Trading Multiple Times Daily vs A Few Orders Weekly: What Really Suits You

One of the most common questions new traders ask is "How many orders should I trade per day?" or "Will trading more frequently make me profit faster?" The truth is, there's no single right answer for everyone, but there are principles and statistics that can help you decide which style truly suits you.

This article delves into the differences between high-frequency trading (Day Trading, Scalping) and low-frequency trading (Swing Trading, Position Trading) using real statistics and figures, not just feelings or personal beliefs.

Does Trading Frequency Actually Affect Results?

The answer is yes, but not in the way you think. Trading frequently doesn't always mean you'll make more profit. Data from analysing thousands of trading accounts shows that:

• Traders who trade very frequently (5-10+ orders per day) tend to have lower win rates and a higher tendency towards overtrading, especially during periods when the market lacks clear direction.
• Traders who trade very infrequently (1-2 orders per week) tend to have higher average wins, but if the system isn't good, a single loss will have a severe impact.
• Traders with moderate frequency (1-3 orders per day or 5-10 orders per week) tend to have the most balanced profit factor and expectancy.

Crucially, trading frequency must align with your trading system, not be decided by emotion or the urge to trade.

Pros and Cons of Frequent Trading (Day Trading / Scalping)

Pros:

• More frequent profit opportunities – See results quickly, can improve the system immediately
• No need to hold orders overnight – Reduces risk from gaps or sudden news
• Faster capital turnover – Compounding effect shows results faster if you actually make profit

Cons:

• High trading costs – Spread and commission eat into profits more, especially if trading pairs with wide spreads
• High stress – Must watch the screen constantly, not suitable for people with full-time jobs
• High risk of overtrading – Easy to trade emotionally because there are frequent opportunities to enter orders
• Requires high skill – Decisions must be fast and accurate because profit per order is small

Statistical example: A trader who trades 10 orders per day will on average lose approximately 2-5 pips per order in spread + commission, meaning they must make more than 20-50 pips per day just to break even, not counting mistakes from rushed decisions.

Pros and Cons of Infrequent Trading (Swing Trading / Position Trading)

Pros:

• Low trading costs – Spread and commission have much less impact
• Less stress – No need to watch the screen, suitable for people with full-time jobs
• Time to think and analyse – Can make decisions carefully, no need to rush
• Can catch major trends – If the direction is right, profit per order can be very high

Cons:

• Risk from gaps and news – Holding orders overnight or over weekends may be affected by gaps or news
• Must use wide stop losses – Because you need to give price room to move, making position sizing smaller
• Slow results – Must wait several days or weeks to know whether a trade is profitable or loss-making
• Requires high discipline – Because if you trade infrequently but lose, the impact is severe; must not trade emotionally to compensate

Statistical example: Traders who trade 2-3 orders per week tend to have a profit factor 20-30% higher than traders who trade 10+ orders per day, but must trade this for a longer drawdown duration.

How to Choose the Right Trading Frequency for You

Choosing whether to trade frequently or infrequently doesn't depend on which style is "better", but on these four factors:

1. Time You Have Available

If you work a 9-5 job and can't watch the screen constantly, low-frequency trading (Swing Trading) will be more suitable. You can analyse charts in the evening or before bed, set pending orders, and let the system work.

But if you have full-time availability and enjoy following the market in real-time, day trading or scalping may be more suitable.

2. Capital Size

Small capital (below 10,000 USD) suits moderate-frequency trading. You shouldn't trade too frequently because costs will eat into profits, and shouldn't trade too infrequently because a single loss will have severe impact.

Large capital (over 50,000 USD) can choose either style, but swing trading tends to give better risk-adjusted returns.

3. Personality and Psychology

If you're impatient, like to see quick results, and can't wait, day trading may be more suitable. But you must train your trading psychology to be strong so you don't trade emotionally.

If you're patient and like to analyse in detail, swing trading will be more suitable. But you must accept that sometimes you have to wait several days to know the result.

4. Your Trading System

This is the most important factor. What frequency is your trading system designed for?

• If you use fast indicators (such as EMA 5-10) and trade on low timeframes (M5, M15), your system suits frequent trading
• If you use slow indicators (such as EMA 50-200) and trade on high timeframes (H4, D1), your system suits infrequent trading

Crucially, you must keep a trading journal and analyse your own statistics. See when you're overtrading and when you're missing good opportunities.

Using Thaifxbook Statistics to Help Decide

The Thaifxbook platform helps you see detailed statistics of your own trading, including:

• Trading Frequency – See how often you trade and compare with periods when you made good profits
• Average Win vs Average Loss – If you trade frequently but average win is low, it may mean you're overtrading
• Profit Factor by Trading Frequency – See which periods when you trade frequently or infrequently give better results
• Expectancy Per Trade – This figure tells you on average how much profit or loss one order gives you. If it's negative, you're trading too much

Looking at these statistics will help you make informed decisions, not just guess or use trial and error.

Warning Signs You're Trading Too Frequently

If you notice these signs, you may be overtrading:

• Win rate declining continuously even though the system hasn't changed
• Average win much lower than spread + commission
• Profit factor below 1.2-1.3 even though trading very frequently
• Feeling stressed or tired after trading, even when making profit
• Often opening orders without clear setups, simply because you "want to trade"

If you encounter these signs, try reducing trading frequency by 30-50% and see if results improve.

Warning Signs You're Trading Too Infrequently

Conversely, if you're trading too infrequently, you may have these signs:

• Missing good setups frequently because waiting too long
• Very long drawdown duration because waiting for opportunities too long
• Profit per month not meeting targets even though win rate is high
• Feeling bored or lacking motivation to trade

If you encounter these signs, try increasing trading frequency by 20-30% whilst maintaining setup standards.

Summary: There's No "Right" Frequency, But There Is a Frequency That "Suits You"

The answer to the question "Should I trade frequently or infrequently?" isn't about which style is better, but which style suits your capital, time, personality, and trading system.

What you should do is:

1. Try trading both styles in a demo account first
2. Keep records and analyse statistics in detail
3. Use Thaifxbook to track which periods when you trade frequently or infrequently give better results
4. Adjust trading frequency to align with the results obtained
5. Maintain discipline and don't trade emotionally, regardless of which style you choose

Remember that the goal isn't to trade as much as possible, but to trade for the most consistent and sustainable profit.