5 min read

What Is A Stock Market Flash Crash? [Updated May 2026]

John McDowell : May 23, 2026

A flash crash is a rapid and sudden downfall in the prices of electronically-traded securities in a stock market due to an overwhelming number of...

8 min read

7 Things You Must Know About Dow Futures [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 23, 2026

Dow futures are the derivatives equivalent of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the leading benchmark stock index for the U.S. equity markets. The...

18 min read

What does a reverse stock split mean for investors? [Updated May 2026]

Ella Vincent : May 23, 2026

A reverse stock split can benefit a corporation and an investor. This TradingSim article will explain what that action is. In addition, this article...

5 min read

After Hours Trading – 5 Reasons Why I Stay Away [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 23, 2026

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should; this is what I think of after-hours trading.

7 min read

7 Things to Know About Silver Futures [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 23, 2026

Silver is often overshadowed by its more famous peer, Gold, be it forex, ETF’s or even futures. Despite gold being more popular, silver does manage...

9 min read

Historic Run of the Dow Jones from the October '87 Crash to 20,000 [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 22, 2026

Investors who lost money on Black Monday in October 1987 would have never imagined the strong Bull Run that engulfed the equity markets in the...

8 min read

The Kill Candle Shorting Strategy Explained [Updated May 2026]

John McDowell : May 22, 2026

7 min read

5 Trading Strategies Using the Relative Vigor Index (RVI) [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 22, 2026

In this article, we will cover the relative vigor index. The index is not one of the more popular indicators, but that does not mean it lacks...

12 min read

Day Trading Tips and Strategies for Beginners [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 22, 2026

Getting started as a day trader can seem like a daunting task. There are so many ways to day trade, so many resources available, and so many gurus...

10 min read

Optimal Futures Market Trading Hours - A Comprehensive Guide [Updated May 2026]

John McDowell : May 22, 2026

Futures markets are an integral part of the entire financial markets landscape. Their influence on stocks and commodities is undeniably important —...

8 min read

Best Free Stock Charts for Day Traders [Updated May 2026]

John McDowell : May 20, 2026

Last reviewed and updated by Al Hill on May 20, 2026. Links verified, schema refreshed, and an expanded FAQ added at the bottom of this guide.

Free...

12 min read

Trading Psychology: The Mental Edge [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 20, 2026

Last reviewed and updated by Al Hill on May 20, 2026. Links verified, schema refreshed, and an expanded FAQ added at the bottom of this guide.

...

6 min read

Buying Power Explained: How Brokers Calculate It [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 20, 2026

Last reviewed and updated by Al Hill on May 20, 2026. Links verified, schema refreshed, and an expanded FAQ added at the bottom of this guide.

7 min read

Best Day Trading Chart Patterns [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 20, 2026

Last reviewed and updated by Al Hill on May 20, 2026. Links verified, schema refreshed, and an expanded FAQ added at the bottom of this guide.

Don’t...

8 min read

Corn Futures: 7 Things You Need to Know [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 20, 2026

Last reviewed and updated by Al Hill on May 20, 2026. Links verified, schema refreshed, and an expanded FAQ added at the bottom of this guide.

...

7 min read

Day Trading on Robinhood: Pros and Cons [Updated May 2026]

John McDowell : May 19, 2026

8 min read

What are the Top 10 Most Liquid Futures Contracts? [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 19, 2026

23 min read

Day Trading Salary – How Much Can Top Traders Make [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 19, 2026

9 min read

4 Powerful Harami Candlestick Trading Strategies [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 19, 2026

8 min read

Day Trading Setups – 6 Classic Formations [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 19, 2026

8 min read

Short Squeeze: What It Is and How to Identify the Setup [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 17, 2026

Short squeeze is a term that you might come across every now and then. It usually coincides with a stock that was posting a strong decline but...

10 min read

Mastering Volume Analysis: Top Trading Strategies for Success [Updated May 2026]

John McDowell : May 17, 2026

Volume, volume, volume. If price and volume were a couple, they’d be like Noah and Allie or Jenny and Forrest, two peas in a pod, or like peas and...

9 min read

Webull Day Trading Review: Pros and Cons for Traders [Updated May 2026]

John McDowell : May 17, 2026

Explore the world of day trading with Webull in our in-depth review. We cover the benefits and drawbacks of using Webull for your day trading needs,...

17 min read

Trading Journal Template: Free Excel, Google Sheets & Notion Templates for Traders [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 17, 2026

There was a time — and I'm not proud of this — when I'd finish a trading day, close my screens, and have zero idea why I'd lost money. I mean, I had...

14 min read

Doji: Bullish or Bearish? + Spinning Top, & Harami Indecision Candles [Updated May 2026]

John McDowell : May 17, 2026

Ever wonder, "What is a doji candlestick pattern?" Is a doji candle bullish or bearish? How about a spinning top? Our goal in this tutorial is to...

11 min read

The Ultimate Guide to Futures Trading Simulators: Master the Market Risk-Free [Updated May 2026]

John McDowell : May 16, 2026

Are you struggling to gain real market experience without risking your hard-earned capital? You aren't alone....

7 min read

What Does Capitulate Mean in Trading? [Updated May 2026]

John McDowell : May 16, 2026

The word capitulate means to give up or stop trying. It’s easy to see how this would apply to trading, especially considering the current market...

16 min read

Can You Short Crypto? Yes, and Here's How [Updated May 2026]

John McDowell : May 16, 2026

If you're thinking of shorting crypto, you're not alone. With the recent volatility in the markets in 2022, many investors are looking for ways to...

