8 min read

Best Futures to Trade for Beginners: Your First Contract

Al Hill : October 4, 2026

The question I get from almost every trader who decides to add futures to their toolkit is some version of which contract do I start with. It sounds ...

7 min read

RUT Futures: How to Day Trade the Russell 2000 (RTY)

Al Hill : October 3, 2026

Every few weeks a reader asks me where to find a quote for RUT futures, and the answer always starts with a small correction. RUT is the index ...

7 min read

Micro vs Mini Futures for Evaluation Accounts

Al Hill : September 19, 2026

The September equity index contracts expired on Friday morning, and the December contract is now the one on everyone's screen, micros and minis ...

10 min read

Position Sizing Guide [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 18, 2026

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

7 min read

How to Trade with Support and Resistance Levels [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 18, 2026

If you have landed on this page I assume you are looking for information around how to trade with support and resistance levels, what support and ...

8 min read

See How to Identify and Trade Stock Market Bubbles [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 18, 2026

Stock market bubbles often evoke fear among the general trading community. The phenomenon occurs every so frequently in the markets across different ...

7 min read

5 Strategies for Day Trading with the Arnaud Legoux Moving Average [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 18, 2026

Arnaud Legoux moving average or ALMA for short is a recent addition to the family of moving average technical indicators. Developed by Arnaud Legoux ...

8 min read

Alligator Indicator versus the Triple EMA [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 18, 2026

If you are a fan of trading with moving averages and unfamiliar with the alligator indicator, get ready for a pleasant surprise. In this article, we ...

8 min read

Level 2 and Time & Sales Practice in a Simulator

Al Hill : September 18, 2026

I have already written a full guide to reading Level 2 quotes and another on interpreting the Time and Sales window. Both explain what the panels ...

9 min read

Understanding Stock Float and Its Impact on Stock Price [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 14, 2026

Stock float is one of the most important metrics that can influence the price of a security. While it can be a confusing term to understand as a ...

4 min read

What Is Alpha in Trading? [Updated September 2026]

John McDowell : September 14, 2026

Key Takeaways Alpha measures the excess return a trader, strategy, or portfolio earns above (or below) a benchmark such as the S&P 500. (As of ...

9 min read

Pink Sheets - Introduction to Pink Sheets and Why They Exist [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 14, 2026

Pink sheets might remind you of a piece of pink paper used for taking notes or memos.

9 min read

Best Strategies to Use with the 200-Day Simple Moving Average [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 14, 2026

Key Takeaways The 200-day SMA averages the last 200 closing prices and is the most widely watched long-term trend line in equities. The basic rule is ...

12 min read

How Many Monitors Do I Need for Day Trading? [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 14, 2026

Key Takeaways One monitor is enough to day trade profitably. Most traders add screens to feel busy, not because the extra screen improves a decision. ...

7 min read

Passing a Futures Evaluation: A 30-Day Replay Plan

Al Hill : September 14, 2026

I have already written about why you should rebuild a prop firm evaluation inside a simulator before you pay for one. The question I kept getting ...

6 min read

7 Best Futures Trading Books [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 10, 2026

8 min read

Accumulation Distribution Indicator: Signals and Strategy [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 10, 2026

8 min read

Volume Weighted Moving Average (VWMA) Trading Guide [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 10, 2026

Editor’s note — updated September 2026. The annotated chart examples below are drawn from 2015 sessions and are kept as originally published, because ...

7 min read

Renko Charts Explained: How to Build and Trade Them [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 10, 2026

What are Renko Charts

11 min read

How to Invest in Single Stock Futures [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 10, 2026

Single Stock Futures

9 min read

The Golden Cross Explained + Three Easy Strategies [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 9, 2026

Key Takeaways A golden cross occurs when a faster moving average (typically the 50-day) crosses above a slower one (the 200-day), signaling a ...

16 min read

Day Trading vs Swing Trading: Which Strategy Suits You Best? [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 9, 2026
Last Updated: October 9, 2026

18 min read

Top 7 Reasons to Start Investing Early [Updated September 2026]

Ella Vincent : September 9, 2026

There are many advantages to start investing early in life. If an investor builds their portfolios in their 20’s or even 30’s, they can start wealth ...

9 min read

Meme Stocks Explained for Beginners [Updated September 2026]

John McDowell : September 9, 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 ...

