Trading

Learn how to develop and implement a trading plan that consists of analyzing the markets, filtering for potential opportunities, assessing risks, executing trades, and evaluating results. 

How to Trade Futures on thinkorswim® for Beginners

Learn the risks and benefits of futures trading and how to get started with practice trades using the paperMoney® feature on the thinkorswim® desktop platform.

What You Need to Know About 24/5 Trading

Traders can buy and sell hundreds of stocks and ETFs on Schwab's thinkorswim® platform when the market opens on Monday until the market closes on Friday (holidays excluded).

Analyze Vertical Spreads with the Risk Profile Tool

Learn how to set up and analyze an options spread using the Risk Profile tool on the thinkorswim platform for more complex trades like vertical spreads.

Managing Cash-Secured Puts for Income Strategies

Cash-secured puts may generate short-term income or enable purchase of desired stocks at a favorable price. Know what to do if the cash-secured put doesn't work out as planned.

Trading Near the Bells

What to know about the market's two most volatile trading hours.

Time Travel: Choosing Stock Chart Time Frames

Long-term investors tend to focus on daily stock charts to help with decisions, while active traders often focus on more detailed charts. Why not try both?

Technical Indicators: 3 Trading Traps to Avoid

Traders use a stock's price patterns to help identify entry and exit points, but those patterns can be misleading. Here's how to avoid three common technical trading traps.

5 Elements of a Smart Trade Plan

Find out why you should have a trade plan—and the five elements that may help you put it to work successfully.  

The Short of It: Answers About Short Selling

Short selling involves the sale of borrowed shares in the hope of profiting from a decline in the stock price. It's risky, but it also adds to market efficiency.

What to Know About After-Hours Trading

What is after-hours trading? How does it work? Learn about the rules, risks, and benefits of extended-hours trading.