How to trade intraday: a practical analysis using APT as an example

Day trading is an approach where a trader opens and closes positions within the same trading session, without carrying risks over to the next day. The main principle is to catch short-term price fluctuations and turn them into profit. This method requires technical analysis skills, disciplined approach, and the ability to react quickly to market movements.

What you gain and what to beware of in intraday trading

Advantages:

• Avoiding overnight gaps and unexpected weekend news
• High liquidity due to activity throughout the day
• Opportunity to profit even with minimal price movements

Pitfalls:

• Increased costs due to a high number of transactions
• Stress and emotional challenges when working with a changing market
• Need for constant monitoring and quick decision-making

Choosing timeframes for analysis

For short-term trading, charts with intervals of M1, M5, M15, and M30 are used. The analysis presented focuses on the APT/USDT pair, primarily on M5 and M15 intervals, which allow capturing the most significant movements without excessive noise.

Indicators used in the strategy

Successful trading decisions rely on a combination of the following tools:

1. EMA (Exponential Moving Averages) – with periods of 7, 25, and 99 to determine the trend
2. Bollinger Bands (20, 2) – to identify overbought and oversold points
3. Stochastic RSI – an oscillator showing reversal points
4. OBV (On-Balance Volume) – to confirm the strength of movement
5. MACD – an indicator for tracking momentum changes
6. Williams %R – an additional tool for marking extremes

Analysis of real trading examples with result calculations

Example 1: Uptrend after breakout

On the 5-minute chart, a resistance level was broken with confirmation via EMA and positive Stochastic RSI signals. The position was opened at 6.20 USDT and closed at 6.85 USDT when touching the upper Bollinger Band and signs of overbought conditions.

• Capital size: 1000 USDT
• Number of APT tokens: 1000 ÷ 6.20 ≈ 161.29
• Final result: 161.29 × (6.85 − 6.20) = 105.84 USDT profit

Example 2: Opening a short on a bounce

On the 15-minute chart, the price reached the upper Bollinger Band with excessive RSI readings. A short was opened at 6.85 USDT aiming at the middle EMA line at 25, which was at 6.50 USDT.

• Invested capital: 1000 USDT
• Position volume: 1000 ÷ 6.85 ≈ 145.99 APT
• Result obtained: 145.99 × (6.85 − 6.50) = 51.10 USDT profit

Example 3: Buying on a pullback to the middle

On the 5-minute chart, the price retreated to support at EMA 25, at 6.50 USDT, with Stochastic RSI in oversold territory. The long position was closed at 6.80 USDT when overbought signals and MACD divergence appeared.

• Trade size: 1000 USDT
• Number of tokens: 1000 ÷ 6.50 ≈ 153.85 APT
• Total profit: 153.85 × (6.80 − 6.50) = 46.16 USDT profit

Comparing the effectiveness and risks of each strategy

The first approach (uptrend with breakout) yielded the highest income of 105.84 USDT due to impulsive growth, but it involves higher risk. The second method (short on a bounce) provided 51.10 USDT with a more balanced risk profile. The third technique (pullback to the middle) was less profitable (46.16 USDT) but offers the highest entry reliability.

Conclusion and recommendations

Intraday trading requires understanding that maximum profit often comes with maximum risk. The most aggressive strategy (breakout level) showed the best result but requires experience and composure. Conservative approaches (bounce and pullback) are suitable for traders who prefer stability over excessive returns. The choice of method should be based on your trading psychology and readiness for potential losses.

The key to success in short-term trading is clear capital management rules, discipline in entering and exiting positions, and continuous skill improvement in market analysis.