Post by Victor VVV on Feb 9, 2021 19:34:37 GMT -5
First Hour of Trading – How to Trade Like a Seasoned Pro
Assuming you have either started day trading or are looking to get into the game, I am going to shock
you in this article. What I will cover would have saved me 20 months of headaches if someone had told
me day one.
Recent studies have shown the majority of trading activity occurs in the first and last hour of trading [1].
Let me make this easy for you, only focus on the first hour and watch how simple it all becomes.
Chapter 1: Why First Hour Trading
The first hour of trading provides the liquidity you need to get in an and out of the market. On average
The first hour of trading provides the liquidity you need to get in an and out of the market. On average
the market only trends all day less than 20% of the time.
Most new day traders think that the market is just this endless machine that moves up and down all day.
Most new day traders think that the market is just this endless machine that moves up and down all day.
In reality, the market is boring if you know what you are doing as a day trader or have technical trading
signals sent to you.
The one time of day which consistently delivers on sharp moves with volume is the morning. Assuming you
The one time of day which consistently delivers on sharp moves with volume is the morning. Assuming you
are doing this for a living you will need some serious cash. Day trading isn’t something you should undertake
with your lunch money.
If you were trading with a $100,000 per trade how much volume do you think your stock needs? If you are
If you were trading with a $100,000 per trade how much volume do you think your stock needs? If you are
reading this article the first response from you should have been what’s the price of the stock.
Assuming you were already thinking that, you need tens of thousands of shares trading hands every 5 minutes.
Assuming you were already thinking that, you need tens of thousands of shares trading hands every 5 minutes.
Reason being, you need enough volume to enter the trade, but also enough that you can potentially turn around
in a matter of minutes and close out the same trade you just put on.
Let’s Get more Granular When We Say the First Hour of Trading
First Hour of Trading
The first 5 minutes
Now that the market has opened. the first noticeable increment of time is the first five minutes. I have no
Now that the market has opened. the first noticeable increment of time is the first five minutes. I have no
study to back this one up, but from my own experience and talking with other day traders the 5-minute
chart is by far the most popular time frame.
Within the first 5-minutes you will see a number of spikes in both price and volume as stocks gap up or down
Within the first 5-minutes you will see a number of spikes in both price and volume as stocks gap up or down
from the previous day’s close. This will often be driven by some sort of earnings announcement or pre-market
news. This first five minutes is arguably the most volatile time of day.
There is no defined range and odds are the previous day’s range has been eclipsed by the gap. With no clear
There is no defined range and odds are the previous day’s range has been eclipsed by the gap. With no clear
boundaries for where to go, to short or buy after the first 5 minutes, in my opinion, is nothing more than a
gambler’s paradise. If you are serious about your trading career stay away from placing any trades during
the first 5 minutes.
Below is a chart of NII Holdings (NIHD) which is one of the more volatile stocks on the Nasdaq. NIHD gapped
Below is a chart of NII Holdings (NIHD) which is one of the more volatile stocks on the Nasdaq. NIHD gapped
up on the open to a high of 9.05, only to close at 8.73 5 minutes later. How do you think NIHD trended over
the next hour?
First 5-minute bar
Let me not keep you waiting too long. All of you advanced day traders will say that the stock continued
Let me not keep you waiting too long. All of you advanced day traders will say that the stock continued
lower because the stock had such an ugly candlestick on the first 5 minutes. Well, guess what, in this
instance, you would be correct.
5-minute reversal bar
Remember I am a day trader, so I already know what you are thinking. You are probably saying to
Remember I am a day trader, so I already know what you are thinking. You are probably saying to
yourself, well I can place a buy order above the first 5-minute candlestick and a sell short order below
the low of the candlestick. You may even take it one step further and place your stop order neatly
behind the high/low of the first candlestick to box in your risk.
Sounds simple enough right? Wrong!
This is nothing more than saying to yourself that you are going to gamble your money within a defined
Sounds simple enough right? Wrong!
This is nothing more than saying to yourself that you are going to gamble your money within a defined
framework. While using simple strategies increase your likelihood of consistent execution, this approach
is too unpredictable.
9:30 – 9:50
The 9:30 – 9:50 am time segment will look odd to you because it is. Some traders will wait out the first
The 9:30 – 9:50 am time segment will look odd to you because it is. Some traders will wait out the first
half an hour and for a clearly defined range to setup. I have noticed if a stock is going to head fake you,
it will often do it at the 10 am hour.
Another reason I like 9:50 as the completion of my high low range is it allows you to enter the market before
Another reason I like 9:50 as the completion of my high low range is it allows you to enter the market before
the 15-minute traders second candlestick prints and before the 30-minute traders have their first candlestick
print.
