy.
- Sector Strength: Focus on sectors that are performing well or are in the news.
- Technical Setup: A good stock setup should show a clear trend, pattern breakout, or indicator signal.
- Fundamentals (Optional): While not necessary for swing trading, companies with good fundamentals are safer.
Best Swing Trading Strategies in the Indian Market
- Breakout Trading
Buy when a stock breaks its resistance with high volume. This often leads to strong upward movement. - Pullback Trading
Buy the dip in an uptrend. Wait for a small fall or pullback and enter when the stock starts going up again. - Momentum Trading
Ride the trend. Buy stocks that are already rising with good volume and hold until the momentum fades. - Reversal Trading
Identify when a stock trend is about to reverse using RSI or MACD signals.
Important Swing Trading Indicators
Here are the best indicators for swing trading:
- RSI (Relative Strength Index): Tells if a stock is overbought or oversold.
- MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence): Helps track trend direction and momentum.
- Moving Averages (50, 100, 200 MA): Useful for finding trend direction and support levels.
- Bollinger Bands: Useful for detecting high volatility zones and possible reversals.
How to Scan Stocks for Swing Trading?
Use stock screeners like TradingView or Screener.in. Set filters like:
- RSI between 30â70
- Volume above average
- Price near support or resistance
- MA crossover (example: 20-day MA crossing 50-day MA)
These filters help find potential swing setups quickly.
Risk Management in Swing Trading
Swing trading without risk control can lead to losses. Follow these risk rules:
- Use Stop Loss: Always protect yourself from big losses.
- Limit Your Position Size: Donât invest more than 5-10% of your capital in one trade.
- Avoid Overtrading: Donât take too many trades at once.
- Keep Emotions in Check: Stick to your plan, donât get greedy or panic.
Top 5 Swing Trading Tips
- Stick to a clear trading plan.
- Always use technical analysis before entering.
- Avoid trading during major market news unless you’re experienced.
- Focus on quality over quantity.
- Review your trades weekly to learn and improve.
Conclusion
Swing trading is a great way for part-time traders or working professionals to earn from the stock market without being involved full-time. Itâs easier to learn than day trading and less risky than intraday. However, it requires discipline, proper research, and understanding of technical indicators.
Start small, test your strategies, and gradually build your skills. With patience and practice, swing trading can be a reliable way to grow your wealth.
FAQs
Q. How much money do I need to start swing trading?
You can start with as little as âš5,000ââš10,000, but having âš25,000+ gives more flexibility.
Q. Can swing trading be done with delivery-based trades?
Yes. Swing trades are generally delivery-based and held for a few days.
Q. Is swing trading safe for beginners?
With proper education and risk management, swing trading is suitable for beginners.
Q. How long should I hold a stock in swing trading?
Typically between 2 to 10 trading days, depending on the market movement.