Day trading with long / short positions?

[lazy_eyed_ladykiller]

I'm new to day trading and my previous experience in the stock market has been entirely with a long term perspective. Currently I am working evenings and have some capital freed so I figured I might run some trades in the background. I am not looking to scalp so much as take directional positions and hold over night/weekly if need be.

Anyways, question is, do you guys go long and short different stocks simultaneously, and close out positions at the end of the day? Or do you usually go all in on one stock that pops up on your scan/social media?

 

[tomorton]

I'm not a daytrader but your question applies to all trading. Its better to be long on stocks which have a good chart, positive fundamentals and at the same time both their sector and index / market performances are also positive. A good time to be long is when the whole market is rising.

That doesn't mean you can't be short in some situations at the same time, but the market is the key - if you're going to be short when the majority of players are buying, you've got to have a really good case.

Vice versa in a falling market.