After the completion of the 9:30 – 9:50 range you will want to identify the high and low values for the morning.
After the completion of the 9:30 – 9:50 range you will want to identify the high and low values for the morning.
The importance of identifying the high and low range of the morning provides you clear price points that if a
stock exceeds these boundaries you can use this as an opportunity to go in the direction of the primary trend
which would be trading the breakout.
Or you can go against the primary trend when these boundaries are reached with an expectation of a sharp
Or you can go against the primary trend when these boundaries are reached with an expectation of a sharp
reversal.
Below is another example of the stock NIHD after it sets the high and low range for the first 20-minutes.
Below is another example of the stock NIHD after it sets the high and low range for the first 20-minutes.
High Low Range
At this point, you have one of two options. Your first option is to buy the break of the 9:50 candlestick
At this point, you have one of two options. Your first option is to buy the break of the 9:50 candlestick
and go in the direction of the primary trend. I believe when you see stocks b-line like this for the first 20
or 30 minutes, the odds of the stocks continuing in that fashion are slim to none. I personally like a stock
bounce around a bit and build cause before going after the high or low range.
Your second option is to short the stock with the expectation NIHD will reverse around the 10 am time
Your second option is to short the stock with the expectation NIHD will reverse around the 10 am time
block. I am not a fan because you are just hoping the stock will reverse, but there is no real justification.
So, looking at NIHD what would you do at this point? The correct answer is you should stay in cash.
So, looking at NIHD what would you do at this point? The correct answer is you should stay in cash.
Range Holds
As you can see in the above chart, NIHD floated sideways for the remainder of the first hour.
As you can see in the above chart, NIHD floated sideways for the remainder of the first hour.
Do you see how sizing up the trade properly would have allowed you to miss all this nonsense?
9:50 to 10:10
The 9:50 to 10:10 time slot is where you will want to enter your trade based on a break or test of the
9:50 to 10:10
The 9:50 to 10:10 time slot is where you will want to enter your trade based on a break or test of the
highs and lows from the first 20 minutes. Now that we have already had our head fake example earlier
in the article, let’s focus on one that follows the happy path.
Break Down
This is a clean example from Newmont Mining on 5/7/2013.
Notice how the stock was able to shoot down and build steam as the stock moved lower. In theory,
This is a clean example from Newmont Mining on 5/7/2013.
Notice how the stock was able to shoot down and build steam as the stock moved lower. In theory,
waiting for a breakout after an inside bar or a tight range will often lead to consistent profits. The
key thing to remember is 9:50 to 10:10 is the only window for opening new trades.
If you place a trade at let’s say 10:15 and you are trading the first hour, it only provides you 15
If you place a trade at let’s say 10:15 and you are trading the first hour, it only provides you 15
minutes to close your position. Unless you are trading ticks, which I think is a sure way to make
your broker rich, you simply don’t have enough time for the market to move in your desired direction.
10:10 – 10:30
The last twenty minutes is where you let the stock move in your favor. This doesn’t sound like a lot
10:10 – 10:30
The last twenty minutes is where you let the stock move in your favor. This doesn’t sound like a lot
of time, but if you step back for a second this represents a potential of 40 minutes from the time
you first entered the trade at 9:50.
Now there is no law against you holding a stock beyond 10:30, for me personally I allow my positions
Now there is no law against you holding a stock beyond 10:30, for me personally I allow my positions
to go until 11:00 am before I look to unwind. The key point is you get out of the mindset of letting
your profits run. I honestly get visibly frustrated when I hear people giving this advice to new traders.
In today’s world, there are way too many automated systems and retail investors all clamoring over
In today’s world, there are way too many automated systems and retail investors all clamoring over
pennies, stocks no longer move in a linear fashion where you can sit back and place your trades on
cruise control. The amount of head fakes and erratic behavior is just over the top.
For me, a clear profit target is the best way to ensure I take money out of the market consistently. If
you want to read more on this topic you can check out any of the following articles: Day Trading
Targets and Trading Plan – Key to a Successful Trading Business. Each of these articles will clearly
break down the importance of getting in a rhythm of taking profits.
The last 20 minutes of the first hour is not the time to hang out and see how things go. This is the
The last 20 minutes of the first hour is not the time to hang out and see how things go. This is the
time where you need to be on the lookout for closing your position and you must have some idea of
where you want to close the position.
I personally like to have a set percentage target that I’m shooting for while others may adjust this
I personally like to have a set percentage target that I’m shooting for while others may adjust this
value based on the volatility of the stock. It really doesn’t matter over the long run because you will
adapt your trading strategy to your performance. The key thing is making sure you are coming from
a place of wanting to pull profits from the market.
