TradingView Provides Quick Research
TradingView.com is a site providing real-time prices on stocks, electronically traded funds (ETF), and foreign exchange (forex) pairs. It also provides delayed data on futures markets (most futures trade via contract for difference (CFD), and CFD data is real-time). If you are new to trading and want to practice watching the market in real-time, this site allows you to do so. If you’re an experienced trader, it’s a quick and easy site to pull up to do some research, as it works well while when you’re on the road or not near your normal trading terminal. TradingView also works well as a “backup” data feed in case you lose quotes or get disconnected from your trading terminal or broker. The charts themselves are of high quality, providing all of the popular indicators, comparison tools, and chart types traders use (such as candlesticks and Heiken Ashi). Other features include a stock screener, watch lists, paper trading (to test your strategies or learn) and alerts. A community chat portal also exists for discussing your trading ideas with other traders on TradingView.
StockCharts Is Useful for Analysis
StockCharts.com offers a ton of free resources, and you’ll likely find yourself spending a fair bit of time on the site as you explore the high-quality trading articles as well. The Sector Summary shows which sectors are hot over various time frames. Many day traders like to focus on buying strong stocks in strong sectors in a bull market (rising prices), and short selling weak stocks in weak sectors in a bear market (falling prices). This tool can help you easily find such stocks. Click on the sectors, and then the sub-sectors within to get a list of stocks ranked by performance. The StockCharts SCTR Report lists large-capitalization stocks from strongest to weakest, so you have a quick list of stocks moving well to the upside or downside at either end of the list. The DecisionPoint Market Analysis Gallery (DP Chart Gallery) breaks down how the stock market is performing by using various daily charts and technical indicators on different time frames. It’s a quick way to learn about analyzing price actions or grab a snapshot of the market direction and potential turning points. Normal price charts can be changed to “seasonality charts,” which show how a particular asset performs during different seasons.
Finviz Provides Trading Research
The homepage of Finviz.com offers a host of stocks that are potential day trading candidates. Quickly view the day’s top gainers and losers, see which stocks are breaking out, and look at the day’s most volatile stocks. Use the other pages to dig up more data on stocks, forex pairs, or futures. The News page provides timely reports and analysis from major news vendors. The Screener tab allows you to find stocks that match your criteria for trading. The Map option shows how stocks are performing during the trading day. Price data is delayed on the free version of the site, which is still useful for research, but as a day trader, you may want more timely information, especially if you’re using the home page for trade ideas. Finviz Elite is the site’s premium subscription tool, which offers real-time quotes, pre-market data, alerts and more.
StockTwits, a Social Media Platform for Traders
If you’re an active trader and want a constant stream of stocks (or other assets) that are moving well or breaking out, then this social media platform is one of the best free resources out there. Search for day traders on StockTwits, and follow them if they provide timely information on stocks (or other assets) that are moving well for day trading purposes. Utilize your own strategy for trading the assets mentioned. StockTwits is just an idea generator not a trade signal service, or at least it isn’t recommended for that. StockTwits can be distracting, so while day trading, keep your focus on market research related to your specific trade parameters and market.
Trading Simulators
For traders starting out, a trading simulator is the best free resource available. While a simulator won’t replicate the emotional ups and downs of making and losing real money, it will let you know whether your trading methods are sound or not. Simulations allow you to test your knowledge, strategies, and abilities without risk. There are many trading simulators available. It might be a good idea to use one offered by a broker you would consider using in real trades. This allows you to become familiar with the broker, their fees, and their platform while developing your trading skills.
The Bottom Line
Whether for research or generating trade ideas, these free trading websites offer tools to help in your day trading endeavors. These are resources to help you trade in a more informed manner, because ultimately, the more information you have, the better you will trade.