9 min read

Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) – Chip Industry [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 9, 2026

Philadelphia semiconductor index is a unique index that tracks the semiconductor sector. The semiconductor industry comprises of manufacturers of all ...

8 min read

Scalping Practice: Building Speed on Replay

Al Hill : September 8, 2026

Scalping punishes hesitation more than any other trading style. A swing trader who takes ten extra seconds to enter loses almost nothing. A scalper ...

7 min read

What Is the Most Expensive Stock? [Updated September 2026]

John McDowell : September 7, 2026

Key Takeaways (Updated September 2026) As of September 2026, Berkshire Hathaway Class A (BRK.A) is the most expensive stock in the world, near ...

12 min read

6 Reliable Bullish Candlestick Pattern [Updated September 2026]

John McDowell : September 7, 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 ...

6 min read

Trading Days in a Year – So How Many are There Really? [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 7, 2026

Key Takeaways There are 251 trading days in 2026 — 249 full sessions plus 2 early-close half-days (the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve). (As ...

9 min read

How to Day Trade Penny Stocks without Losing Your Shirt [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 7, 2026

9 min read

Can You Succeed as a Day Trader? (How to avoid the 90% failure rate) [Updated September 2026]

John McDowell : September 7, 2026

Can I succeed as a day trader? Can I really make a living doing this? Let’s be honest. All day traders have asked this question at some point in ...

5 min read

A Guide to US Savings Bonds [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 6, 2026

Updated September 2026. This guide first ran in 2011, when paper savings bonds were still sold at bank branches and Series EE bonds were bought at ...

9 min read

7 Key Differences Between Copper and Gold Futures [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 6, 2026

Copper futures are part of the metals futures asset group, which is made up of copper, palladium, silver, gold and platinum. Technically referred to ...

9 min read

How to Trade Double Tops – Winning Strategies [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 6, 2026

Today we are going to talk about a very common chart formation. It is a reversal chart pattern, which appears at the end of trends. If you notice an ...

7 min read

Trailing Stop Loss – Learn How to Manage Your Trades [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 6, 2026

Key Takeaways (Updated June 2026) A trailing stop loss is a stop order that moves with price in your favor, locking in gains while capping downside. ...

18 min read

10 Best Holdings in QQQ Stock [Updated September 2026]

Ella Vincent : September 6, 2026

Key Takeaways QQQ tracks the Nasdaq-100, so its top holdings are the largest non-financial Nasdaq companies, dominated by megacap technology. (As of ...

10 min read

Dividend Investing in a Rising Interest Rate Environment [Updated September 2026]

John McDowell : September 4, 2026

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

9 min read

Black Tuesday 1929 – 4 Things You Need to Know [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 4, 2026

6 min read

5 Key Differences between Logarithmic Scale and Linear Scale [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 4, 2026

Every stock chart contains two axes – x-axis to plot time and the y-axis to plot price. There are basically two ways to plot price – linear and ...

7 min read

Bear Trap – Best Strategies to Profit from Short Squeezes [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 4, 2026

Have you ever felt the devastating market force of a bear trap? The all but certain bullish trend stops abruptly and a trend reversal begins. Then ...

8 min read

Rectangle Pattern: 5 Steps for Day Trading the Formation [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 4, 2026

Today we will discuss one of the most popular continuation formations in trading – the rectangle pattern.

8 min read

Day Trading Practice Account: How to Set Up and Run Your First Week

Al Hill : September 4, 2026

Most traders open a practice account the same way they open a bag of chips. They tear into it, click around for twenty minutes, place a few ...

11 min read

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

Al Hill : September 4, 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 ...

9 min read

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

Al Hill : September 4, 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

Are There Pure Play Day Trades?

Al Hill : September 4, 2026

Pure play is a term that one might have come across as part of their active investing strategies. Pure play stocks, as the name suggests are a ...

20 min read

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

Ella Vincent : September 4, 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 ...

8 min read

Stock Trading Simulators for Beginners

John McDowell : September 4, 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

Trading Simulator: The Complete Guide to Practice Trading [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 3, 2026

I have watched a lot of people try to learn this business by reading. They finish the book, they know what a bull flag looks like, and then the ...

4 min read

Class A Shares – Common Stock and Mutual Funds [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 3, 2026

Key Takeaways Two different meanings. "Class A" describes a share class of common stock and a fee structure for mutual funds. The two have nothing to ...

