Is intraday trading really more profitable than swing trading?

Over the past decade, intraday trading has become extremely popular. But many people question: is this really trading or just gambling? Some even directly label intraday traders as “speculators.”

Let the data speak. Numerous statistics show that intraday trading is definitely not a game everyone can master. Especially after the rise of the cryptocurrency market, the allure of 24/7 trading opportunities actually places even higher demands on traders.

There are thousands of intraday strategies out there, but the key is to find the one that suits your personality. Blindly copying others’ methods? That’s a recipe for disaster.

Today, I’ll share a relatively simple strategy that uses just three common indicators to build a complete trading system.

**M5 Trend Following + MACD Combo**

The core of this approach is “follow the main trend, catch the pullback.”

How exactly do you do it? Focus on the 5-minute candlestick chart, but don’t just stare at the current candle. Use two EMA( (Exponential Moving Averages)) to determine the direction of the larger trend—this is your steering wheel. The MACD gives you specific entry signals—this is your accelerator.

The rules must be strictly followed. Many people like to “optimize” strategies, only to end up turning an effective system into a mess. Remember: the vitality of a strategy lies in discipline, not in endless tweaks.

If you follow the rules, the strategy will reward you accordingly. If you mess around? Don’t blame the strategy when it stops working.

Of course, this is just the first of five effective strategies. We’ll continue to break down other approaches suited to different trading styles in future posts.