Why 11:00 am is a bad time
11 AM is a Bad Time
Most of you reading this article will say to yourselves, this makes sense. I should trade during the first
Most of you reading this article will say to yourselves, this makes sense. I should trade during the first
hour when I have the greatest opportunity to make a profit since there is the greatest number of
participants trading.
Since I trade, I know there are some of you reading this thinking, “I can make money all day”. This is a
Since I trade, I know there are some of you reading this thinking, “I can make money all day”. This is a
true statement. You can make money all day. The only problem is the majority of people do not.
You will see that around 11:00 am the volume just dries up in the market. This is because the institutional
You will see that around 11:00 am the volume just dries up in the market. This is because the institutional
investors and hedge funds realize that there is far more work and risk to be had during the middle of the
day than potential profits. The resulting price action when the true stock operators are away from their
desk is basically a lot of sideways action.
Stocks will breakout only to quickly rollover. Stocks will begin to move in one direction with nominal
Stocks will breakout only to quickly rollover. Stocks will begin to move in one direction with nominal
volume for no apparent reason. Lastly, while there may be price movements, they are so small that after
commissions and time spent fighting the market it’s just not worth the headache.
I came across this great video from SMB trading where Mike Bellafore describes how some of his traders
I came across this great video from SMB trading where Mike Bellafore describes how some of his traders
fight the desire to trade during the slow midday period. [2]
Oh, how I wish I had come across an article like this back in the summer of 2007. I may still have a few
Oh, how I wish I had come across an article like this back in the summer of 2007. I may still have a few
strands of hair on my head.
Chapter 2: Just Settle Down
Quality over Quantity
Think about it, in any line of work, you want to follow the most successful people. Don’t try to fight the
market so you can tell your family members and friends you were trading all day.
You are in the business of making money, not working long hours. If you think my experience isn’t enough
reason to caution you, Thomson Reuters did a study and have concluded that 58% of all volume on the
NYSE occurs during the first and last hour of trading.
So, we at Tradingsim wanted to see if that study would still hold up years later. We pulled trade/volume
data for the NYSE for one week to analyze the numbers.
nyse hourly trading volume
What did our mini-case study show us?
The first thirty minutes is on average twice the size of the 10 am to 10:30 am time slot. We did not
What did our mini-case study show us?
The first thirty minutes is on average twice the size of the 10 am to 10:30 am time slot. We did not
perform a volatility test on these times, but you can assume where there is that much smoke, there is a fire.
The trading volume by time slot visual was inspired by our solar system and it’s clear the first 30 minutes
The trading volume by time slot visual was inspired by our solar system and it’s clear the first 30 minutes
and last 30 minutes are Queen of the Jungle! The one thing that was quite alarming is that the last half an
hour is just monstrous.
I’m likely going to write an article on this phenomenon because at the end of day volume keeps increasing
I’m likely going to write an article on this phenomenon because at the end of day volume keeps increasing
over recent years.
To reinforce my point of not trading after 11, we compared volume from 9:30 to 11 and 11 to 3.
Learn to Day Trade 7x Faster Than Everyone Else
The simple calculation is 240 minutes/90 minutes, which tells us the midday time slot is 2.6 times greater
To reinforce my point of not trading after 11, we compared volume from 9:30 to 11 and 11 to 3.
Learn to Day Trade 7x Faster Than Everyone Else
The simple calculation is 240 minutes/90 minutes, which tells us the midday time slot is 2.6 times greater
than the morning trading session.
However, when we reviewed the volume numbers for the week, the midday session was only 31% greater
However, when we reviewed the volume numbers for the week, the midday session was only 31% greater
in terms of volume. This my folks is evidence that if you are trading during the middle of the day, you will
likely give yourself a major headache.
Reason being, you will need to find a needle in a haystack in terms of locating the trades that are going
Reason being, you will need to find a needle in a haystack in terms of locating the trades that are going
to move in such a dull market environment.
If you get anything from this graphic, think of all the fun you can have from 11 am to 3 pm.
Walk your dog, hit the gym, get some beauty rest.
Just do your best to stay away from your computer.
If you cannot resist the urge for whatever reason, at least hold off until 3:00. If you are day trading this
If you get anything from this graphic, think of all the fun you can have from 11 am to 3 pm.
Walk your dog, hit the gym, get some beauty rest.
Just do your best to stay away from your computer.
If you cannot resist the urge for whatever reason, at least hold off until 3:00. If you are day trading this
presents another dilemma as you should be exiting your trades at 4 pm. This means you have less than
one hour to enter and exit your trade.