19 min read

Margin Account vs. Cash Account: Which is better for traders? [Updated May 2026]

Ella Vincent : May 16, 2026

Traders have two main options for their accounts: margin vs. cash. When deciding to choose a margin account vs. cash account, there are many factors...

11 min read

Rising and Falling Wedge Patterns: How to Trade Them [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 16, 2026

Rising and falling wedges are a technical chart pattern used to predict trend continuations and trend reversals. In many cases, when the market is

11 min read

How to Trade Inside Days – 3 Simple Strategies [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 16, 2026

9 min read

Divergence: How-To Identify and Profit from Conflicting Signals [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 16, 2026

Have you ever wondered why a stock will continue higher, even though the indicators are all rolling over? Well, this my friend is what we call...

12 min read

6 Reliable Bullish Candlestick Pattern [Updated May 2026]

John McDowell : May 16, 2026

A proper education in price action wouldn’t be complete without understanding when, how, and where to go long on a stock. Especially using bullish ...

14 min read

8 Best Bearish Candlestick Patterns for Day Trading [Free Cheat Sheet!] [Updated May 2026]

John McDowell : May 16, 2026

Recently, we discussed the general history of candlesticks and their patterns in a prior post. We also have a great tutorial on the most reliable...

10 min read

Three White Soldiers: 3 Things You Must Consider Before Trading [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 16, 2026

The Three White Soldiers pattern is a popular bullish candlestick pattern. It is fairly easy for most traders to spot in real time given the 3 large...

7 min read

The Death Cross in Stock Trading Explained [Updated May 2026]

John McDowell : May 7, 2026

There are two longer-term moving average crossovers that are most famous or infamous among traders. Depending on the type of investor or trader, one...

10 min read

The Epic Volkswagen Short Squeeze Explained [Updated May 2026]

John McDowell : May 7, 2026

The Volkswagen short squeeze of 2008 was epic. Only a few times in history has a stock rocketed that quickly and violently to jaw-dropping prices....

9 min read

5 Key Differences Between Futures and Forward Contracts [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 7, 2026

Futures and forward contracts are derivatives, which on paper look similar. It’s a simple mistake to make since futures and forward contracts both...

8 min read

How to Trade the Dead Cat Bounce [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 7, 2026

In this article, we will cover how to trade the dead cat bounce pattern, which is often a trap for traders looking to get long.

4 min read

Sharpe Ratio – 6 Things You Need to Know [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 7, 2026

In this article, I will cover the Sharpe ratio indicator and if it’s something you can use to track your trading performance. While this ratio is...

10 min read

High Volume Trading Hours for Futures Markets [Updated May 2026]

John McDowell : May 6, 2026

Futures markets are mostly open 24 hours, six days a week from Sunday to Friday. This means that buyers and sellers can trade the market at any time...

10 min read

Effective Volume Candlestick Trading Techniques: A Comprehensive Guide [Updated May 2026]

John McDowell : May 6, 2026

Volume is often considered the second most important data piece on a trading chart, right behind price. However, the truth is that they go hand in...

4 min read

The Plunge Protection Team Explained [Updated May 2026]

John McDowell : May 6, 2026

What is the Plunge Protection Team?

The Plunge Protection Team (PPT) is an informal term for the Working Group on Financial Markets. The working...

10 min read

How to Day Trade without $25k [Updated May 2026]

John McDowell : May 6, 2026

For most retail traders the hurdle to begin day trading can be pretty high. One of the reasons for this is that you are limited to the number of day...

15 min read

3 Simple Cup and Handle Trading Strategies [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 6, 2026

What Is a Cup and Handle Pattern?

A cup and handle pattern is one of the most reliable technical chart patterns in trading. It’s formed when a stock...

11 min read

What Is Paper Trading? Meaning, Benefits & How to Start [Updated May 2026]

John McDowell : May 5, 2026

Discover the world of paper trading and learn how to get started with this comprehensive beginner's guide. From understanding the concept to...

12 min read

Day Trading Taxes Guide for Beginners [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 5, 2026

Taxes are the elephant in the room when it comes to day trading. Everybody wants to tout large PNL gains made over a short amount of time, but nobody...

10 min read

Stock Dilution and Offerings Explained for Beginners [Updated May 2026]

John McDowell : May 5, 2026

What is stock dilution?

Stock dilution is generally seen as a negative characteristic for a publicly-traded company. Not only does it signal that the...

10 min read

Hard To Borrow Stocks and Short Locates Explained [Updated May 2026]

John McDowell : May 5, 2026

Hard-to-borrow stocks and short locates are terms used by active traders who are looking to short stocks which don't have readily available shares to...

11 min read

Awesome Oscillator: 4 Day Trading Strategies [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 5, 2026

What was Bill Williams ^[1] thinking when he came up with the name awesome oscillator?

With names floating around as complex and diverse as moving...

8 min read

Mastering the Art of Shorting the VIX: Strategies for Volatility Trading [Updated May 2026]

John McDowell : May 3, 2026

Uncover the intricacies of shorting the VIX in our detailed guide. Learn effective strategies for betting against market volatility, understand the...

8 min read

Inverse Head and Shoulders Pattern Explained [Updated May 2026]

John McDowell : May 3, 2026

One of the most recognizable trading patterns in the world is the head and shoulders pattern. However, this pattern is mostly associated with...