9 min read

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

Al Hill : September 3, 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 ...

24 min read

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

Al Hill : September 3, 2026

Key takeaways — Updated September 2026 There is no single 'day trading salary' — earnings are a function of starting capital, win rate, average ...

12 min read

Exponential Moving Average – 5 Simple Trading Strategies [Updated September 2026]

Al Hill : September 3, 2026

Key Takeaways The EMA weights recent prices more heavily than the SMA, so it turns faster and hugs price more closely in a trend. Faster is not ...

8 min read

Using a Trading Simulator to Prep for a Prop Firm Evaluation

Al Hill : September 3, 2026

Every week I hear from traders who paid for a prop firm evaluation the same day they discovered prop firms exist. Many of them fail it, not because ...

7 min read

6 Things You Must Know About the British Pound [Updated August 2026]

Al Hill : August 31, 2026

Editor's note, updated August 2026: the 6B and M6B contract specifications in the table below were re-checked against CME Group's published product ...

6 min read

Market Corrections – 9 Things You Need to Know as a Trader [Updated August 2026]

Al Hill : August 31, 2026

Corrections Since This Guide Was First Written Updated August 2026. The DIA chart discussed in section nine is from early 2019. Several notable ...

5 min read

Daily Stock Picks – Proceed with Caution [Updated August 2026]

Al Hill : August 31, 2026

In this post, I will cover many of the reasons you should think twice before blindly following daily stock picks.

13 min read

How to Find the Most Active Stocks to Day Trade + Free Video Tutorials! [Updated August 2026]

Al Hill : August 31, 2026

Editor's note, updated August 2026: this guide was originally written in 2022. The seven methods below still hold, but several of the third-party ...

7 min read

Basics of Elliott Wave Theory – Learn the Essentials [Updated August 2026]

Al Hill : August 31, 2026

In this article we will first cover the Elliott wave basics and structure. The goal of this article is to help you learn Elliott wave theory and give ...

4 min read

Bollinger Bandwidth Indicator: 3 Trading Strategies [Updated August 2026]

Al Hill : August 27, 2026

In this article, I am going to cover some basic trading techniques you can use with the Bollinger band width indicator. Before we dive into the ...

6 min read

The Kicker Candlestick Pattern vs. Exhaustion Gap [Updated August 2026]

Al Hill : August 27, 2026

What is the Kicker Candlestick Pattern?

10 min read

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

John McDowell : August 27, 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 ...

6 min read

Pips in Forex Trading Explained [Updated August 2026]

John McDowell : August 27, 2026

What is a pip in forex trading? Pip is short for “percentage in point” or “price interest point,” (Tokenist) which is the smallest price movement in ...

9 min read

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

John McDowell : August 27, 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, ...

15 min read

7 Swing Trading Strategies That Actually Work [Updated August 2026]

Al Hill : August 22, 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 ...

10 min read

Algorithmic Trading: How Automated Strategies Work [Updated August 2026]

John McDowell : August 22, 2026

Key Takeaways — Algorithmic Trading Algorithmic trading converts a rule-based strategy into code that handles entry, sizing, and exit without a human ...

8 min read

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

John McDowell : August 22, 2026

Key takeaways — Updated August 2026 Robinhood permits day trading but enforces the SEC pattern-day-trader rule: more than three day trades in five ...

11 min read

How to Fade Blow-off Tops [Updated August 2026]

Al Hill : August 22, 2026

Key Takeaways — Fading Blow-Off Tops A blow-off top is a near-vertical price advance on climactic volume, followed by an equally sharp reversal. It ...

10 min read

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

Al Hill : August 22, 2026

Key Takeaways — Silver Futures at a Glance Standard silver futures (SI) control 5,000 troy ounces. One tick is $0.005 per ounce, or $25.00 per ...

10 min read

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

John McDowell : August 21, 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 ...

10 min read

How to Choose the Best Futures Trading Broker: Essential Tips [Updated August 2026]

John McDowell : August 21, 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 ...

17 min read

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

John McDowell : August 21, 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 ...

