First off, my most profitable stocks are swing trades. I guess this makes me a swing trader. This means that I mainly trade in 1 - 5 day patterns.

Why swing trade?

(i) Holding a stock long is a good way to make profits, however it doesn't maximize your profits. By following the trend, you can capitalize on all market movement.

(ii) Daytrading only works if you have the capital to move a stock, or are quick enough to lock in small profits during movement. Unless you have honed your trading skills, daytrading is often a quick way to relieve yourself of your savings.

Stock Selection

Here are the things I look for when picking a stock:

1) Volume. Is there enough volume that you can get in and out if you need to? Make sure that the daily volume is at least 20x that of your position.

2) Float. Anything under 50 million shares is a sign that the company is on the right track.

3) Filings. Does the company have a history of reverse splits? Go with your gut on this - if it doesn't feel right, than stay away.

4) Charts. If you want to trade successfully, you HAVE to understand charts. Stockcharts.com has tutorials on understanding trading patterns and indicators. You really can't make money unless you understand the tools that make you money. If you need help with the charts, ask some of the pros on this site.

5) Level II. Take a look at the level II. Is there a lot of resistance? That is usually a bad sign.

6) I am never rushed into buying a stock. Usually when you hear about a stock in the chat room, it is too late. Research using the points above ... there are plenty of trains leaving the station and lots of opportunity to make money.

7) Every stock on the otcbb/pink sheets that is under 0.05 is junk. You will not find the next walmart or google in this group of stocks. Traders call this part of the market the 'wild west' - it is full of pumpers, scammers, manipulators, and daytraders. It is a good place to get eaten alive, because there are so many variables working against you. Market makers naked short sell these stocks, they are often on the verge of bankruptcy, shells are created to funnel monies, etc etc.

8) If you are new to the game, stay away from otcbb/pink sheet stocks with headquarters or owners in Canada, Las Vegas, San Diego, New Orleans, Florida, or Mexico. An oil company headquarted in Las Vegas? Yeah, right. These stocks are junk, imho.

Don't diversify

If you only have $2000.00 to trade with, don't diversify it. Buy 2 stocks with good potential and keep a close eye on them. Become an expert on your stocks and dump them if they do not perform.

Don't fool yourself

Plan an entry and exit strategy before you trade. Pick your entry and stick with it, don't let your emotions take over because that is when you make a mistake. Let the stock come to you, if it doesn't ... forget about it. Rushed money is lost money.

Stick with your exit strategy. When the stock gets to your exit strategy, sell. Don't fool yourself into thinking that "it's going to a buck". Because it isn't. You have to sell to make money

Don't go against the market. You can't change the direction of the indicators, so just go with the flow. Otherwise, it is like trying to bail out a sinking ship with a teacup.

Don't hold a dog. Every 50% loss started as a 5% loss.

Don't try and make up the previous loss on the next trade.

Mantra: "Bulls and Bears make money, pigs get slaughtered." aka. Don't be too greedy.

My entrance and exit strategy

I buy a stock just above the support levels. If the stock is not performing, I can dump it into the support. I do not let my losses exceed 10%

I sell a stock after gaining 11%. This allows for 30% gains every week, which really is pretty good. The only time I break this rule is if a stock is moving with a lot of momentum and strength. This being the case, sell when you see momentum slowing. Often, this will come as a "pop". A pop comes when a stock runs itself into a big bid/ask gap. You have to be on top of the action to see this, but this is a big sell sign. The top comes at the pop.

Buy low

Buy when things are looking most dismal. Natural gas and oil stocks getting pounded? Are the naysayers forecasting $30 oil? Huge oversupplies of nat. gas? Sounds like a time to buy.

Look at the charts

Take a look at weekly charts on stockcharts.com and get a feel for cycles that a stock may go through.

Okay, so I hope this helps a little. I will keep posting my picks for everyone. If you have any questions or concerns, about anything, ask them here! no question is too ridiculous. It is better to know, than trade blind

Canestsal of stockhideout.com