10 min read

Relative Volume (RVOL): How To Use It For Day Trading [Updated May 2026]

John McDowell : May 3, 2026

Relative volume for day trading explained

Relative volume is one of the most important indicators for day traders. It can help you determine when a...

15 min read

Pattern Day Trader Rule: How to Avoid PDT [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 3, 2026

7 min read

The Shooting Star Candlestick Pattern & the Hammer Candlestick Pattern [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 3, 2026

The shooting star is a single bearish candlestick pattern that is common in technical analysis. The candle falls into the “hammer” group and is a...

7 min read

20 Moving Average Pullback Strategy: Rules & Practice [Updated April 2026]

John McDowell : April 26, 2026

The 20 moving average is an extremely popular indicator in the world of trading. It’s use is ubiquitous no matter the time frame or the type of...

10 min read

Gravestone Doji Candlestick: How to Trade the Bearish Reversal [Updated April 2026]

Al Hill : April 26, 2026

The doji candlestick is one of the most common candlestick reversal patterns you will find in the market. The Gravestone Doji is a variation of this...

6 min read

Day Trading Earnings Gaps: Setups That Work [Updated April 2026]

Al Hill : April 26, 2026

Hi Guys, it’s Kunal from Tradingsim. Earnings season is here! This is the period of time where momentum traders do really well as many story stocks...

9 min read

Keltner Channels vs Bollinger Bands: How to Choose [Updated April 2026]

Al Hill : April 26, 2026

I am a self-proclaimed ATR fanatic, yet I have not explored Keltner Channels. The Keltner Channel is a lagging on-chart indicator that uses a...

10 min read

Ascending Triangle Pattern: How to Trade the Breakout [Updated April 2026]

Al Hill : April 26, 2026

8 min read

Best 3 Flag and Pennant Trading Strategies [Updated April 2026]

Al Hill : April 24, 2026

Flags and pennants are foundational chart patterns of technical analysis. What I mean by this is most technical traders have heard of the patterns,...

12 min read

5 Key Differences between the Stochastic RSI and Stochastic [Updated April 2026]

Al Hill : April 24, 2026

12 min read

How to Trade Symmetrical Triangles — Winning Strategies [Updated April 2026]

Al Hill : April 24, 2026

To practice the symmetrical triangle example detailed in this article visit https://www.tradingsim.com.

9 min read

Candlestick Charts – Reversal Patterns [Updated April 2026]

Al Hill : April 24, 2026

10 min read

Trend Trading Explained + Chart Examples and Video Scanning Guide [Updated April 2026]

Al Hill : April 24, 2026

12 min read

Bounce Trading Strategy

Al Hill : April 24, 2026

If you're like me, you've tried to catch the bottom of every sell-off, and you've been wrong most of the time. The stock keeps selling, your stop...

9 min read

Stars, Dojis, and Abandoned Babies — Powerful Reversal Strategies [Updated April 2026]

Al Hill : April 23, 2026

Candlestick patterns can have some crazy names sometimes. Stars, dojis, and abandoned babies? The Japanese were fond of naming candlestick patterns...

17 min read

Best Moving Average for Day Trading [Updated April 2026]

Al Hill : April 23, 2026

14 min read

Day Trading Breakouts – 4 Simple, Explosive Strategies + Video [Updated April 2026]

Al Hill : April 23, 2026

7 min read

See Why Futures Contracts Rollover – Learn How It Impacts the Market [Updated April 2026]

Al Hill : April 23, 2026

9 min read

Exponential Moving Average Guide for Beginners [Updated April 2026]

John McDowell : April 23, 2026

When starting out in trading, there are a barrage of indicators thrown at you, all with promising strategies tied to them. The exponential moving...

15 min read

RSI Trade Settings Explained + 4 Unique Trading Strategies [Updated April 2026]

Al Hill : April 22, 2026

The relative strength index (RSI) is one of the most popular oscillators in all of trading. You have likely read some general articles on the RSI...

14 min read

Volume Analysis — 4 Simple Trading Strategies Using Chart Patterns [Updated April 2026]

Al Hill : April 22, 2026

Volume analysis is the technique of assessing the health of a trend based on volume activity. In fact, volume is one of the oldest day trading...

19 min read

The Beginner's Guide to Day Trading [Updated April 2026]

John McDowell : April 22, 2026

17 min read

Three Fibonacci Trading Strategies + Infographic & Video [Updated April 2026]

Al Hill : April 22, 2026

16 min read

MACD Ultimate Guide + 5 Profitable Trading Strategies [Updated April 2026]

Al Hill : April 22, 2026

9 min read

Position Sizing Guide

Al Hill : April 22, 2026

I've seen brilliant traders with 60% win rates blow up their accounts.

7 min read

Gamma Squeeze Explained: Options, Dealers & The Feedback Loop [Updated April 2026]

John McDowell : April 20, 2026

What is a gamma squeeze?

By now we’ve all heard about what a short squeeze is and how they happen in the stock market. If we take a short squeeze one...

8 min read

Harmonic Patterns in Stock Trading: Gartley, Bat, Butterfly & Crab [Updated April 2026]

John McDowell : April 20, 2026

What are harmonic patterns in stock trading?

Harmonic patterns are used in technical analysis that traders use to find trend reversals. By using...

10 min read

How to Find the Best Stocks for Day Trading: 5-Filter Watch List [Updated April 2026]

Al Hill : April 20, 2026

Half the battle in day trading is actually being able to pick the best stocks for day trading. Unlike swing trading or long-term investing, you want...