8 min read

Inverse Head and Shoulders Pattern Explained [Updated August 2026]

John McDowell : August 21, 2026

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

8 min read

The Abandoned Baby Candlestick Trading Pattern: Bullish & Bearish (Updated August 2026)

Al Hill : August 21, 2026

[Updated August 2026 — refreshed for current market context and SEO best practices.] We have discussed a number of candlestick patterns on the ...

7 min read

Sim Trading Habits That Actually Transfer to Live Trading

Al Hill : August 21, 2026

Every trader who spends time in a simulator is building habits, whether they mean to or not. The question nobody asks until they go live is which ...

6 min read

Building a Daily Trading Routine Around Replay Practice

Al Hill : August 20, 2026

Most traders I talk to can describe their strategy in detail. Far fewer can describe their day. Ask what they actually do between waking up and ...

12 min read

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

John McDowell : August 16, 2026

The Reality of Trading Fu tures Are you struggling to gain real market experience without risking your hard-earned capital? You aren't alone. Futures ...

13 min read

Day Trading Taxes Guide for Beginners [Updated August 2026]

Al Hill : August 16, 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 ...

12 min read

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

Al Hill : August 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

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

Al Hill : August 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 ...

14 min read

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

John McDowell : August 16, 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 ...

7 min read

How Long Should You Paper Trade Before Going Live?

Al Hill : August 16, 2026

Every new trader asks me some version of the same question: how long do I have to do this in a simulator before I can trade real money? I understand ...

10 min read

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

Al Hill : August 15, 2026

Quick answer: A short squeeze happens when a heavily shorted stock rises far enough that short sellers are forced to buy shares back to cover, and ...

8 min read

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

John McDowell : August 15, 2026

The word capitulate means to give up or stop trying. It’s easy to see how this would apply to trading, especially during the kind of volatility that ...

18 min read

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

Al Hill : August 15, 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 ...

17 min read

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

Al Hill : August 15, 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 ...

10 min read

5 Things That Influence the Price of Natural Gas Futures [Updated August 2026]

Al Hill : August 15, 2026

Quick answer: The five factors that move natural gas futures prices the most are cyclical (seasonal) demand, demand by sector, the broader economy, ...

9 min read

How Social Media Shapes Meme Stock Prices: A Deep Dive [Updated August 2026]

John McDowell : August 11, 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 ...

9 min read

Forex Day Trading Explanation with Strategies [Updated August 2026]

John McDowell : August 11, 2026
Last Updated: August 15, 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 ...

7 min read

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

John McDowell : August 11, 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 ...

7 min read

Stop Limit Orders – How to Execute and Why Traders Use Them [Updated August 2026]

Al Hill : August 11, 2026
Last Updated: August 15, 2026

I exclusively use stop limit orders to enter day trades. This is because I trade breakout strategies and I like to wait for the price to exceed the ...

8 min read

Direxion ETFs – 5 Key Things to Know Before Investing [Updated August 2026]

Al Hill : August 11, 2026
Last Updated: August 15, 2026

Direxion – Overview

5 min read

Stock Market Simulator for Students: Classroom to College

Al Hill : August 9, 2026

I hear from two kinds of people about classroom simulators: teachers who need something that works for a room of thirty students, and college ...

6 min read

Trading Simulator vs Live Trading: What Actually Changes

Al Hill : August 9, 2026

Every trader who puts real work into a simulator eventually asks the uncomfortable question: does any of this count? You have weeks of profitable ...

8 min read

10 Day Trading Practice Drills to Run in a Simulator

Al Hill : August 9, 2026
Last Updated: September 19, 2026

Ask a struggling trader what their plan is and you will usually hear some version of "more screen time." I spent years believing that too. Watch ...

11 min read

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

John McDowell : August 4, 2026
Last Updated: August 5, 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 ...

11 min read

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

John McDowell : August 4, 2026
Last Updated: October 9, 2026

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

5 min read

The Plunge Protection Team Explained [Updated August 2026]

John McDowell : August 4, 2026
Last Updated: August 5, 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 ...

11 min read

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

John McDowell : August 4, 2026
Last Updated: August 5, 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 ...

12 min read

The Epic Volkswagen Short Squeeze Explained [Updated August 2026]

John McDowell : August 4, 2026
Last Updated: August 15, 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. In ...

7 min read

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

John McDowell : August 2, 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 ...

10 min read

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

Al Hill : August 2, 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 ...

