How to Trade Like a Swing Trader
Swing traders working with prop firms typically hold positions for several days to a few weeks, aiming to capture larger price movements within a broader market trend. They focus on technical analysis, chart patterns, and sometimes fundamental catalysts to identify entry and exit points. While they trade less frequently than scalpers, swing traders aim for higher returns per trade by riding medium-term trends.
Unlike other trading strategies (e.g., intraday trading or scalping), swing trading usually requires patience and a strong understanding of market cycles, as positions are exposed to overnight and weekend risk. However, it generally involves lower leverage and fewer trades, which can make it more manageable for traders who prefer a less intense pace.
– Chart Timeframes: H4 – D1 – W1
– Trades last overnight, sometimes up to several weeks
– You aim to capture larger market trends
– Lower trade frequency but higher reward-to-risk ratio
– You need patience to endure unprofitable days, or sideways market movement
– Swap rates may apply (overnight holding fees) & Weekend holding fees
– Some traders find it stressful to leave positions open. If that’s you, lower your risk amount, set price alerts, use stop losses, and trust your analysis
– Recommended for beginners and part-time traders who prefer slower paced prop trading
Prop Firm Rules for Swing Trading:
1. Overnight & Weekend Holding
– Choose a prop firm that allows holding positions overnight and over the weekend without extra fees or restrictions
2. Leverage & Lot Size
– Avoid firms with leverage lower than 1:5 — it limits your ability to manage multiple trades
– Aim for firms offering at least 1:10 to 1:30 leverage to maintain flexibility and optimize trade sizing
3. Maximum Drawdown
– Look for a higher max drawdown allowance (preferably 10–12%)
Here’s a List of the Best Prop Firms for Swing Traders:
1. Monevis Funding
Pros:
– Medium to high leverage trading (1:50)
– Swap free accounts
– Offers higher max drawdown (10% on 2-step accounts)
– Allow weekend holding without restrictions
Cons:
– None listed
2. Fintokei
Pros:
– Offers higher leverage trading (1:100)
– Offers higher max drawdown (10% on all account types)
– Allow weekend holding (swap fees are applied)
Cons:
– Does not offer swap free accounts (fees apply)
3. Quant Tekel
Pros:
– Offers higher leverage trading (1:100)
– Allow weekend holding (but triple swap fees are applied)
Cons:
– Does not offer swap free accounts
– Does not offer higher max drawdown
– 1 step account max drawdown: 6%
– 2 step account max drawdown: 10%
– 3 step account max drawdown: 8%
4. Pipfarm
Pros:
– High leverage trading (1:100)
– Swap free accounts (for an additional 15% fee)
– Allow weekend holding without restrictions
Cons:
– Does not offer higher max drawdown
– 1-Step Challenge (Maximum Drawdown): 5% Trailing
– 2-Step Challenge (Maximum Drawdown): 10% Static
– 1-Step Challenge (Daily Drawdown): 4%
– 2-Step Challenge (Daily Drawdown): 5%
5. Funded Trading Plus
Pros:
– Medium leverage trading (1:30)
– Allow weekend holding without restrictions
– Offers higher max drawdown
– 2-Step Advanced Trader (Maximum Drawdown): 10%
– 2-Step Premium Trader (Maximum Drawdown): 8%
Cons:
– Does not offer swap free accounts
6. Funding Traders
Pros:
– High leverage trading (1:100)
– Swap free accounts
– Allow weekend holding without restrictions
Cons:
– Does not offer higher max drawdown
– 1-Step Challenge (Maximum Drawdown): 5% Trailing
– 2-Step Challenge (Maximum Drawdown): 10% Static
– 1-Step Challenge (Daily Drawdown): 4%
– 2-Step Challenge (Daily Drawdown): 5%
Advice for Swing Traders
Now that you know what prop firm conditions to look out for and how to trade like a swing trader, here are a few things you should do to improve your swing trading game:
Choose one setup. Here’s an example using a trend continuation:
– Focus on higher timeframes (1-hour, 4-hour, or daily charts)
– Identify a clear trend using moving averages or trendlines
– Wait for a pullback to a support or resistance zone (e.g., previous breakout level or moving average)
– Enter when price confirms the bounce with a strong candlestick pattern (e.g., pin bar, bullish engulfing)
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