There are many unique short-term trading strategies that can be employed to turn a potential profit. Some of these are associated with higher levels of risk than others. One term that seems to frequently emerge is "scalping". We are not referring to scalping tickets outside of a concert hall in this sense. This is instead an approach that helps to ensure reasonable liquidity while simultaneously curtailing some of the inherent risks associated with an open-market position. Let's examine scalping in more detail to appreciate the finer points.
A Simple Assumption
Anyone who regularly follows quality sources of investment information such as Exness Insights might have already encountered this term in the past. The intention of this article is to reinforce the basic points so that investors can decide if scalping is the most appropriate strategy. Most industry professionals define scalping similar to the description below:
"Scalping is the act of turning a profit from small price changes, and reselling a specific asset at a higher price than when it was purchased."
The theory here is that even small profits can conglomerate over time. This is, of course, assuming that the asset in question moves in the right direction.
How are Scalping and Shorting Different?
It is important to clarify an additional point before moving on. Some individuals consider the terms "scalping" and "shorting" to represent the same principle. This is certainly not the case. Scalping involves executing short-term trades as the value of an asset increases. Shorting is the act of purchasing a security, reselling it for a lower price on the open market, and subsequently buying it back for less money than the previous value (in the hopes that the price will once again rise).
The Role of Spreads
Due to the short-term nature of scalping trading, the spread of an asset is significant. The majority of those who adopt this principle are searching for extremely narrow differences between the bid and ask prices. This will enable them to liquidate the position much quicker. Wide spreads could instead lead to a position that must be held for a longer period of time; violating the fundamental intention of scalping.
The Perceived Benefits of Scalping
The most obvious advantage of this technique involves lower levels of risk. Relatively brief amounts of market exposure make it less likely that an adverse event will be encountered while the position is still open.
Additionally, it is easier to obtain a profit from smaller price moves. Larger fluctuations will often require a significant imbalance between supply and demand. This is why scalping offers a greater degree of liquidity.
A final benefit of scalping is that smaller movements happen much more frequently. It is therefore possible to exploit these changes; even if the markets themselves happen to be relatively quiet at the moment.
Potential Risks
Similar to every type of investment strategy, there are some possible downsides that can be attributed to scalping. One example involves the relatively high cost per transaction. This can quickly erode any perceived profits. This is also why choosing the proper multi-asset brokerage is critical.
Others rightfully cite the amount of time needed to manage a trading account primarily centred around scalping. This process takes a great deal of concentration, and investors might not always possess the ability to constantly monitor numerous positions.
A final potential drawback can be linked with the profits themselves. Assuming that a spread is small, and the asset moves only a few pips, any gains may be negligible. This is why scalping normally requires numerous open positions at any given time. There can even be instances when hundreds of trades are required to make the strategy itself worthwhile.
Coming to a Balanced Conclusion
So, what can we take away from the observations outlined above? While scalping is a great strategy for those who may be averse to risk, it can take quite a bit of time to accrue sizeable profits. However, the liquid nature of these positions is a benefit that cannot be overlooked.
Note that this is only a brief overview intended to cover the basic principles of scalping. Do not hesitate to perform additional online research, or to consult a professional wealth management firm. This is arguably the best way to obtain even more insight, and to decide whether scalping could represent a welcome addition to your current investment strategy.
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