8 min read

5 Key Differences Between T-Bond Futures and Interest Rate Futures [Updated August 2026]

Al Hill : August 2, 2026
Last Updated: August 15, 2026

T-bond futures or treasury futures are derivative contracts that are available for trading from the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), part of the CME ...

10 min read

The 1-minute ORB (Opening Range Breakout) [Updated August 2026]

John McDowell : August 2, 2026
Last Updated: August 15, 2026

Most day traders have likely heard of the Opening Range Breakout (ORB) strategy popularized by Toby Crabel in his classic investing book Day Trading ...

17 min read

Best Moving Average for Day Trading [Updated August 2026]

Al Hill : August 2, 2026
Last Updated: August 15, 2026

8 min read

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

John McDowell : August 1, 2026
Last Updated: August 15, 2026

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

10 min read

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

John McDowell : August 1, 2026
Last Updated: August 15, 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 August 2026]

Al Hill : August 1, 2026

7 min read

Step-by-Step Guide to Trade the Rounding Bottom Pattern [Updated August 2026]

Al Hill : August 1, 2026
Last Updated: August 15, 2026

The rounding bottom pattern is a technical setup for the patient trader. This is because the pattern can take quite a bit of time to develop before ...

7 min read

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

Al Hill : August 1, 2026
Last Updated: August 15, 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 ...

8 min read

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

Al Hill : July 30, 2026

Swing high and swing low; you might have heard the term being used many times, especially among day traders. If you have been confused by what this ...

9 min read

Top 3 Morning Gap Setups [Updated July 2026]

Al Hill : July 30, 2026

It will be important to understand a few key elements before we dive into the specific strategies; such as volume, volatility, and risk tolerance. ...

7 min read

Exhaustion Gap: 7 Steps to Recognize and Trade the Pattern [Updated July 2026]

Al Hill : July 30, 2026

If you trade the opening bell, then you are quite familiar with the morning gap.

8 min read

What Is Fibonacci Retracement and How To Use It [Updated July 2026]

John McDowell : July 30, 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 ...

10 min read

VDU and Pocket Pivots: “VooDoo” for your day trading [Updated July 2026]

John McDowell : July 30, 2026

Volume Dry Up (VDU) and Pocket Pivots are some of the most powerful precursors to big moves in the stock market when interpreted correctly. Often ...

7 min read

Is Paper Trading Real Money? What Transfers to Live

Al Hill : July 30, 2026

Every few weeks someone asks me a version of the same question. They have been trading a simulator for a month, the account shows a gain, and they ...

20 min read

Chart Patterns [Updated July 2026]

John McDowell : July 29, 2026

11 min read

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

John McDowell : July 29, 2026

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

16 min read

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

John McDowell : July 29, 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 and ...

10 min read

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

John McDowell : July 29, 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 ...

10 min read

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

John McDowell : July 29, 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 ...

7 min read

Nasdaq Weekend Futures: What Trades and When

Al Hill : July 29, 2026
Last Updated: September 19, 2026

Every Sunday afternoon my inbox has some version of the same question: the Nasdaq futures quote on some website moved over the weekend, so why ...

7 min read

Mean Reversion Trading Strategies Explained [Updated July 2026]

John McDowell : July 28, 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. ...

8 min read

Is Day Trading Like Gambling? [Updated July 2026]

Al Hill : July 28, 2026

This answer to this question is based on the strategy and investing style of the participant. I can tell you without a doubt that trading in the ...

5 min read

VIX Futures: 5 Ways to Profit at Major Market Bottoms [Updated July 2026]

R SW : July 28, 2026

9 min read

Top 3 Managed Futures Funds [Updated July 2026]

Al Hill : July 28, 2026

Managed futures hedge funds have existed since the start of the regulated futures markets in the U.S. and have offered an alternate option for ...

5 min read

Swing Trading – 7 Things To Know Before You Start [Updated July 2026]

Al Hill : July 28, 2026

7 min read

Power Hour in Stock Trading for Beginners [Updated July 2026]

John McDowell : July 27, 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? ...

16 min read

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

Al Hill : July 27, 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 ...

10 min read

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

Al Hill : July 27, 2026

10 min read

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

Al Hill : July 27, 2026

9 min read

Candlestick Charts – Reversal Patterns [Updated July 2026]

Al Hill : July 27, 2026

Candlestick Charting Explained

10 min read

Paper Trading Simulator: How Practice Accounts Actually Work

Al Hill : July 27, 2026

The best trading month I ever had was on paper. Early in my career I ran a practice account for a quarter and it did nothing but go up, and I walked ...

