How to utilize investing skills for trading and vice versa?

Investing and trading have many common and similar aspects. One of the most important aspects is that they both belong to the financial world and in this article, we are going to discuss how investing skills can be used to your advantage in trading.

The differences

Some time ago we wrote an article on investing and trading that essentially discusses the differences between investing and trading in financial markets. It highlights that both approaches involve an investment of capital with the hope of increasing capital, but differ in their strategies. However, while the main goal of investing is to preserve wealth, trading, on the other hand, aims to generate profit from short-term market movements.

Investing is described as a risk-averse approach that focuses on stable, low-risk portfolios. Investors typically hold assets for longer periods of time to allow them to appreciate in value and to offset short-term market fluctuations. Diversification of assets in the portfolio is key to managing risk.

Trading, on the other hand, involves frequent buying and selling of various assets, including stocks, commodities, currencies, and cryptocurrencies. Traders seek short-term profits and can profit in both rising and falling markets, but they also have to deal with higher potential losses. Trading relies more on technical analysis and risk-to-reward ratios than on fundamentals.

Apart from the differences mentioned, there are also technical differences between investing and trading such as the amount of capital required, the use of leverage, the margin, the time horizon, the risk tolerance, the costs, the psychology, and the strategy.

The similarities

For some inexperienced traders or people with little investing knowledge, investing may just be a fancy term for Swing Trading. Although there are clear differences between these two, on the other hand, there are far more similarities. They basically focus on the higher timeframe with a higher emphasis on macroeconomics and fundamentals of the market. However, the fundamental differences between these two lie only in the type of instruments. When you invest, you buy and sell the instrument that is collateralized by a real underlying asset.

For more information on CFD trading, see our article here.

Today, a variety of brokers, banks and financial institutions offer instruments  within their financial product portfolio that are suitable for investors as well as traders. For this reason, many affiliated institutions and participants consider traders as investors, as the similarities outweigh the differences.

Those similarities can be found in the following aspects:

1. Participation in Financial Markets

Both trading and investing require participation in financial markets. Whether you are a trader or an investor, you deploy your capital with the aim of generating returns.

2. Use of Brokerage Accounts

Traders and investors typically use brokerage accounts to execute their transactions. These accounts provide access to various financial instruments including stocks, bonds, commodities, and currencies.

3. Risk Management

Both traders and investors must consider risk management. Even though the risk profiles are different, both groups aim to protect their capital. Traders can use Stop-Loss orders to limit losses, while investors can diversify their portfolios to spread risk.

4. Analysis of Market Data

Both traders and investors analyze market data to make their decisions. They may use different methods (technical analysis for traders and fundamental analysis for investors), but the goal is to make informed decisions.

5. Knowledge and Education

Success in trading and investing often requires a solid understanding of financial markets. Both traders and investors invest time to learn about market dynamics, strategies, and economic factors.

6. Goal of Profit

Although the approaches differ, both trading and investing aim to generate profits. Traders seek short-term gains from market fluctuations, while investors pursue long-term wealth accumulation.

7. Access to Financial Resources

Both traders and investors require access to financial resources that they allocate to various assets. The amount of capital may vary, but both groups need funds to participate in the markets.

8. Reaction to Market News

Traders and investors react to market news and events that can affect asset prices. News about economic indicators, corporate earnings, or geopolitical developments can influence their decisions.

9. Emotional Discipline

Emotional discipline is crucial for both traders and investors. They must deal with emotions such as fear and greed to make rational decisions. Staying disciplined helps avoid impulsive actions.

10. Continuous Learning

Financial markets are dynamic and both traders and investors recognize the importance of continuous learning. They stay informed about market trends, new investment opportunities, and evolving strategies.

Investment strategies for trading

Value Investing

In traditional investing, value investors look for undervalued assets with strong fundamentals. Traders can apply a similar approach by looking for undervalued stocks or assets for short to medium-term trades based on fundamental analysis.