I do like the idea of having a set time to close the position, but you must yourself if you are really going
I do like the idea of having a set time to close the position, but you must yourself if you are really going
to stay true to this rule.
If there is any chance you could start holding trades overnight as a day trader, then focus on the first
If there is any chance you could start holding trades overnight as a day trader, then focus on the first
1:30 hours of trading. There is more than enough action.
Chapter 3: How Much Volatility is Enough?
While the market open presents the greatest number of trade opportunities, you also need to determine
While the market open presents the greatest number of trade opportunities, you also need to determine
the level of volatility you are willing to trade on the open.
While volatility is required to make money, profitable traders have a limit of what they are willing to trade.
While volatility is required to make money, profitable traders have a limit of what they are willing to trade.
It’s not to say you can’t make money trading penny stocks, it just requires enormous discipline and money
management to avoid blowup trades.
Me personally, I try to avoid stocks that are printing a lot of 2% and 3% candlesticks. Reason being, the
Me personally, I try to avoid stocks that are printing a lot of 2% and 3% candlesticks. Reason being, the
stock will likely trip my stop loss order before I am able to realize my profit target. Also, there is a greater
chance I will end up in a blowup trade if things go against me swiftly.
Let’s review a few examples where volatility is just too much.
Let’s review a few examples where volatility is just too much.
High Volatility 1
High Volatility 2
You can trade volatile stocks, but you need to reduce the amount you invest per trade to limit your
You can trade volatile stocks, but you need to reduce the amount you invest per trade to limit your
risk. If a stock is three times as volatile of your average trades, only use a third of your normal size.
The reason I am touching upon these ridiculously volatile stocks is that they are available for you to
The reason I am touching upon these ridiculously volatile stocks is that they are available for you to
trade. You need the discipline to avoid chasing the big win because at some point it will result in the
blow-up trade.
Chapter 4: Pre-Market Trading
Now, I don’t recommend you trade in the pre-market due to the low volatility and wide spreads. However,
Now, I don’t recommend you trade in the pre-market due to the low volatility and wide spreads. However,
pre-market data can provide insights into the trading range of a security.
Why is this important?
Well if you are buying a morning breakout, the pre-market high can be your first target for the price move.
Conversely, if a key pre-market support level is breached, you can anticipate the pending move lower. Most
Why is this important?
Well if you are buying a morning breakout, the pre-market high can be your first target for the price move.
Conversely, if a key pre-market support level is breached, you can anticipate the pending move lower. Most
platforms provide the ability to include pre-market data on the chart if you look at your chart property
settings.
Buy the Pre-Market Breakout
This strategy has been talked about on the Tradingsim blog quite a bit, but essentially you are looking for
This strategy has been talked about on the Tradingsim blog quite a bit, but essentially you are looking for
low float stocks that have the potential to make big moves.
You can also trade big-name stocks, but you just need to be prepared to accept smaller gains.
You can also trade big-name stocks, but you just need to be prepared to accept smaller gains.
Wait for the Morning Pullback
The other method you can use for trading the morning pre-market data is to wait for the first pullback.
The other method you can use for trading the morning pre-market data is to wait for the first pullback.
This obvious advantage to this approach is that you can lower your risk by purchasing the stock at a
lower price.
Secondly, you have a clear exit target with the most recent high.
Now what you will miss by excluding the pre-market data are the trend lines and moving averages that provide support for the pullback.
Secondly, you have a clear exit target with the most recent high.
Now what you will miss by excluding the pre-market data are the trend lines and moving averages that provide support for the pullback.
Pre-market breakdown
You can in the above chart the clear run-up in the pre-market.
Then you can see how the stock broke down below the morning lows only to plummet lower.
Now let’s take a look at that same chart without pre-market data.
Now let’s take a look at that same chart without pre-market data.
Breakdown without pre-market data
Now you could say you would just short sell the break of the low on the 1-minute chart, but it’s now
Now you could say you would just short sell the break of the low on the 1-minute chart, but it’s now
where near as convincing without the pre-market data.
You are unable to see the clear range and hence would be operating on a hunch rather than clear
You are unable to see the clear range and hence would be operating on a hunch rather than clear
patterns in the chart.
Chapter 5: Where Things Go Wrong in the First Hour of Trading
Let’s talk about where things can go wrong trading in the morning. While I agree there is consistent money
Let’s talk about where things can go wrong trading in the morning. While I agree there is consistent money
to be made, the reality is that morning trading is not for everyone.
#1 – Things Can Get Out of Hand Quickly
One thing that morning does not afford you is the ability to ignore stops. Think about the chart of the
One thing that morning does not afford you is the ability to ignore stops. Think about the chart of the
breakdown above. GBR dropped from $12 dollars down to a low of $6.15 by 9:43 am.