9 min read

Stock Trading Simulator: Practice With Real Market Data

Al Hill : July 26, 2026

The first stock I ever traded properly was a mid cap that moved about a dollar a day, and I lost money on it for a month before I worked out why. It ...

11 min read

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

John McDowell : July 24, 2026

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

8 min read

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

John McDowell : July 24, 2026

What are harmonic patterns in stock trading? Harmonic patterns are used in technical analysis that traders use to find trend reversals. By using ...

8 min read

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

John McDowell : July 24, 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 ...

13 min read

The GME GameStop Short Squeeze Explained [Updated July 2026]

John McDowell : July 24, 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 ...

12 min read

The AMC Short Squeeze Explanation [Updated July 2026]

John McDowell : July 24, 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 ...

15 min read

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

Kunal Vakil : July 23, 2026

🎧 Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. VWAP line divides the market into institutional buy zone (above) and sell ...

12 min read

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

John McDowell : July 23, 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 ...

16 min read

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

Al Hill : July 23, 2026

15 min read

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

Al Hill : July 23, 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 in ...

12 min read

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

Al Hill : July 23, 2026

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

7 min read

Chart Patterns Cheat Sheet: 15 Patterns Traders Must Know

Al Hill : July 23, 2026
Last Updated: September 19, 2026

I'll be honest with you. For the first year of my trading career, I thought chart patterns were voodoo. I'd sit at my desk, coffee going cold, ...

10 min read

Wyckoff Method Trading

Al Hill : July 22, 2026

I know, Wyckoff sounds complicated. You've heard traders talk about "accumulation phases" and "composite man theory" and you think it requires a PhD ...

7 min read

6 Key Differences between the Nikkei and S&P 500 Futures [Updated July 2026]

R SW : July 21, 2026

Key Takeaways The Nikkei 225 is a price-weighted index of 225 Japanese stocks, while the S&P 500 is a market-cap-weighted index of 500 US ...

8 min read

How to Day Trade without Using Margin – 5 Benefits [Updated July 2026]

Al Hill : July 21, 2026

Key Takeaways You can day trade in a cash account without ever borrowing on margin. Trading without margin removes borrowing costs and eliminates the ...

13 min read

Price Action Trading Strategies 6 Patterns that Work [video tutorial] [Updated July 2026]

Al Hill : July 21, 2026

Key Takeaways Price action trading reads raw price movement and candlestick structure instead of relying on lagging indicators. The six core patterns ...

5 min read

Gann Square of Nine – How to Trade Using This Forecasting Tool [Updated July 2026]

Al Hill : July 21, 2026

Key Takeaways The Gann Square of 9 is a spiral of numbers W.D. Gann used to forecast support, resistance, and time cycles by relating price to ...

5 min read

Day Trading Bottom Tails for Profits [Updated July 2026]

Al Hill : July 21, 2026

Key Takeaways A bottoming tail is a candlestick with a long lower wick that shows sellers pushed price down before buyers took control. The pattern ...

9 min read

Day Trading Rules for Stocks, Options, and Futures [Updated July 2026]

Al Hill : July 20, 2026

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

8 min read

Tape Reading – How to Interpret the Time and Sales Window [Updated July 2026]

Al Hill : July 20, 2026

Reading the tape is one of the essential indicators when active trading. Many traders know about the hundreds of indicators readily available on most ...

11 min read

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

John McDowell : July 20, 2026

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

6 min read

Descending Channel – Learn How to Trade This Common Pattern [Updated July 2026]

Al Hill : July 20, 2026

What is a Descending Channel

7 min read

Day Trading 101 – Review of Best Selling Book [Updated July 2026]

Al Hill : July 20, 2026

Let me first applaud you for realizing you need proper education and understanding of the markets before attempting to day trade.

6 min read

Day Trading Simulator: How to Practice Trading Without Risking Real Money in 2026

Al Hill : July 19, 2026
Last Updated: October 9, 2026

Nobody gets good at trading by reading about trading. I spent my first years learning that the expensive way, and after two decades in the markets I ...

11 min read

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

John McDowell : July 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 ...