16 min read

Day Trading with Pivot Points: Levels, Setups & Formulas [Updated April 2026]

Al Hill : April 20, 2026

Today we will dive deep into the significance of Pivot Points for day trading. When you finish reading this article, you will understand the 5...

14 min read

The Definitive Guide to the VWAP Indicator: Fair Value for Day Traders [Updated April 2026]

Kunal Vakil : April 20, 2026

11 min read

Micro Futures Trading: A Beginner Guide to MES, MNQ & MCL [Updated April 2026]

John McDowell : April 19, 2026

Micro futures have evolved out of the bigger landscape of futures trading as an instrument that allows traders of all experience levels to...

8 min read

Swing High and Swing Low: Trend Trading Guide [Updated April 2026]

Al Hill : April 19, 2026

11 min read

The 50-Day Moving Average: Guide, Setups & Golden Cross [Updated April 2026]

Al Hill : April 19, 2026

16 min read

Candlestick Patterns Explained: Bullish & Bearish Setups [Updated April 2026]

John McDowell : April 19, 2026

Trading without candlestick patterns is a lot like flying in the night with no visibility. Sure, it is doable, but it requires special training...

8 min read

The 3 Bar Play Pattern: Entry, Stop & Target Rules [Updated April 2026]

John McDowell : April 19, 2026

The 3 Bar Play is the natural progression to the strategies we’ve discussed lately regarding the market open. It’s a great addition to the 1...

10 min read

Mastering Stock Trading: Best Platforms, Simulators, and Strategies for Beginners [Updated April 2026]

John McDowell : April 18, 2026

Stock trading can be a rewarding and profitable activity, but staying profitable can be challenging. Just like any other profession, stock trading...

11 min read

Mastering Market Algorithms: The Comprehensive Guide to Quantitative Trading [Updated April 2026]

John McDowell : April 18, 2026

Dive into the heart of Quantitative Trading and unveil how leveraging algorithms, statistical analysis, and automated trading systems can...

8 min read

The Short Seller Restriction Rule (SSR) Explained for Day Trading [Updated April 2026]

John McDowell : April 18, 2026

What is short sale restriction?

Short sale restriction (SSR) is an interesting trading rule that was established in 2010 and is not always popular...

12 min read

The AMC Short Squeeze Explanation [Updated April 2026]

John McDowell : April 18, 2026

What is the AMC squeeze? 

The AMC squeeze was a black swan event on the US stock market that initially took place in January of 2021, and culminated...

12 min read

The GME GameStop Short Squeeze Explained [Updated April 2026]

John McDowell : April 18, 2026

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past year, you’ll know that GME is the ticker symbol for the wildly popular meme stock, GameStop...

11 min read

Volume Profile Trading Strategies for Day Traders [Updated April 2026]

John McDowell : April 17, 2026

What Is Volume Profile?

A Volume Profile is a volume-by-price trading indicator that shows the total trading activity or volume traded at each price...

9 min read

ABCD Pattern Day Trading: Setup, Entry & Exit Guide [Updated April 2026]

John McDowell : April 17, 2026

The classic version of the abcd trading pattern is a harmonic pattern consisting of two equal legs A-B and C-D. As a day trading pattern, these two...

12 min read

Bull Flag Pattern: How to Spot & Trade It [Updated April 2026]

John McDowell : April 17, 2026

Bull flag trading patterns are one of many patterns that traders study in the markets. Trading patterns are a way to simplify the markets and...

10 min read

VCP Pattern: Volatility Contraction Trading Guide [Updated April 2026]

John McDowell : April 17, 2026

The Volatility Contraction Pattern, or VCP, as it has come to be known, has been popularized by Mark Minervini in his books Think and Trade Like a...

10 min read

The Descending Triangle Pattern - Learn 5 Simple Trading Strategies [Updated April 2026]

Al Hill : April 17, 2026

10 min read

Day Trading Demystified: A Comprehensive Guide to Using Demo Accounts [Updated April 2026]

John McDowell : April 8, 2026

Beginner’s Guide to Day Trading in Demo Accounts

So you want to be a day trader, huh? Alright. Well, your work is cut out for you. Chances are you've...

13 min read

7 Swing Trading Strategies That Actually Work [2026 Guide]

Al Hill : April 5, 2026

Swing trades held for 2-10 days captured 68% of the S&P 500's total return over the last decade, according to analysis from J.P. Morgan's equity...

9 min read

Pre Market Trading: What It Is, How It Works, and How Traders Use It

Kunal Vakil : April 3, 2026

What Is Pre Market Trading?

Pre market trading...

15 min read

Day Trading for Beginners: The Complete Guide to Getting Started in 2026

Al Hill : March 23, 2026
Last Updated: April 2, 2026

Last updated: March 2026 | Reading time: 18 min

9 min read

Bull Trap in Stocks: How to Spot and Avoid It

Al Hill : March 22, 2026
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

If you’ve traded stocks long enough, you’ve probably experienced it—that moment when you see a breakout reversal pattern that looks unstoppable, you...

14 min read

Day Trading vs Swing Trading: Which Strategy Suits You Best?

Al Hill : December 13, 2025
Last Updated: April 4, 2026

11 min read

Avoid These Common Mistakes in Day Trading

John McDowell : November 23, 2025
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Master Day-Trading: Avoid Common Mistakes

Day trading is steep to learn, and many new active traders lose money early on. “Day‑trading mistakes” are...

