Investors are constantly searching for premium information to gain an edge over others in the zero-sum stock market game, and in this age of globalization there arise many opportunities to profit within the global markets, including foreign exchange (FOREX), futures market, options market, bond market, and all other financial markets.
As those who trade in the currency market already know, day trading is available via their online broker 24 hours a day, and investing their money in this way requires a continuous global perspective dependent upon multiple variables. However, as stock exchanges such as Nasdaq and the NYSE are merging with exchanges in other countries such as the London Stock Exchange (FTSE) and the EASDAQ in Belgium, the direction seems to be heading into one great inter-continental exchange with 24 hours a day stock trading.
Currently, after hour stock quotes are available on specific electronic communication networks (ECNs), and even though level II quotes may be active, lack of liquidity may create unnecessary risks for the trader; however, for the same reason, the after hour stock market currently presents great opportunities for the well-informed, quick-fingered after-market trader, and the same can be said concerning pre-market trading.
The opportunities are to be taken advantage of by using the most up-to-date stock market research and financial tools available, including but not limited to stock screening, filters, real-time news and quotes. In order to become a successful trader, and what distinguishes the elite from the neophyte trader is access to the most esoteric platforms offering the fastest and most comprehensive source of information attainable. For the average investor will always be one step behind in this game unless they are prepared with a competitive trading arsenal.
Whatever strategies or tools you decide to utilize, always look for the lowest risk, highest reward option, and that includes testing out specific strategies on simulations and also back-testing various trading methods.
A good resource to help you get started learning the investing vocabulary is this financial glossary.
Tags: after hours, currencies, day trading, financial news, Forex, FX, pre-market, stock market