10 min read

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

John McDowell : July 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 ...

4 min read

What Is the Financial Stability Oversight Council?

John McDowell : July 14, 2026

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

6 min read

Simple Bull Market Trading Strategies

Al Hill : July 14, 2026

8 min read

4 Things to Know about Bear Market Rallies

Al Hill : July 14, 2026

9 min read

The Power of Compound Returns – The Pay It Forward Challenge

Al Hill : July 14, 2026

Compound returns is one of the most powerful concepts in the world of investing.

4 min read

See How to Place Buy Stop Market Orders

Al Hill : July 14, 2026

Feeling overwhelmed with the various order types you can place in the market?

4 min read

What Is a Block Trade? [Updated July 2026]

John McDowell : July 12, 2026

Key Takeaways A block trade is an order of more than 10,000 shares or more than $200,000 in value, by NYSE and NASDAQ definitions. Block trades ...

8 min read

Stock Halts and Circuit Breaker Halts Explained [Updated July 2026]

John McDowell : July 12, 2026

Key Takeaways A stock halt is a temporary suspension of trading in a stock, used by exchanges to curb extreme volatility and stabilize the market. ...

8 min read

How to Trade Diamond Chart Patterns – Winning Strategies [Updated July 2026]

Al Hill : July 12, 2026

Key Takeaways The diamond chart pattern is a rare reversal formation that resembles a head and shoulders with a V-shaped neckline. Diamonds appear ...

9 min read

Opening Bell – 2 Simple Trading Strategies [Updated July 2026]

Al Hill : July 12, 2026

Key Takeaways The first 30–60 minutes after the 9:30 am ET opening bell are the highest-volume, most volatile stretch of the trading day. Morning ...

7 min read

6 Key Things You Need to Know about Cattle Futures [Updated July 2026]

Al Hill : July 12, 2026

Key Takeaways Cattle futures trade on the CME in two types: live cattle (40,000-pound contracts, physical delivery) and feeder cattle (50,000-pound ...

10 min read

Ethereum Proof of Work and Proof of Stake Explained [Updated July 2026]

John McDowell : July 8, 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 ...

9 min read

Understanding Options with Technical Analysis [Updated July 2026]

Al Hill : July 8, 2026

Studying the stock market’s past in order to try to predict the stock’s future is referred to as technical analysis.

5 min read

Spinning Top – 2 Trading Methods to Increase Their Accuracy [Updated July 2026]

Al Hill : July 8, 2026

In this article, I will discuss how to combine spinning tops with other candlestick formations and volume candles to pinpoint market reversals and ...

19 min read

Day Trading Stocks – Is It a Real Work-From-Home Opportunity? [Updated July 2026]

Ella Vincent : July 8, 2026

Working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic Day trading stocks can be a successful way to create income- but it’s not easy. Many people want to ...

6 min read

Top 3 Volatility ETFs for Active Traders [Updated July 2026]

Al Hill : July 8, 2026

In this article, I will provide the history and top VIX ETFs. Lastly, I will discuss the top 3 VIX ETFs for active traders. An active trader is ...

10 min read

7 Things We Learned From the Stock Market Crash of 2008 [Updated July 2026]

Al Hill : July 3, 2026

September 29th 2008 was the day when the stock market, as represented by the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 777.68 points during the day, marking ...

9 min read

What are the Best Copper ETFs? [Updated July 2026]

Al Hill : July 3, 2026

Exchange traded funds or ETFs remain at the forefront of investing community as the products continue to make inroads into all types of portfolios ...

6 min read

Island Reversal – 3 Simple Trading Strategies [Updated July 2026]

Al Hill : July 3, 2026

To practice the island reversal examples detailed in this article visit https://tradingsim.com.

10 min read

How to Trade Using the Ichimoku Cloud [Updated July 2026]

Al Hill : July 3, 2026

The Ichimoku Cloud is not easy to grasp at first glance and is honestly a bit intimidating. It’s pretty ironic as Mr. Gochi Hosoda built the ...

6 min read

What is Day Trading Liquidity and Why It Matters [Updated July 2026]

Al Hill : July 3, 2026

5 min read

10 ways to know you are being Greedy [Updated June 2026]

Al Hill : June 21, 2026

We’ve all heard that the market has the ability to bring out the rawest in human emotions. At the end of the day trading is not a hobby but an ...