This represents a total percentage drop of ~49% in 13 minutes! Take that in for a second.
Now of course if you had placed your stop right below the low of the pre-market range, you would have
This represents a total percentage drop of ~49% in 13 minutes! Take that in for a second.
Now of course if you had placed your stop right below the low of the pre-market range, you would have
exited with a 10% loss. Now that’s still huge but is nothing in comparison to 50%.
A Wall Street Journal article touched on the fact the morning has the greatest spread between what
A Wall Street Journal article touched on the fact the morning has the greatest spread between what
buyers and sellers are willing to make a transaction.
The author Dan Strumpf states, “Rising stock-market volatility is proving especially costly for retail
The author Dan Strumpf states, “Rising stock-market volatility is proving especially costly for retail
investors who typically buy and sell stocks soon after the market opens—often the most perilous time
of the trading day.” [3]
#2 – Even When You Are Right You Have to be Fast
If you are trading the morning movers you will need to use 1-minute, 2-minute or 3-minute charts.
The action is so fast 5-minute or 15-minute charts will have you missing the action. Therefore, as the
If you are trading the morning movers you will need to use 1-minute, 2-minute or 3-minute charts.
The action is so fast 5-minute or 15-minute charts will have you missing the action. Therefore, as the
stock is moving in your desired direction, take some money off the table.
#3 – Do Not Worry About Guessing Tops and Bottoms
You will inevitably come to a point in your trading career where you will want to nail tops and bottoms.
You will inevitably come to a point in your trading career where you will want to nail tops and bottoms.
The reality is you will be chasing a ghost.
The morning more than any other time of day is really difficult to call these turning points in the market.
Reason being, again the action is so fast. So, the best thing you can do is focus on making sure your
The morning more than any other time of day is really difficult to call these turning points in the market.
Reason being, again the action is so fast. So, the best thing you can do is focus on making sure your
profit versus what you are risking is always greater and you give the market time to settle.
This way over a large enough sample set, you will beat the market.
But I strongly caution you against reviewing old trades and only focusing on the biggest winners. This will
This way over a large enough sample set, you will beat the market.
But I strongly caution you against reviewing old trades and only focusing on the biggest winners. This will
create a sense of greed inside of you. A better approach is to track the profits and losses on each trade,
so you can begin to develop a sense of the averages you can hope to make based on the volatility of the
security you are trading.
#4 Stops Can Still Trigger Big Losses
If you are trading low float stocks, you need to be prepared for the possibility of 6% to 10% losses. A
If you are trading low float stocks, you need to be prepared for the possibility of 6% to 10% losses. A
classic approach you can use is to place your stops below the breakout candle and even this at times can
present mid to high single-digit percentage losses.
I’m not saying this to scare you away from low float, but you should be realistic in terms of how much
I’m not saying this to scare you away from low float, but you should be realistic in terms of how much
money you use on each low float stock trade.
The other option is to use sub-one-minute charts (30 and 15-second intervals) in order to place tighter
The other option is to use sub-one-minute charts (30 and 15-second intervals) in order to place tighter
stops. If you really want to go granular you can use tick charts in order to further manage the price swings [4].
As mentioned earlier, a 5-minute or even 1-minute bar could have you risking a sizeable amount of money.
In Summary
Hopefully, you have found this article useful and it has provided some additional insight into first-hour
As mentioned earlier, a 5-minute or even 1-minute bar could have you risking a sizeable amount of money.
In Summary
Hopefully, you have found this article useful and it has provided some additional insight into first-hour
trading and some basic approaches you can take in your day trading strategies to capitalize on the
increased volume in the morning session.
For all you history buffs, check out this article which touches upon the history of the market hours. Can
For all you history buffs, check out this article which touches upon the history of the market hours. Can
you believe back in the 1800s, there was no set closing time!
Now take a minute and visit our site, Tradingsim and check out how you can use our day trading simulator
Now take a minute and visit our site, Tradingsim and check out how you can use our day trading simulator
to trade the first hour. You can toggle between regular session hours and pre-market to see all of the
hidden levels to learn which patterns work best for your trading style.
External References
Wigglesworth, Robin. (2018). The 30 Minutes That Have An Outsized Role in US Stock Trading.
External References
Wigglesworth, Robin. (2018). The 30 Minutes That Have An Outsized Role in US Stock Trading.
Financial Times
SMB Training
Strumpf, Dan. (2015). Why Morning Is the Worst Time to Trade Stocks.
The Wall Street Journal
TopDogTrading