For example, Warren Buffett, one of the most successful value investors, looks for companies with strong competitive advantages, known as economic moats. He looks for stocks of companies that are undervalued compared to their intrinsic value. Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett's investment company, has invested in numerous well-known brands such as Coca-Cola and IBM.

In terms of trading, this technique can be considered a fundamental trading strategy as the trader focuses more on undervalued stocks or over-sold/over-bought currencies to enter trades and predict the direction of the trend.

Growth Investing

Growth investors target companies with high growth potential. Traders can apply a growth strategy by identifying stocks with strong upward momentum or potential catalysts that may drive price appreciation.

For example, technology companies, particularly those in sectors such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and e-commerce, often exhibit rapid growth. Examples include:

Amazon (AMZN), known for its dominance in e-commerce and its cloud computing services through Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL), the parent company of Google, a leader in online search, advertising, and various technology ventures.

Tesla, Inc. (TSLA), an electric vehicle and clean energy company known for its innovation and growth potential.

Buy and Hold

The buy-and-hold strategy involves purchasing assets and holding them for the long term. Traders with longer time horizons can take a similar approach to swing trading or trend-following strategies.

For example, Blue-Chip Stocks: These are shares of well-established, large-cap companies with a history of stability and growth. Examples include Apple, a technology giant known for its iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers.

Diversification

Diversification is a key investment principle for spreading risk. Traders can apply diversification by trading multiple assets or using various trading strategies to reduce risk in their portfolios.

Trend Following

Another investment strategy that can be adapted to trading, is Trend Following. Traders identify and follow prevailing market trends, taking positions aligned with the trend direction.

Dollar-cost averaging (DCA)

DCA is an investment strategy that involves investing a fixed amount of money at regular intervals, regardless of the asset's price. This approach is designed to reduce the impact of market volatility on investment and potentially reduce the average cost of acquiring the asset over time.

Example: Let's say you want to invest $1,200 in a particular stock over the course of a year. Instead of investing the entire $1,200 upfront, you decide to use DCA and invest $100 each month for a year.

In the first month, the stock price is $10 per share, so you buy 10 shares.

In the second month, the stock price drops to $8 per share, so you buy 12.5 shares.

In the third month, the stock price rises to $12 per share, so you buy 8.33 shares.

And so on for the whole year.

By the end of the year, you will have invested $1,200, but purchased different amounts of shares at different prices. This means your average purchase price may be lower than if you had invested the entire $1,200 at once, especially if the stock price experienced significant fluctuations throughout the year.

In terms of trading, this technique can be compared to scaling-in a position. It's important to note that scaling-in may not be suitable for all trading scenarios or assets. Traders should carefully assess their risk tolerance, market conditions, and the specific asset they are trading before implementing this strategy. Additionally, scaling-in should be part of a broader trading plan that includes risk management and exit strategies.

Conclusion

In summary, while investing and trading have their differences, there are also some common aspects within the realm of the financial world. Both investors and traders seek to deploy their capital with the goal of generating returns and often use brokerage accounts to execute transactions.

Risk management is a crucial aspect for both groups, even if their risk profiles differ. Whether through diversification, Stop-Loss orders, or other techniques, both traders and investors aim to protect their capital.

Analyzing market data, staying informed, and responding to market news are essential practices for both traders and investors. They may use different methods, such as technical or fundamental analysis, but the goal is to make informed decisions.

Ultimately, both trading and investing share the overarching goal of achieving profitability. While traders seek short-term gains from market fluctuations, investors aim for long-term wealth accumulation.

Investment strategies can also be applied to trading, allowing traders to utilize established techniques such as value investing, growth investing, buy and hold, diversification, trend following, and dollar-cost averaging. Adapting these strategies to trading contexts can provide traders with valuable tools to achieve their financial goals.

In conclusion, success in financial markets requires a solid understanding of market dynamics, strategies, and economic factors, regardless of whether you're a trader or an investor. By recognizing the similarities and differences between these approaches, individuals can make informed decisions and develop strategies that align with their financial objectives and risk tolerance.