11 min read

Master Chart Patterns: Key Basics Explained

John McDowell : November 21, 2025
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Chart patterns are repeatable price formations on candlestick or bar charts that reveal how groups of traders react and help you estimate what may...

11 min read

How to Spot Chart Patterns Like a Pro

Al Hill : November 19, 2025
Last Updated: April 4, 2026

Spot Chart Patterns Like a Pro: Master Technical Analysis for More Confident Trading

Chart patterns are repeatable price formations traders use to...

13 min read

Master Chart Patterns and Market Trends for Smarter Trading

Al Hill : November 17, 2025
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Understanding Chart Patterns and Market Trends for Smarter Stock Trading

Chart patterns and market trends are recurring price formations and...

10 min read

Maximize Your Gains: Day Trading Benefits You Should Know

John McDowell : November 16, 2025
Last Updated: April 2, 2026

Day Trading: Clear Advantages, Earning Potential, and the Flexibility Traders Value

Day trading is the practice of buying and selling financial...

16 min read

Master Stock Trading Fundamentals: A Guide for New Investors

John McDowell : November 6, 2025
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Stock Trading Fundamentals for New Investors: How to Start and Succeed in the Stock Market

Stock trading fundamentals are the core concepts that...

18 min read

Unlock Your Success: Day Trading Strategies for Beginners

Al Hill : October 27, 2025
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Mastering Day Trading: Essential Strategies for New Traders

Day trading involves buying and selling financial instruments within the same trading day...

16 min read

Master Day Trading Terminology: Your Essential Guide

Al Hill : October 27, 2025
Last Updated: April 2, 2026

Conquer Day Trading Terms

Day trading lingo refers to the specific words and phrases traders use to talk about orders, risk controls, market...

8 min read

Aroon Indicator: How to Use It in Day Trading [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 25, 2025
Last Updated: May 26, 2026

The Aroon indicator was developed by Tushar Chande, who also created the Chande Momentum Oscillator indicator and the Qstick.

When it comes to day...

10 min read

Nasdaq 100 Futures (NQ): 5 Things to Know [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 25, 2025
Last Updated: May 26, 2026

The Nasdaq 100 futures are part of the index futures contracts offered by the CME Group. They are one of the popular index futures with different...

9 min read

What Is a Futures Contract? Day Trader Guide [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 25, 2025
Last Updated: May 26, 2026

9 min read

Gold Futures – 5 Simple Day Trading Strategies [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 25, 2025
Last Updated: May 26, 2026

For traders looking at consistency and profits, there is nothing better than trading gold futures. Of course, e-mini S&P500 does come in close...

9 min read

What Is a Market Maker? Stock Market Basics [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : May 25, 2025
Last Updated: May 26, 2026

The term market makers is something you might have come across very often in the world of financial trading. Be it forex, stocks or futures, market...

8 min read

Women in Stock Trading - Breaking Barriers and Leading the Way

John McDowell : November 9, 2024
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Historically speaking, the world of stock trading has traditionally been dominated by men. But that heuristic is quickly changing. Women are...

8 min read

Mastering IPO Investments: Your Ultimate Guide to Finding and Investing in Promising IPOs

John McDowell : October 12, 2024
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

IPOs or Initial Public Offerings are often regarded as attractive investment opportunities for investors to earn extra returns by being part of the...

9 min read

The Power of Long-Term Investing: Building Wealth Through Patience and Strategy

John McDowell : September 30, 2024
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

“Our favorite holding period is forever.” You can probably guess who said that. Yes, this famous quote is from Warren Buffet, one of the most...

7 min read

AI Stocks and Rate-Sensitive Plays: Navigating Rising Trends in Stock Trading

John McDowell : September 17, 2024
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

AI stocks have been in the limelight since the introduction of generative AI software and IT infrastructure solutions. Companies have been pouring...

8 min read

The Growing Role of AI in Finance: Revolutionizing Investment Strategies, Risk Management, and Customer Service

John McDowell : September 14, 2024
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Even though AI technology is still in its developmental stages, it has blown everyone away with its tremendous capabilities. Generative AI tools like...

8 min read

Algorithmic Trading: Revolutionizing the Financial Markets with Precision and Speed (Updated 2026)

John McDowell : September 5, 2024
Last Updated: May 23, 2026

[Updated May 2026 — refreshed for current market context and SEO best practices.]

A significant percentage of daily trading volume in today’s...

8 min read

Navigating Volatility: How Geopolitical Tensions Shape Global Financial Markets

John McDowell : August 29, 2024
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Wars, natural disasters, political unrest, disease outbreaks, regime change, and trade disputes are some of the many examples of geopolitical events....

8 min read

Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump: How Their Potential Leadership Could Shape Financial Markets

John McDowell : August 24, 2024
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

With the presidential elections approaching, the election-related activities are picking up steam along with the presidential candidates wooing the...

8 min read

The Impact of Central Bank Policies on Emerging Markets: What to Expect in the Coming Months

John McDowell : August 15, 2024
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

What are Emerging Markets?

Emerging markets refer to economies of developing countries with high growth rates. This is in contrast to developed...

8 min read

Dividend Investing in a Rising Interest Rate Environment

John McDowell : August 9, 2024
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Dividend investing gives you the best of both worlds in stock investing: dividends and potential capital appreciation through stock appreciation....

8 min read

The AI Revolution in Investing: Friend or Foe?

John McDowell : August 4, 2024
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and generative AI technologies like ChatGPT and Google Gemini have taken the world by storm, with almost every industry...