8 min read

How to Trade Using the Commodity Channel Index (CCI) [Updated June 2026]

Al Hill : June 21, 2026

Commodity Channel Index Definition The commodity channel index (CCI) is an oscillator used to identify cyclical trends in a security. It gained its ...

9 min read

Stock Trading for Dummies – 15 Things You Need to Know [Updated June 2026]

Al Hill : June 21, 2026

15 Things You Need to Know Before You Begin Trading Stock trading for dummies is such a broad topic that I could honestly write an epic novel on the ...

7 min read

401k vs 403b – See Key Differences and How Future Generations are not Ready [Updated June 2026]

Al Hill : June 21, 2026

6 min read

5 Ways to Identify Blow-Off Tops [Updated June 2026]

Al Hill : June 21, 2026

In this article, I will cover 5 ways to identify that a stock has had a blow-off top. Because blow-off tops are so violent, it’s best to allow the 5 ...

11 min read

Penny Stocks Explained for Beginners [Updated June 2026]

John McDowell : June 19, 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 ...

9 min read

S&P 600 Index – All you need to know [Updated June 2026]

Al Hill : June 19, 2026

S&P 600 index is the little-known sibling of the S&P 500. However, unlike the S&P 500, the S&P 600 is less popular. The Standard and ...

6 min read

Tick Charts – 5 Things to Consider Before Trading [Updated June 2026]

Al Hill : June 19, 2026

Most day traders have a love or hate relationship with tick charts. Meaning, either you cannot trade without the tick data, or you absolutely despise ...

8 min read

Day Trading Schools – 11 Things to Consider [Updated June 2026]

Al Hill : June 19, 2026

Let me first start off by saying that if you have landed on this article you have realized that the search results for day trading schools are slim. ...

8 min read

Lean Hog Futures – 7 Things to Consider Before Trading [Updated June 2026]

Al Hill : June 19, 2026

Lean hog futures are one of the cattle futures contracts available for trading from the CME Group futures exchange. Lean hog futures make for a ...

3 min read

Daily Charts – Should Day Traders Use Them? [Updated June 2026]

Al Hill : June 13, 2026

Overview

8 min read

4 Things to Know About the Advance/Decline Index [Updated June 2026]

Al Hill : June 13, 2026

8 min read

3 Simple Donchian Channel Trading Strategies [Updated June 2026]

Al Hill : June 13, 2026

4 min read

Day Trading the Three Bar Reversal Pattern [Updated June 2026]

Al Hill : June 13, 2026

The 3 bar reversal pattern is one of the more common trading setups. The reason it’s so common makes it an easy target for newbie traders when they ...

8 min read

Key Things to Know About the Silver Futures Market [Updated June 2026]

Al Hill : June 13, 2026

The theory of economics offers many explanations on the existence of the organized futures markets which have been often questioned by traders. Early ...

4 min read

Breadth Thrust Indicator - Can it Forecast Major Market Bottoms? [Updated June 2026]

Al Hill : June 9, 2026

5 min read

How Much Money Do You Need to Day Trade for a Living? [Updated June 2026]

Al Hill : June 9, 2026

9 min read

Day Trading Time Zones - Which Are Most Profitable? [Updated June 2026]

Al Hill : June 9, 2026

Understanding Specific Day Trading Time Zones and What Time to Trade Them Having a successful trading career not only depends on the trading system ...

18 min read

How to Use the Treynor Ratio to Invest in Mutual Funds [Updated June 2026]

Ella Vincent : June 9, 2026

There are many ratios to measure a stock’s performance. That is especially true with mutual funds. During bear markets, like the 2020 covid crash, or ...

8 min read

Trading Systems – Everything You Need to Know [Updated June 2026]

Al Hill : June 9, 2026

Trading systems

7 min read

5 Tips for Confirming and Trading the Bump and Run [Updated June 2026]

Al Hill : June 9, 2026

The bump and run chart pattern is a rare formation. So, to make things simple, we will walk you through 5 easy steps for identifying the pattern.

7 min read

How Well Do Pre-Market Futures Define the Day’s Range? [Updated June 2026]

Al Hill : June 9, 2026

One of the biggest advantages of futures trading is the fact that the futures markets are open nearly 23 hours a day. This continuous market allows ...