7 min read

Trading Based on Political News: A High-Risk, High-Reward Game

John McDowell : July 31, 2024
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

"This is a man's world," cries James Brown. It's one of Donald Trump's favorite songs. He plays it along with his favorites from Sinatra while out on...

7 min read

Riding the Power Trend: Navigating the Next Big Market Wave

John McDowell : July 29, 2024
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

If the stock market were a rock song, a power trend would be the epic riff near the end of the song. It's like buying on margin toward the end of...

8 min read

The Psychology Behind Meme Stock Traders: Motivations and Behaviors

John McDowell : July 9, 2024
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

We've talked a lot about meme stocks at TradingSim, mainly because they are so popular among traders. If you're unfamiliar with what they are,...

8 min read

Hedge Funds and Short Squeezes: The Driving Forces Behind Meme Stocks

John McDowell : July 3, 2024
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Meme stocks are shares of companies that have gone viral on social media platforms as a result of investing recommendations. They are the subject of...

8 min read

How Social Media Shapes Meme Stock Prices: A Deep Dive

John McDowell : June 29, 2024
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

What is a Meme Stock?

Meme stocks are shares of listed companies whose prices and trading volume are heavily influenced by the activity of retail...

8 min read

Mastering Investment Strategies for Meme Stocks: Tips and Insights

John McDowell : June 25, 2024
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Meme stocks are shares of a company that experience a sudden and rapid rise in trading volume and price due to social media sentiment. Social media...

9 min read

Mastering NASDAQ Futures: Trading Strategies for Tech Indices

John McDowell : May 9, 2024
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Welcome to our guide on mastering trading strategies for the NASDAQ futures contracts! Discover key strategies for trading Nasdaq futures and...

8 min read

How to Choose the Best Futures Trading Broker - Essential Tips

John McDowell : May 7, 2024
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Futures contracts, as they are traditionally defined, are legal agreements made on the trading floor of a futures exchange. This has mostly gone the...

9 min read

Leveraging Trading Simulators for Enhanced Technical Analysis Skills

John McDowell : March 27, 2024
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Technical analysis is a powerful tool for traders, but mastering it requires practice. From pattern recognition to understanding indicators, there...

7 min read

The Importance of Realistic Trading Simulators in Mastering Risk Management

John McDowell : March 26, 2024
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Risk management trumps everything in trading markets. Without it, you have no strategy, no safe-guards, and no longevity in the business. The road to...

7 min read

Unlocking the Potential of Trading Simulators for Market Analysis Training

John McDowell : March 20, 2024
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Sharpening Your Trading Decisions with a Simulator

Trading simulators offer a safe space to hone your skills before risking real capital. Think of...

7 min read

How to Use Day Trading Simulators to Develop Your Trading Strategy

John McDowell : March 16, 2024
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Day trading is risky business. The stakes are high and there are many challenges to become successful. Here at TradingSim, we don't sugar-coat...

8 min read

Explore Crypto Trading Risk-Free: Master Free Paper Trading Strategies

John McDowell : February 19, 2024
Last Updated: April 4, 2026

Unlock the secrets of cryptocurrency trading with our in-depth guide on free paper trading. Ideal for both novices and seasoned traders, learn to...

9 min read

Exploring the Crypto-bubble: Insights and Analysis of Cryptocurrency Market Trends

John McDowell : January 24, 2024
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Dive deep into the world of the crypto bubble with with us. Explore the dynamics of cryptocurrency markets, understand the speculative trends, and...

7 min read

Paper Trading vs. Simulated Trading: A Comparative Study in Cryptocurrency Markets

John McDowell : December 25, 2023
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Explore the intricate world of cryptocurrency trading through the lens of paper trading and simulated trading in ‘Paper Trading vs. Simulated...

9 min read

Pscyhological Aspects of Paper Trading vs. Real Crypto Trading

John McDowell : December 22, 2023
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Cryptocurrency paper trading is a relatively new experience with very few apps offering this service. While nothing new to the world of equities and...

8 min read

Mastering the Art of Paper Trading in Futures Markets: Strategies for Success

John McDowell : December 20, 2023
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Explore the comprehensive guide to paper trading in futures markets. This article delves into key strategies and tools for effective market...

7 min read

Commodity Trading Secrets Revealed: A Deep Dive into the Goldman Sachs Commodity Index

John McDowell : December 4, 2023
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Introduction to Commodity Trading

Commodity trading involves much of what we'd consider the necessities of life. Hence the name, commodities. This...

8 min read

Retire Rich: Smart Strategies for Maximizing Your RRSP Investments

John McDowell : November 26, 2023
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Registered Retirement Savings Plans are a great way for Canadian citizens to build a retirement by avoiding taxes. Having an effective retirement...

8 min read

Tax-Smart Investing: Your Ultimate Guide to Tax Loss Harvesting

John McDowell : November 25, 2023
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Uncover the strategic advantage of Tax Loss Harvesting to optimize your tax liability. This comprehensive guide walks you through key techniques,...

8 min read

Green Profits: How ESG Investing is Reshaping the Future of Finance

John McDowell : November 24, 2023
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Discover the power of ESG investing to drive both financial gains and positive change. Learn about sustainable investment strategies, the latest...

9 min read

Unlocking Wealth: The Insider's Guide to Investing in Gold Bullion

John McDowell : November 23, 2023
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Ah, yes. That timeless sheen. That glimmer of riches. The money of kings. Acceptable to all religions. It opens every palace gate without hesitation....

10 min read

Pro Trader Chronicles: Strategies and Tools That Fuel Professional Trading Success

John McDowell : November 21, 2023
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Ascend your trading journey by exploring the tools and strategies employed by top-tier professional traders. With insights on risk management,...

9 min read

Community-Driven Success: Unveiling the Best Social Trader Tools of 2023

John McDowell : November 19, 2023
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Step into the collaborative world of social trading with our thorough breakdown of premier Social Trader Tools for 2023. Leverage collective wisdom...

5 min read

Trading Strategies 101

Al Hill : October 21, 2023
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Trading Strategies: they’re infinite. But, thankfully, you don’t have to know them ALL! And that’s what we are here for. Standing at the ledge of...

8 min read

Day Trading Rules for Stocks, Options, and Futures

Al Hill : October 13, 2023
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Day trading refers to buying and selling any financial instrument, such as stocks, bonds, options, ETFs, etc., within the same day without holding...

7 min read

History of Bear Markets

John McDowell : August 3, 2022
Last Updated: April 2, 2026

As we find ourselves in the midst of a brutal bear market in 2022, it may be a good exercise to study the past in order to be better educated on what...

6 min read

How to Invest in a Bear Market

John McDowell : July 19, 2022
Last Updated: April 2, 2026

What is a Bear Market?

How exactly is a bear market defined? The most commonly used definition for a bear market is when major indices, like the S&P...

7 min read

Forex Day Trading Explanation with Strategies

John McDowell : July 13, 2022
Last Updated: March 29, 2026

What is forex day trading?

Forex day trading involves buying and selling foreign currency pairs during the trading day to profit from intraday price...

5 min read

What Is the Most Expensive Stock?

John McDowell : July 11, 2022
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

What is the most expensive stock ever?

While it may be more of a novelty for most traders to think about, the most expensive stocks in the world are...

4 min read

What Are Shares in Stocks?

John McDowell : July 8, 2022
Last Updated: October 13, 2023

Shares are units of equity stock and represent equity ownership in a company. The persons or institutions holding shares of a company are called...

5 min read

Pips in Forex Trading Explained

John McDowell : July 7, 2022
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

What is a pip in forex trading?

Pip is short for “percentage in point” or “price interest point,” which is the smallest price movement in the...

7 min read

Crypto Crash and Crypto Winter Explained

John McDowell : July 4, 2022
Last Updated: March 19, 2024

Crypto crash and crypto winters: what are they?

Crypto crash and crypto winter are both terms used to describe a period of time when the prices of...

3 min read

What Is the Financial Stability Oversight Council?

John McDowell : July 1, 2022
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

What is the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC)?

The Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) is the United States federal government...

3 min read

Insider Trading Explained

John McDowell : June 29, 2022
Last Updated: March 5, 2024

What is insider trading?

Insider trading refers to trading in the stock of a publicly-traded company by its directors, employees, or anyone who has...

2 min read

What is Limit Up - Limit Down in Day Trading?

John McDowell : June 28, 2022
Last Updated: March 29, 2026

Limit down in day trading refers to a large decline in the prices of a financial asset or an index, which triggers a temporary halt in its trading on...

6 min read

Web 5.0 versus Web 3.0: What's the Difference?

John McDowell : June 23, 2022
Last Updated: March 19, 2024

Why Jack Dorsey Wants Web 5.0

While Web 3.0 hasn't even arrived yet, some visionaries are already dreaming about Web 5.0. Jack Dorsey, the former CEO...

3 min read

What Is a Block Trade?

John McDowell : June 21, 2022
Last Updated: March 29, 2026

A block trade is a large-sized stock order that takes place outside of the publicly traded stock market. By the definition of the NYSE and NASDAQ...

6 min read

Stock Halts and Circuit Breaker Halts Explained

John McDowell : June 20, 2022
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

What is a stock halt?

A stock halt is a temporary suspension in the trading of a particular stock by the exchange. It is one of the many regulations...

3 min read

What Is Alpha in Trading?

John McDowell : June 17, 2022
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

In trading, alpha refers to the excess or above-market return generated by a trader or a trading strategy over a period of time. It is also commonly...

7 min read

Beginners Guide to Bitcoin Futures

John McDowell : June 14, 2022
Last Updated: March 29, 2026

What are Bitcoin futures?

As with other assets like commodities or stocks, you can invest in the future prices of cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin futures...

6 min read

What are Sol Stocks (Tokens)?

John McDowell : June 9, 2022
Last Updated: March 29, 2026

What are SOL Stocks?

Solana crypto project is the name behind the SOL Stocks, also known as SOLs. These tokens are passed onto nodes present within a...

7 min read

Over the Counter (OTC) Stock Trading Explained (Updated 2026)

John McDowell : June 6, 2022
Last Updated: May 23, 2026

[Updated May 2026 — refreshed for current market context and SEO best practices.]

What are over the counter stocks?

Over the Counter or OTC stocks...

8 min read

Ethereum Proof of Work and Proof of Stake Explained

John McDowell : June 3, 2022
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

What is proof of work in crypto?

The Proof of Work consensus mechanism is the most widely used consensus algorithm in cryptocurrency today. This...

6 min read

Mean Reversion Trading Strategies Explained

John McDowell : June 2, 2022
Last Updated: March 29, 2026

Mean Reversion Definition

Reversion to the mean, or "mean reversion," is just another way of describing a move in stock prices back to an average....

9 min read

How to Day Trade Crypto - Beginners Guide

John McDowell : June 1, 2022
Last Updated: March 29, 2026

If you're getting into the crypto world and are looking to make some good money, day trading could be a great avenue. Sure, people who get in early...

5 min read

Three Black Crows Candlestick Pattern Tutorial

John McDowell : May 31, 2022
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Three black crows sounds ominous -- like a murder of crows circling a meal. And when it comes to stock trading, this candlestick pattern usually does...

4 min read

What Is Quadruple Witching Day in the Stock Market?

John McDowell : May 26, 2022
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

If you are under the impression that every trading session is the same, then we are sorry to say this, but you are sorely mistaken. There are certain...

8 min read

Understanding Basic Options Trading for Beginners

John McDowell : May 25, 2022
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Trading in the financial markets can be a risky endeavor with just as much potential for reward as gain. Basic Options contracts are no exception to...

12 min read

Understanding the Metaverse for Dummies

John McDowell : May 23, 2022
Last Updated: December 3, 2023

How many times have you heard about the "metaverse" but haven't really taken the time to understand what it is? Maybe you think it has something to...

5 min read

Meme Stocks Explained for Beginners

John McDowell : May 21, 2022
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

What Are Meme Stocks?

Where were you in January of 2021 when the meme stock phenomenon first started with AMC and GameStop stocks? While these are...

5 min read

Power Hour in Stock Trading for Beginners

John McDowell : May 14, 2022
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Power hour conjures a myriad of assumptions in stock trading. Could it be akin to happy hour, where everyone takes a shot if their trades go well?...

5 min read

US Stock Exchange Calendar: Trading Days in a Year 2026 [Updated May 2026]

John McDowell : May 13, 2022
Last Updated: May 23, 2026

US Stock Exchange Calendar: Trading Days in a Year 2026 [Updated May 2026]

By Al Hill · Updated May 23, 2026

If you trade U.S. equities, the stock...

7 min read

What Is Fibonacci Retracement and How To Use It

John McDowell : May 10, 2022
Last Updated: April 2, 2026

What are the Fibonacci sequence and the Golden ratio?

A Fibonacci sequence is a number pattern that was discovered and introduced in the 13th century...

9 min read

Penny Stocks Explained for Beginners

John McDowell : May 9, 2022
Last Updated: March 29, 2026

What are Penny Stocks?

Penny stocks refer to small companies that usually trade at low prices in the stock market, from a few pennies to $5 per...

12 min read

Bear Market Explanation and Investing Strategies

John McDowell : May 4, 2022
Last Updated: April 2, 2026

There is a cliché that “stocks only go up.” Well, in a bull market, that might be true. However, in a bear market, over 75% of stocks go down with...

7 min read

Stock Trading Simulators for Beginners

John McDowell : May 2, 2022
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Stock trading simulators serve a unique purpose in the world of trading and investing. While not always popular, they provide the necessary...

7 min read

Can the stock market still crash?

John McDowell : April 26, 2022
Last Updated: April 2, 2026

This question seems to be on a lot of investors' minds lately. Inflation is no longer transitory according to the Federal Reserve, growth stocks are...

3 min read

Are the Nasdaq and S&P 500 creating a head and shoulders pattern?

John McDowell : April 20, 2022
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Is the market putting in a head and shoulders pattern right now? That’s the question I think we are all wondering. We’ve had a fantastic bull run...

7 min read

How to Trade with the ADX – (Average Directional Index)

Al Hill : March 18, 2022
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

8 min read

Level 2 Quotes: How to Read Market Depth & Order Flow [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : March 7, 2022
Last Updated: May 23, 2026

Level 2 Quotes: How to Read Market Depth and Order Flow [Updated May 2026]

By Al Hill · Updated May 23, 2026

If you want to learn how to read Level 2...

19 min read

Chart Patterns

John McDowell : March 4, 2022
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

6 min read

The Head and Shoulders Pattern: How to Trade Tops and Bottoms

Al Hill : February 24, 2022
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

12 min read

How to Find the Most Active Stocks to Day Trade + Free Video Tutorials!

Al Hill : February 21, 2022
Last Updated: March 29, 2026

4 min read

How to Use Paper Trading Apps & Simulators

John McDowell : February 9, 2022
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

7 min read

The 8 Best Day Trading Podcasts Worth Subscribing To in 2022

John McDowell : February 7, 2022
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

4 min read

What’s Your Trading Personality, and Why You Should Know…

John McDowell : February 2, 2022
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

6 min read

How to Overcome Fear and Emotions in Trading

John McDowell : February 1, 2022
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

9 min read

Stick Sandwich Candlestick Pattern: How to Trade It [Updated May 2026]

Al Hill : January 31, 2022
Last Updated: May 23, 2026

Stick Sandwich Candlestick Pattern: How to Trade It [Updated May 2026]

By Al Hill · Updated May 23, 2026

The stick sandwich is one of the rarer...

6 min read

Simulation Trading: 4 Best Practices for Profitability

John McDowell : January 27, 2022
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

4 min read

Gann Square of Nine – How to Trade Using This Forecasting Tool

Al Hill : January 26, 2022
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Considered one of the “titans of technical analysis,” Gann and his Gann Square have gone down in trading history with the likes of Dow, Wyckoff,...

5 min read

Paper Trading Platforms – 1 Gigantic Myth

John McDowell : January 25, 2022
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

7 min read

The Best Stock Simulators with Replay in 2022 – Which is the Best?

John McDowell : January 21, 2022
Last Updated: March 31, 2026